How long do they last under normal wear and tear? Is she going to have to spend a fortune on upkeep (blades, mats, paper, etc.)? How many cartridges will be needed to be able to offer some functional variety to card making, and scrapbooking?

Any and all answers will be most appreciated.

Thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Gracielacey
I have drooled over that thing, and have almost bought it several times. Here is my issue with it: I don't mind the initial price for it and the couple "free" cartridges you get with it, but all the other cartridges cost like $ 50 each.. thats alot of money! The blades are reasonable...but the cartridges are not. And you can't use a coupon on them at any craft store that I've seen.

At the least, she definitely needs at least one alphabet and maybe a cartridge with some swirly stuff, and maybe a holiday one. Definitely the alphabet is a must have.

I ended up buying the Cuttlebug Die Cutter and Embosser. It is more limiting, but you can get alot of shapes, alphabets, etc. For $ 500 you could get the Cuttlebug and a miriad of embossing plates and diecutting plates.

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Answer by KiaSister1
I have never tried a die cutting machine. I have to ask myself how often I would use it. Many towns have scrapbook stores, that will let you use their die cut machines, sometimes there is a fee, many times if you sign up for a workshop or scrap day- you can use their equipment at no cost.

I love Creative Memories though. They have this Custom Cutting system that helps you make mats for your pictures in a variety of shapes. They also have several shape makers you can get and many ideas for you to do with those shapes. I really tend to prefer the shape makers, to die cut systems like sizzex. I buy the shape makers from Creative Memories and from the craft store. Fiskars has a similar system, to the Custom Cutting system, it even has more templates.

The one thing I don't reccomend is the Sticker maker. I thought it was great at first, but now I am seeing a film that it leaves on my page covers and I worry what that will do to my pictures. So I no longer use it.

Also the other nice thing about shape makers is that you can let your kids use them for their arts and crafts projects. Most of them are fairly durable.

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Answer by kay
http://www.cet.com/~pennys/faq/smfaq.htm

What I want for beginners in sewing:

- a machine that doesn't scare you
- a machine that isn't balky (cheap new machines are often very
balky or need adjustments often and are rarely repairable --
just too frustrating to learn on!)
- very good straight stitch
- good zigzag (4-5 mm is fine, more than that is gravy)
- a method of making buttonholes that makes sense to you
- adjustable presser foot pressure (which helps some fabric
handling issues)
- accessory presser feet that don't cost an arm and a leg
(machines that use a "short shank foot" typically handle
generic presser feet pretty well. Some brands of machines use
proprietary or very expensive presser feet)

If the budget stretches far enough:

- blindhem and stretch blindhem stitches
- triple zigzag (nice for elastic applications)
- a couple of decorative stitches (you won't use them nearly as
much as you think)
- electronic machine because of the needle position control and
because the stepper motors give you full "punching force" at
slow sewing speeds -- mechanical machines often will stall at
slow speeds.

Please go to the best sewing machine dealers around and ask them
to show you some machines in your price range, *especially* used
machines you can afford. You'll get a far better machine buying
used than new, and a good dealer is worth their weight in sewing
machine needles when you get a machine problem -- often they can
talk you through the problem over the phone. While you're trying
things out, try a couple of machines (sewing only, not combo
sewing-embroidery) over your price limit, just so you can see
what the difference in stitch quality and ease of use might be.
You may find you want to go for the used Cadillac. Or you might
want the new basic Chevy. Might as well try both out.

Suggested reading: John Giordano's The Sewing Machine Book
(especially for used machines), Carol Ahles' Fine Machine Sewing
(especially the first and last few chapters) and Gale Grigg
Hazen's Owner's Guide to Sewing Machines, Sergers and Knitting
Machines. All of these are likely to be available at your public
library.

Used brands I'd particularly look for: Elna, Bernina,
Viking/Husqvarna, Pfaff, Singer (pre 1970), Juki, Toyota

New "bargain brand" I'd probably pick, if new was my choice:
Janome (who also does Kenmore).

If you get the BYU channel, look for Martha's Sewing Room. Martha Pullen often has a sewing/scrapbook segment. The machines used on that show are of the $ 3K+ variety, but it can give you an idea of what sort of effects are possible.

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Best answer:

Answer by jkschmier
On one hand, you need to experiment a bit with your machine, of course. On the other hand, there are LOTS of tips out there. I've provided a link below. A few things I've learned - a bigger needle and a longer stitch will be better, as paper is more fragile than most fabric and this way, you'll have fewer holes and stress the paper less. Don't add anything with dimension until after you've stitched to avoid the foot from getting caught as you guide the paper.

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Best answer:

Answer by crazyj89
I used to work at Michaels and I'd see a lot of hardcore scrapbookers getting Cricut machines and the cartridges. The Cricut machine is great if you do a ton of scrapbook and are very involved--it can do intricate cut outs in various sizes, as well as cut through paper and vinyl. There are a ton of cartridges available, but they are also expensive. It is a super nice machine that cuts out letters and picture-like things (ie. if you buy the Disney cartridge, it can cut out Mickey). However, I would not suggest paying the money for it if it is going to sit in your closet until you get around to using it once every two or three months. I don't know about the small one.

The other option is die cutters, of which there are many options, like Sizzix, Cuttlebug, and Slice. These also require you to buy a machine (non electric, I believe) and dies. I'm not sure how they work.

There are also cheap cutters that work like hole punches except they punch out different shapes in different sizes instead of just a small circle. But they are bulky and you'd have to buy a lot of them in order to really get use unless you only wanted to make a bunch of three inch hearts.

All of these options are pretty costly if you want to do anything fancy. The Cricut machine is definitely the nicest option, then the die cutters, then the cheap hole-punch things. Sometimes Michaels has small versions of the hole-punch things in their dollar bin with shapes like hearts or squares.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money, I think your option is to cut shapes out yourself.

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Answer by kokobellies
Check your local hobby shops or scrapbooking stores. They should carry them. I believe they are called, "Cricut" and pronounced Cricket. Good luck. They look like they'd be a lot of fun!

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Answer by dirtbikechick
I have it and it is fantastic!!!!!!!
I use it so much and it is great for projects and scrapbooking. It is worth the money definately!!!!!!!!!!!

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Answer by brownbear33
i have one and it is the best thing ever, though if you want EVERY cartrige for it, it does get a little expensive. and it is great for posters and projects for yourself, or your children (if you have any). I would suggest anyone to get it! It is cool to fool around with too!

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Best answer:

Answer by Taylor
Hair dryer is the only thing, or even a fan. Need to get the air moving inside it. DO NOT PLUG IT IN!!!

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http://it.tinypic.com/view.php?pic=16jx8j&s=3

I just bought a whole bunch of those readers digest books from goodwill since I am an avid crafter (you name it I have the stuff to do it. lol!)
I covered this one with some embossed scrapbooking paper and some lightweight fabric that looks like leather.
Do you have any tips for a first time altered book artist?
heres the first page I've done:

http://it.tinypic.com/view.php?pic=ibkwbc&s=3

sorry I know this is long but I'm excited because this is really fun!

Best answer:

Answer by cowgirl
It looks like you've been at this craft for quite some time. I hope my pages come out 1/2 as good as yours. I have a book, but haven't started it. Starting it is the hard part for me, as I'm not sure what to put in it. For tips, I guess just search for altered books, and many pages come up. You can use some of their ideas.

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