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I bought a Crop-a-Dile and so far I hate it. I have a big hand, and even so, the thing is cumbersome. It's also so hard to see when I'm punching my hole. Grr! Am I missing out on something I should know to easily use the thing??? Right now I wish I'd never bought it.
__________________ Debra ---artist * teacher * designer Say yes. Be generous. Speak up. Love more. Trust yourself. Slow down. ---Patti Digh
I bought a Crop-a-Dile and so far I hate it. I have a big hand, and even so, the thing is cumbersome. It's also so hard to see when I'm punching my hole. Grr! Am I missing out on something I should know to easily use the thing??? Right now I wish I'd never bought it.
It is big and heavy and cumbersome -- you are not alone in that thought. I do like it but I really wish it had a longer reach. I'd love it if they would come out with another one that has a longer reach but given its odd design that would probably be impossible.
Wish I could give you a magic answer on this one but I have the same issues. BUT I do like how it sets the eyelets soooo effortlessly.
__________________ Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
My biggest is paper (big slabs) and embellishments... I see them on sale and think "what a great deal" -- now they're in huge stacks and, even though I REALLY TRY, I can almost never match them to a project.
Ditto to all on the brayer and the crimper. (Thanks for good suggestions on the brayer, maybe I'll put it out in easier reach and will use it more!)
;)
__________________ Anjou My Gallery * My Blog - Dreaming in Color "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." - Belva Davis
Hot foiling pen
Photo coloring markers
Fastenator (got it for free, so I don't feel too bad, though I really mean to start using it!)
Many pairs of decorative scissors...I only use about 4 pair regularly
Colorbox stylus and rubber mats for molding the tips
SpinBrush...I've used it once, but I keep forgetting about it!
Lots of punches that I don't use much, if at all
Little gizmo that helps you make mitered corners on photo mats
Brayer...do any of you have problems getting your BG stamps to cover completely...I did until i bought a brayer and used it. I ink up my BG stamp...lie the paper on top and roll. Perfect BG stamp image...I used to hate BG stamps!!!
As for the crimper...I bought one haven't used it yet. My demo used it to make a cupcake wrapper with the round tab punch. She made the cutest card with it... I had to have the tool.
__________________ ***Carrie***
Addicted to Stamping
Location: Somewhere in the middle...closer to there, nearer to here...
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Let me join the "hall of shame" ! Here's my list...and so glad to see that I am not alone.
Fiskars ShapeBoss
Marvy (non-lever) punches (These things are really bad!)
Chalks (I like the look...just forget to use them)
Stamp-a-ma-jig (Sold it, bought it again, and never use it)
Tags and more tags
Embellishments from Oriental Trading (I like them...just don't use them often)
Vellum (Love the look...keep forgetting to use it)
Crop-a-dile (I'm afraid of it:( )
I have a big hand, and even so, the thing is cumbersome. It's also so hard to see when I'm punching my hole.
My DDH bought me a CAD for our anniversary. When I tried it out this weekend, I found the two-handed method was easiest for me to set eyelets with, but I could punch my holes with one hand easily. I love it because I set a perfect row of seven fairly evenly-spaced eyelets in the amount of time it would have taken me to set two or three eyelets in an uneven, crooked line. ;) I think the CAD is best for that kind of application, as I see your point that if you wanted to set an eyelet in the centre of a circle or something, punching the hole where you wanted would be tricky. Maybe use traditional methods to punch precisely-located holes and the CAD to set the eyelets in that situation?
Before getting the CAD I had a spring-loaded punch and eyelet setter that I thought rocked, but still rarely touched my eyelets. With the CAD I can see that changing. I would even consider mass-producing cards with multiple eyelets now that I have the CAD, which never would have crossed my mind before.
If you just can't get it to do anything you would like it to, I would suggest keeping it by your front door as a home security device, the same way some folks keep a baseball bat near the door. ;)
My rarely-used tools: ShapeBoss -- I don't have the patience to emboss the giant designs on this thing, and the two times I've used it I was disappointed with the shallow embossed results that were hard to see. Felt like a lot of work for nothing!
Punches -- I **love** punches but for the cost and storage issues they have, I don't use them nearly enough. I have a bunch of smaller ones I hardly ever use (except for my corner punches) and even my Spring Bouquet Punch has only been used a few times.
Drawers and baskets of alterable items -- I hoard Crystal Light containers, coffee cans, International Foods instant coffee tins, tins from the dollar bins at Michaels, etc etc ad nauseum. Who the *(% am I going to give them to once I alter them? I used up a bunch last Christmas giving candies to friends, but other than that seem to collect them faster than I can possibly use them.
Ribbon -- I could cover all the walls in our home with the ribbon I've accumulated. I have such a hard time using it and feel so uncreative in the few ways I do use it. Part of it is not knowing the best way to adhere it to cards, etc.
Acrylic paint -- I have about fifteen bottles even after selling a bunch in our yard sale. It was very handy for the altered letters I gave to DH for our anniversary, but other than that I rarely use them.
Foam stamps -- I have a plastic shoebox full of foam stamps that I use, um, NEVER. I suck at applying paint to them (always put on too much and then the results are gloppy looking). What other media can I use them with?
The Slab III, IV, and VI -- I especially regret III. It seemed so elegant at the time and now it looks to me like they got a cat to yak on paper. Hairball, anyone?
Gosh, a lot of your unused items listed above are among my favorites! I love my coluzzles, stamp a majig and crop a dial! I have and use my brayer a fair amount as well as my crimper. I do have a boat load of paper (a couple of slabs!) and 2 different sizes of fiskars trimmers that aren't being used... Most of my stuff gets used (I have been collecting for many many years and some gets "dusty" between years of non-use, but does get pulled out eventually...)
I recently bought that package of 3 Ranger mini sprayers, too. I thought they would be great for special effect techniques. I filled one with Ranger Alcohol Ink Blender and sprayed glossy paper that had been previously decorated with alcohol inks. It gave it a rained on spotty effect that I liked. I filled the second one with water and use it on stamps that I want the watercolor effect. I am going to fill the third one with bleach and experiment to see what kind of looks I can get on colored cardstock. Since the sprayers are small they only use a couple teaspoonsfull of liquid and they don't take up much room in my storage drawers. I think at $4.99 they were a good bargain. What are some other ideas?
CORRECTION: DO NOT spray Ranger Alcohol Blender Solution in the minisprayers or any other sprayer. A representative from Ranger informed me that the fumes are harmful if inhaled. So please do not do that.
--I have a few small cutsie shape punches that I've never used
--Never use my decorative scissors, and I have about 10 different ones
--Really ugly slab paper
--Stamp a ma jig-- I've only used it once. I've gone unmounted and don't need it
--templates in all sorts of shapes
--a HUGE amount of stickers. I thought they were cute at the time, but I'm just not a sticker person
--my light box. I wouldn't give it up, but it's very rarely used
--my Zip e'Mate die cut machine. It's just too cumbersome.
--fibers
--a box of cheapo buttons in ugly colors
--CM photo trimmer, it doesn't cut straight, used only a few times
--MM tool set. I only use the paper piercing tool now
--Sizzix paddle punches
On the other hand, I do use my circle scissors, even though I don't like it. It's my only circle cutting system.
--Stamp a ma jig-- I've only used it once. I've gone unmounted and don't need it.
I still use my SAMJ with my unmounted stamps. I am a "crooked stamper".... I also hang pictures on the wall crooked too. Now, I could explain the pictures on the wall because apparently one hip is lower than the other... but I don't think that excuse works for me stamping crooked. ;)
__________________ "There is a very fine line between hobby and mental illness." -- Dave Barry
Being new I have made a lot of mistake purchases. Several 3D embellishment stickers that are now just plain tacky to me. Lots of ribbon that have designs on them. How am I supposed to use those?!? TONS of DP that go with nothing.
I would love a lot of what y'all talk about not using!
Don't use my beautiful wire and beautiful glitter.
They just sit there, being beautiful.
lol.
I have alot of beautiful things I do not want to use.......because I might need to use them on something where there beauty would be better appreciated! And if I use it ......it would be gone!
__________________ Matthew 6:34 �So don�t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today�s trouble is enough for today."
I bought a Crop-a-Dile and so far I hate it. I have a big hand, and even so, the thing is cumbersome. It's also so hard to see when I'm punching my hole. Grr! Am I missing out on something I should know to easily use the thing??? Right now I wish I'd never bought it.
I love my crop-a-dile! The thing I love most is that it's quiet and I don't wake up my kids late at night. Anyway, I usually turn the hole punch right side up so I can see where the hole is (the prong goes up instead of down). Hope that makes sense.
To add to the list of dust collectors, I have the following:
BG Notch Tool
Chalk
Heidi Swapp Iron
MM Tool Kit-I only really use the paper piercer
Decorative Scissors--I hate that I'm unable to cut straight
Deluxe Designs Templates for layouts
Layouts and kits I got/made at the Scrapbook Expo.
This list can go on forever and a day....
I have a crimper, but I've actually found a use for it. I can make goodie/treat bags for my kids and their friends. Found the idea here on SCS.
Glad I'm not the only one that has made a lousy purchase on what was deemed a "HTH" (have to have).
ME TOO! Looked like such a great thing and it was going to save me so much money over a die cut machine! LOL! Now it is gathering dust while my Bug gets to play almost everyday!
I do have to say that I love my brayer for adding color over something I've embossed with my Bug. I also use it to ink some of my BG stamps sometimes.
Probably my biggest mistake was a light box way back when I thought dry embossing was the way to go. Don't think I've ever used it. I bought some hodge podge hardware but like to hoard it as well as the postage making it hard to use those kinds of things. I do use my coluzzle, SAMJ, brayer (sometimes to get good coverage with BG stamps), crimper (once in a while). I use my non-SU paper as "padding" for cards which have "bumps" on them to try to alleviate extra postage (so far it's worked). That's my .02 worth.
I rarely use my hodgepodge hardware but again I think it's an issue of hoarding!! I just can't stand the thought of putting them on a card of I think they will eventually end up in the trash!
I have alot of cheaper quality AC Moore card stock that I don't use anymore. There are also stamps that I forget I have or really just don't like much that rarely get used.
I understand that many of you don't use the Fastenator. Why is that? I am waiting for it to get to the Danish stores - and I realy want it.
Just LOVE all the beautyful staples.
But maybe I wrong - maybe I won't be using it if I get it??
I bought all these (and everything I could lay my hands on) when I first started crafting, then sold them all I year or so later when I figured they weren't me!!
I understand that many of you don't use the Fastenator. Why is that? I am waiting for it to get to the Danish stores - and I realy want it.
Just LOVE all the beautyful staples.
But maybe I wrong - maybe I won't be using it if I get it??
Linda
I keep meaning to use it, but I haven't had a layout that seemed to need that kind of accent. I like all the different staples too!
But then, I have the mini fastenator, so I can only put the staples around the edges of the paper. I figured if I used it a lot, I'd go ahead and buy the big one.
the brayer is great for inking backgrounds and the crimper is great for making layers on a card. i've found it works better if I mount the "crimped" paper diagonally on my card. that way I don't have to measure a perfect layer.
the brayer is great for inking backgrounds and the crimper is great for making layers on a card. i've found it works better if I mount the "crimped" paper diagonally on my card. that way I don't have to measure a perfect layer.
I usually do this too!
I also like to punch shapes from crimped paper - great for leaves and trees! also for hearts and stars!
I understand that many of you don't use the Fastenator. Why is that?
I think a big part of it that no matter how you colour them or dress them up with patterns, staples still look very much like, well, just that -- staples. They seem to be a very tricky embellishment to use satisfactorily for a lot of stampers. If you want to just try them out, I've read that you don't need the Fastenator to use the special staples; you can just push the fancy staple through the paper and bend the prongs flat with a bone folder, etc. Seems like a good way to test if you actually like how the fancy staples look on a layout before investing in either the small or giant Fastenator.
I love and use many that are listed here... what's up with that?
What I don't use (but thought I could not live without) was the entire set of Journaling Genies - and the binder to keep them in! Hate to get rid of them, though. Maybe some day I will use them again - who knows!
__________________ Do or do not - there is no try! (Yoda) / SCS Featured Stamper FS730 / Dirty Dozen Alumni
This has been an interesting thread. I am surprised that a lot of you do not use your brayer. I use it with watercolor paint to make interesting and intricate backgrounds all the time. I drizzle some watercolor paint on palate paper or freezer paper, mist the brayer, roll through the watercolor and then roll the colors onto cardstock. It makes wonderful colorful backgrounds that come out different every time.
Someone said they do not use their Wizard. Wow, that is the most versatile machine I owe and cannot live without it. There are Wizard user newsgroups with tons of ideas.
Oh, seeing these later posts reminded me of some more. I have 4 SU wheels and two ink cartridges that I never use. And I have no desire to buy more. I have never enjoyed using wheels. I also have several sets of decorative edge scissors but I only use one.
Another thing I bought two years ago that I've never used is some copper paper and embossing powder. However, the reason I haven't used it is because I completely forgot I had it :oops: . I think I'm going to try to use it on my Christmas cards this year. That would be a good goal to push me to get that stuff out. Unlike my other unused stuff, I KNOW I could make something nice with that.
__________________ Julie my gallery
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13
Location: Michael's/Joann's/Hobby Lobby; depends on who has the best sales!!
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It's comforting to know that I'm not the only "dust collector" out there!! lol!! I've only been stamping for 2 years and have A LOT of dust bunnies!
Brayer - love the look, but just never use
Stamp-a-majig - can't figure it out....too much time
Sizzix paddles - ?????
TONS of stickers/embellishments - my problem with these (and my problem w/ starting to scrapbook is I'm afraid to use them on a project and then find something better)
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my SU wheels. I like to make my own gift bags to give and can coordinate the cards to match the bag.
My most disappointing purchase though was just recent and I can't tell DH....we went to a scrapbooking expo and they had this fabulous booth weren they were selling rolls of metal and different templates that you could emboss and make your own metal tags/embellishments. Well, I just had to have the whole set up!! The metal, two different templates, the tools to make different cool designs and the black buffing stuff to age it. Well, I got it home (after spending $125) and can't make a darned thing with it!! They look like a two year old did them............:(
I use my crimper when sending a card with metal embellishments. I crimp a scrap piece of paper (the size of the card) to put as a 'padding' for the envelope.
I use my brayer all the time for inking up backgrounds. I need another one for rolling the back side of the card stock I'm 'stamping' so I don't get my fingers so inky.
And those of you that can't figure out the stampamajig, I HIGHLY recommend you figure it out! I didn't enjoy stamping as much because I either couldn't figure out how to stamp straight, or I spent too much time cutting my card stock so it was straight. I use it ALL the time now. Kurtis created a very helpful tutorial...it's in this thread.
I use my crimper when sending a card with metal embellishments. I crimp a scrap piece of paper (the size of the card) to put as a 'padding' for the envelope.
I use my brayer all the time for inking up backgrounds. I need another one for rolling the back side of the card stock I'm 'stamping' so I don't get my fingers so inky.
I use my crimper on my more garish generic cardstocks in exactly the same way you do.
To prevent your fingers from getting inky, have you tried laying a piece of scrap copy paper so it covers up all the inked areas of the background stamp? That way you can still rub with your fingers if you like and protect them from getting inky.
I don't rush out and buy a lot of things. I think about it first. I DO love my Coluzzle. Have some corner punches I don't use much.
If people are having an all day card camp they might think about having someone (knowledgeable) demo the brayer. They can be really useful and do some great backgrounds.
I have several of these and I hate using them even though they make a pretty edge. My problem is I can't seem to trim my edges straight. Does anyone use theirs and if so how do you get your edges straight?
I have several of these and I hate using them even though they make a pretty edge. My problem is I can't seem to trim my edges straight. Does anyone use theirs and if so how do you get your edges straight?
I bought deckle edge scissors to combat this issue! You can cut any way you want and they don't have to line up! hehehe
But, also, I have some decorative blades for my rotary trimmer that do a great job cutting wavy or victorian edges straight on the paper.
Oh I so know that feeling
