The Best Cricut Deals Today

Top Deal: Cricut Easy Press 2

If you’re looking to get crafty this spring, then I’ve found some excellent deals on 3 of the best Cricut machines to help bring your creations to life. It’s rare that we find Cricut deals this good outside of promotional sales like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday, so this really is a rare treat.

The top deal I recommend out of the bunch will save you $140 on the Cricut Easy Press 2 machine, now only $99 over at Amazon, which is amazing considering that this heat press device usually retails for $239. The Easy Press 2 is a great choice for beginners to Cricut who want to work with iron-on vinyl, and this machine can transfer a design onto fabric in just 60 seconds. (Psst – there’s a UK deal on this machine too for only £99 over at Amazon.)

What’s included with the Cricut Easy Press 2?

• Heat press device
• Power cord
• Instructions

Other Cricut Deals

• Cricut Explore 3: Normally $229, now $149 at Amazon
• Cricut Maker 3: Normally $299, now $199 at Amazon

Why are these deals happening?

I suspect that the launch of the new Cricut Maker 4 and Explore 4 series could have something to do with these generous price cuts on older Cricut products, but either way, I’m certainly not complaining. If these deals aren’t quite for you, take a look at our guide to the best Cricut alternatives for some more options.

The Best Cricut Deals Today

Below you’ll find the best deals and lowest prices on the Cricut products in your region and worldwide, using our clever deals widget updating 24/7.

FAQs

Q: What is the Cricut Easy Press 2?
A: The Cricut Easy Press 2 is a heat press device that can transfer a design onto fabric in just 60 seconds.

Q: What is the Cricut Explore 3?
A: The Cricut Explore 3 is a cutting machine that can cut over 300 materials, including paper, vinyl, and fabric.

Q: What is the Cricut Maker 3?
A: The Cricut Maker 3 is a cutting machine that can cut, score, and foils materials, making it a versatile tool for crafters.

The Toymaker

A magical toymaker whose creations come to life when spinning the wheel. He often ditches them as he tries to create toys that will stay alive.

The Lover’s Lament

A piece about loss and grief. The lover and her dragon companion visit the tomb of her deceased beloved every year, when peonies bloom.

From the Ashes

The phoenix is one of the best recognized symbols of rebirth and glory built from decay, yet there’s melancholy in it too.

Empress of Barn Owls

I’ve always loved barn owls and often incorporate them into different pieces, usually involving mysterious women living among them.

Luvamiart Valladolid’s Process and Inspirations

As an illustrator, Luvamiart Valladolid is passionate about the versatility of a simple pencil. "In our fast-paced world, I want people to stop for a moment and appreciate the small details and magical stories they can form." She shared her thoughts on her creative process and inspirations:

"I enjoy playing with different mediums and techniques to achieve a unique look. My art is a reflection of my interests and passions, and I’m always looking for new ways to express them."

Conclusion

Luvamiart Valladolid’s artwork is a testament to the power of creativity and imagination. Her use of simple pencils and mediums allows her to bring alive whimsical worlds and characters, inviting viewers to step into her enchanting realm.

FAQs

Q: What inspires your art?
A: My interests and passions, as well as the world around me, are a constant source of inspiration.

Q: What is your favorite medium to work with?
A: I enjoy playing with different mediums and techniques to achieve a unique look, but I do have a soft spot for simple pencils.

Q: What message do you hope to convey through your art?
A: I want people to stop for a moment and appreciate the small details and magical stories they can form.

Hota: A New iPhone App for Novice Gardeners

If, like me, you’re a novice gardener (read: I occasionally plant some bulbs and then wonder why my garden doesn’t look nice all year round), then you might want to download a new iPhone app, Hota, which aims to help beginner gardeners with what they should plant and where.

How Hota Works

Hota is well-designed with an easy-to-use UX that makes gardening more accessible. When you open the app, it identifies the direction your garden is facing, as well as what it calls Soil ID – the type of soil you have, which is based on your location (Hota currently only works in the UK). You then input the size of your bed, the themes or colors you prefer, and it brings up a list of easy-to-maintain plants to plant in the front, middle, and back of your bed.

Design and Features

The app’s design ensures it stands out among the competition. "So many gardening products use light greens or watercolours, but we wanted to design something that represents the boldness of flowers, which is also helpful when trying to compete with the bright lights of a phone Home Screen," says Hannah. "Having bright pinks and corals felt energizing and fun."

The app icon was initially inspired by the shape of a tulip, and the original name of the app "bud" (it loosely shapes the letters b-u-d), but the duo soon discovered a popular marijuana app that they didn’t want to compete with. They landed on the name "Hota" but stuck with the logo.

Planting and Maintenance

Once you have planted Hota’s suggested plants, you click a button to let the app know and it then tells you when to water, weed, prune, and deadhead, using a traffic light system to show you the urgency of tasks. "We wanted a homepage that you can see at a glance what needs doing. This inspired the traffic light garden maintenance icons at the top of the home page, with more detail available tapping into a bed," says Hannah.

Bed Design and Buying Plants

The app has just launched with a new feature, Bed Design, which generates an interactive plant bed design, showing you exactly where to plant each plant. You can also now buy the suggested plants directly from the app, thanks to a partnership with Proctors Nursery.

What the Creators are Proud Of

What are the husband and wife duo most proud of? "The bed design feature," says Hannah. "Creating a tool that will generate a strong garden border design, for all soil types, for all light levels and all dimensions was a huge technical challenge. We hope this will encourage new gardeners to get started easily."

Conclusion

I look forward to seeing what’s next for Hota, as well as how my garden will develop following its recommendations.

FAQs

Q: Is Hota available only in the UK?
A: Yes, Hota currently only works in the UK.

Q: Can I buy the suggested plants from the app?
A: Yes, thanks to a partnership with Proctors Nursery, you can now buy the suggested plants directly from the app.

Q: How does Hota work?
A: Hota identifies the direction your garden is facing, as well as what it calls Soil ID – the type of soil you have, which is based on your location. You then input the size of your bed, the themes or colors you prefer, and it brings up a list of easy-to-maintain plants to plant in the front, middle, and back of your bed.

When a Single Line Can Make a Big Impact: The Art of Minimalist Animation

When it comes to animation, we often think of complex, detailed illustrations and intricate movements. However, a studio has shown that sometimes, less is more. Loooop Studio, known for their minimalist approach, has created a series of animations that capture the beauty and fragility of wildlife using just a single line.

A New Style of Animation

The studio’s signature style has been around since 2015, when they first stripped down famous logos to a single line. This message was clear: simple forms can create memorable identities. With their new animal animations, there’s a deeper objective. The studio wants to use their style to highlight a critical situation where wildlife is increasingly vulnerable and threatened. The infinite loop is meant to symbolize life’s perpetual beauty and fragile interconnectedness.

A Technical Advantage

But Loooop Studio practices what they preach. They note that using a single white line on a black background reduces energy consumption on all devices: on mobile, over 95% of pixels remain off, and on computers, it produces a lighter, faster-loading file – all while still making great use of key animation principles.

Capturing Complex Ideas with Minimal Resources

The studio’s approach to animation is not just about simplicity; it’s also about capturing complex ideas using minimal resources. By using a single line, they can convey intricate movements and emotions, creating mesmerizing animations that are both beautiful and thought-provoking.

The Impact of Their Work

Loooop Studio’s work is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about creating a sense of urgency and awareness. Their animations aim to communicate that the future of nature is on the line. By using their unique style, they hope to inspire change and spark a conversation about the importance of conservation and sustainability.

Conclusion

Loooop Studio’s use of single-line animation is a testament to the power of simplicity and creativity. By stripping away unnecessary complexity, they can create animations that are both beautiful and thought-provoking. Their work serves as a reminder that, even with minimal resources, we can make a big impact and inspire change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Loooop Studio’s signature style?
A: Loooop Studio’s signature style is a minimalist approach to animation, using a single line to convey complex ideas and emotions.

Q: What is the purpose of Loooop Studio’s new animal animations?
A: The studio’s new animal animations aim to highlight the critical situation of wildlife being increasingly vulnerable and threatened, and to symbolize life’s perpetual beauty and fragile interconnectedness.

Q: What are the technical benefits of using a single line on a black background?
A: Using a single white line on a black background reduces energy consumption on all devices, producing a lighter, faster-loading file while still making great use of key animation principles.

The Marvel Gaming Universe That Never Was

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been a massive success, with its multiverse-spanning storylines and interconnected films. However, it seems that Disney had plans to create a similar universe, but for the world of gaming. According to industry insiders, Disney had a concept for a Marvel Gaming Universe, which would connect all Marvel video games on a single timeline.

The Concept

The idea was to create a cohesive universe, allowing players to move between games through alternate reality game (ARG) elements. This would have also connected to Marvel comics, creating a vast, interconnected world of gaming and storytelling. Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition.

Insider Insights

Alex Irvine, writer of Marvel Rivals, and Alexander Seropian, former SVP & GM of Core Games at Disney, discussed the concept on The Fourth Curtain YouTube channel. Irvine shared, "When I first started working on Marvel games, there was this idea that they were going to create a Marvel gaming universe that was going to exist in the same way that the MCU did… It never really happened."

Irvine also mentioned that the team came up with many great ideas for connecting the games, including linking in comics and creating original content. Seropian added that it was his idea to connect the games together, but funding issues prevented the project from moving forward.

What Could Have Been

Although some Marvel games did see the light of day, such as NetEase’s PVP shooter Marvel Rivals and games linked to individual franchises like Eidos Montreal’s Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s a shame that we’ll never get to experience the interconnected Marvel Gaming Universe that was envisioned. The concept had the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, offering a new level of immersion and engagement for fans.

Conclusion

The Marvel Gaming Universe concept was an ambitious idea that never materialized. While we can only speculate about what could have been, it’s clear that the potential was enormous. The idea of a connected gaming universe, linked to comics and other forms of media, would have been a game-changer. Unfortunately, it seems that this concept will remain a "what if," leaving fans to wonder what could have been.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the Marvel Gaming Universe concept?
A: The concept was to create a cohesive universe connecting all Marvel video games on a single timeline, allowing players to move between games through ARG elements and linking to Marvel comics.

Q: Who came up with the idea?
A: Alexander Seropian, former SVP & GM of Core Games at Disney, and Alex Irvine, writer of Marvel Rivals, were involved in the project.

Q: Why did the project not move forward?
A: Funding issues prevented the project from progressing.

Q: What Marvel games were released despite the concept not being realized?
A: NetEase’s PVP shooter Marvel Rivals and games linked to individual franchises like Eidos Montreal’s Guardians of the Galaxy were released.