Pulling the Trigger on the Big Shot
 

After years of going back and forth, I'm finally going to get a Big Shot! My question at the moment is, Big Shot alone or Big Shot Starter Kit? The difference at Amazon is $77 vs. $132 for Big Shot plus 14 dies plus some paper (don't care about the paper but the dies appear to all be ones I'd get anyway). I'm getting stitched rectangles, squares and circles to start.

I don't care that much for all the lacy frilly dies as I tend toward mostly a clean/simple style. Other than layering dies, what would you most recommend I get next?


Going with Amazon because I'm using a gift card for part of the purchase.

Some word dies to accompany your images could be a nice purchase when you're ready for something else. You're going to have a great time with your new goodies! :p

There are some good suggestions in this recent thread: http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...r-t616896.html

I know the papers I got with my BS+ bundle weren't even as nice as what I used to get as freebies with magazines, but I went with the bundle to get a few dies which I knew I'd use. But for $55 in the difference, consider whether you'd rather spend that on dies you choose yourself. The price difference between the two options wasn't so big for me.



Editing to add I just checked the starter kit on Amazon.com. We're all different when it comes to what we'd use, but I'd only expect to get much use from the butterfly and maybe the label shapes... and the circles but you're planning to get stitched circles anyway? If it were me I'd just get the machine, and spend the difference on dies somewhere else.

Don't forget - you can use embossing folders now, too! More things to buy! ;)!

Have fun.

You mentioned circles but not ovals, I use them as much or more than my circle dies. Label dies are very handy to have too.

I'm going to echo Cook22, I'd actually just get the machine, then use the remaining cash for dies I know I will get a lot of use from. If all the dies that come with it are ones you know you will use a lot, then thats good. If not, then it may be worth a rethink?
Just to make things harder, I'm going to ask if you've looked at E-Bay, and the cheap cutting dies from China. There have been threads on here about them, and I have bought quite a number myself. They are a fraction of the price of 'branded' dies, and cut just as well. I've bought stitched circles & squares for what would be less than $2 a set.

I use my Ovals and words dies more than anything. I got lucky when I got my Big Shot. It turned out my elderly neighbor was getting rid of hers (she was getting a Gemini) and let me have it for a fraction of what I would've paid online. Plus it came with two new cutting pads! I had to buy the dies, but shop around and watch sales and you'll do just fine.

I'm not an expert on all the Big Shot machines, but I do have the Big Shot Plus. It has a wider platform, which is the main reason I got it, and it accommodates wider and longer embossing folders, which has come in handy!!! I've been thrilled with my purchase, and maybe for what you initially get, there maybe a lot of long term benefits to make up for the price difference. Just something to consider.......