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Post by midorica on Mar 13, 2018 18:00:43 GMT
So I got caught up in all the excitement last month and bought the Scan n Cut 2. It's been sitting on a shelf ever since. I haven't even unboxed it and the idea of using it is making me feel super overwhelmed. I just looked up the return policy on the Brother Canada website, and I've missed the return window by a day or 2. Now I'm panicking. I've posted a few ads on FB for it, but what if no-one buys it? Help!!
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Post by gale w on Mar 13, 2018 18:08:34 GMT
Take it out and try it! I love mine. Super easy to use and there are tons of videos for it on youtube.
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 13, 2018 18:12:16 GMT
I felt like this when I got my bigkick. I got it on clearance and am super glad that I picked it up, but I was reading how to use it and all these mentions of sandwiches and mentions of the plates cracking being okay stressed me out. It took me over a year and a half to even take it out of the box. I kicked myself for waiting that long!!
What are you overwhelmed by? Just because it can do a million things doesn't mean that you need to start there. Look up some videos on it's very basic functions and see if those are things you would like to use and if they are things you want to do with it and could manage to do. There are still some features of my Cameo that I love but have to look up tutorials for EVERY single time I use that function because I tend to batch process and forget the steps in between.
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Post by freeatlast on Mar 13, 2018 18:51:51 GMT
I have issues with new (to me) tech. I was concerned, too. It took less than 30 minutes from the time it arrived to the time I was cutting my first image. And that included rewatching part of the Hedgehog Hollow youtube video for settings and the unpacking. I'm not trying to do much fancy stuff with it now. But I'm loving how it cuts out a stamped image! Watch this and follow her instructions: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl-jQka-x-E
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Post by midorica on Mar 13, 2018 22:34:11 GMT
Thank you ladies. I've taken a few deep breaths and am not panicking quite as much now. I think I feel overwhelmed because it's the first time I've spent this much money on a hobby, and I felt super guilty for not even having taken it out of the box in the whole month I've had it! And then I started wondering about whether it is complete overkill for the skill level I'm at... Still not sure if this was a good idea, but I'm trying to stay calm and think logically...
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Post by scrapaddict702 on Mar 13, 2018 22:45:04 GMT
Thank you ladies. I've taken a few deep breaths and am not panicking quite as much now. I think I feel overwhelmed because it's the first time I've spent this much money on a hobby, and I felt super guilty for not even having taken it out of the box in the whole month I've had it! And then I started wondering about whether it is complete overkill for the skill level I'm at... Still not sure if this was a good idea, but I'm trying to stay calm and think logically... If you use stamps with coordinating dies, dies in general or punches or even just regularly buy things like label stickers, you can eliminate (or at least severely decrease) the need for any of those things just by using a machine like this. It will more than pay for itself in a very short while...you just have to pull that sucker out and start using it!
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Post by peanutterbutter on Mar 13, 2018 23:00:45 GMT
The beautiful thing about this machine is that you can use it for everything from some very very basic things to some very complex things. You can use it by itself, you can use it with a computer it really is up to your choice your confidence and your skill levels.
What do you most want use it for? If you want to try something very simple, just start with the shapes that are already in the machine and cut some of those out there are some alphabets on there there are some shapes some borders very very very simple to use and once you gain a little confidence that way you can start exploring. Good luck with it!
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Post by joblackford on Mar 14, 2018 2:10:42 GMT
There must have been a good reason why you bought it - an idea you had about how it was going to fit into your crafty life. Can you recapture that idea, that feeling (maybe write down what you had in mind, what inspired you to get it) so that you can get past the bad feelings enough to make use of it?
Maybe if you're feeling like you're not skilled enough for it you can use it as an incentive to work on those skills you feel are lacking.
Using it and learning to make the most of it is really your best bet right now. If you sell it you're probably going to lose some money, and you're probably going to have some residual bad feelings around your "mistake" that might hold you back from your crafting in the future. I think you should forgive yourself and take a deep breath and dive into using it.
Down the road, once you've given it a good try out you can always change your mind and sell it if it really doesn't fit your needs. The difference is the price you'll get for it gently used probably isn't going to be that much less than new-in-box-used. At least then you'll be making an informed choice about whether this machine is right for you.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on Mar 14, 2018 3:20:02 GMT
Not the same situation, but similar. I had an Expression for years, and when I upgraded to an Explore, I was beyond intimidated. How silly, looking back.
I found the best help on YouTube. Lots and lots of step-by-step videos to walk you through the whole process. Just pause and go back if you miss something. Good luck!
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Post by callmenutz on Mar 14, 2018 5:40:07 GMT
I felt the very same way as you did. Seeing pictures of the beautiful creations people were making was stressing me out! How am I ever going to learn all of that? Well, I decided to quit thinking about it for now. I doubt I’ll ever even make that kind of stuff as it’s not my taste. I bought it for cutting out my digital scrapbooking elements for cardmaking and whatever else. Just sit down and explore your machine. Take baby steps. I don’t think I’ll ever learn everything this machine can do and that’s okay. Go to this website and download their freebies and print them. Then run them through your machine and you will get a basic idea of what it can do. I was thrilled and it got me to thinking of ways to use it with my hobby. I’m not even thinking about using Canvas right now. RG Studio 360
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,606
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Mar 14, 2018 6:11:04 GMT
That's how I felt when I got my Silhouette Cameo. I was so excited to have one and then it came and it sat for a couple of weeks. DH finally started asking about it since I did ask for it as an anniversary gift. I was so intimidated that he ended up setting it up for me. There was some trial and error. I watched a few YouTube videos and I finally got comfortable with it. One thing I wish I would have done was to take some time to just play with it. I started off trying to cut a title for a layout. I was so frustrated. I didn't know I had to adjust the blade setting and I tore some pretty paper to shreds.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,133
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Mar 14, 2018 13:55:30 GMT
It's easy to feel intimidated.
The Scan N Cut is a great machine, especially for stampers. If you bought it to cut out stamped images, I highly recommend coloring any detailed stamped images before scanning and cutting. The machine will see better where to cut.
Watch some tutorials and give it a try!
Be patient with yourself and the machine. Depending on how much you want to do with it, it can be overwhelming. Just learn one thing at a time. Once you are comfortable with that one thing, try something new.
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Post by streetscrapper on Mar 14, 2018 14:11:38 GMT
scrapnnana thanks for that tip! I was frustrated with the results I was getting with my Scan N Cut so I put it aside and have only used it a handful of times! I'll try colouring first and see what happens!
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Post by callmenutz on Mar 18, 2018 4:58:19 GMT
So, did you decide to keep it?
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Post by mamakoala on Mar 18, 2018 23:37:04 GMT
i would love to know how you're doing with it--i've gone back and forth on whether to buy it for over a month now! i dont mind fussy cutting, but my fingr joints dont love it, and i like the idea of being able to cut out LOTS of one design...
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Post by scrappyem on Mar 19, 2018 2:53:39 GMT
Mine sat in it's box for months, so don't feel bad. Finally, a coworker needed something cut for his daughter's birthday and I got brave enough to break it out of the box. I do love it. I'm still learning and work at being okay with being a beginner. Julie Fei-Fan Balzer had the best advice, she said watch her tutorials with the machine. You can do the steps with machine and pause as needed. That helped a lot. Her youtube videos have helped me a ton. If you go to her playlists, click on her Brother Scan & Cut list. Tons of cool videos. linkhttps://www.youtube.com/user/milkcannyc/playlists
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Post by midorica on Mar 19, 2018 19:16:31 GMT
Thank you all for the kind and thoughtful responses to my panicked post. I've been thinking about what to do, and I think I would like to keep the machine. I did buy it because I thought there was potential for me to do some interesting things with it, but since it was a spontaneous gift from my husband instead of a purchase that I'd hemmed and hawed over for a few months, I think I felt the guilt a little more keenly. My husband thinks I'm being silly and should just keep it. However, I still haven't taken down my ads for the machine. I think I've decided that if I get a good offer for it (and I still haven't used it by then), I will sell it. And if I don't, I will just keep it.
(sorry about all the rambling!)
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Post by mamakoala on Mar 19, 2018 20:08:26 GMT
Well, i am not going to be the one to sell you to sell it, midorica, but if you decide you DO want to sell, I am interested.
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Post by midorica on Mar 19, 2018 23:04:02 GMT
Well, i am not going to be the one to sell you to sell it, midorica, but if you decide you DO want to sell, I am interested. I'm in Toronto, Canada so...
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Post by stinkerbelle on Mar 20, 2018 1:27:49 GMT
chiming in a bit late here, but i have a scan n cut2, still in the box, from like last may...so don't feel bad! i am horrible with technology, i mean horrible, and also lazy AF, so i did set the thing up, cut one thing and then it has sat. i don't want to get rid of it...i'll use it eventually! anyway, wanted you to know you're not alone
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Post by callmenutz on Mar 20, 2018 3:06:05 GMT
I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do! I’m having fun with mine after some frustration. The possibilities are endless so I’ll be playing/learning for a long time. I’m cutting out digital scrapbooking elements for cardmaking and paper scrapping. I finally figured out a way to get the scanner to recognize my elements with a white border like I prefer.
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Post by streetscrapper on Mar 20, 2018 11:48:52 GMT
I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do! I’m having fun with mine after some frustration. The possibilities are endless so I’ll be playing/learning for a long time. I’m cutting out digital scrapbooking elements for cardmaking and paper scrapping. I finally figured out a way to get the scanner to recognize my elements with a white border like I prefer. Please share your tips for cutting out digital elements! I thought it would be simple but I had no luck at all. I have to admit that I’ve been a little frustrated with the machine as well and haven’t been using it as much as I thought. Granted I’ve spent a month redoing my room and now I have some other projects on the go, but I do understand why people are intimidated by the machine. As easy as it looks, it does have some quirks and takes a little time to figure it out.
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Post by bluecrafterperson on Mar 22, 2018 22:11:00 GMT
I was looking on YouTube through a few of Kathy Orta King's videos. I came across this video in which Kathy Orta King mentions that she finally used her ScanNCut after having it about two years. I'd say she really likes her ScanNCut now. Thought maybe this might provide some inspiration if anyone is hesitant to use their ScanNCut.
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Post by peasapie on Mar 24, 2018 13:00:52 GMT
Watch Julie Fei Fan Balzer’s Scan n Cut tutorials. She gives you info in little bits. It helped me a lot when I first started using mine. (I love it, by the way.)
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Post by callmenutz on Mar 27, 2018 4:46:00 GMT
streetscrapper, I use Photoshop Elements for my digital scrapbooking. I put a stroke around each element that I have put on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock. After I size my element, I add a white stroke of about 10 mm (or whatever measurement they use) and then I add a black stroke of 2 mm around the white stroke so that the scanner recognizes my element and cuts on the black line. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Post by johna on Mar 27, 2018 9:55:39 GMT
streetscrapper , I use Photoshop Elements for my digital scrapbooking. I put a stroke around each element that I have put on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock. After I size my element, I add a white stroke of about 10 mm (or whatever measurement they use) and then I add a black stroke of 2 mm around the white stroke so that the scanner recognizes my element and cuts on the black line. Let me know if you have any questions. thank you! and Streetscrapper, I am not trying to hijack. I hope you will end up loving your scan n cut. I bought mine to cut out stamped images as well as RG Studio files. I joined his clubs before he started using the outline function, and I will say that it is SO easy now that he does that for us. That is what made me want to seek out how to add a cut line to things myself. I want to be able to write various sentiments in fonts I have on my computer and cut them out, but I can't figure out how. Callmenutz, I am interested in knowing how to do that!!! I have PSE 15, but I never really use it. I haven't done digital scrapping in several years and am now overwhelmed with PSE. could you maybe do a step by step how to do that, including where to find the "stroke" button. I tried that the other day and got frustrated because the video I found, the person was using Photoshop, and not elements, so I could not figure out how to do it.
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Post by callmenutz on Mar 29, 2018 2:25:52 GMT
johna , I would be happy to help. Next time I’m using PSE I will update this thread. I think it’s under ‘edit’ but I don’t trust my memory to go any further! I haven’t figured out how to cut out the center of elements yet, including type. I know there is a way because I saw a video on it somewhere, but I think you have to buy the activation card to do so. I played some more today and managed to download a project from Canvas to a usb and transfer it to SnC and cut it out! Edited to add: Brother just did an update and if you sign in to Canvas, there should be a pop up screen that lets you download Canvas onto your Windows based computer. You can now use any font on your computer!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 6, 2024 22:24:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2018 7:15:54 GMT
Edited to add: Brother just did an update and if you sign in to Canvas, there should be a pop up screen that lets you download Canvas onto your Windows based computer. You can now use any font on your computer! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for posting this. Lovely surprise to find. Made my day I could download the software. Thanks for sharing. midorica- I posted several threads on the ScannCut. I just got mine too. I am very picky and downright critical when purchasing die cutting machines. I love my ScannCut. Don't be intimidated. I was a bit too. I have extensive knowledge of machines. I set down with the manual and worked with the machine as I read the manual. Watch videos that fit your personality not the ones teaching you the machine. This machine is going to do the job you need it to do. I am making stickers & working with fabric, especially doll clothing. I needed those videos and I didn't watch a lot of stamping videos, for example. Peeking at Instagram tags helped me a lot.
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Post by johna on Mar 29, 2018 8:54:54 GMT
Edited to add: Brother just did an update and if you sign in to Canvas, there should be a pop up screen that lets you download Canvas onto your Windows based computer. You can now use any font on your computer! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for posting this. Lovely surprise to find. Made my day I could download the software. Thanks for sharing. midorica - I posted several threads on the ScannCut. I just got mine too. I am very picky and downright critical when purchasing die cutting machines. I love my ScannCut. Don't be intimidated. I was a bit too. I have extensive knowledge of machines. I set down with the manual and worked with the machine as I read the manual. Watch videos that fit your personality not the ones teaching you the machine. This machine is going to do the job you need it to do. I am making stickers & working with fabric, especially doll clothing. I needed those videos and I didn't watch a lot of stamping videos, for example. Peeking at Instagram tags helped me a lot. amayalylac, where is the manual? sorry for the dumb question.
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Post by johna on Mar 29, 2018 8:55:58 GMT
johna , I would be happy to help. Next time I’m using PSE I will update this thread. I think it’s under ‘edit’ but I don’t trust my memory to go any further! I haven’t figured out how to cut out the center of elements yet, including type. I know there is a way because I saw a video on it somewhere, but I think you have to buy the activation card to do so. I played some more today and managed to download a project from Canvas to a usb and transfer it to SnC and cut it out! Edited to add: Brother just did an update and if you sign in to Canvas, there should be a pop up screen that lets you download Canvas onto your Windows based computer. You can now use any font on your computer! That would be wonderful, I appreciate your taking the time to do this. I will be so excited to be able to have some pre-made sentiments ready to go.
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