Saturday, May 4, 2013

Elephant In The Crafting World

There is an old saying "elephant in the room" which is a metaphor for an obvious thing that is ignored or not discussed. According to Wikipedia it is "based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus, people in the room who pretend the elephant is not there have chosen to avoid dealing with the looming big issue". Well today I am going to talk about the "Elephant in the Crafting World", or rather the elephant in the world of die-cutting machines. The Elephant to which I am referring is the one concerning a CD that contains SVG files for 270 Cricut Cartridges.

I heard about this elephant sometime ago and how it was floating around the crafting world. As the rumor goes, a disgruntled employee made the CD before leaving or being released *okie isn't sure which version, if either, is true*. I know there have been many people talking in hushed tones about this CD. How this CD was released to others is part of the story I can't seem to find, evidently that part is a bit sketchy. I do know there have been stories of copies being sold on eBay, websites offering downloads, CD's being sent through the mail to others and even some folks being bold enough to sell certain images from the CD of certain hard to obtain cartridges.

As the story goes, or at least how I have heard it, ProvoCraft has tried to shut down any talk or exchange of the CD, and if there was any evidence on websites have it removed by individuals offering the coveted files. Now this caused much panic about what would happen if people admitted to having these files. And thus, lead to the hushed whispering discussions about the CD. I wonder what would the repercussions be if someone came out and said "YEP! I got that dang CD and ya know what...I'M USING IT!"? Would ProvoCraft try and come take way the offenders machines, computers and anything related to their products? *okie pictures men in Cricut suits knocking on doors and strong arming their way into homes across the country, storming into the craft rooms of those homes and disassembling all the contents in search of the elusive files*. Would ProvoCraft slap lawsuits on the individual for infringement of copyright? I believe that is what has lead to the "Elephant in the crafting world" and how no one openly discusses the fact that the CD is in existence. And yes folks, IT DOES EXIST!

Now I am wonder what would happen if people weren't trying to sell the elusive files, but instead share them freely. Would that be against the Golden Laws of ProvoCraft? Would the Sheriff of Nottingcricut be able to enter the craftrooms and demand taxes for use of the files or if the person refused, would the Sheriff cut off the hand of the offender? *okie wonders sometimes if her imagination gets the best of her*.

I also have given thought to how much money ProvoCraft has lost due to this CD being released out there somewhere. But ya know it's not like you can't import any image into the programs like Make The Cut and Sure Cuts A Lot and make your own cutting file. Heck you can even do a screenshot of any of the Cricut images and import those. Of course most of the instructions on how to do that have been removed due to threats of legal ramifications. It doesn't mean it isn't being done though, everyone knows it is being done.

A link was posted not long ago for a website that claims to have 300 cartridges in digital format and you can buy one or all of them. There is only one post on this blog and no comments so I am not sure how legit it is, but it is there.

Okay, I talked about it...I talked about the elephant in the crafting world. It's out in the open as far as I am concerned and I feel much better. So shall we stop whispering about this dang thing and just say "Yep, that CD does exist".

32 comments:

  1. hmmm, very interesting. mabye pc should think of another line of work and put all the cricut lines of work behind them! with all the digital applications and softwares available, there isn't any reason to invest in a physical cartridge! shoot, i downloaded a jpg of tigger, printed it off and cut it out, and you wouldn't even know that i don't even have that stamp!

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  2. Don't know about others, but my scrap room is not big enough to have an elephant in it! Glad you got that dang thing out of yours! LOL

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  3. Thumps Up Okie - Thanks
    MTC rocks and PC should have paid him to be a consultant for their software program instead of suing him, but we know that is not how they handle things

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  4. Ohhhhh how I love the Cricut world......kkeehhmmm! LOL

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  5. Once again, well done Okie!

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  6. So that's why I kept smelling peanuts? LOL!

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  7. I'll feed the elephant some peanuts....about a year ago said files were all over the interent through shareware sites. It was easy enough to download and contained lots of carts (300? maybe) There were others trying to sell said files for about $100 at the time, but it was a simple free download back then. So, ask around and you will find plenty of people with the files. Now, I will say, it is often easier to just "borrow" individual images from DS or CCR and convert what you need rather than messing with those large files.
    Enjoy the nuts!

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  8. I would imagine they could go after folks for copyright infringement in much the same way the music industry did with napster. When someone accesses a website/file, their IP address is left on that website, which would be traceable back to their house (with court order). I'm sure someone more tech savy than me might figure out ways around it, but I wouldn't risk it... - KCM

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  9. Okie this is the only way I knew to contact you. I live in Blanchard and I was wondering if you would be interested in doing a project for me? My family reunion is coming up on the 18th of this month and I was wanting to make 4 t-shirts to see if maybe the family would be interesting in ordering some next year. I was going to order some vinyl and make them myself but it is really an expensive investment just to make 4 shirts. I was wondering if you would be willing to cut the vinyl for me and what you would charge? I have a saying in mind for the back and then I was thinking of a small round sticker for the front kinda like what you made for the tumbler that would just say Heffley Reunion 2013. Please let me know if you would be interested. My email is ja_kinslow@yahoo.com Thank you for your time.

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  10. I will say it again....I love you Okie!! Oh and if anyone wants my address so you can send me the disk just let me know!

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  11. Wow, I didn't know, but Provo Craft has made a lot of people MAD. I have decided that I will not but any new cartridge that is not on the Design Studio. It was bad enough when I heard no more cartridge's would be made for the Imagine, which I also have. It's too bad when a company puts out a product and then they just dump it. We all use to think Provo was so great and now we know we have been duped. It's too bad we can't all get together and sue their butts! But since we have spent every penny on our hobby we have no monies left to do that, lol
    Hugs, Have a wonderful Mother's Day...

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  12. Okie, you're the best! anyway, since you had vent, I will back you up!
    provo craft will be sorry some day... if a company like " KNK " trade US our cricuts
    to be able to used freely all craft programs available in the market, I think we all have nothing to lose... don't you think? Provo Craft needs to stop been greedy, we all should teach them and stop vying their products for few months and they will feel the pain.instead of partner with the CD's people and grow more with them. They are like communist -that's why from DS, after we spend the money and no refunds after all. they change to a total control by internet. I'm with 3 machines plus cartridges, venting too! Thanks Okie for all your inspirational protects, ideas and besides creating, venting! ha!

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  13. Love your post!!! For the longest time, I was a die-hard cricut lover, but as I kept reading about negative press, lawsuits, etc. I started looking at other die cut machines. I gave up on cricut when PC quit supporting the Imagine. PC is a huge company and makes a TON of cafting items (some of which I truly like), but I no longer support the cricut side of the company. I tuned the company out so much that I hadn't even realized the talk of a cd. Usually I will read about it somewhere, but your post is the first that I've heard of it. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. Never heard of it but I don't go into the cricut world anymore since I got Make the cut. I can hardly figure out how to use a cartridge anymore if I need too!! Can't stand going into design studio. Good for you I would use it if I had it !!
    Pam

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  15. Has the elephant sat on you? Hope all is well. Miss your posts.

    Barb D.

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  16. I had not heard about this but it does not surprise me! I too was a long time, die hard cricut fan. I have about 70 carts, E, Gypsy and Imagine. I became dismayed with the lawsuits and poor quality and began looking elsewhere. I bought a Cameo about 18 months ago and have not bought a PC item since. I would never have looked elsewhere and would still be drinking the PC Kool-Aid if they hadn't started suing the little guys because their products were far superior! I still have all me PC stuff and do wish I would use the images with my Cameo. As someone else said, I will send my address if anyone would wish to send a "gift".

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  17. I had not heard about this but it does not surprise me! I too was a long time, die hard cricut fan. I have about 70 carts, E, Gypsy and Imagine. I became dismayed with the lawsuits and poor quality and began looking elsewhere. I bought a Cameo about 18 months ago and have not bought a PC item since. I would never have looked elsewhere and would still be drinking the PC Kool-Aid if they hadn't started suing the little guys because their products were far superior! I still have all me PC stuff and do wish I would use the images with my Cameo. As someone else said, I will send my address if anyone would wish to send a "gift".

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  18. I was a die hard, drank the Kool Aid PC fan for years. I loved their products so much that 10 of my crafting buddies also bought cricuts. I have an E, I, Gypsy and about 80+ carts. I became disillusioned with PC when all the lawsuits started since I was already enjoying MTC. Their greed and issues with their products have tarnished their brand and about 18 months ago I bought a Cameo and haven't even looked at another PC product since. I have found other companies to be much more customer friendly than PC. Even thought I no longer purchase PC products, I am hesitant to get rid of my E, Gypsy and carts since there are some I really enjoy and the images are awesome, but the PC products haven't seen the light of day since the Cameo joined my family since my Cameo cuts so much better and is easier to operate. I had not heard of the "elephant" but would willingly send my address if anyone was generous enough to send a gift to Mississippi. :)

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  19. I regularly read your posts through Google Reader (though I realize I will soon need a new way to read the blogs I follow)and was wondering today if I had missed something. Missing your posts. Just wanted to stop by and let you know that I enjoy reading your thoughts and I am inspired by your creativity. Hope all is well. Thanks for keeping life real :)

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  20. Please, please little disc find your way to my mailbox or email.
    You rock Okie!

    Tina

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  21. Please, please little disk make your way to my mailbox or email. You rock Okie!

    Tina

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  22. Miss you Okie!! Hope all is OK in your world!
    Shellee

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  23. I lost faith in PC a while ago. Everytime I say I won't buy another cartridge, I see a sale or clearance for $14.95 - then I buy it. No more $29.99 and above. PC made the same mistake as Creative Memories. Because they were the most notable for so long, they didn't bother looking at what was going on around them and soon got left in the dust. Having said that, this is when I sound like a hypocrite, if PC found out who was copying their product and selling it they should be able to recoup the cost. It's no different from buying bootleg movies.

    If the Cameo would go on sale for under $200, I'd buy it. I can't think of anything I would buy from Creative Memories anymore....maybe adhesive because I still have a couple runners!

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  24. The cameo is on sale for under $200! Check out Dick Blick and there is a 30% off code on their website.

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  25. The cameo is on sale for under $200! Check out Dick Blick and there is a 30% off code on their website.

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  26. It is on sale for less than $200 at Dick Blick!

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  27. I have heard about the disk but never was actually able to find it.

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  28. I would love to find this in my mail box!!! Marianne

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  29. I would be thrilled if this showed up in my mailbox!

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  30. I just heard about the disk also. I would love it if it found it's way into my mailbox too, PLS.

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