It has been a busy week around here with a lot of varied and fun things going on. I spent a little time crafting but a lot more socializing. The gardening is starting to wind down because fall has started to settle in even though most days the temperatures are in the upper 80's and low 90's(28-30 c.) We are still harvesting tomatoes, peppers, some okra and eventually the last watermelon will ripen so we can harvest it. If you would like to read about my weekend this past weekend that I spent at the SCA Protectorate down in Texas go to
this post. Protectorate is an event where all the fighters get together to see who is best and will be the champion of the newly crowned Baron and Baroness of this Barony. It was a lot of fun and I enjoy the interaction with the people.
Oh yeah! My desk this week...
Not a lot to show. I have a couple things I am working on but nothing that I care to share this week...not far enough along! Looking at the picture I really think I need to clear off some space and put stuff away. I did make a couple
more tags you can see here, the 6x6" butterfly
journal pages, learned to
weave and made some rings and
pendants in a beading class!
I had someone ask about my cutting machines and especially about the Big Shot Pro. Question was why do I need a Vagabond (on cutting cart to left of desk), a Big Shot, and a Big Shot Pro and what the differences were? I also have a Cricut.
The Vagabond is electric and I use it a lot when I have to cut a lot of pieces out of the same die cause it saves my poor arthritic hands some pain after a marathon of cutting out bits and pieces. The Big Shot rarely gets used (it was my first machine) and I probably should sell it but I save it for back up. Those two machines will handle all the Bigz steel blade and thin cut dies, regular sized embossing folders, and strip dies. The Big Shot Pro handles all the those dies plus the larger 12"x12" steel dies and the 8"x8" embossing folders. I can also cut 3-4 different die cuts at the same time or more then one strip die at a time which really helps when I am in a hurry. The Pro will handle Accucut and other broad platform dies so I can cut bigger things out.
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| and example of the big shot pro dies vs regular dies. |
I really like the diversity of the Big Shot Pro and lucked into getting it when a friend asked me if I would like to buy hers. My friend had bought the machine about 6 months before to use for quilting and didn't like it but had never used it. I bought all dies she had, the machine, various platforms and shims for just over $300...the machine retails for about $500 itself so it was a buy I couldn't pass up!
I had a young friend whose birthday was this past week and we attended her birthday supper on Sunday evening after I got back from the camp. I had forgotten to make her a card and hurriedly made up a card using the Graphic 45 French Country Market papers when I got back from camp. I really love this paper and the colors are so warm and inviting...really has a fall felling to it. I thought since it turned out so well I would use this card for a sketch challenge on ATT this month.
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| front of card |
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| inside |
This came in the mail while I was gone! Isn't it gorgeous! A friend on ATT made this Halloween card for me in a swap I participated in!
If you would like to participate in WOYWW this week go check out
Stamping Ground and Julia will tell you how you too can layout your desk and crafty possessions for everyone to have a good snoop through. I love seeing other peoples desks and projects they are working on and really miss it when I can't participate.
Okay I am out of here! It is just about 2 am my time and I am bone tired tonight... I am hearing my bed calling my name! Hope everyone enjoys their week and I will be back in the morning to go blog hopping and snooping on others desks. If you visit my blog and leave a comment I promise to make it by your desk this week!
It's surprising how these machines build up. The one I never use is my Cricut but I think it will come in for large sized letters so I keep it (gathering dust). Guess I could get rid of my Cuttlebug but it has done me such service I might just keep it. So that leaves me with the EBosser, the Vagabond, the Artisan and the big pink one fro Spellbinders (can't think this morning). Oh dear, I should not need all those.
ReplyDeleteWhat are we like?
Hugs, Neet 29 xx
I finally got a Big Shot, so I can cut thick dies and fabric, fun foam, chipboard, etc. and I have the Grand Calibur for thin but big dies and for now that is fine. I do hanker after a Pro for exactly that, cutting fabric, which is a bit hit or miss on the GC with the thin not-sharp dies. Love the card BTW. DS grabbed a card from my stash for his GF who loves The Raven and it was lucky I had a card with a raven on it! Phew!
ReplyDeleteHappy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (4)
Loved your re-enactment pictures! What a great thing to attend....I reckon that the folk who go to these things are generous, sharing and full of fun!! Glad you had a good time :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the raven card you got sent...really awesome!
Hugs, LLJ 20 xx
I'm not ashamed to admit that at this time I own 5 die cut machines. I have an old cuttlebug, a Big Shot, a Grand Calibur, and an Electric Big Shot and then my new Ebosser that is electric as well. I save the electrics for when I need a little help for arthritic joints. My favorite is the Grand Calibur and it is my go-to machine most of the time. I guess I'm really a hoarder of die cut machines but I can't seem to help myself!
ReplyDeleteGlenda #44
Hi Vickie, I too bought myself a BSPro- I got fed up with dies getting bigger than my 'Bug could handle, and I think its probably the best money I ever spent. Love that Halloween card! Awesome. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #36 xx
ReplyDeleteYour cards are fantastic. #2
ReplyDeleteFab post today - the card with the big yellow flower is so cheery - I love it! x Jo
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie, I think I have owned every die machine made but the pro. Until they started getting it right and making the machines to use with dies from other companies, you had to use the machine for the die. I sold all but my big shot and Vagabond. Now Spellbinders is back to making embossing folders an odd size. ARGH! I have one and love the image, but I am NOT getting that machine, I must figure out a sandwich. Glad you had a good time. Love the card. Peg R 44
ReplyDeleteNow you have me thinking BSPro. I have the old BS but sometimes things are a little large for it. Maybe I can talk Santa into it this year....grin
ReplyDeleteKrisha #61
Hope you are well? Your desk if full of fun and your makes are fabulous. I've been okay but four busy days have knocked me so quiet day today and for the next few days too. Take care Zo xx 57
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in on me earlier and for your lovely comments. I've spent today looking after the twins and playing nursemaid to my daughter and I'm pleased to say she is moving a little easier today and making a steady recovery if but still rather sore.
ReplyDeleteReally love that gorgeous yellow flower.
Hugs,
Annie x # 16
I have a VB but they are known to die suddenly for no reason so keep your big shot. My VB has blown a fuse which was easy and cheap for my DH to fix for me. The gear box has blown on my friends VB and that cannot be fixed...#17
ReplyDeleteHi Vikki - such a busy desk this week & you sound like you have been a very busy girl ! Have a great week Ali x #13
ReplyDeleteHi - that is some serious kit you have there, lucky girl. And you are SO busy, but it sounds good and happy busy, so enjoy! Chris # 23
ReplyDeletePretty cards (that must have been a fun swap), and I love it you have all those cutting systems, that's awesome!
ReplyDelete(Vickie, I think we had twin colds, yikes, not fun!)
Happy woyww!
:)trisha
#77ish this week, working on
an Alice themed altered book
Golly, that's a lot of die cutting equipment! I "only" have the Cameo, but that's all I ever need. The one thing it cannot do is emboss, though. Gorgeous cards! Keep on crafting and thanks for your visit earlier! zsuzsa @ InkyDinkyDoodle #22
ReplyDeleteI only have 2 systems but might stretch to an electric one next year.... or should I go the whole hog and get a scan n cut? Decisions, decisions..... I'm totally with you on having variety - my 2 different platforms open up different dies so I think they can be justified!! Hope you get a goo nights rest, Happy WOYWW, Cindy #41
ReplyDeleteInteresting reading about your die cutting machines and what others have posted. It never occurred to me to get more than one. I have a BS and (fortunately) I've not needed a bigger one.
ReplyDeleteI love your card that you 'threw together' with the large flower. Beautiful. The 'spooky' one is fun too.
Thanks for letting me peep over your shoulder.
Have a good week.
Lisca#35
Hi Vicky
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have visited you for a while .... you know stuff... I was your side of the pond last week and had a great time up in Colorado and NY.
I did find my way to Jo Annes and had a frenzied 11/2 hours trying to decide what to buy.... as you do when faced with Sooo much loveliness.
Anyway, love your cutting area, I have a standard big shot but would love a big shot pro but cannot justify the expense... maybe I should find a friend who wants to sell one lol. great cards
janet #15
Very interesting post, Vickie, about the die cutting machines. All I have is a cuttlebug (which I use for embossing) - it's very small and doesn't take the larger embossing folders you can get today, but it does me OK. I've got a very few dies and hardly ever use them. I have a Cougar cutting machine which I haven't got going again yet since we moved. I can see the advantage of the Vagabond for someone with muscle fatigue issues - it must be a big help! You've done some lovely cards this week and I particularly like the sunflower one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your lovely comment, and even through my pretty extensive researches into M.E. I had not come across the fact that our blood iron levels tend to be low - very interesting. I'd put it down to my ulcerative colitis which is causing bleeding although mostly at a level that isn't visible - it showed up on my bowel cancer screening test last year, which led to the colitis diagnosis. The iron, being rather binding, actually helps my colitis symptoms so I'm not complaining!
If you are interested in making masterboards from the gelli plate, take a look at what Peg Robinson has been up to: http://on-account-a-scrap.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/woyww-279.html - amazing ones!
I am trying to rest but I've been really busy this past week, and as usual, art has gone to the bottom of the heap. I hate that - it should be at the top!
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #32
Love the card you made and the one received. Looks like a fun time on the weekend.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Von #19
your desk always look like fun. mine looks like a huge mess. i plan to come play again really soon. the card for your friend is lovely. the garden veges sound good too. i am ready for the cold but will miss fresh produce. give and take i guess right?
ReplyDeletesee ya soon. :)
That's a collection of machines you have there, Vickie! I only have a Cuttlebug, but it seems to do everything I want, thus far :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by earlier, and have a good week.
Wow, quite a cutting selection! I love my Big Shot - I don't do enough to warrant an electric one, and anyhow everyone I know in the UK who's had a Vagabond has had it blow up on them.... never use my Cuttlebug, I should get rid of it! You sound like you've had a really busy time - off to check your other post now. The card is beautiful. Thanks for visiting, the night out was marvellous. Helen 3
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