As for this, I'm LOVIN' the responses on my previous post. If you haven't added your two cents, please do so. I promise I'm going to do more with this idea of likes/dislikes relating to papercrafting, and I hope whatever I do will be helpful not only to me but to some of you as well.
That
And on such an ambiguous note, here's a little of that.
One of my goals is to experiment with different sizes and shapes of card, and this oblong card measures 8.5" x 3.5", so it will fit in a standard business envelope. I love these fun tree stamps from Hero Arts (from a very old and discontinued set) but couldn't fit the summer tree on this card. I thought since we're in the middle of winter in the northern hemisphere, it might be good to think about spring being just around the corner.
So far, winter in Ohio has been fine, but by February, I may feel very gray!
I've done a minor rearranging and purging of my craft area and continue to hem and haw on the possibility of buying a Cuttlebug. Not sure if that's going to happen. Indecision may or may not be my problem. Feel free to advise me on the issue, but know that I'm ever so stubborn about investing in product that will require me to spend more money buying more stuff that has to be stored, and I resolutely refuse to go electronic. So there.
Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts, all discontinued
ink: Memento
paper: PTI white
accessories: dimensionals, rhinestones
I wasn't sure either. However, three years ago DH bought me a Big Shot for Christmas. I have since gone through two sets of plates, I've used it so much. That said, I'm a teacher and have used it to make art projects and school Valentines. I make about 100 ATC Valentines a year so I really love my heart dies. That much punching is too hard on the hands. My kids love to use it and they cut all the Valentine shapes.
ReplyDeleteThe Cuttlebug is perfect for clean and simple dry embossing which is amazingly elegant. Try it - I bet you'll love it! - Hugs, Audrie
ReplyDeleteI love the big shot-and it takes every one's dies!
ReplyDeleteI have had my CB for about six years now and I think I use it on just about every card I make!! Absolutely LOVE it! I use it a ton with EF and with dies. Couldn't live without it.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend that you look into a Big Shot. Most everyone I know prefers that to a Cuttlebug. I do think you will like having a die cut machine.
ReplyDeleteBe prepared to fall hopelessly into a deep dark hole of wonderful possibilities with a die cutting machine. I held out forever in getting one, and now, it is so difficult to make a card without it. It will only expand your fabulous over the top CAS world beautifully. I would be remiss if I didn't put in a plug for a Big Shot/Big Kick over the CB...much more heavy duty and not much more $$$. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI bought the CB because I had space issues and needed something I could collapse and put away. It still does what it said it would do but I don't know if it would be my first choice if size were no object.
ReplyDeletewow that you are even thinking about the Cuttlebug is funny!!!! I bought, loved, used and broke two of them and finally got a Big Kick/Big Shot. It just seems better able to handle the pressure of some of the heavier cardstock. There are many choices of both design and manufacturer.You can emboss more than one piece at a time And you get the added bonus of being able to die cut if you decide to move in that direction.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to casing your amazing cards to come...no pressure, just saying the crafting world will be a better place if you delve into embossing.
love ya
patti moffett
The Cuttle is great for all dies and embossing folders except the absolutely new new Spellbinders embossing folders. :( They want you to buy their grand caliber. Pushing product which is my pet peeve. And DT that won't tell you all the extra steps needed in order to use the new stuff. Anyway, on to the cuttlebug...Provo improved it...NOT! The new version is cheap cheap! The handle flips when it shouldn't while you're trying to crank. The deck is tiny so the plates will barely balance on it. I would look closer at the Big Shot instead.
ReplyDeletep.s. great card!
ReplyDeleteOf all my stamping tools, my CB is used nearly as much as my cutter and Scor Pal. I don't think you'll regret it even if you do end buying dies and impression folders.
ReplyDeleteI just love, love love my CB- I am on my second one, when I broke down and got a Big Shot. It really is the best machine especially for cutting intricate dies. Look for sales and promotions, I got mine for cheaper then my last CB. What ever you get though, I know it will complement your style!
ReplyDeleteLove this card - I have these stamps and haven't used them in years! I like the sentiment here. Not sure spring is in the air here - still freezing :))
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on a Cuttlebug - it's an excellent product!!! I got mine when it was released and it gets used daily. The small size means it's really easy to get on my desk and it takes most size dies. I do have a Grand Calibur too for the very large dies (and I love it), but it doesn't get used as much as my bug!
You may be tempted to get lots of new stash - embossing folders and the like!
Go for it! You won't regret it, and it will only enhance your CAS cards...and you can still keep all your white space! And I LOVE that card!
ReplyDeleteI own both a Cuttlebug & a Big Shot, the Big Shot is the better built machine. However the Cuttlebug is adequate. I love embossing folders and the array of dies is staggering. That becomes the problem, again there are just too many products available.
ReplyDeleteI loved my old CB [I don't know about the "new" version] -- I have since gone to a Big Shot and I do love it too. I like the fact I can use the longer sandwich and cut multiplies out at the same time. Go for it Susan - you will wonder what took you so long... :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering if I'd ever hear you say you might get a Cuttlebug!! While my cards are not as CAS as yours, they are pretty basic and I love the CB - I've had it for a couple of years now, and love using embossing folders for texture. I also love the Nestabilities circles, ovals, and some of the labels - shapes that are really hard to cut by hand or with a paper cutter. And some of the Memory Box dies make the most wonderful CAS cards. The Cuttlebug has been perfectly adequate for my needs and, because my crafting area is small, it's great because it takes up very little space. With a 40 or 50% off coupon, it's pretty inexpensive! Do let us know your decision!!
ReplyDeleteI love my BigShot! Obviously, it doesn't collapse like the Cuttlebug, so it does take up real estate. I use it so often that it is worth it to me. I also have quite a collection of embossing folders and dies and really love them too. There are two more categories of items that you may be tempted to delve into, presenting more storage dilemmas. Again, I use mine, so it is worth my effort. One thing I thought of that might be relevant to you is the differing sizes of the embossing folders. Right off hand, I don't know the dimensions of them. Someone else may chime in and help here. My Sissix and Spellbinders folders will cover an A2 card front completely, but my Provo Craft folders will not. Or else I haven't mastered how to do that yet.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Good luck in your decision making process.
I have an original Cuttlebug which I use for embossing and die cutting - with paper only (not felt or fabric, etc.). I love the small size and the fact that I can use dies and folders from other companies.
ReplyDeleteI haven't felt the need to switch to the Big Shot/Big Kick. I know of other cardmakers who have bought the Vagabond because of physical handicaps or because of an extraordinary amount of cutting to be done.
I don't think I will ever move to an electronic die cutting machine. I like the manual handcrafting feeling that I get with my Cuttlebug and my stash of dies and embossing folders. ;-)
Love your card, Susan! I always think I need to use all four or just one, but you showed me that three works well, too! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have a CB (original version) because I love dry embossing. Waited a long time before I started with dies but now own a few of them, too. I love my Cuttlebug (also the name) and haven't had any problems but if I had to buy a new one I might go with the Big Shot now. It does seem to work better with intricate dies of which I don't have any yet.
Good luck with your decision.
When I first started making cards, I listened to a CB owner and bought one. I was happy with it... until it wouldn't cut felt. So, when Michaels had their half price sale on Sizzix and CB (keep an eye out for that... they do it once and maybe even twice a year!) I bought the Big Kick (same machine as the Big Shot - just looks a little different). Sad to say I've never gone back to the CB. The big Kick does everything the CB does and some of it better. I think I fell in love with my Big Kick when I saw how beautifully it embossed my Spellbinders dies. I had such a hard time getting the CB to emboss those dies and the Big Kick does it so perfectly and so easily. The Big Kick is a much sturdier machine than the CB so I feel it will last longer. I love the multipurpose platform that comes with it. It gives you the right sandwich for all the different brands of dies and EFs instead of always having to experiment with "sandwiches" that would work in the CB.
ReplyDeleteSo, as a person who owns both machines, I'd definitely tell anyone to go with the Big Kick over the CB.
Just a side comment about machines. I love die cutting, but if you are only interested in the CB for dry embossing with embossing folders it would be just fine. I love dry embossing and I think it can make a handmade card look so elegant. Sizzix also makes a smaller machine called the Texture Boutique that only does embossing with embossing folders so that's an option, too. Personally, if I was taking the plunge to get a machine I'd never want to limit myself to just embossing, but just wanted to share the info.
Your cards have always been lovely without die cutting or embossing so I can understand your hesitance to go that route. It can eat up a lot of money! I remember one of your posts about edge punches and you said something like "If you have a coupon, buy an edge punch." If you get a machine, now you'll be saying, "If you have a coupon, get a die or an embossing folder." LOL!!!
My Cuttlebug was one of the best Mother's Day gifts I've ever received! I love it! I don't have a lot of space in my office/craft room so it fits perfectly. Also, die cuts and dry embossing have really taken my cards to another level but then I don't possess your amazing stamping talent! =)
ReplyDeleteI invested in my Big Shot 4 years ago and use it all the time. It does take up space, but I love the embossing folders and the way they dress up even a clean and simple card.
ReplyDeleteSusan, between the Cuttlebug (esp Version 2) and the Big Shot, I would definitely recommend the Big Shot. I have the original CB, and while it works great with embossing folders, it was a struggle to use dies. I had a difficult time holding the top of the CB while cranking through a sandwich. And sometimes the sandwich would slide off the platform because it was so short. (This would be worse with the Cuttlebug that's available now, because the platform is even shorter.)
ReplyDeleteI debated a long time over the Big Shot, knowing that I didn't need 2 die cutters. Plus I already had the extended plates for the Cuttlebug, as well as extra B and C plates. When I read on SCS that CB plates would fit the Big Shot, I took the plunge. And am so happy I did. I only have to use fingertip pressure when running a sandwish through the Big Shot.
The Cuttlebug V2 doesn't come with a C plate, which you need in order to use dies. Purchasing the C plate with the CB costs more than the Big Shot, so the choice for me would be a no-brainer.
Like everyone else that has responded, I LOVE my Cuttlebug for the options that it gives me. I've had the CB for a number of years - I seldom have any issues with it, and, when I do, I've been able to overcome them with a bit of determination and effort. I use it for dry embossing, and cutting dies, some VERY intricate - sometimes I have to rotate the dies to get them to cut completely, but that's the biggest problem I've run into.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be happy with your decision!
Hi Susan! It's been a (long) while since I've commented, but I thought I'd chime in to say... 1) love this long, colourful card; and 2) I didn't think I wanted or needed a Cuttlebug, but now I use mine all the time! It really is terrific to be able to add some texture or a die cut to a card. I've even been able to be reasonably conservative in my die and embossing folder purchases!
ReplyDeleteI love your card today! It's just your style and mine, too!
ReplyDeletePlease give serious thought to a Big Shot/Kick over the Cuttlebug, especially since you like to use the heavier cardstocks. You will love feeling the texture from embossing! Be sure to keep the machine readily available so you'll use it; if you close up the CBug and put it away, you won't use it. ... We'll all stay tuned for updages on this one!
Hi Susan! Just want to say that I saw your cards published in Take Ten...congratulations!! As for the Cuttlebug debate, I also refuse to go electronic, and I love using my Cuttlebug for everything! I have tried the others, but this little thing is perfect in terms of storage and portability. I say, "go for it!"
ReplyDelete