New to cardmaking, clueless in St. Louis!

lizlewis · 04-03-2011, 03:15 PM

Hi everyone, I'm new to cardmaking. I used to scrapbook about 9 years ago. I went into Joann's and started looking around and WOW things have really changed! I decided to try cards for awhile, and talked to an experienced card maker while in the store. I kept pointing to models and asking "How do you do THAT?!" She said a good place to start would be to buy a Cuttlebug, and some stamps, stick with black ink first. I got the bug already, although I'm chicken to use it.(I keep reading about broken plates and scratches). Can anyone tell me what alphabet dies are compatible to the bug? On ebay some say they are, but I'm not sure. Any Cuttlebug enthusiasts out there? ANY tips would be a great help!

Thanks! Liz

parkes · 04-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Hi Liz, and welcome from New Zealand! How exciting to be starting off with a new crafty hobby! A good place to put your cuttlebug questions would be under Tool & Product Talk. If you click on 'forums' (top right of page) and scroll down, Tool and Product Talk is about the seventh title down the list. I always put my questions there and get heaps of replies. Or someone may reply to this thread. In any case have a go, and have fun!
Stephanie

roswayne · 04-03-2011, 11:19 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum.

ladybluemoon · 04-04-2011, 10:08 AM

Welcome Liz
You well find tips and all the info you well need to get started here in the forums look around you well be happy you did. DOnt be afraid to use your cuttlebug. The cracking plate to which you have heard of is when you have too much thickness running thru it. Just dont force things it needs to be tight but not so much that you have to really use muscle there is never a need to have to crank it that hard..

lizlewis · 04-04-2011, 11:57 AM

thanks for the welcome and the tip!

ladybluemoon · 04-04-2011, 04:07 PM

Your more then welcome dont be afraid to ask any questions because there is no dumb ones..

sluman · 04-16-2011, 07:26 AM

SherryLee · 04-16-2011, 08:50 AM

Welcome to the site and to the world of cardmaking, watch out in may take over your life LOL..

Debbie J · 04-19-2011, 11:12 AM

Hi, Liz. Like you, I was virtually clueless about cards until about a year and a half ago when I went at it with a vengeance. I also bought a Cuttlebug and was terrified to even touch it for a couple of days (same thing, fear of broken plates and scratches, etc.). Well, I use the darn thing constantly, have never broken a plate, and while the plates are very well loved (read scratched) they work just as beautifully as they did brand new. Gina Krupsky over at Gina K Designs has the greatest quote: �Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.� It has gotten me through a lot of fears. Keep at it.

ClearlySouthern · 04-20-2011, 06:07 AM

Hi Liz! I am a newbie too. Cardmaking is a new hobby for me. Just been doing this since December 2010.
I bought a used Cuttlebug and have been enjoying it, no issues with broken plates. They will get scratched up, especially if you do any die cutting. I have used a Stampin Up bigz die with no issues and a Spellbinders die with no problems. I think the embossing folders will work fine from other companies, just make sure the size is compatible.
Happy Stamping!

christiancropper · 04-20-2011, 01:57 PM

Welcome! I am a returning SCS. It's been several years since I was on SCS. So many new and wonderful upgrades. I have been stamping and card making for over 20 years now. WOW! has it been that long? I also have the cuttlebug and I haven't found a die, embosser, that I can't use in it. I'm sure there are some out there. There seems to be an addapter for everything. I have split a plate in half but only because I used it so much and it was old. Really not a big deal. Enjoy and have fun with it! I can't wait to see all the new stuff on SCS.