scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 2, 2024 18:33:05 GMT
I’m being priced out of scrapbooking and I have a generous budget. I checked out the new collection at ACOT and gasped. When ephemera and sticker books cost over $10, I really think two or three times before I buy. Am I the only one who is having to cut back on items I used to buy with little thought? I may not “have to” cut back, but I have chosen to do so. In my case, I started thinking about “when is enough actually enough” last year. I am making more of an effort to minimize buying online, and to use what I have. I have no LSS near me, but the online prices have definitely made me hesitate. I think the cheap goodies that I used to buy at Tuesday Morning have contributed to the sticker shock of current retail prices. I was a stamper before I was a scrapbooker, and I have a ton of stamps, dies, various supplies, etc., as well as electronic cutters with a lot of print and cut files. I have always been used to making at least some of my scrapbook embellishments. Do they look as polished as the ephemera in the packs you buy? Not in all cases, but there is a huge difference in the cost, and I haven’t used most of the ephemera packs I bought at TM, anyway. I add Wink of Stella to my print and cut ephemera, and they look really nice. My family won’t know the difference when they see my pages or cards.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 2, 2024 17:33:32 GMT
r.e. short lived popularity - is this not the craft manufacturer's own fault? They're the ones who have pushed FOMO and monthly subscriptions and tied buying, and well well well if it isn't the consequences of their own actions. There is no reason that cutting dies need to be a limited run product unless it's somehow tied to a real word event like "New Year's 2024" for example. But you could get around this by offering separate pieces for the year numbers, and make a more useful product for the end consumer in the process. Instead of relying on "buy it now or it's gone forever" which is a predatory business practice, make something that will sell consistently. One of my pet peeves is that craft videos are almost always pushing the "new flavour of the week" instead of being about using what you have. Oh, the craft manufacturers definitely drive this, but it couldn’t happen without our cooperation. A lot of us (including myself) have far more than we need or are likely to ever use. Whether due to impulse buying, FOMO, or whatever, no one made me buy all the pretty papers, card stock, ephemera, embellishments, etc., that make up the hoard in my craft room. I have no LSS near me, so I do rely heavily on my stash. In most cases, I no longer am as likely to impulse buy, but when I went to convention recently, my restraint flew out the window on the drive there. As long as we respond to the craft industry the way they want us to, nothing will change.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 1, 2024 23:16:18 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 1, 2024 23:11:08 GMT
I'm thinking of upgrading my Silhouette to their cut and print machine... this way I can just cut and print embellishments, and/or eventually 12x12 paper for a reasonable cost. The Silhouette print and cut feature is one of my favorite things to use. Silhouette has a lot of fun print & cut designs, but I am also downloading Heartfelt Creations digital designs to print and cut. My sweet DH recently bought me the 12x12 printer that I was saving up to get, so I have started to print 12x12 papers, too. I love being able to do this! I’m not a digital scrapper, but I’m looking into more of the digital scrapbook companies, to hopefully get more variety and options for printing and cutting papers and ephemera.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 1, 2024 17:59:46 GMT
I’ve had my own businesses in the past. My two youngest sons have their own business. Some of their suppliers are American, some are Chinese companies.
American businesses that use American suppliers are at a financial disadvantage when it comes to costs, compared to the Chinese companies. Why?
US government regulations are overly abundant, and I personally experienced how those regulations can push costs up. In many cases, businesses then have to increase the prices of anything they sell in order for them to make even just a small profit. While many regulations and laws are intended to protect consumers, sometimes the regulations do absolutely NOTHING constructive, resulting in American small businesses having extra costs that Chinese companies may not have. To those who have never owned or run a retail business, it’s probably easy to assume that the American companies are just greedy. Sometimes that may be true, but if I were a betting woman, I would wager that most of the time, retail prices are based on expenses that an American company can’t control.
In some cases, the American companies may also charge higher prices because they know that the popularity of their products may be short lived. Between the time the design work is begun on new paper craft products, to the time they are on the market, there are a lot of costs involved. They may or may not make a profit, depending on how popular those products are.
Most American companies are at a disadvantage as a result, but they accept that because they want to support other American businesses. It’s a gamble, though, and it’s surprising to me how many survive as long as they do. In some cases, they feel like if they just hang on a little longer, they will become profitable, and in other cases, they feel they can’t afford to quit just yet, or too soon. The owner of the LSS where I worked was in that latter category. It can take several YEARS for an American business to turn a profit.
However, we live in an age where a global market is a reality, and consumers will spend their money the way they want. That’s your right. But if you have never had to start and run a business here in the USA, please don’t assume that American companies are just greedy. I think most are just trying to survive and provide a living for their families that’s above the poverty level.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on May 1, 2024 15:23:26 GMT
If you are providing inspiration online (and it's your job and you're getting product as part of your job) get over yourself. Nobody needs to give you credit on the back of the card we sent grandma. You made me laugh. All good points.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 30, 2024 22:14:16 GMT
Thank you, Ryann and scrapcat ! I will check them out, and hopefully be able to take advantage of the NSD sales this weekend!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 30, 2024 14:56:51 GMT
I have been printing and cutting some lovely things from Heartfelt Creations, but their digital is geared more to traditional scrapbookers who want to print their papers and print and cut elements for traditional scrapbook pages.
Do all digital companies have digital papers and elements with high enough resolution for printing 12x12 papers for using on a traditional scrapbook page?
My sweet husband went ahead and ordered a 12x12 printer for me, and I have been loving the ability to print my own papers and elements.
HC has released several lines, and I love their designs, but sometimes I need something less flowery, or more geared toward grandkids, or more masculine.
So do any of you print and cut digital pages and elements for traditional scrapbook pages? If so, what companies offer papers and elements with high enough resolution to use on a physical page?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 30, 2024 1:22:12 GMT
Mostly ArtBin magnetic sheets and boxes, but some are on sheets in clear envelopes. I have a LOT of the thin dies!
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 30, 2024 1:20:34 GMT
I love to read, make jewelry, make home decor (glass etching, vinyl projects), make t-shirts, and we love going to Renaissance Fairs (in costume).
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 30, 2024 1:16:54 GMT
Queen & Co. has some among their Foundation dies.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2024 20:13:18 GMT
Thank you for clarifying, Embri .
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 26, 2024 12:51:41 GMT
I purchase metal dies from AE a lot. In my experience, they are same quality although the size may vary. I will say, if dies were reasonably priced, I would not shop there. There is no reason for the high price point of dies from the stamp companies. If Gina Marie Designs can sell a cover plate or nesting dies for $10, so can all the other companies…
She's not quite right in stating that "The US isn't allowed to sell on those platforms", because I know there are definitely designers who partner with AliExpress shops to sell their designs factory-direct. KSCraft is a commonly known one, if I remember right.
I’ve seen KSCraft on Amazon, along with other odd company names that show up on a regular basis for products. Now I am wondering……so what I see on Amazon that look exactly like Jaded Blossom gnome dies and accessories MAY actually be authorized by Jaded Blossom? They are a different brand than KSCraft, but Amazon will reportedly remove unauthorized duplicates of US products if a complaint is made, and those dies have been on Amazon for awhile. It seems unlikely that Jaded Blossom wouldn’t be aware that identical dies to theirs are being sold on Amazon.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2024 22:41:38 GMT
m.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkuPXrqbTwScrapdiva 29 on YouTube who has her own line of dies since 2021 came on to let supporters know that her died have been taken over by AliExpress and Temu. They are using the same photos, descriptions, etc. I have never bought from those 2 platforms but have seen dies I own by several other creators for sale for dirt cheap. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Are you mindful when you order on those 2 platforms? Do you not care? Same thing has happened to Queen & Co., including the photos. Oh, and I won’t respond to Facebook ads, because they have so many scams claiming to sell name brand products for close out prices, and they use the official company photos of the real products, too. Total rip offs, only they don’t even send the copycat products. I fell for a Loungefly store closeout scam on Facebook in 2022. They charged my card, and gave me a tracking number that stopped working once the “shipment” arrived in the U.S., and I never got the products. Thankfully, I realized it was a scam within minutes of ordering and did screen captures, contacted the company, etc., so my credit card refunded my money.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2024 22:28:54 GMT
I don’t shop from either AliExpress or Temu, but I do buy from Amazon. In the past, the knock offs there showed up after the name brand version had been discontinued (presumably due to sales dropping due to the AliExpress and Temu sales of their designs). Now they are showing up on Amazon much sooner.
Everything seems to be made in China these days. China doesn’t care what copycat sellers do to the US companies. Unfortunately, that is the risk that US designers take, by having their products made in China. Companies in the US are kind of between a rock and a hard place, because knock offs are showing up sooner on places like Amazon, and if you aren’t familiar with every company, you can buy a knock off from Amazon without even knowing it. Or customers may know it but buy from Amazon because they just can’t justify spending 3 to 4 times the cost to buy the U.S. company’s official version instead of the more affordable one on Amazon.
The problem, though, is that it is simply too expensive to produce the same products in the U.S., and U.S. designers/sellers can’t compete with Chinese sellers.
Maybe more U.S. companies need to do what Heartfelt Creations is doing. They are selling their designs now as digital papers, stamps, and cutting files. I personally love their digital versions. And I also love that they sell for a more affordable cost than their stamps, dies, and paper pads used to be.
I would buy digital papers, stamps, and electronic cutting files from other companies, too, if they offered them.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2024 14:14:15 GMT
Update: I am loving the digital options. They can be used by both digital scrapbookers/card makers, AND those who want to use actual paper products. Those who want to print 12x12 papers need a wide format printer, but you can change the sizes. They offer digital stamps and die cuts, too, if you prefer to color them yourself. They have some ornate dies available as digital die cuts. They are offering past designs, not new ones, since their designer (who started the company) has been struggling with major health issues. It’s a family owned business, and is one reason they were just going to close.
They are up to 7 paper/design collections as of this morning, two of which are Christmas themed, the others are florals. On Facebook, crafters are making requests about what past collections they’d love to have in digital format.
I have a dear friend who had to move into a care facility, so she just has a closet for her paper craft supplies and tools. She even had to give up her Cricut due to lack of space. I told her about the digital options, and she is really excited about them, too, since it opens new possibilities for her. She’ll just have to cut out the tags and flowers by hand since she no longer has her Cricut. They also work with Silhouette, which is what I use.
I have enjoyed playing around with the collections. Most of them have been collections that I had never bought. So far, I’ve bought all the digital papers and ephemera that they offer, along with some of the digital stamps and dies. I thought I’d bought nearly every collection they had, but apparently not, and I really like having the digital versions, even of the collections that I already have, especially since using them is quicker and easier than stamps and dies. I have printed and cut a lot of card parts, and have made a few cards so far. On my blog (link in my signature below), I have posted 3 cards that I made. They are fairly simple, and using the digital cuts made them fast and easy to do.
If you like beautiful print & cut designs, I hope you will check them out. I have no affiliation with them. I just love their designs. They have a Facebook page with videos showing how to use the digital designs for paper crafting. I assume digital scrappers can use the files, too, but they definitely have the cut lines for printing and cutting, so the cutting lines would need to be removed for digital scrapping.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 23, 2024 6:16:30 GMT
Are there guidelines for what you swap, like a theme or type? So, by handmade does that mean you couldn’t print the pieces using an electronic cutter but assemble them by hand and do things like shading with ink? I remember the old swaps when we were excited to exchange punched items on solid colored cardstock . How long did it take you? I’m a Newbie, so I am not the go-to on what is acceptable, but the item is supposed to be hand made, and with a minimum of two layers. For one of the swaps, I stamped a sentiment on a background piece, then layered multiple die cut (cut with my Silhouette) designs. I’m not sure how long it took me to make five complete elements (one to keep, four to swap), but it was long enough that I could have made a layout or two. The issue with that one was that there were intricate details in the cuts, so it took time removing the tiny, delicate pieces without tearing or damaging the design. Gluing the layers wasn’t that time consuming, even though there were 5 layers. For the other swap, I used a die that I had bought at convention. I cut it in two separate colors. One became the base, and the second became the detailed second layer. It was a design that would only have two colors, anyway. I also used Glossy Accents. It took a fair amount of time to do the cutting and layering, but not as long as the one with multiple layers/tiny detail pieces cut on my machine. It still looks good, even though it’s only two layers/colors. Cutting the details from the second color of die cut took a bit of time, too, but not as much as the 5 layer one. It’s been a learning experience. I don’t know if a print and cut design that is enhanced with shading, or glitz, or bling would be acceptable or not. I can ask. That would certainly be a lot easier than what I did, but if it is only one layer of card stock, I’m guessing that it might not be considered acceptable.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 22, 2024 23:59:05 GMT
Wink of Stella comes in gold. That might be another option, although I think using gold embossing powder with gold ink might work well, too.
When I use embossing powder, I usually get the best results using the same color of ink and embossing powder together, so gold stamp ink AND gold embossing powder.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 22, 2024 15:06:31 GMT
Thank you, Elsabelle. I hope so, too. At least now I will have a better understanding as to what is involved, the time factor, etc., so I will know what I am getting into, if I join future swaps.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 21, 2024 15:20:23 GMT
I’ve made a few, mostly as a creative endeavor, and they were fun to do. I did learn from experience, though, that grandkids are not gentle with them, and display is not an option. I had to repair one after they visited. For me, they have been mostly just an exercise in creativity. I have two on display in my craft room, but they aren’t easily accessible, and the grandkids have left them alone.
So, as selfish as it sounds, they are mainly for my own enjoyment. We don’t have company over anymore, other than family, since DH had a heart attack a few years ago. He needs lots of rest, and company wear him out too much.
So the mini albums I made have been something I could enjoy looking at when I need a creativity boost, because I got far more creative making them than I have with regular scrapbooking.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 21, 2024 14:17:42 GMT
Elsabelle, thank you for responding. It would be very upsetting to get a simple stamped black and white image back as one of the swap items, especially if you put in a fair amount of time and effort making yours. The current rules do require a minimum of two layers, and they need to be hand made. I did hear that they blocked someone from participating because the individual consistently ignored the rules, despite being warned multiple times. It seems like a fun idea, though, and we are warned ahead of time that we may get back some items that aren’t as nice as what we make. I just didn’t expect how much time it would take for me to make four of each of my own offerings. Mine are now all done for both swaps. I just have mail them once I get the info for where to send them. Whether or not I try any future swaps, however, remains to be seen.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 21, 2024 13:25:52 GMT
My style has changed a bit over the years, but the colors I use are pulled from the photos, as Aussie Meg mentioned that she does. So I would probably use the same colors, but the style of the page would be different.
If I scrapped the same photos within a shorter period of time, such as within 1 to two years apart, then the style would probably not change that much. However, my style of scrapping has changed significantly since I started scrapbooking in 1996, so if I scrapped the older photos again now, they would be very different. I lean heavily on what papers I have on hand to scrapbook with, since I no longer live near any LSS, but I have a bigger stash to draw upon these days, and with more stamps, dies, and digital papers and components to work with now, too.
I’ve been playing with the digital downloads that Heartfelt Creations has recently released, and others here have recently mentioned AI components, which I may have to try. As my options change, my pages and cards change, also I do seem to have settled into a style that suits me.
I think the biggest factor for me would be the amount of time that has lapsed between when I scrapped the pictures.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 20, 2024 15:53:42 GMT
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 20, 2024 15:21:04 GMT
I found this Facebook group recently. Does anyone else belong to this Facebook group? If so, have you tried the swaps, and was it worth the time and effort?
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 20, 2024 15:10:57 GMT
Okay, I have to ask if you are just taking images from the internet into Photoshop and tweaking them, or is there an online program or site you are using?
I use Photoshop Elements a lot, but it’s an older version.
Links or more info, please, would be helpful for those of us who want to give this a try.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 12, 2024 17:26:26 GMT
I know there aren’t that many Heartfelt Creations fans here, and most who loved their designs may be older and prefer stamps & dies, but Heartfelt Creations has started offering digital designs that can be used by both digi scrappers, as well as traditional scrappers who like print & cut files.
They have started with 3 fully colored collections: Garden Lily, Ornate Peacock, and Feathery Florals. They include the fully colored papers and elements. I did not have any of the stamps, dies, or papers from these three collections, so I’m happy that I now have the digital versions.
For those who prefer to color their own, they are offering some digital stamps that are black & white for some of their other past collections. Again, these can be cut out with the electronic cutters, then colored the way you want with markers, colored pencils, whatever.
I have been playing around with printing and cutting a variety of the digital items. I use a Silhouette Cameo 3, along with my regular printer, but Emma Lou, who does a lot of their video tutorials, uses a Cricut Maker and a wide printer. I haven’t tried using my Scan-N-Cut yet, since I can do the cutting with my Silhouette. The cut lines are included already. They don’t show when printing, but they do show up and cut in the Silhouette software. They also don’t show in Photoshop, so they can be used by digital scrapbookers.
I have a lot of their papers, stamps, and dies, but I love having digital options, too. They are far less expensive than the traditional stamps, dies, and papers were, and I’ll never run out of the “papers,” since I can print more, and they don’t take up any physical space.
I may eventually get a large format printer, to print 12x12 papers, but I’ll need to save up first. I love the idea of being able to print 12x12 papers.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 11, 2024 21:36:42 GMT
I use Lineco glue, which I get from Amazon, and empty glue bottles with a fine tip and really good pin closure cap that I get from Karen Burniston. It works really well for me.
I still use tape for larger surfaces, but for smaller items being glued, I use the glue bottle filled with Lineco glue. I keep a damp paper towel in the bottom of a cup, and keep the bottle unstopped/uncapped, upside down on the damp paper towel while working on a project. Once I’m done, I put the pin/cap on and put the glue away. I just dampen the paper towel before I start crafting the next time.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 11, 2024 0:11:10 GMT
grammadee, those little sport gnomes are super cute and creative! I can understand why you can’t resist giving them what they want.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 4, 2024 19:38:00 GMT
I don’t know if it is completely obsolete. Since Silhouette now has the Portrait in that size, and the Silhouette SD is so outdated, I am guessing that it may not work with newer versions of the Silhouette software. And if you wanted to purchase newer files, they would probably need the newer software to cut.
Can you use the designs with Cricut software? If you pay a small additional cost to get the SVG version of the files, yes, you can. Silhouette does play nicely with others by offering SVG versions. However, if any of the files have been discontinued, the SVG version wouldn’t be available.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,130
Jun 29, 2014 18:58:47 GMT
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 4, 2024 5:26:26 GMT
MichyM, I prefer the multi-colored background for the bunny, but I think it’s because the blue behind the white bunny makes him stand out more. All of your critter cards are very cute, and your floral cards are lovely. The last card has a bit of a Scandinavian feel to it, for some reason, and it also turned out great!
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