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here's how I got started...
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

What??? No Cuttlebug???

I was talking to some friends @ CHA & the Cuttlebug came into the conversation. I was the only one in the group who does not own this thing. AMAZING...(shopper that I am)!

Anyway...I'm a stamper, not a scrapper so I never thought I really needed one.

Then I saw these embossing folders...




So, I brought them home...but NOT the machine. Still thinking...

Do I NEED this???

Do you have it???

Now it's YOUR turn to be an ENABLER...

Tell me all about it!

Do you LOVE it??? What do you use it for??

Should I buy the machine??? Or return the folders???

Talk to me!!
wendy
ps...the decision would be easier if it was BLACK...that's the OCD peeking out again!

36 comments:

laverneboese said...

Buy it!!!! I have one and I love it! And the embossing folders are beautiful! It works with all other manufacturer dies as well...sizzix, quickutz, etc. I can't believe you don't already own one!!!

Pegg S said...

I would buy it with a 50% off coupon! I have it but don't use it as much as I should. However, I do have space issues so that is a big part of the problem. I can't wait to see your take on it, though from visiting your blog, it doesn't seem to fit with your "style." But you are an artist who can make everything look beautiful!

Sarah said...

Wow, I have heard that there are people without the CB but I have never met one before! lol
If you do not have any of the popular machines on the market and are not doing heavy duty cutting and mashing, the CB is the way to go. It is not limited to their brand of folders and dies but accepts most others. You can also use it to smush fresh flowers on paper to make dyed paper, flatten bottle caps, ink and dry emboss in one, make that two steps. It is easier to use than a rolling pin!With your talents and creativity you could probably come up with more ideas. Try it...you might like it!

Paula said...

if you don't have any other die cutting machine, then I say get one! Those embossing folders are so great for stamping/cardmaking! I use my old red Sizzix with them (glad I didn't get rid of it). And, for just a little more enabling, have you seen Nestabilities? That's all I'm gonna say......

Scrapthat said...

OH MY!!!! Wendy you need one of these!! If for no other reason than for embossing your stamped images and GRUNGE!! Run do not walk to the store to buy the machine!! PS...Tim's Distress inks work fabulous for a BG emboss...ink the folder itself on the side with the printing (you may choose to use a brayer) roll your already colored or not paper or Grunge through the machine (I Spritz the grunge with water before embossing to make it more pliable) and Be amazed at your tone on tone embossing!! Are you out the door yet??? GO GIRL!!
:0) {PSS if you have the old sizzix you can use this too...which is what I have and use but if not get the CB as it can house larger pieces of paper/Grunge.}

Scrapthat said...

Oh and about the Black...Pick up a spray bomb of Black Krylon and Alter that puppy up!
Haven't you left yet?? LOL

Margie Higuchi said...

LOL!! What Paula said!

I have so many die cut machines (Sizzix, SideKick, SB Wizard & Silhouette)that I use other manuf.'s dies in them.
So if you don't have a machine, I would use those coupons to get one.

Yes, I've seen the Nesties and have a few!!! LOL!!

Good luck on your decision ;0)

Debbie Bick said...

girl you need that cuttlebug.. the grungeboard loves it too...i love it...you must have it...hahahaha..i'm happy to enable you anytime..im also a stamper and use it alot..
Debbie. Scottsdale

Diana said...

Do your homework & research some different brands. No matter which you think you'l like, get it! Life in a carders world is so much fun with a die cut machine. Backgrounds, embellishemtns, words, & windows, mats, what can I say. How have you lived without one?

Sherry Cheever said...

Actually, I sold my cuttlebug when I got the Wizard. Like the Wizard better! Do your research and check out a few other machines. The Wizard will do everything the Cuttlebug can, run the same dies and gets a great embossing on the Spellbinders dies. It also sets eyelets, flattens bottle caps and will cut wood.

Wishful Thinking said...

Wow look at everyones ideas! I was going to tell you about what Scrapthat said and also to paint it black :-) LOL. Acutally I don't have one, but really want one ... have priced them here and they are crazy expensive, so am going to wait till I go back to NZ for a holiday! hehe Good luck on your decision.

Lori said...

I had the old Sizzix machine, which recently went on the fritz...come to find out supposedly the metal base plate bends after so much use...I only had the darn thing less than two years and used it infrequently to say the least. At any rate, just had a Bigshot delivered today, which accepts larger dies than the original Sizzix, which I'm sure will be an advantage. I will also be able to use other companies dies in this machine. Sizzix has come out with the Bigz dies, within this category they have Decorative Accents, which are different shapes of flourishes, basically, that I plan to cut grungeboard with. I also use cereal boxes or similar recycled cardboard as "poor mans chipboard". HA! Because I'm cheap. I like the options these machines give for added dimensions to art. Good luck! P.S. Sizzix also sells a machine called the Big Kick, just like the Big Shot, and I believe it is BLACK. Lori H.

Elaine said...

You won't regret getting one unless you happen to drop it on your foot and then it will hurt and you will be cursing...but let's hope you don't do that!

Steph said...

If you are the last person to get a cuttlebug i am the second last...i got mine last saturday! LOL...I have heard that you can use a tray and rolling pin to use the cuttlebug embossing folders WITHOUT the machine....but i don't know how effective it would be?? Maybe give it a try?! stephanie

Valonda L. said...

The whole thing is a great system. You don't "need" a Cuttlebug Machine if you have a different machine like the Wizard or something, but the Cuttlebug Machine does a great job and I love mine. SO many techniques you can do with the embossing folders! I'd say get it!

Erin Glee said...

Hi Wendy! I don't have a Cuttlebug, but I do have a few embossing folders that I use with a rolling pin. Use a mini-mister to dampen the paper that you have cut to fit inside the folder. Tape folder closed and roll your brayer or rolling pin over it with heavy pressure. Open folder and squeal with delight over the cool texture your paper has!
I have been scrapbooking, stamping and making cards for years without any die cut machines... I'm not a professional, but YOU ARE~I've heard the CB is great and if I were you I'd GET ONE TODAY!

borcherding said...

Wendy....what planet have you been on?? Even I have a Sizzix!! Get back in your car and GO GET ONE!!!

D's Paper Studio said...

with all those perfectly cut grungeboard flowers I thought you were already using one! You are great to cut these by hand. I don't own the Cuttlebug, but I've used it. My Big Shot does the same thing. It cuts through grungeboard so well. I would recommend to getting it if it something that would really assist you with your classes and doing mass production. Your work is so great. I love doing things the slow way most of the time...but I do use my die cut machine for classes and for the occassional "special effect."

Sudie said...

well, I was introduced to the CB mania at CHA too. since then, CB embossing folders + grungeboard = unlimited possibilities. My favorite thing is to play with the GlueFoil by Streuter. Grungy heaven.

Unknown said...

Of course you NEED one, Wendy!! I can't believe you don't have a die cutting machine yet! I never was excited about a Die Cutting Machine (and there are a lot of them out there) until I saw the embossing folders. I love the look of embossing, but not how long it takes to do it by hand. So once I saw all the folders, I was hooked!

The price is nice too - especially paired with a great 40% off coupon.

Just get one - you'll LOVE it! I'd love to see what you'll make with this new tool...

Moose Ridge said...

they work like a dream in the Wizard...

Erin Glee said...

WENDY! Is that YOUR studio on the FRONT COVER of Cloth scissors Papers' special edition of STUDIOS? I'd put money on it that it is, but I don't remember you mentioning it... THE FRONT COVER! So beautiful and well organized, it must be yours. Congratulations! Celebrate and go buy yourself a Cuttlebug! Erin : )

ronee said...

BUY the big shot..a lot more options!! But you so HAVE to have some kind of embossing machine! enable enable enable!
xoxo
ronee

Cheryl said...

Wendy,

Definitely go for either a Wizard or Big Shot. Way more versatility than just with the Cuttlebug.

Jenna Franklin said...

LOL - add me to the list of die-cutting machine-less people, Wendy! You're not alone! Shhhh - I've picked up some of the embossing folders and diecut shapes as well, wondering if I could make it work without the machine! They're in a box in my studio at the moment to keep from tempting me...so instead your blog readers are tempting me, lol!

SweetMissDaisy (Anna Wight) said...

Don't buy the cuttlebug.... get the Big Shot. The cutting area is a tad wider, and you CAN get it in black! =)

Kathi said...

I agree. Get the Big Shot/Big Kick (same machine, different colors and a slightly different look).

The Big Shot/Kick cuts most of the competitors' dies and also takes most of the embossing folders.

You can use the machine to cut anything that you can cut with scissors, including fabrics, felt, chipboard, grungeboard, some plastics, craft metal, etc.

It's sturdy, easy to use, and not terribly heavy.

And I'm not affiliated with them. I just really have liked having one machine that did it all!

Rachel Greig said...

I haven't read anyone else's comments yet, but I too don't own a CB. I would recommend a Big Shot! They come in black (with pink! LOL) and they can take the CB dies and embossing folders.

Papercraft Studio said...

hi Wendy,
I have a CB- for the embossing folders especially love it! I have friend who don't have a CB machine but run their embossing folders through a PASTA machine. works a dream and cheaper too!
sarah

KAT said...

Honey you NEED the machine Really Really BAD!!! There is so much that you can do with the embossing folders to add interesting texture to your projects... Think about use 3 different embossing folders, tearing the paper, adhear to what ever you are alterning... YOu know like chipboard.... then paint on it and add either ink or paste to make the texture pop.... YOu can also add ink to the folders (use only dye ink) to add funky colors to what you are embossing... give it a try you will LOVE it!!!!! Oh.... one more thing... the machine is fabulous with Nestibilities - LOVE those!!!!!!!! Buy it you won't regret it!!!!

If you don't keep it - just send those folders over to me and I'll make sure they get put to good use!!!

Hazel said...

I won't add any more to the discussion about the machine, but those embossing folders...you have to try them with metal tape from a DIY store, swiped with a Paint Dabber, then spritzed with Perfect Pearls (or similar). It looks amazing, like old enamel. I love the swirls folder with a green PD, it looks very art deco!

Marlis said...

aw come on, get as addicted as we are to the embossing folders! dive, don't just jump into the pool. We'll save you!

FM Girls said...

Hey, Wendy, I don't have a CB either. My friends think I'm crazy because I love tools & have almost everything else! I bought a Wizard before the CB was available at my LSS. I struggled to use it at first but now I love it. I've used the CB, too. It's easy to use. I'd certainly recommend a die cutting system of some kind. If you have the QuicKutz tool, you can use it to squeeze the embossing folders by moving it all around the edges. The embossing folders leave wonderful impressions in metal foil!
Whatever will you decide? :)

Sue McGettigan said...

I see you're workin' the pasta machine to emboss these folders, but I have to tell you I'm in LOVE with the Cuttlebug - not just for the embossing folders, but for the versatility with dies from other companies too - and I'm more of a stamper than a die-cutter, but it's just very, very cool! I have a couple of Sizzix dies and Spellbinder Nestabilities - all Cuttlebug compatible.

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