How Much Do You Really Use Your Cutter?

[Sonja]

I am considering an electronic die cutter. How much do you really use it? Right now, if I want cardstock titles, I cut them out by hand. It's kind of a pain, but it gets the job done and I don't do it that often. I think I would use cardstock titles more often if I had a cutter. Plus I would be able to weld words which I think is really cool. (Maybe I could do that by hand if I learned to use Word text boxes, I don't know.)

It is a lot of money and I am concerned about the learning curve. I am pretty computer literate -- I mean, I learned the basics of Photoshop by myself -- but I do get frustrated when things don't work the way they are supposed to. (Which is why if I buy one I will probably buy it from here so I can have good support).

I just want to be as sure as I can that if I buy it I will get my money's worth.

[eddita]

Hi Sonja,

I have mentioned it here before but I really didn't know that personal cutters existed. I thought I wanted a cricut since that is all I ever saw in the hobby stores. I only have a cutter because my DH did a lot of research and purchased my Klik N Cut for Christmas. He did it through the Paperthreads store because he was very impressed by what he saw here on the boards.

How much do I use it...well..in a nutshell....All the time! There is not a day that I am not creating something LOL! I think that because I have the machine, I am doing a lot more (cards, scrapbooking, etc.) Before I would think about doing something, but just the fact that the machine is there and I know if will take me no time to make something, I just go ahead and do it. No more running to the store for extra letters or that cute little diecut.

In the beginning (only a mere 3 months ago) I was doing a lot of playing around to see what I could do with the machine. I can't speak for the other machines, but with the KNK I have purchased various tutorials and love to watch and learn everything I can do with the program. I too used to cut things out by hand and let me tell you at Christmas, my hands were tired! Now it takes no time at all to cut out a bunch of whatever I need.

Since you are computer literate, I'm sure you will have no problems with whichever one you decide on.

It is really interesting everything a person can do with the machine. I'm not sure which one you are looking at but if you are not sure, the machine comparison chart is a great place to begin. It is a big investment and you just have to make sure you are getting a machine that will do what you want not just now but say in a year.

The people on this site are wonderful and give great advice. If they don't have the answer they will point you in the right direction.

Take a look at the gallery....lot of very talented people with great inspirations!

Good Luck! - Eddita :)

[Beloved K]

i do not scrap a single thing with out using my cutter.... as a matter of fact I have upgraded twice now - I started out with the wishblade, then went to the KNK Element and now I have the 13" KNK...

Using my cutter actually lead me to a job as a designer here on Paperthreads!!!!

It is my most importing scrapping tool!! Hubby says if there is a hurrican he will have to find another ride as my laptop and KNK would be in the car with me and since I only have a two seat car he is out of luck!!!! (And I am afraid he may be right!!!! LOL)

Lori

[debenj]

LOL Lori! Know what you mean :)

I started out with a Wishblade and only found out about this while watching HSN in the wee hours of the morning. Then people were talking about the KNK and it's speed of cutting. I like the Wishblade and still have it but decided to breakdown and get a KNK Element which I love and don't regret getting. Tutorials are great and easy to follow. :)

If you do scrapbooking, make cards or do other crafts where you could use cutouts, then these machines would work for you. Good luck on your decision. :)

[slsonly]

I have to say I use mine practically every day! If not I'm not actually cutting then I'm designing files. I don't know how to scrapbook or cardmake without it! I love looking at sample layouts for inspiration and knowing I am perfectly capable to do what they did without having to search and buy enhancements.
I bought mine on QVC and it was totally an impulse buy of which I never do but I gotta say...that was the best decision I have ever made.

Don't worry about the learning curve. The machine is much more intimidating then it looks and this group is very helpful.

Honestly, though you are speaking to a group of people that just worship their cutters so if you are looking for impartial opinions you may have to look elsewhere!

[jancy]

I used to use mine every single day for the first year & a half or so.

If I had the time to be cropping right now, I would be using it just as often. we moved though, & I don't have a room like I used to, so it's hard for me to find the time to pull everything out & crop.

[janbryson]

Shelly, you are right, we might be a little biased! I use mine every day, too, but some of us might have the addiction a little worse than others!!!

Jan

[gillr]

I heard of the Robo on another board and kept reading posts about it for months before I got mine. There is a lot to learn, but the fantastic help on offer here gets you easily through that curve. I use mine almost daily and am thrilled with what it can do. It has transformed my card designs. Sometimes I find I'm altering a new design just so I can use Robbie some more!!! "Print and cut" is my favourite task.

[eddita]

Shelly, you are right, we might be a little biased! I use mine every day, too, but some of us might have the addiction a little worse than others!!!

Jan

Addiction Jan?!? Personally, I call it denial LOL! My DH does mention the word Rehab every once in awhile when he is looking for me and finds me at the computer either designing or cutting out but I say No...No....No..

Sonja, I hope this all helps.

-Eddta ;)

[serialpurrs]

I didn't think I'd use my Wishblade all that much. But now I am finding myself using it almost every day. I am now waiting for my KnK XL to come (Tomorrow hopefully) because I need and want the bigger cuts. It's so easy to put in a piece of card stock or patterned paper to make an envelope or a gift bag/box when I need it instead of having to stock up on those kinds of items instead of having to make a run to buy those things.

I also find it quite therapeutic to spend hours playing around and make my own designs and look at elements found all around wondering if I could make something similar. Just yesterday I cut out enough coin envelopes to make a coin envelope album. I didn't have any of those envelopes but it was so easy to open a file, size it to what I wanted and hit cut. I only cut the amount I wanted instead of having to buy a box of 100 envelopes for something I might not enjoy making.

[lishwhit]

I too bought mine cr on a whim. I'm glad I did! I don't use it everyday, mostly because I don't have time time. If I had the time I would!!!! It is by far the best crafting tool I've purchased! I just can't wait to get one bigger!!!

[kabebout]

I wish I had time to use it everyday but I don't. I don't get to scrap very often. I do use it for other things but again not very often. I'm planning on using it every day when I eventually retire and can scrap more often. I don't regret buying it even though I don't use it much. I do use it more than my light box, heat tool, sticker collection, etc. They may have cost less at a time but the big $$ are in my closet not next to my computer.;)


Don't fight it, join the addiction, Karen

[altastampsalot]

Almost daily!
I love my wb, but I hope to upgrade to the 13" knk at some point. I want to cut chipboard and 12x12 sheets of paper :)

[majecin]

just i'm learning how to use my silhouette. :), so i don't use everyday.

[Ale]

I never use it. Still haven't any :p
Have to be good and save to get my first machine :rolleyes:

[Sonja]

Well, I bought a Pazzles Inspiration off HSN. I have had it about a week and I love it. I have used it on almost every page I have made since I got it. Very easy to set up and use. I'm really happy. :)