I'M CAVING IN

[scubasubie]

DF asked me what I want for X-mas (Big Mistake :cool: ) so I got to thinking....

I'm interested in a die-cut machine but I don't know which one. I've read pro's and con's on all the machines. Now I want to know for the users first hand!

Let me tell you what I want to do:

I want to be able to have large letters like 3 -4" tall.
I want to have big shapes (stars, hearts, etc).

Now I would love to hear your feedback. Anything from pricing to what add-ons cost to what problems people encounter.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU!

[scubasubie]

Also forgot to mention I like the embossing features.

[Minders]

I don't know much about them either...but I'm in LOVE with the top note die from SU! I'm thinking of asking for one for Christmas too. I think I'm going to ask for the cuttlebug....it's slightly cheaper than the big shot (which will be a BIG deal to my cheapskate (but I still love her) mom! Also, I like the fact that it folds up to save space, living in an apartment and all I'm all about space saving. And I'm pretty sure it embosses....looking forward to seeing what everyone has to say as well.

[scrappy knitter]

I love my Sizzix Big Kick. It has a multi-purpose platform that can cut dies as thick as the sizzix ones and as thin as the wafers by Quickutz. It can emboss with texture plates or those cool Cuttlebug folders. You can get a longer platform and cut with the sizzix border dies. All of the dies in the Stampin Up catalogue work with it. I don't know if they make any alphabets as tall as you're describing. It's bigger and heavier than the cuttlebug I hear, but I don't mind. It's a sturdy, well-used machine! HTH!

[ILdyson76]

I love cuttlebug for the embossing folders. They are wonderful! Unfortunately, the dies are one size, and not the letter height you are looking for. In that case, you'd want a cricut, and can choose your letter size with different font cartridges. Cuttlebug is cheaper, but Cricut will give you more options.

[craftsrlb]

Here's my take, and I have had them all....
I like the big kick for embossing and quick things....but remember the die plates can really add up....like 14.00 for 1 image..I use it for embossing with the cuttlebug plates and you can use nestabilities.
Now I had a regular cricut, but when the expression came out, I sold that one for the larger one...it is on sale this week at acmoore for 309 and it comes with a mat, markers for outlining on the machine, and 4 cartridges!! you can't beat that price. I sold 2 of the carts on ebay bacause I already had some similiar and got a good price for them to offset the cost of the expression. YOu can do SOOOO much more with the cricut..so I say if you can afford it, then do the expression....you can always use a pasta machine to roll the embossing plates through if you don't want to spend the money on a sizzix or cuttlebug machine...you can even get the old style sizzix that was a large red one that had a pull down handle like a slot machine..worked great too.

[deborahmegan]

I only have the cuttlebug. I received it as a gift and LOVE it!! I don't use letters in it (haven't wanted to yet), but I use nesties, embossing folders, and dies for the CB. As for the top note die, I love it too--but, Spellbinders has one and you get four or five sizes for about the same price! I'm a SU demo and I love SU products, but I'll just get the Spellbinders version to have different sizes.
I don't own a cricut, but I used one a few times. I don't really like it, but again, I don't use many letters. I don't like that you have to replace the sticky mat and that the sticky mat doesn't always work. I think the cricut would be good if you wanted a lot of letters, but you can't emboss.
To sum up, I'm very happy with the flexibility of the cuttlebug!

[babydal57]

I have a Cuttlebug, a Cricut, a Cricut Expression, a QK Squeeze, had a red Sizzix machine, and Klik N Kut.

I love them all for different reasons. I really like the Cuttlebug for embossing and Nesties. I loved the Cricut for different sized cuts, but gave it to my mom and got the Expression so that I could do bigger cuts like 12x24. It awesome for detailed images like the Disney characters and such. But the cartridges add up quickly.

My alltime favorite is my Klik N Kut. I can import any image and cut it up to 15" wide and any length. It will cut chip board since it has an amazing amount of pressure. You can also use pens to draw any image you like. Any font, any clip art, any picture, anything you scan can be drawn or cut with it. Really the most versatile of all my machines.

Good luck deciding.

[stampencamper]

I have a wizard and love it because it won't break like my cuttlebug did or any
plastic machine would. This is one of the first machine that uses universal
folders, die cuts etc from any machine

[airbornewife]

I would suggest the Cricut Expression machine. I have one and love it.. I also have a BigKick machine that I use embossing folders and nestabilites.. along with other dies in. The Accent Essentials cartridge has a shape on it that is just like the Top Note Bigz die and you can cut it out in all different sizes on the Cricut. I have had both for years and use them both quite often.

Here is a website that has a really good deal on the Expression machine, some as bundles:

http://www.hallmarkscrapbook.com/pro...7a22c2393d234e

[scubasubie]

I've decided on the BigShot!

Thanks for everyones input.

[stephanie.hargis]

I absolutely LOVE my big shot because it is the only machine that is compatible with ALL the dies and folders from other machines! I was going to buy a cuttlebug but have heard that the nesties don't always work the greatest with it. I personally think you made the best decision! Have fun playing with it and make sure you get the fabulous Top Note die! It is by far my favorite die!