scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449 
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 11, 2023 20:27:33 GMT
I couldn’t get my Silhouette Pixscan to work decently either. I ended up buying a ScanNCut. However, you don’t necessarily need the ScanNCut, IF you have a stamp platform and a scanner. I could have sworn there was a video or blog post about this, but I can’t find either right now. I’ll see if I can find and post the instructions later. I’m not sorry that I bought the ScanNCut. It’s easy and fast. You just need a solid outline, rather than artsy sketch lines with gaps. However, if your budget is tight, and you already own a Silhouette, there is a work around. Thank you. I do know how to cut with the Sil and then stamp, using a stamp platform. I find that it's a long and cumbersome process (stamping, scanning, cleaning up the scan, etc.) for a one off card. My dream of owning a SnC is that I will be able to stamp and then immediately cut in a matter of seconds rather than the frustration of fiddling with everything. Yes, if you can afford to get a SNC, just for cutting out stamped images, it is wonderful for that. For those who can’t buy a second machine, or don’t have room for two machines, at least there is a work around. |
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azcrafty
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,955
Jun 28, 2019 20:24:21 GMT
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Post by azcrafty on Apr 12, 2023 0:42:52 GMT
I just wanted to post this huge difference in products. Altenew $127 vs Taylored Expressions $137   We as crafters have to make a stand and not buy ridiculously expensive stuff! |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,259
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 12, 2023 2:54:13 GMT
Since I am still working on my stash as I have recent got back into stamping, I am always in sticker shock. I was thrilled when I was able to get some Photoplay stamp and die sets for between $8-13 at ACOT. I have a few other sets and like how they stamp and cut so the price was an added bonus.
I cringed when I bought CZ's wild love stamp and die set as well as SSS bunny butt peek a boo stamp and die set. But they were both very versatile, especially the wild love animals. I have used those for many different cards.
Oh and I also found a die stamp set I wanted by MFT on sale so I snagged that one too. It is the polar bear pals. I have made them both into polar bears and brown bears for cards.
I have a spending budget and it just makes me mad that sometimes I spend it all with 1 stamp and die set. I really do like to get the sets as I do not enjoy fussy cutting. And I am not that good at it. Straight lines, yes. But shapes and loops and curves and loopy loos, no!
I think once a person's name is attached to the brand, the price goes up. And you have stans and followers who just have to have the product, so the designer and company charge an arm and a leg and a ear.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,449
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 12, 2023 5:40:53 GMT
Thanks for posting that comparison, azcrafty . That is a definite difference in what you get for your money. However, sometimes it comes down to whether we like what the more expensive company offers better than what the less expensive company offers. I am throwing that out as an observation, not as an argument. Example: I was looking at gnome dies recently. Company A had a less expensive set than Company B. I buy a lot of Company A’s products, which are usually very cute. However, I thought Company B’s gnome dies were a lot cuter, so even though the price is higher, so IF I decide to buy gnome dies, I will probably go with the ones that I think are the cutest, not the least expensive. However, if I liked both equally, then the price would probably be the deciding factor. pantsonfire , you make a good point, too, that when a big name gets attached to a line of stamps/dies, etc., the price does seem to be higher. It’s not a selling point for me. If I like the design, I will consider buying it, but I have seen a lot of products with a big name attached, that I really didn’t care for. When I went to a stamp/scrapbook convention a few years ago, I saw some very cool layered die sets from Birch Press that I drooled over. They were good quality. The result was lovely. But it cost at least $70 to $80 per 3 die set, that made one layered card background. They sold like hotcakes at convention, but I simply couldn’t bring myself to pay those prices. |
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,064
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Post by pinklady on Apr 12, 2023 14:57:40 GMT
Honestly, this is why I shop at AliExpress for all my dies & stencils. The SSS prices are ridiculous. There are so many stamp sets I want but I'm just will not pay those prices. I shop the Handmade House store all the time and I cannot remember having an issue with any of their products. www.aliexpress.com/store/1101824646/search?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allProduct.8148362.7.40745184b91Apo&origin=n&SortType=new_descIf you click on products, then New, you will see all the new Taylored Expressions, Concord & 9th, Waffle Flower, MFT and more April release products. I know a lot of people frown upon shopping at AE but the US prices are just unnecessarily ridiculous. If they were reasonable, I'd have no problem spending my money with them. |
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PRICES :O
Apr 13, 2023 1:00:23 GMT
via mobile
Post by rockymtnpea on Apr 13, 2023 1:00:23 GMT
Pink lady…have you shopped for those products on Temu and Ahein as well? If so, what are your thoughts? Thanks
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pinklady
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,064
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Post by pinklady on Apr 13, 2023 1:58:07 GMT
Pink lady…have you shopped for those products on Temu and Ahein as well? If so, what are your thoughts? Thanks No, I’ve only shopped at AliExpress. I honestly have nothing negative to say about AE. |
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ScrappingMe
Full Member
Posts: 208
Feb 3, 2023 2:05:16 GMT
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Post by ScrappingMe on Apr 13, 2023 15:52:50 GMT
Ouch the prices are crazy.
I’ve found older scrappers who are no longer wanting to scrap (kids out of the house) are moving on to card making and have the money to blow on stamping stuff.
Just look at how Crop & Create cards took off. And it’s a lot of Boomers in there (not an insult, just an observation).
I still love to scrap and put my money into that hobby. Prices have gone up there too but 1.29 for paper vs. .99 isn’t as hard to swallow. Die cut packs from Doodlebug are like $10. I can choose the stickers and it’s the same idea and look for less. I’m glad my primary hobby isn’t cardmaking! And I’m glad I don’t get FOMO like some. Yikes those prices are shocking.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 13, 2023 18:04:30 GMT
One thing to consider is that everyone is copying each other or drawing from the same inspiration/trends so if one brand is wicked expensive there may be an alternative that's more cost effective. Altenew's florals are nice but there are plenty of nice florals out there.
I was watching an older video of JMcG's that used lemon/lime/melon shapes, Ardyth used the basic shape to create flowers instead of fruit, then I noticed that the new SSS mod leaf set is almost exactly the same set of shapes but with multiples and without the segments and seeds, and the new C&9th turnabout is the pretty much the same shape too. Each one has slightly different features but also very different price points. I'm going to try to think carefully about which version will fit best into my style and see if I can get the look for a decent price. I suspect that the same shape may appear in other discount brands' line ups at some point too.
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Post by twillerbee on Apr 13, 2023 18:14:34 GMT
One thing to consider is that everyone is copying each other or drawing from the same inspiration/trends so if one brand is wicked expensive there may be an alternative that's more cost effective. Altenew's florals are nice but there are plenty of nice florals out there. I was watching an older video of JMcG's that used lemon/lime/melon shapes, Ardyth used the basic shape to create flowers instead of fruit, then I noticed that the new SSS mod leaf set is almost exactly the same set of shapes but with multiples and without the segments and seeds, and the new C&9th turnabout is the pretty much the same shape too. Each one has slightly different features but also very different price points. I'm going to try to think carefully about which version will fit best into my style and see if I can get the look for a decent price. I suspect that the same shape may appear in other discount brands' line ups at some point too. 100% correct. I try to give my money to brands who have consistent pricing. Companies who have higher pricing because of some designers involved, they will never get my money. I find SSS most expensive. I don't get their pricing at all. |
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Post by twillerbee on Apr 13, 2023 18:20:03 GMT
Ouch the prices are crazy. I’ve found older scrappers who are no longer wanting to scrap (kids out of the house) are moving on to card making and have the money to blow on stamping stuff. Just look at how Crop & Create cards took off. And it’s a lot of Boomers in there (not an insult, just an observation). I still love to scrap and put my money into that hobby. Prices have gone up there too but 1.29 for paper vs. .99 isn’t as hard to swallow. Die cut packs from Doodlebug are like $10. I can choose the stickers and it’s the same idea and look for less. I’m glad my primary hobby isn’t cardmaking! And I’m glad I don’t get FOMO like some. Yikes those prices are shocking. I find Doodlebug and American crafts more expensive. $10 for a a die cut packs is outrageous and thank goodness I am not a fan of their products. |
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