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I want to jump on the bandwagon,but don't know which one to buy!!I would probably use it more for the embossing than I would the die cuts.Does anyone have any suggestions?I don't want to buy the wrong one and be disappointed. Thanks.
Last weekend Iwas in the same boat, which one to choose. I could not find the Big Shot in any local store only the dies, and I kinda like to see what I am buying, so off to Michaels I went 50% coupon in hand , and came home with the Cuttlebug. I plan to go tonight and "just look" yeah right,lol at the folders and dies. I see a lot of potential in this little bugger...
I truly don't believe you can go wrong with either machine. I have the Big Shot and it performs like a champ!
The only benefit, IMHO, of going Cuttlebug over Big Shot is this:
The revolutionary platform folds up, making the storage footprint extremely compact.
So, if storage/counter top space is a concern, I'd go CB.
If it's not, and you can get the BS for a sweet deal, go BS.
I don't know it for fact, but, I'm GUESSING (purely speculation) that the BS is gonna be replaced by the coming Sizzix Big Kick, which is red and white. I suspect the BK will be unveiled at CHA Winter 07 (end of January/early Feb?) in San Diego . . .
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I'm thinking that with the split between Sizzix and Elison that we'll end up having both the Big Shot and the Big Kick to choose from -- they're competing now aren't they? I seem to remember that they developed the original Sizzix together but had a parting of the ways a while back. Now I could be totally wrong . . . the mind IS getting old ya know!
I'm thinking that with the split between Sizzix and Elison that we'll end up having both the Big Shot and the Big Kick to choose from -- they're competing now aren't they? I seem to remember that they developed the original Sizzix together but had a parting of the ways a while back. Now I could be totally wrong . . . the mind IS getting old ya know!
Last I heard, I got the impression that Ellison was taking Sizzix completely under their wing and that Provo Craft would be then be promoting their line of Cricuts and Cuttlebugs . . .
?
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Will I be able to use other diecuts from another company if I buy the cuttlebug???
Both the Big Shot and the Cuttlebug are cross compatible in using other brand dies, although you may need "adapters" for some of the wafer dies out there.
And, according to reports, a thick mousepad works for using other brand brass templates for embossing purposes??? I haven't tried that myself cuz I sold all my brass templates years ago when I gave up dry/pressure embossing (tendinitis) . . .
The Sizzix should also handle Cuttlebug dies, and can probably many of the Big Shot dies, UNLESS they are too wide to fit through the Sizzix feed; the BS and CB feeds are both 6" wide; I dunno how wide the Sizzix is . . . BS Thick Cut dies and Sizzix Originals dies appear to be the same thickness, and both take the wafer style dies (Sizzlits and QuicKutz, etc.)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Granny,
I know what your mean about the Original Sizzix being a dinosaur. So long as I can rig up some way to use other dies I refuse to buy a new one. Now if Santa brings me one well I guess I'd smile sweetly and leave him some extra cookies next year.
I just bought a CB embossing folder and can not wait to play.
__________________ Pia "I am not old and haggard. I am Shabby Chic."
Last I heard, I got the impression that Ellison was taking Sizzix completely under their wing and that Provo Craft would be then be promoting their line of Cricuts and Cuttlebugs . . .
?
Julie you're right -- Ellison has the entire rights to Sizzix now. So I do wonder what's the deal with the Big Shot AND the Big Kick? Why the need to have 2 independent lines of basically the same product?
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Hey Julie, can you cut windows in a card with the CB? Also, have you found that you don't get the embossing "ridge" with the CB like you did with the BS?
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I think until the manufacturers figure out that the die or embossing template has to be the size of a card front in order to avoid the ridges we're stuck with the ugly edge for awhile? at least with these roller/sandwich type die machines. the machine cannot distinguish from the edge of the template and the image itself. it just rolls and even press. am I making sense?
Just got back from Michael's!!!! They hadn't even put the Cuttlebugs out yet so they went in the back & got me one!!Also bought 4 embossing folders!!!Used my 40% off coupon and the total was only 69.92!!!!Wonder what I'll be doing later!!!The cashier WAS surprised that my coupon worked!!!Wonder if that will change soon??!!
I think until the manufacturers figure out that the die or embossing template has to be the size of a card front in order to avoid the ridges we're stuck with the ugly edge for awhile? at least with these roller/sandwich type die machines. the machine cannot distinguish from the edge of the template and the image itself. it just rolls and even press. am I making sense?
Yes! I think you may have nailed it!!!
Mebbe we all need to write them and say:
"HEY!!!!! We end users have figured something very, very important out!!! Please listen!!! Cuz, if you FIX it, we will BUY it!!!!! Oh, lordy, will we ever buy it . . . "
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Hey Julie, can you cut windows in a card with the CB? Also, have you found that you don't get the embossing "ridge" with the CB like you did with the BS?
My CB is scheduled to fly in today, but no sign yet . . . but, so's my Mom. I gotta get the palace shiny for the Queen Mother! ;) snort!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
WOW! Just tried it out and I'm in love!!So easy to use and effortless!!!And boy..you're right .....it takes up no space at all!!! I'm so glad I bought one.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mnhyrkas
I think until the manufacturers figure out that the die or embossing template has to be the size of a card front in order to avoid the ridges we're stuck with the ugly edge for awhile? at least with these roller/sandwich type die machines. the machine cannot distinguish from the edge of the template and the image itself. it just rolls and even press. am I making sense?
Oh my yes, absolutely makes sense. you smart woman!
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-unknown
"HEY!!!!! We end users have figured something very, very important out!!! Please listen!!! Cuz, if you FIX it, we will BUY it!!!!! Oh, lordy, will we ever buy it . . . "
Yeah Julie, be sure to include this happy face when you send that memo! They'll do whatever you want!!!!!!
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Bought mine today at Michaels with 4 embossing folders with my 40% off coupon for 69.92. However as i said earlier the cashier was surprised that my coupon worked and stated what a good deal that ws...so maybe they are going to fix it so you can't use the coupon. They hadn't even put these on the shelf yet,she went to the back and got one for me.
Got my CB yesterday. It is awesome. It will cut foam and cardboard. This is my first diecut machine so don't know how it compares with others, this one is a blast. Francie G.
I am soooooo disappointed. My Michaels has EMPTY Cuttlebug boxes. You have to take the empty box to the check-out, and they go to the back room and get the machine for you. Today, I had a 40% off coupon and an empty box, and they said they didn't have any Cuttlebugs left. Ok....where did the empty box come from then? UGH! I'm worried that the next time I get a coupon, it will exclude the Cuttlebug. Oh what frustration!
So is the Cuttlebug strictly for embossing?? That is what I am mostly interested in. Does it also do dies? I love the look of dry embossing but I'm lousy at it when using brass templates, light boxes, etc. I would love to be able to do it simply. It sounds like the Cuttlebug is the solution...?
__________________ Donna - Wife and Mom in Massachusetts
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JulieHRR
And, according to reports, a thick mousepad works for using other brand brass templates for embossing purposes??? I haven't tried that myself cuz I sold all my brass templates years ago when I gave up dry/pressure embossing (tendinitis) . . .
And if you have some fun foam that will work well for embossing as well.
A big shot question: Those of you who have tried it with wafer thin dies, have you had any problems with it?
I have a Sizzix machine that i love, but i like the big shot dies, because of their size. Also sometimes i need to add a piece of cardstock to the sizzix adapter(the black magnet one) in order for it to cut sizzlits dies properly, and i was wondering if maybe the big shot would be better at this....
So is the Cuttlebug strictly for embossing?? That is what I am mostly interested in. Does it also do dies? I love the look of dry embossing but I'm lousy at it when using brass templates, light boxes, etc. I would love to be able to do it simply. It sounds like the Cuttlebug is the solution
It does both. I bought mine for the embossing as well. I'm very pleased with the results I got today when I tried it out. Can't wait to have the time to sit down and actually have time to make something.I'm as giddy as a school girl!!!(Hey...don't take much to make me happy!!!).
I think I want one! I just did a little snooping around and found a cool site that shows the dies (which I didn't know they had) and embossing folders. The site is KTCrafts.com. I also checked the gallery and saw some really cute samples from MyTime (and others) using the embossing folders.
__________________ Donna - Wife and Mom in Massachusetts
I am considering purchasing a die cut/embossing machine for my card making. I am trying to figure out what to look for and what questions to ask and if it's worth the investment. My LSS demonstrated the new Cuttlebug today. Loved the embossing feature - the image was very raised and sharp. I didn't see very many die images I would want though. I haven't seen the Ellison Big Shot yet but from their website it looks like the two machines are very similar and there was a bigger selection of dies. Can the dies and accessories be used in each other's machines?
Which would you choose and why or would you suggest something else? I love to dry emboss with my lightbox and brass stencils but not always happy with the result and it's too difficult to emboss dark cardstock. Is it easy to make window cards with either of these machines? My punches don't always reach to the middle of the card. Thanks for your opinions.
I bought the Big Shot 2 months ago; then when the Cuttlebug was finally released, I got it, just cuz it was so darn cute, and the fold up platform intrigued me for saving space on my countertop/cutting station.
Both the BS and the CB are fabulous machines; yes, the BS has a much wider range of die options. HOWEVER, ;) the dies between the Sizzix, the CB and the BS are all cross compatible, except some of the larger/largest BS dies may not fit in the feed of the Sizzix. CB and BS both have a feed width of 6"; Sizzix is a little smaller. Sizzix operates on a lever pressure system, as opposed to a rolling pressure system.
IMHO, after comparison testing the 2 machines side by side, it doesn't matter whether you get the BS or the CB, unless storage/compactness is an issue.
. . . Is it easy to make window cards with either of these machines? My punches don't always reach to the middle of the card. Thanks for your opinions.
It isn't the machine that's the issue with regards to ease of making window cards--it's the dies and their ability to be positioned properly, and whether or not perimeter edges of the die are undesirably embossed onto the card front.
Reports indicate that the CB dies are the best suited for making window cards, however, the manufacturer didn't design them or intend them for that purpose.
I typically use my Coluzzle nested templates for making window cards, which actually works beautifully, but, I am hoping to figure out an even faster/easier way with the CB dies, but it will take experimentation, and I first have to get my hands on some CB dies.
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Julie, Thanks so much for your comments. I'm really new to this so I appreciate the opinion of someone with experience. I'm glad to know the dies are compatible; that just broadens the selection. After I get one, I too will experiment with making window cards. Good luck on your experimentation.
Have you used brass stencils in either machine? Will I need to purchase or use something extra that doesn't come with the machine(s)?
Julie, Thanks so much for your comments. I'm really new to this so I appreciate the opinion of someone with experience. I'm glad to know the dies are compatible; that just broadens the selection. After I get one, I too will experiment with making window cards. Good luck on your experimentation.
Have you used brass stencils in either machine? Will I need to purchase or use something extra that doesn't come with the machine(s)?
Alas, I have no brass . . . sold 'em all off cuz tendinitis in my arm made it too painful to dry emboss . . . :(
At this point, I doubt I'll actually buy any, because the BS, Sizzix and CB systems all now offer such great embossing products already designed for use with their machines, that I'll probably just buy those . . . :grin:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
Reports indicate that the CB dies are the best suited for making window cards, however, the manufacturer didn't design them or intend them for that purpose.
I wanted to clarify the above statement:
I bought Sizzlit Window dies and couldn't get them to cut without embossing the perimeter of the die itself into the card front. I didn't like this, so I consider those particular dies useless for making window cards.
Many folks that have tried to make window cards with the CB dies, and are reporting success (no residual die perimeter ending up embossed on the card front), BUT, nobody has yet figured out how to position the die exactly where they want it on the card front perfectly straight/with perfect accuracy, etc. . . . hence, the experimentation going on . . .
;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I have never used a Big Shot machine, but seeing as how they seem to be such equals I'd reccomend the Cuttlebug simply for the price. I think BS retails for over $100, and CB is closer to $80. so unless you can get a BS locally with a coupon or on a great deal online I think you'd save some $$ going with the CB (unless you can't get that locally with a coupon either, then it just depends on what you can get for less $$ KWIM?). but I've heard great things about BS, so they're both great machines.
I don't think that sounded very helpful, but good luck with whatever you choose. die cutting machines are just too fun!
Michelle
Cuttlebug vs. Big Shot? *merged*
Big Shot Or Cuttlebug
