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I have the original purple Wizard from a lifetime ago. Still works great. A couple of years ago I got the green cuttlebug. Use them both. One is upstairs and one is downstairs.
I borrowed an old red sizzix die cutter from a coworker 4 years ago, that's what got me hooked on die cutting. I gave it back to her and got an Accucut Mark IV and Cricut Expression from Craigslist and have been die cutting ever since. Love the Accucut. And I love using embossing folders... the Mark IV is a little big for folders, so I recently got a Big Shot and its perfect for embossing folders and Sizzlits. I never use the Cricut but I sold most of the carts I had for it and it probably paid for itself, so no biggie.
Cuttlebug. Wish I could upgrade to the new one as it doesn't allow me to use the Lifestyle Crafts platform.
Pazzles machine. Hard to learn the software. Don't use it.
Ecraft die cutter. Last time I tried the software, it sucked. Can't believe that's happened twice. Wanted it because it doesn't use a cutting mat.
Definitely wish I had another machine but not sure which.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
Started off with the good old green Cuttlebug, and it's still my go to machine the majority of the time!!! Bought longer plates for it, and got another machine for nothing, so I have a back up!
Have a Vagabond, which works wonders on all those Sizzix and Tim Holtz dies.
Hardly ever use my Slice or Slice Elite (which I got for a great bargain-thank goodness, since I never use it!!!)
And, a Cricut Expression 2, with lots of cartridges - picked up at good bargain prices, and love this machine as well! I also enjoy the flexibility of using the CCR and getting a lot out of my images.
Crafting is sooooo much fun!!!!
1. Slice Elite (doesnt get used much anymore.
2. Two Cuttlebugs Green one and Anna Griffen version) this is my most used machine.
3. Big Shot.
4. Ebosser (got this when I tore my rotator cuff and couldnt crank the manual machines.)
5. Silhouette Camo (love love love this)
6. Brother Scan and Cut
7. Grand Caliber
Some of them are used for different things.
Blessings.
1) Old green cuttlebug bought used
2) ebosser (Christmas gift to myself last year)
My cuttlebug started to have issues and I was afraid that one day it would explode on me and I wouldn't have a backup. I also have issues (neck and arm) that made an electric cutter/embosser desirable. Hence the ebosser. I don't have any plans to purchase a electronic cutter - ever.
Dea
I just have a big shot. Someday when I feel like I dont want to hand crank anymore...I'll get an electric version. But sometimes I want to only put through half a die or I run it backwards also for some extra umpf and I dont know if that can be done on the electrics.
The big shot takes only 6 inches wide so that may be why people upgrade too.
I dont have any interest at this time in digital so I dont need that kind of machine.
Good question-so many very experienced people here!
1.First machine was the old red Sizzix. Still got it but never use it.
2. Sidekick. Never use it but it's too cute to get rid of
3. Original blue Big Shot. Got it second-hand 8 years ago, it's still my go-to machine.
4. Won a Vagabond. Loved it to bits, but the motor died and the competition organiser I won it from kindly replaced it with an.....
5. Ebosser. Nice machine but hardly gets used unless I need to do large format. The Big Shot is simply a better die cutter/embosser
6. ScanNCut. Love it but need to spend more time with it and get to know it better.
Joan B, I agree with you. We are all nuts! But in a nice way.
I borrowed the personal cricut from a friend and ended up buying one, only to sell it and upgrade to the Expression...
I now have the Expression (packed up and use rarely) and a Grand Calibur that I got for Christmas - love this machine! Wanted the Fuse but was convinced by a demo that the Grand Calibur would be better. Thinking about the Silhouette or the Scan N Cut, but can't justify it right now.
Oh my! All I have is my trusty green Cuttlebug my daughters gave me for Christmas 6 years ago!
It's still going strong and I love it dearly!
Me, too! I bought mine for about $60+ nearly 14 years ago. I does everything I need and will probably replace it with the same when it finally dies---which I hope is way in the future!
Watched Part 1 and Part 2 videos. The triangle die had an extra allowance for turning fabric as for quilters, which would annoy me if working in paper and require me to cu it off. If the dies one already owns will work in it (as they say they will), then I guess it would be OK not to use those particular dies. However, it is way too big for me and although embossing was mentioned, it was not demoed or even suggested. The ability to adjust seemed nice at first, but too much for me to determine on my own (like definite "sandwich" instructions. So---guess I will stick to my Bug that does it all, at least all I need it to do, fits my space and is so darn cute!
I have brought myself a fiskars fuse and have wished for a long time to buy a silhouette cameo for similar machine.
I could imagine myself wanting a smaller machine for portability of I ever want to travel and craft (because man is the fuse heavy) and I understand the want to upgrade If I had chosen something that wasn't enough to do what I needed.
Ok OP, so what does your 'wish list' look like now after all of this input?
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
I love threads like these. It's like journaling you think about where you started and where you are at now. Year ago if I answered this question I would have had the longest list. I was testing, reviewing, rebuilding and remodding cutters. I had about twenty different cutters.
I am down too two cutters. I have my trusty Cuttlebug. She's over eight years old and still going strong. I love my girl. I only use her to emboss now and with my Nestabilities. I have a Silhouette Cameo. I love to fussy cut so my favorite cutters are my micro-tip scissors and X-acto knife.
My first cutter was the Spellbinder Wizard. I think it was the first cutter on the market. It should have come with a warning " Danger, Hazardous!" Not user friendly at all. But it was all we had, so we loved it. I still have it packed away somewhere. Then I bought the Big Shot. I LOVE it. Also have a Cuttlebug that I used once. Don't know why I thought I needed it. I'm having a yard sale so it may go. Happy stamping. Bobbi
I love threads like these. It's like journaling you think about where you started and where you are at now. Year ago if I answered this question I would have had the longest list. I was testing, reviewing, rebuilding and remodding cutters. I had about twenty different cutters.
I am down too two cutters. I have my trusty Cuttlebug. She's over eight years old and still going strong. I love my girl. I only use her to emboss now and with my Nestabilities. I have a Silhouette Cameo. I love to fussy cut so my favorite cutters are my micro-tip scissors and X-acto knife.
Ok, "She with the most cutting machines wins" LOLLLLL - twenty!!! That blew me away. And you are STRONG - down to two cutters - kudos to you
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
Ok, "She with the most cutting machines wins" LOLLLLL - twenty!!! That blew me away. And you are STRONG - down to two cutters - kudos to you
I had a migraine yesterday. I forgot about my Cricut. I forgot about her because she's on her last legs and I only use her to cut out materials that the Cameo hates. I think the Cricut has two months left on her since she turns off more than she turns on, lol.
Trust me I am really glad to be down too two, technically three, cutters, lol. I had fun at the time Now, I am so burned out on the cutting industry. Plus, I love having all this nice open space in my art studio, lol.
Hi!
I have a Cuttlebug that I use for embossing and Sizzix dies. I also have a Cricut Expression that I use all the time.
It's fun to read about all the neat machines people have and why. The Scan and Cut may go on my wishlist in the future, we'll see, still too pricey for me right now.
I have a Cuttlebug which I received from my kids for Christmas several years ago. I still love it and use it often. I don't have any desire to replace it and probably won't unless it breaks down. I use it mainly for embossing but sometimes for die cutting if I am doing just a single item that I already have a die for. I will not be purchasing any more dies as I received a Silver Bullet from my husband this past xmas. I might add that the only reason I received this from him is because he wanted to lessen the guilt he has about all the money he spends on his photography equipment lol!
I have a Cuttlebug which I received from my kids for Christmas several years ago. I still love it and use it often. I don't have any desire to replace it and probably won't unless it breaks down. I use it mainly for embossing but sometimes for die cutting if I am doing just a single item that I already have a die for. I will not be purchasing any more dies as I received a Silver Bullet from my husband this past xmas. I might add that the only reason I received this from him is because he wanted to lessen the guilt he has about all the money he spends on his photography equipment lol!
I had to look up to see what a Silver Bullet was. That looks like quite a professional machine! At $1000.00 I bet it's the best! Guess I could dream but definately out of my price range since I only do my crafting for personel use. Husbands are funny how they'll enable us with toys so they can justify their toys LOL
Here's my progression (or should I say digression?LOL):
Sizzix Red Machine
Quickutz
Spellbinders Wizard
Original Cricut (small format) gave to sister
Cricuit Expression
Gypsy
Big Shot
Big Shot Pro
Silhouette
I currently have a Big Shot and a Silhouette Cameo.
I've owned:
Red Sizzix, Quickutz, Cuttlebug, Cricut, Cricut Expression, Big Shot and Silhouette Cameo
It's always helped as I decided to go onto a different machine, my SIL has always purchased my previous one. Knock on wood, but I think I have found my last machines unless they come out with something that is just top of the world. I love that the big shot cuts all the different dies from different companies. And there are thousands of different images from Silhouette and all the other companies that offer SVG files.
Op here, I can tell you that my wishlist has grown and I now would like a big shot, a scan'n'cut and an electric embossing machine. Boy is this a slippery slope! In New Zealand unfortunately the craft machines and things to use with them are not cheap but the warehouse stationary (a computer/crafts/everything store) and spotlight (home decorating/crafts store) are now bringing in machines like the scan'n'cut, the ebosser, and the big shot so it is really cool to see some demonstrations. I brought the fiskars fuse without really knowing what it did (brought it because it had more then $100 off and had the adapter plates-thought I would just resell it if I did not like it, now I wouldn't dream of selling) and the advantedge because I got an american craft knockouts christmas set and wanted more punches.
It the moment though I don't have extra money for new machines so I will not be buying any more. I would rather spend the extra money I have on buying dies and punches. Everything is so cheap on amazon! Derwent and FaberCastell 72 and 120 sets of pencils are the some price (converted and shipped) as buying a 24 set in local stores, copics are cheap and fuse dies are $30 shipped compared to $60 in local stores! you can just tell where all my spare money is going to go
I just love the fun I can have with my crafts, sure going out and having a drink, buying fast food (I don't really like fast food so I don't buy it very often), or going to a restaurant is fun and I get to spend time with friends but to be honest I would choose a quiet day at home with my cats, crafts, and books if I had the choice
I'm in Australia so I can certainly relate to the expense of machines (I already posted that I had a Big Shot and Cuttlebug). It is definitely worth checking out Dick Blick USA for pencils as they give excellent service and their prices are really good (they were recommended by another SCS'er to me). I bought a set of 96 Tombow Pens a few months ago from them and they were so much cheaper than buying locally even with factoring in the cost of sending them here (which was sent via FedEx courier and I got them within 4 days!). You can email them and ask for a quote.
I can certainly relate to preferring to spend time at home with your crafts, cats and books - that is exactly what I am like: in fact, my cat is curled up beside me as I am typing this
I started with a Zip e Mate, the first rotary handle die cutter imported from the USA. Kept it for years until I bought the Vagabond then decided it needed a good home.
Then I fell for the Wizard hype and bought one, but found it very hard to use especially for embossing.
Then I sold the Wizard and bought the Big Shot, love the Big Shot.
Wanted electronic for days my wrists are painful, bought a Vagabond....
it broke, was replaced - twice, finally they refunded me so
I bought the eBosser with the refund, which should be good but frustrates me like mad, doesn't cut lots of things, doesn't cut the middle of big dies, doesn't like some embossing folders, so
I bought the Cheery Lyn Crossover, again taken in by the YouTube videos and a recommendation from a trader who told me I should wait for it, as it was going to be better than anything similar.
I am not so impressed with it, well not so far. The time I decided to have an evening of die cutting the black part of the handle fell off and I couldn't get it on, my supplier eventually after months has sent me a new handle, a washer and some glue and some photos and instructions which don't mention the glue.
At some point in the middle of that I bought The Slice, pink version, because I had bought the tag maker and didn't like that you had to cut the tags out or buy expensive punches. I don't really use it. I need to decide if I should sell it.
I have the Bind it All but would love the Cinch instead, and I don't use BIA that much.
I also had and loved the Craft Robo, but then bought the ecraft - before I bought the ebosser. the ecraft I found awful, it never cuts right, sold it but had to refund them because they couldn't use it, and pay carriage so that was expensive, since it came back nearly a year ago I haven't taken it back out of the box to see if they have damaged it!
I sold the Robo at the same time, had to give a partial refund because they said it stopped working, so they could buy a new power pack. I suspect it was fine all along.
Both of those were supposed to fund my new machine that I have still not bought, and I was looking at the KNK Zing, or Pazzles, but now I have less income as I have retired early due to my health and not sure what to do - because I have all these wonderful files, I won 6 months of new releases at The Cutting Cafe, and no machine to cut them on!
I got the Cheery Lynn Crossover. Its like a Cuttlebug on steroids. In less than a month the handle fell off. I called and asked for a replacement unit. They said they would send me a repair kit but not replace the machine. I spoke with Mike the owner. It took over a week for the repair parts to arrive and then I had to wait to have hubby do the repair because I am not at all mechanically inclined. Judy at Cheery Lynn said that there was a batch of bad machines and I got one. I am not confident that this is the last issue I will have but I do feel if there was a bad batch they should have replaced the entire machine. No one should have to repair a machine that you have had for less than 30 days. Not at all impressed with their customer service. I had wanted to put these in my webstore but don't want my customers to have issues.
Blessings
__________________ Amber Shaw
Last edited by sprtchick; 12-19-2014 at 10:28 PM..
-Craftwell e-Craft (it cuts nicely but it's very hard to work with while using SCAL or MTC as far as positioning, just my luck, I guess)
-Silhouette Cameo (love it!)
-Cricut Expression 1 (x2, will be donating one of them to military veterans, since I am a vet)
-Cricut Expression 2 (love this one as well)
I've just recently purchased the Cricut Explore, and I did not like it. It cuts great but as usual, Provo Craft didn't put much thought into their software, which made me look at and purchase the CE2. Glad I did.
I am looking to buy an embossing machine, either a Vagabond or e-Bosser. Since both are universal, I am trying to figure out which one to get. I wonder which one can use the largest sizes of embossing folders.....
To answer your question, Mangodew, the Vagabond plates are 6" wide, while the eBosser can take a full letter size/A4 sheet. So the eBosser takes the larger embossing folders.
I had a Vagabond and have an eBosser. I loved the Vagabond but its electrics are fragile and once it's broken, it's not (officially) repairable. The eBosser can be fussy and I usually have to include a shim to get it to cut consistently. It embosses well though.
HTH
I got the Cheery Lynn Crossover. Its like a Cuttlebug on steroids. In less than a month the handle fell off. I called and asked for a replacement unit. They said they would send me a repair kit but not replace the machine. I spoke with Mike the owner. It took over a week for the repair parts to arrive and then I had to wait to have hubby do the repair because I am not at all mechanically inclined. Judy at Cheery Lynn said that there was a batch of bad machines and I got one. I am not confident that this is the last issue I will have but I do feel if there was a bad batch they should have replaced the entire machine. No one should have to repair a machine that you have had for less than 30 days. Not at all impressed with their customer service. I had wanted to put these in my webstore but don't want my customers to have issues.
Blessings
While I'm sorry you and others have had problems with your Crossover machines, I'm very grateful that some of you have shared your experiences with them (and the company). I was very interested in this machine, but after hearing how the "bad batch" of machines was handled, I'm not at all tempted to buy one.
I understand that first generation tools can have bugs (the WRMK Envelope Board comes immediately to mind), but the way the company handles the problem has a huge impact on my impression of the company and my willingness to give them another chance.
There's NO way I'd hand over hundreds of dollars to a company that admits they sent out glitchy machines, but then refuses to take those machines back and either refund customers or send out new machines. Sending out a repair kit doesn't cut it.
If all the Crossovers needed was a new handle assembly, Cheery Lynn should have covered return shipping, repaired the machines themselves, and shipped them back to customers along with a gift certificate for some Cheery Lynn dies (or sent refunds to those customers who didn't want a replacement machine).
The onus was on Cheery Lynn to make their customers happy. Saying, "Oh, we know we messed up and sent out bad machines. Here's what YOU need to do to fix yours," and offer no refunds or gifts or anything is not impressive.
__________________ Hi! I'm ISO the Fun Stampers Journey stamp "Say Cheese" AT-0167. Thank you!
Last edited by TheOtherMeg; 12-20-2014 at 01:29 PM..
I got the Cheery Lynn Crossover. Its like a Cuttlebug on steroids. In less than a month the handle fell off. I called and asked for a replacement unit. They said they would send me a repair kit but not replace the machine. I spoke with Mike the owner. It took over a week for the repair parts to arrive and then I had to wait to have hubby do the repair because I am not at all mechanically inclined. Judy at Cheery Lynn said that there was a batch of bad machines and I got one. I am not confident that this is the last issue I will have but I do feel if there was a bad batch they should have replaced the entire machine. No one should have to repair a machine that you have had for less than 30 days. Not at all impressed with their customer service. I had wanted to put these in my webstore but don't want my customers to have issues.
Blessings
My supplier was dealing with another supplier not direct with Cheery Lyn, and it has taken months to get this repair kit. Like you I feel they should have replaced the machine, and at one point I said it is taking too long, I think you should replace the machine. After which they suddenly came up with this story about their supplier sending the wrong thing, and not the handle, and they asked for the handle which eventually arrived. Also I tried to register my machine to get the promised custom plate, which I was told I would get even in the UK, and nothing happened, no response. I have to try and tackle the repair, I have been too busy getting ready for Christmas so far.
If you had to get rid of all of the electronic machines and could only keep one, which one would you keep and why?
The Cameo!
It has the best print n cut.
I can cut poster board or light cardboard, glue a couple of layers together, so no need to cut chipboard.
I can design in Silhouette Studio, Coral Draw, or AI. I can save to any format using Corel or AI
I don't have to buy cartridges or be tied to the Internet.
It cuts beautifully.
I can use any mat, I'm not tied to the Silhouette brand.
I'm not even tied to their blades. I have a holder that works with my 45 & 60 blades.
I have extra adapters that lets me use all my pens and most of my markers including Copics.
If I could pick 3, here's what I'd choose. The perfect mix!
Cameo
Big Shot Pro
Brother Scan n Cut
Thanks, interesting answer. I never really used print and cut when I had my Robo, which I should have kept - ah well.
I still don't know which to go for, if I can afford it in the first place. The Scan and Cut maybe, but is it just gimicky, I know the scan and cut bit is brilliant but how about handling thick card like chipboard?
My beef with my lovely Robo was that it didn't cut anything but very thin card stock, which is why I bought the ecraft, which also appealed due to no mat - but I never got it to cut anything totally correctly and if I did it would never repeat it! The Cutting Cafe SVGs wouldn't cut out properly ever.
Thanks, interesting answer. I never really used print and cut when I had my Robo, which I should have kept - ah well.
I still don't know which to go for, if I can afford it in the first place. The Scan and Cut maybe, but is it just gimicky, I know the scan and cut bit is brilliant but how about handling thick card like chipboard?
My beef with my lovely Robo was that it didn't cut anything but very thin card stock, which is why I bought the ecraft, which also appealed due to no mat - but I never got it to cut anything totally correctly and if I did it would never repeat it! The Cutting Cafe SVGs wouldn't cut out properly ever.
The Scan 'n Cut is more powerful than the Cameo, and I can cut light weight chipboard easily. I don't find the need to cut chipboard, and use it primarily to cut stamped images. It's pricey, but it does have a 12" scanner as well. Still, I'd consider it a machine I would have not purchased if not for the wonderful feature of cutting out stamped images. There's a scanning mat available for the Cameo that is used to cut scanned images, but I haven't used it since I have the SNC.
I cut 140# cardstock and watercolor paper with ease on my Cameo. I forget to mention, I can design and cut directly from Corel Draw in addition to the ability to save to SVG and multiple formats. I love Silhouette Studio, as well. I'd not be surprised if the Cameo was the top selling machine on the market today. You may want to look for the original Cameo, probably cheaper since the release of the Cameo 2. There are lots of choices out there, just take your time deciding. There's a lot of threads where different machines are discussed. Hope I've been of some help.
