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Post by penny on Aug 1, 2014 18:18:00 GMT
Wondering if anyone has the We R Memory Keepers Evolution, and how you like it... I've never had a die cutting machine so even the most basic reviews would be helpful  I have a Silhouette and love it, but I don't use it as much as I could... Partly because I work as I go for most projects and if I don't want to stop momentum or hook up the machine and get on the computer, then I just don't... I'd still go to my Silhouette for titles/words, but am looking for something to emboss and cut some basic shapes with... I also like some of the stamp and die sets... TIA |
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68 
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Post by stampinchica on Aug 2, 2014 4:41:03 GMT
Penny! Yes! I have it and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! This is my first die cutting machine. Although I have used the big shot I didn't own one personally. I ordered the Evolution when it debuted on HSN and got an awesome deal. I've used the Evolution for both die cutting and embossing and it works great. It has suction cups on the bottom to keep it in place while using it so you can concentrate on what you're doing and not worry about it moving on you. It also has two little storage compartments for the handle and whatever else you may want to put in there. I don't know if you know but WRMK is also going to be coming out with a "motor" handle so you won't have to use the "crank" handle for big jobs. It's not available yet but something to look forward if you do big jobs. I think the only thing that you have to "get to know" is where you need to adjust the knob. Since this machine can use all the different dies you adjust the knob 1-10 so you don't have to use all the different plates. There is also a Letterpress kit that you can use with it. I haven't used this yet as it came with the initial HSN bundle so I can't elaborate on it. All in all it's great. Good Luck...let me know if you get it. jenettycakes - chime in here as I know you've used yours more than I have at this point. |
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Post by penny on Aug 2, 2014 16:47:48 GMT
I'm excited to hear a good review! I had looked at the Evolution and Evolution Advanced on their website and the Advanced (with the suction cups and compartments, folds up, etc), is the one I want... The HSN sale was only in the US, and when I talked to WRMK yesterday they said that they were out of inventory but that it would start shipping again in September... As impatient as I am, that probably works out best because I do a cross border shopping weekend each fall and treat myself to something big/expensive - looks like this year it will be the Evolution! Did you get any extra mats, or the magnetic base? The magnetic base looks cool, but if the mats included are the same that come with the machine I'm not sure it's worth it... If they're the same, I think I'd rather buy the letterpress kit... I love WRMK stuff... I'm excited for the shopping trip already...lol |
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Aug 2, 2014 18:12:18 GMT
www.hsn.com/products/we-r-memory-keepers-evolution-advanced-machine/7395245That's the link to the bundle I got on HSN - It came with quite a bit. I would suggest the video on HSN....they go into detail about the machine. I'm really not sure about the thick base being magnetic or not. jenettycakes will be on later to give you her review and since she is playing with hers today she'll be able to let you know about the magnetic base. I haven't even opened the letterpress kit yet. I've had the machine for almost two months and still have opened that part of it yet. ETA: Yes, the magnets base is included! We've just confirmed! lol - I thought it was but wanted to make sure!
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chrissy321
Junior Member
Posts: 72
Jun 26, 2014 2:22:52 GMT
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Post by chrissy321 on Aug 2, 2014 18:12:53 GMT
I have it and love it. It is easy to work with. I've embossed, letterpressed, and cut thin metal plates. There isn't much of a learning curve.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 2, 2014 18:36:58 GMT
I don't have the Evolution and have not used it. I'm interested to hear if there are more reviews.
The Evolution is a design of Lifestyle Crafts. WRMK bought out LC, which was Quickutz. The motor will be a WRMK design, though it may have been in the works with LC. ( I say that because of the timing of the buyout, not from any real knowledge.)
Look for some more reviews of the Evolution. Does Amazon sell it? You may get some reviews there.
The thing is that the Epic, which came before the Evolution, was an epic failure. And I am VERY apprehensive about buying any machine with LC's name on it because I don't know if there are traces of the old design. I would say that the pun is intended, but it wasn't even a tiny bit funny. It was a ton of money for my budget to buy the Epic and the machine was a horrible failure and even dangerous to use. The initial design didn't cut the dies well enough in the center of the platform, so they added a shim to the platform and then decreased the size of the cutting mats. Which then caused them to warp spectacularly on the very first use. So then they came out with the flexible cutting mats, which curled as well, but not as badly. And in the meantime, the machine still didn't cut intricate dies well. And the weirdest thing is that some machines cut well. But I heard that up to 30% did not, and I really need my machine to cut the intricate dies.
So that's why I'm leery of the Evolution. I don't know if it's a good enough reason or not, but I bought my Big Shot about a year before the Evolution came out and I'm very happy with it.
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Post by txdancermom on Aug 2, 2014 18:38:09 GMT
I am glad to hear the good reviews. I have the previous version and it works ok, but for my space, I don't have alot of room, and would really like the smaller size (the sides fold up) for storing it.
I have seen the HSN deal, but I have no interest in letterpress, so am waiting to get just the machine
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Aug 2, 2014 18:38:36 GMT
chrissy321, so you like the Letterpress Kit? Have you used it a lot? That's the only thing I haven't done yet.
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Aug 2, 2014 18:48:06 GMT
txdancermom, The only reason I have the Letterpress kit is because of the HSN deal. I NEVER would have bought it otherwise. When they debuted the bundle it was only $130 - so for the price it was pretty much free with all the extras you got along with the machine itself. basket1lady, I've had no issues with the cutting. I do believe Amazon sells it but I do also know it's out of stock so not sure about reviews there. It's a hot item as it sold out on HSN the first day. As I mentioned in an earlier post, jenettycakes will be on later to give her review. Although we bought them together, she has used her's much more than I've had a chance to at this point. She will be able to give an even more detail review and response to questions than I. Good luck ladies - I hope you can figure out if you're getting one or not as it is a big purchase.
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Post by txdancermom on Aug 2, 2014 18:53:36 GMT
stampinchica, I agree, if the deal was $130 I probably would go for it, but last I looked it was more than that. I might still do it eventually
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Post by penny on Aug 2, 2014 19:56:58 GMT
ETA: Yes, the magnets base is included! We've just confirmed! lol - I thought it was but wanted to make sure! That's amazing!! Okay... Super excited now...lol |
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Aug 2, 2014 19:59:57 GMT
penny, don't forget, if you do go through HSN they sometimes offer the extended payment plan. That's how I did it. I did three monthly payments...it doesn't hurt so much like that! lol
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Post by penny on Aug 2, 2014 20:01:56 GMT
I don't have the Evolution and have not used it. I'm interested to hear if there are more reviews. The Evolution is a design of Lifestyle Crafts. WRMK bought out LC, which was Quickutz. The motor will be a WRMK design, though it may have been in the works with LC. ( I say that because of the timing of the buyout, not from any real knowledge.) Look for some more reviews of the Evolution. Does Amazon sell it? You may get some reviews there. The thing is that the Epic, which came before the Evolution, was an epic failure. And I am VERY apprehensive about buying any machine with LC's name on it because I don't know if there are traces of the old design. I would say that the pun is intended, but it wasn't even a tiny bit funny. It was a ton of money for my budget to buy the Epic and the machine was a horrible failure and even dangerous to use. The initial design didn't cut the dies well enough in the center of the platform, so they added a shim to the platform and then decreased the size of the cutting mats. Which then caused them to warp spectacularly on the very first use. So then they came out with the flexible cutting mats, which curled as well, but not as badly. And in the meantime, the machine still didn't cut intricate dies well. And the weirdest thing is that some machines cut well. But I heard that up to 30% did not, and I really need my machine to cut the intricate dies. So that's why I'm leery of the Evolution. I don't know if it's a good enough reason or not, but I bought my Big Shot about a year before the Evolution came out and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for sharing that... I have a Silhouette so I never paid much attention to the threads about die cutting machines... Thanks for some of the backstory... I cringe at buying a machine (because of the cost and room it takes), that does much of what the Silhouette does if it's poor quality or won't do well the things I'm specifically buying it for... WRMK said that they'll have inventory of the Evolution Advanced starting in September so I'm hoping that by the time I go shopping in october/november, any problems will have come to light... Also hoping that most of the bugs were identified with the Evolution and were fixed for the Evolution Advanced... Fingers crossed...LOL |
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Post by penny on Aug 2, 2014 20:04:25 GMT
penny, don't forget, if you do go through HSN they sometimes offer the extended payment plan. That's how I did it. I did three monthly payments...it doesn't hurt so much like that! lol I'd go for the HSN order now, but I'm in Canada so it's not available... I considered ordering it to a US address but realistically I wouldn't be able to drive down to my friend's place much before mid-september anyways, so it seems easier to wait until the shopping trip in october/november... |
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 2, 2014 20:24:59 GMT
Remember that the Letterpress can be used in any machine with a 6" opening. That includes the BS, the Epic, the Vagabond, the Evolution... It used to be sold separately and I saw it in AC Moore for a few years. It's really cool to use, but it takes some practice to figure out how much ink to use. It's very messy to clean up, but you can make custom plates for the LP. That alone would interest me, especially for wedding invites and special events. I'm a sucker for personalized stationery.
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