Sizzix Big Shot for a Beginner?

jill_b29

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all ok

I am a beginner to the card making fun and have been looking at the best way to cut out shapes.

I have seen a Sizzix big shot machine on offer and wondered if this is the best one to go for? I want to be able to cut out shapes/letters etc

Also, with this machine can you cut out shapes on a card or is it to use the shapes that are then cut out (if that makes sense - basically I want to cut a heart shape out on a card, I have bought a punch put this doesnt reach in the right place and ends up upside down if I want it at the top)

Many thanks in advance

Jillx

li'l_p

Personally I prefer the Cuttlebug. You tend to find that people have a preference for one or the other...

They both can take *most* of the dies on the market, I know even the Cuttlebug now has extended cutting mats available for cutting the longer Sizzix Bigz dies, which is fab!

I used to have the Big Shot but I sold it and got a Cuttlebug as I liked the way it folded up and took up less space. Plus I don't have to use an addtional adapter for cutting the Quickutz thin metal dies or similar, so they were my main reasons for buying.

Have a look on You Tube as there are plenty of videos & tutorial type things on there which will show you how each one works and the various things you can do.

craftfairies

Hi ya!!
I have a big shot and a cuttlebug, they are very similar (i write tutorials for my blog so have both so i can do these for both machines)
If you are wanting to cut appertures (appertures are shaped holes in the front in cards, sorry if you know this already) i would say go for the big shot, purely because it has an extra half an inch wide opening so you could get slightly wider cards through it.
I am yet to blog a tutorial for appertures, but if you give me your email add i can let you know when i do! my blog is in my profile
I would reccomend nestabilities dies for appertures as you can place these pretty much anywhere on the card
If you want any more help with anything at all just ask
Lisa xxx

jill_b29

Thank you both. I am now the proud owner of a Sizzix Big Shot

x

LJM

yaah well done you i love the bigshot

jill_b29

I just have to save up for the die cutters now!!! :-)

If anyone knows any good places to buy from that would be good!

Also, does anyone know anywhere to get good but reasonably priced printed paper from?

Thanks

x

li'l_p

I get mine from a variety of places, cutting edge crafts I find is cheap and they don't charge P&P.

Just think about what sort of things you want to achieve and go for dies where you will get a lot of mileage from and that you can mix and match. It has taken me years to get the collection I have, and even then I have sold ones I have used less, to make way for new ones, but I always do try to stick to having my core dies - it really does depend what you are into as everyone is different. I have many of the Go Kreate bear dies as I think they are so versatile and with all the different outfits, you get so much more from them and almost every occasion.

Ebay can be good although I have seen people pay more than they can get the die new in shops, and whilst that's good for the seller, I always think that it's a shame that buyer's don't do their homework before bidding!

Enjoy your new purchase!

ETA: As for pattern paper, see the Canon website http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3125/list_15_1.html for free downloadable paper. I have most of these saved and acess them when I want and print them time and time again!

craftfairies

i too use cutting edge crafts or crafty devils papercrafts
if you are thinking of buying some nestabilities i would reccomend once upon a stamp as the cheapest place for these
I have got ur pm and will reply in the morning x

li'l_p

Yeah, once upon a stamp for nesties. I forgot about that - I got mine for Christmas!

jill_b29

Thank Li'l_p and craft faries

With regards to the nestabilities, are all these compatible with the big shot?

Sorry for all the questions, just worried about buying the wrong things!!

x

craftfairies

hi Jill they are, did you get a multi purpose platform for your machine?

I am just typing up a photo tutorial for my blog for nestabilities in the BS and Cbug as we speak so this will be on my blog later (my blog is my home page in my profile)