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I'm another one who dislikes the white halo around a lot of the matching dies, so for that reason, I don't buy them. I wonder why the companies who make matching dies don't make them to fit the stamped images properly.
Because then you have to line them up even more accurately, which is a whole 'nother difficulty? The ones I have, I use the method I learned on the IO blog, cutting a template out of cereal boxes, and lining that up over the stamped image, then setting the die into it. But even then I don't always get it as accurate as I want it to be.
Because then you have to line them up even more accurately, which is a whole 'nother difficulty? The ones I have, I use the method I learned on the IO blog, cutting a template out of cereal boxes, and lining that up over the stamped image, then setting the die into it. But even then I don't always get it as accurate as I want it to be.
Thanks for that explanation. So I guess I have to stick to fussy cutting!
__________________ Susan
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Well, it might not be the reason, but it's the only one I can think of offhand. Plus obviously some people like the halo ;-). I love the SU butterfly punch with the Papillon Potpourri butterflies purely because it doesn't leave any white border with the two butterflies I most use. It's one of the very few matching punches I bought, for exactly the same reason...
I have to really really like the stamp that has matching dies to buy them packaged together. I am not a fan of white borders so I can fussy cut that portion off if it truly bothers me. I find it easier to fussy cut if there is a smaller border to cut.
I have purchased several stamp and die sets..mostly intricate flower types. I like the halo around the images most of the time, but have trimmed them at times also. I agree that the sets do cut into your spending ability, so I now consider carefully when I get the die for the set. I have or will do more fussy cutting in the future. I am not as good at it as I would like...so with practice I will improve. Retirement makes you pinch your craft spending more.
__________________ Have a creative day, every day.
Yes, the dreaded 'to do or not to do' LOL. My issue, like many others, is arthritis so fussy cutting is very difficult, not to mention when I have done it, I can't seen to manage a smooth cut, so in my case I do buy the coordinating dies. It is so expensive as we all know but here's my two cents anyway: if I could fussy cut, I believe I would purchase coordinating dies only if a stamp set had a lot of small images or, if the images were intricate. When I add up the costs I paid over the past 2 years it's more than double the cost of stamp sets. As well, ask yourself if you were to sell the used set if people were willing to pay the extra cost for the coordinating die because as seen in these replies, a lot of people are not willing to pay the price and who can blame them. So would you sell the stamp set and be left with the coordinating dies...I don't think so. Just something for you to think about but honestly, if I could avoid buying the dies, I would.
And to your specific question about 'feeling pressure', heck no...it's my money and no one can pressure me to buy anything, except me of course!
I am never pressured into anything; however, there have been times when a die set was offered as a bundle and I DIDN'T purchase it that later while using the stamps I wish I had the dies...purchasing later is not always an option. My fussy cutting takes so long that I become frustrated and "give up" producing the card because my images don't look professionally cut. When a die leaves a halo, as mentioned, I sometimes take a matching marker and fill in the area of the halo so it disappears...easier than fussy cutting for me.
I can totally relate Stampndenton and I too am horrible at fussy cutting...just cannot accomplish clean edges, not to mention working with stiff hands. In fact, just holding the scissors is a challenge. Unfortunately, I know there are a lot of us out there with arthritis but I am one who can attest to the health benefits of crafting, especially with respect to how it effects my self esteem/confidence. Anyway, all the best and as always, happy crafting!
I have been a monthly stamp club member with The Stamps of Life. I go back and forth on the dies. Sometimes I would like them, but found that I rarely use them with the stamps, so I cut the die membership out and just get the stamps. Even with a magnetic platform I struggle to line the stamped image up with the proper halo around the image. More often that not, I will fussy cut the image if I want to pop it up. I am like several of you in that it just depends whether I purchase the die or not. One thing I really hate is having to cut my dies apart, though. I will pay the money to not cut those dies apart.
I'm another one who dislikes the white halo around a lot of the matching dies, so for that reason, I don't buy them. I wonder why the companies who make matching dies don't make them to fit the stamped images properly.
I think it might be because if they have it too exact it could be more challenging to line it up with the image and not cut part of the image off.
__________________ Shellie G
Aspire to be a better person than you were yesterday
I hate fussy cutting so rarely do it. I don't mind the halo when I get it and used to try to make a halo when I tried to fussy cut. Always failed. However, I often buy just the dies and not the stamps. Seems like I use dies more than stamping these days. Probably need to change that as I have so many stamps!
__________________ My word for the year 2024 is CLEAR
I use decoupage scissors for my fussy cutting, similar to the ones linked below, they are supper sharp but you can get right up close and personal with your stamped image!
I enjoy fussy cutting therefore I don't buy matching stamp and dies too often. An exception to that rule for me is the front and back stamp sets with dies from Art Impressions. I like the front and back dies a lot. I do buy a die to a stamp if the die is intricate with inside cuts. I also buy dies for some word stamps since I like stacking and gluing them together for dimension. So making it much shorter to explain, sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no". LOL
I am a very poor fussy cutter - however I am on a budget so I only get matching dies if I feel that I wouldn't be able to cut it out well myself. For example, with a Christmas tree that is just basically a triangle, I can cut that out. Another consideration is the size of the die. I don't like the tiny ones!
It's happening! Lawn Fawn has their latest release out and I'm putting the matching dies in my cart. I had to come back and visit this thread for support, lol. And remind myself I don't die cut too often (or fussy cut). I'm going to take some deep breaths and remove them from my cart. I can do this, right? I think I need to see a crafting therapist to work on eliminating dies from my life!
You can do it Catherine! Removing matching dies from your cart leaves room in the budget for different fun stuff (markers of your choice, cardstock and/or watercolor paper, more stamps and tools!)
It's happening! Lawn Fawn has their latest release out and I'm putting the matching dies in my cart. I had to come back and visit this thread for support, lol. And remind myself I don't die cut too often (or fussy cut). I'm going to take some deep breaths and remove them from my cart. I can do this, right? I think I need to see a crafting therapist to work on eliminating dies from my life!
You can do it! And you'll completely forget they exist since you don't need them.
I often have to remind myself to ask myself if I'm collecting or crafting, and if I wouldn't use something, it's collecting.
I have problems with my hands, so fussy cutting is painful. As a rule I only buy focal stamps that come with matching die sets. I still use my older stamps, but generally in ways I don't have to cut them out. I think I made a mistake though when I bought the larger platform Big Shot. I should have switched to a scan-n-cut at that point. I could have saved money on dies and recoupled the money on the machine in no time! I would have still had my regular sized Big Shot for embossing folders.
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I don't buy matching dues. I have a few for some Lawn Fawn sets I have but that's about it.
I much prefer punches as I like the quick ease of them. I hate fooling with dies, especially the teeny, tiny ones. All the steps involved makes me twitchy!! Haha!
I also don't mind fussy cutting. I actually like to fussy cut!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cook22
Well, it might not be the reason, but it's the only one I can think of offhand. Plus obviously some people like the halo ;-). I love the SU butterfly punch with the Papillon Potpourri butterflies purely because it doesn't leave any white border with the two butterflies I most use. It's one of the very few matching punches I bought, for exactly the same reason...
Just bought P Potpourri at a demo sale on Sat. Also bought the small butterfly punch. I had the large. Love that set and I love stamps that have matching punches!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
I generally don't buy stamps and die cuts unless that is how they come and they don't cost too much! The one exception is the Tim Holtz Crazy series. I got the Bird Crazy stamps and dies, then the Crazy Things stamps and dies, then I got the Crazy Cats, stamps and dies. Finally, when I got the Crazy Dogs, I realized that I didn't really need the dies! The only ones that I really needed were the Crazy Things. Oh well, live and learn! By the way, I HATE to fussy cut!
