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I've noticed a few people saying they use the Cuttlebug (or comparable machine) for embossing mostly. I, too was sorely tempted to buy it for that purpose, but instead decided to try embossing with the folders without the machine. I just spritz the paper with some water (damp, not soaking) stick it in the embossing folder and burnish with something on hand. Works just fine for me. I was kind of relieved that it worked, actually, because I really didn't want the machine since I don't do die cuts.
I've noticed a few people saying they use the Cuttlebug (or comparable machine) for embossing mostly. I, too was sorely tempted to buy it for that purpose, but instead decided to try embossing with the folders without the machine. I just spritz the paper with some water (damp, not soaking) stick it in the embossing folder and burnish with something on hand. Works just fine for me. I was kind of relieved that it worked, actually, because I really didn't want the machine since I don't do die cuts.
Me too! But I also purchased just the embossing folder and tried it without the Bug - It worked - after a little trial and error and it is much more economical as I am only interested in the embossing feature. We have a Cricut at work (I work at a childcare centre and we use it ALL the time to decorate bulletin boards and many other thing!) I like that I can purchase just the embossing folders that I want & know I will use and can save the $$ I would spend on the cuttlebug for other purchases! As for most of the other trends - I haven't bothered with them as I know I wouldn't use them enough to justify the money, though I just was able to try the Crop-a-dile and that may go on my wish list if I can get it with a 40 or 50% coupon at Michaels!
I've fallen victim to the Cuttlebug and Cropadile trends and am thinking about Nestabilities. However, I definitely don't see myself spending the money for Copics. Other trends I don't see myself getting into:
* Punches. Just too much money!
* Designer papers. I am really picky about papers and half the time I -do- buy a stack, I end up not using a lot of the paper in it.
* Clear stamp sets. I guess if I just fell in love with a clear set, I would get it, but I'm mostly a traditional gal
* Bind-it-all. Just don't see myself using it.
__________________ ~ Alexis, mom to Matthew (born April 7) and the Furry Horde
Thanks guys. I was thinking about the copics but I really can't afford them and I'm no artist so why do I need them? This post reminded me that I don't have to have everything. lol
__________________ Joyce
Remember - never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Fan Club Member
Ok I need to say that as far as trends, the one I have just detested was........staples! What is it about those things that I can't stand the look of? I am probably way off here but every time I see a staple used, I think YUK! Ok I said it and it is off my chest! Sorry if I insulted anyone. It is a personal thing!
Ok I need to say that as far as trends, the one I have just detested was........staples! What is it about those things that I can't stand the look of? I am probably way off here but every time I see a staple used, I think YUK! Ok I said it and it is off my chest! Sorry if I insulted anyone. It is a personal thing!
I hear you! Every time I tried to use one, it looked so...stuck on there, and not in a good way. I adore the office supply trend, so it's very odd that staples just don't do it for me.
Now, give me a pretty colored paper clip with a bit of ribbon tied to it, and I'm over the moon!
certain styles really reach out and call my name, so i join in the festivities.i do have a fixed budget and buy only what i will really use. i haven't talent in many areas so i participate by commenting and being the "audience". do i wish i could own and create all that i see HECK yes, but for now i settle and buy what i KNOW i will use. never was trendy with the clothes styles, guess i am not in my creative world either. i tend to stay very grounded, only because by the time i really perfect the trend it's over LOL!
i am far from a fast learner.
__________________ "grandma squared" janice aka *favorites stalker* MY BLOG
I don't follow trends for the sake of "trendiness". I just buy almost everything that I see and like.
I've never married, have a good job, and am going to retire soon, so I'm splurging quite a bit on my paper crafts. I buy every SU stamp set that I really like, try to buy only the best quality tools (a lesson from my Dad), and have enough wonderful stuff to stock a small store. Well, not quite, but if I never bought another thing, I could probably stamp right up until I get called by my Maker!
The amazing works displayed on this board give me great pleasure, and I confess to buying stamp sets just because one of you has made a fabulous card with it. My stamps are also a "collection", gathered as much for their inherent beauty as their utility. I can't see parting with any of them.
Many folks here are fussy about color matching and perfectly stepped matting, and I'm a poster girl for that too - I have all the SU pads, inks & markers, and lots of their CS. The second set of Nestabilites is on its way for use with my Big Shot, so all of my mats will be just so.
I've been eyeing the various cutting machines, but I need to drive it from my computers, not from cartridges, and that just hasn't shaped up to my liking yet. But if the right machine comes along, I'll probably add it to my set of tools.
To sum up, I really like to make things, but I also REALLY like having all my stuff too! I feel like it represents potential and possibilities. As my avatar name suggests, I'm anxious to have the time to play with all this wonderful stuff as much I want.
__________________ It's not finished until the ink is DRY - the voice of experience
I was interested to see everyone's responses here. I confess to feeling like I should just throw in the stamping towel entirely because I hated feeling like a pawn for the craft industry! lol You take a class and learn a new technique that requires new supplies, you go to stamp camp and see new stamp sets, etc. I too sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the stuff I have and not knowing what to do. But visiting this site has really given me lots of inspiration to experiment and play with my stuff. I'm not going to throw in the towel- I'm going to relax and have fun <grin>
I use stamping for my mental health - including retail therapy! I don't see my stamp sets as going out of style. Most of the people who get my cards aren't going to know what's "in style" in the craft world any way.
I hate the staples too!. Thanks for giving me an avenue to vent!
I don't see it as a matter of trend, but a matter of practicality. I'm not going to invest many $$$ in something that I'm not convinced I will use enough to justify the cost. I don't feel like I need any of the machines discussed here. I enjoy making cards and scrapbook pages without them and am very satisfied with the results. If I was dissatisfied, I'd be looking at what I needed to make the improvements I wanted. So if you're happy with what you're doing, you probably don't need any of these gadgets. But if you're not happy, maybe you should research and see what you need to purchase to be able to make the type of papercraft items YOU want to make.
__________________ Pegg Thomas Socialism is trickle up poverty.
I always try to use what I have to recreate certain looks because I can't justify buying all the newest gadgets and tools. I do have a sizzix machine that I got for $17.00 second hand. I use it with my 6 cuttlebug embossing folders. I do have prismas that I use a lot. Other than that...not too much in the way of trendy things. I don't own a crop-a-dile, copic markers, sizzix dies or any other dies, no fancy die cutting machines or paper cutters. I like what I do own and I am trying to now use what I have instead of buying more. I still use my retired stamp sets because I'm a customer and not a demo...so it doesn't matter to me if they are retired. Thanks for starting this thread. I am starting to feel much better about not keeping up with the stamping Jones.
__________________ I got a Nikon camera. I love to take photographs, so momma don't take my kodachrome away."
Paul Simon
What a great thread! As a pretty new stamper/papercrafter, here's what I've found--in the beginning, I bought pretty much everything simply out of ignorance. I saw it and thought, "if it's out here, I must need it to do this hobby correctly." Now that I'm a couple of years in, I find that many of the things I bought during those early stages have never been used. Now I make sure I know what I'm going to do with something before I buy it.
As for trends--I guess I followed some trends at first. For instance, I have all the distress ink pads and both of Tim Holtz's DVDs. However, I like that style and find myself going back to my distress pads over and over again, so it ended up not being a trend for me. I have a set of Twinkling H2Os, and have yet to use them successfully. I'll keep them and maybe figure them out one day, but right now they seem like a trendy waste of money. As for Prisma pencils--I bought a set awhile ago with the intention of taking a class (which I have yet to do). However, I recently purchased some Gamsol and stubs and have been practicing--I love the results, and will definitely be taking a class at my local stamp store to learn the tricks. Again, since this looks like something I will continue to use I don't think it's a trend for me. I have no interest in the copics, though.
As for die cut machines--no interest. They look cool, but I know I can live without. Punches? I have a few--basic hole punches in different sizes, a couple of corner punches, and a Fiskars border punch--but don't use any of them enough to justify spending the money on all the other ones that are out there. I'd rather think up new ways to use the ones I already have.
However, all these supplies--as well as all the supplies I have from other crafts that I have explored and continue to explore--serve the same purpose: to fuel my creativity. The reason I buy all the crafting stuff I do, whether it's stamps, beads, fabric, paper, or anything else, is for the same reason ready2retire said, "I feel like it represents potential and possibilities." That's much more important to me than following trends!
I got to thinking about what you said. It occurred to me that often people not in to stamping or crafting don't "get it" when it comes to fads. For instance my dh saw a card with staples and couldn't figure out why they were on the card. He felt it ruined the card.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tigerlily55
I was interested to see everyone's responses here. I confess to feeling like I should just throw in the stamping towel entirely because I hated feeling like a pawn for the craft industry! lol You take a class and learn a new technique that requires new supplies, you go to stamp camp and see new stamp sets, etc. I too sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the stuff I have and not knowing what to do. But visiting this site has really given me lots of inspiration to experiment and play with my stuff. I'm not going to throw in the towel- I'm going to relax and have fun <grin>
I use stamping for my mental health - including retail therapy! I don't see my stamp sets as going out of style. Most of the people who get my cards aren't going to know what's "in style" in the craft world any way.
I hate the staples too!. Thanks for giving me an avenue to vent!
__________________ Joyce
Remember - never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Fan Club Member
I love this thread! I don't have many of the items you guys are talking about, but I did get a cuttlebug for my birthday, along with a bunch of dies. I don't use it as much as I would like, but I brought it to go visit my grandmother and she is very interested in paper crafts, seeing her get so excited over my cuttlebug and she used it for HOURS made it worth it for me.
I'm considering the nestabilities because I like the scalloped look, although I can get that with my scallop scissors with pretty good results.
Copics, I looked at, but I don't even have the SU markers yet. So, I will probably get those for my next birthday, if I don't purchase them during SAB. Although, I'm not even fully convinced that I need those.
I'll be sure to check back on this thread if I feel the need to be convinced out of something.
I have to admit that I get caught up in the "trends" sometimes, and then usually regret it later. I caved and got a Cuttlebug and a Cricut, because it seemed "everyone but me" had one and all the girls at my LSS insisted that I NEEDED them. They are cool gadgets, but I've only used the Cuttlebug 3 or 4 times, and I've used the Cricut once. The problem is that it costs even more $$$ just to get the fonts and dies to use with them. And those dies and cartridges are so overpriced, yet we keep buying them!
I might get flamed for this, but when I go to crops or other stamp/scrap events, it seems like so many ladies aren't buying these things to actually use, but to just have it out on the table, as if to say 'lookee what I have"! I went on a scrap cruise and seriously, a few people had Cricuts and cutting tools and all this expensive stuff, and never used any of it the entire time! It's like men and their tools - he who dies with the most tools....lol.
Some trends I can't seem to get into:
Copics - way too expensive, and I wouldn't use them enough to justify the $$
Digital scrapbooking - looks cool - on the computer screen.
Chipboard - I'm really trying to like it
Tons of embellishments - particularly in scrapbooks. There can be too much of a good thing.
The "office supply" look - I don't mind staples, and I am so tired of seeing these symbols: { }
Bind It All
Huge flowers
I'd really like the Nestabilities, but the cost is keeping me away. I think I should start saving for them!
I don't follow any trends. I buy what I like and do what I like in fact, I use old paper. Some of it is really old, lol. I don't use copics, I prefer prisma colors and SU colors. I really don't do a lot of embellishments, but I do love chipboard.
