So Lame

So over at Paper Vineyard, the challenge was to create a birthday project and it COULDN'T be a card.  I've personally been creating WAY too many cards lately so I was happy to try my hand at something new..... only I didn't. :(  Instead, I was busy preparing for last week's Cricut Swarm.  Now, while I missed creating a project specifically for our Birthday Non-Card challenge, I figured the cupcake box that I made would fit the bill PERFECTLY for a birthday-themed project.  The box also has an insert for a cupcake to fit inside.  I made it with my Cricut (cuz of the whole Cricut Swarm bit) and while I ADORE this box, I sort of had a little melt down making it and I decided that this is the last Provo Craft product I will ever buy.... let me share why (read through to find out the cartridge I used for this project)!

Most of you know that I DESPISE Provo Craft.  I hate that the Cricut is a one-of-kind product that I loved.  Really, it's like I have battered wife syndrome with Provo Craft!!!   For as long as I can remember, customer service at Provo Craft has been severely lacking at best, but I put up with HORRIBLE service to enjoy such a wonderful product, always hoping that Provo Craft will treat me better.

BUT THEN.....
Nifty Fifties was produced and all of the image cuts appeared on multiple pages of the handbook.  Upon calling Provo Craft (almost immediately after the cartridge release), Provo Craft's customer service said that they had their design team looking into the issue and they would get back to me with a resolution.  Of course, NO ONE EVER CALLED BACK.  The cartridge continued to be produced incorrectly and still is to this day.  Suddenly the product isn't so great.

THEN....
I discovered that Sure Cuts A Lot was shut down (for Cricut users) due to Provo Craft suing them.  Now, I don't know HOW they won the lawsuit since Provo Craft has NEVER allowed me to cut the true type fonts on my computer, but they did win and I can no longer use the $100 program that I purchased to enhance my Cricut experience.  Let me assure you, this program did not keep me from purchasing Provo Craft products.  In fact, it caused me to purchase more.  For a Halloween layout to chronicle my Geisha costume escapade, I used SCAL to cut out the title "Geisha".  RIGHT AFTER seeing the effect, I RAN out to purchase the Pagoda cartridge realizing that my layout needed the added Asian-inspired images.  I can tell you right now that if Toyota ever sues XM radio, I will no longer buy Toyotas.

NOW....
I purchase a cartridge (I will reveal in one sec) with 9 project cuts.  That's it... there are a total of 9 cuts with a tenth "bonus" cut that appears to be different inserts for the box project.  But total, there are 9 projects.  Of those 9 projects, I chose the "ice cream cone" top FIRST to use as a cupcake box only to find that a part of the project.... the cherry on top.... cannot be used on my project.  Due to the fact that the designers added slits in the cherry to make it individually 3D, I could not use it for the project it was supposed to be for.  Needless to say, this discovery AFTER wasting an entire piece of My Mind's Eye paper, sent me into a full on adult-temper-tantrum.  I BROKE AND I'M FINALLY DONE WITH PROVO CRAFT.  Out of 9 projects, the FIRST ONE I picked is not complete and after YEARS of cutting with this machine, I STILL have to do practice cuts to be sure my paper isn't wasted and the products are correct?!?!  I had to create my own cherry using a circle punch....Nope, I'm done.  I will not deal with poor service, greed and now depleting product quality.  Time to find me a new electronic cutter and free myself from this seemingly co-dependent relationship!!!  That may seem a little dramatic, but I suspect there are more of you Cricuters out there who need to break the cycle of abuse! 

But, here it is, I told you I'd reveal the cartridge I used.  It's called Sweet Tooth Boxes.... buyer beware!  The reason I waited to share the source, is that I REALLY wanted everyone to hear all of this.  You see, Provo Craft seems to think that those who have so much invested (yes, I own 78 cartridges, two cutters, one Gypsy, Design Studio and multiple rolls of tacky tape, not to mention a Cuttlebug.... and don't forget the $100 I spent on SCAL specifically to use with my Cricut) that they won't switch.  I think they are wrong.... let's see who's right.  I will keep everyone posted on my search for a better electronic die cutter.