Do I need a Big Shot & a Grand Calibre?

Just got a Joann's flyer and the Grand Calibre is 50% off today only online.

It's down to $69.00 - I just ordered the Big Kick.

Please tell me I don't need both! I don't think the Grand Calbre takes the thicker dies, but it will take some of the bigger ones.

Now I'm confused all over again!

unless you're going to get the grand nesties I think the big kick is plenty for you

Thank you - I was hoping someone would say that!

hoping I'm right thats how I justified it to myself

The only thing the GC does differently is take the biggest of the Grand Nesties, which is really only the very largest of the dies in a few of the sets. And no, it can't do thicker dies - so none of the Sizzix Bigz or Originals. You're better off sticking with the Big Shot and your Cricut, in my opinion.

Thanks Kara - that is exactly what I was hoping to hear!

I have both (Well a GC and a Vagabond) only because I got the GC first and then decided I wanted to be able to cut other dies such as the Sizzix Big Dies. I love and use the both.

I use a combination of my Big Shot and Cricut Expression. Between the 2 of them, I am pretty much covered!

Enjoy!!

I have the Big Shot, the Grand Calibur and my Cricut. I like the Grand Calibur for cutting the bigger Nesties. Sometimes it's just easier to take it out than load up the Cricut. Just my thoughts, but if you aren't interested in the Grand Nesties than you will be fine with the Big Shot.

I let the Grand Calibre sale come and go yesterday. I haven't received my big shot yet and I think I want to get used to it first.

From most of the comments, I think that is all I will need. If I do find I need something that does bigger dies I guess I'll deal with that when I find it happens but from what has been posted, I don't think I will outgrow the Big SHot any time soon if ever.

ANother machine would just be a bonus! ANd maybe someday I'll do it but first I need to see how much I will use this one.

Ooohhhh you're gonna LOVE your Big Shot!! Mine really gets a workout! You can do sooo many things with it!!

Not only can it cut paper and chipboard (even the thick stuff) and grungeboard and rubber and metal and plastic and sponge and felt and fabric, BUT it can also emboss those things beautifully!

AND if you ink or paint or even stamp on the insides of your embossing folders and run them through, your paper will have that pressed into it.

Sooo many things and sooo much fun!!
Enjoy your new toy!!!

• Kim222 Said:

That is something I am going to have to try.

I have both and use both but prefer my big kick because it takes all of the Tim Holtz dies And I use them all the time.

I LOVE my Big Shot. I have the qk squeeze, revolution, an older Bigkick (which is the same just different colors) and a vagabond..But i always go right to my big shot.

If your going to get into the 12 inch dies. I would recommend getting the 13 x 6 solo platform and shim. Plus the 12 inch cutting mat too.

I have been able to cut any die 6 inches wide or smaller in my big shot From Spellbinders to Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts to Cottage cutz.
Before you know it you will have a really nice die collection....

A nice die collection! I'm laughing. I got three sets of nesties before I ordered the Big Shot. Have got to figure out how to organize and store them.

I have got to control myself on buying dies - as if I had that much self control!

Henri, I ordered the EZ Mount Stamp N Store panels. I saw a youtube video on them where they used these with the magnetic tape or magnetic sheets - glued/taped the magnet down on them and then the dies would store right on them in a 3 ring binder

I got them for $3.24 from J's for a pack of 5 because SB didn't have them in stock.

So far I'm really liking the new ArtBin magnetic storage system for all my thin dies.

Thanks for the tip on that!

I'm not clear where you glue the magnetic page. Uner the back or on top or inside the sleeve?

you buy the magnetic tape - its already sticky - you just pull off the backing and presson however much you need to keep your die set on the page.

if you use the magnetic sheets you may need to add glue on them - just apply to the back and put them on to the panel like you would a picture on your sb page then let dry - VOILA instant die storage

here's the link to the video I saw it at first - the panels I have though are white and are EZ Mount Stamp ones that SB.com has for sale

Link to you tube video

You are going to love the your new machine, I bought it a few months ago and it is totally awesome. I have gotten a new addiction to buying dies too. I buy them when there is a sale and clearance. I just found a new one the other day for $2, it was a big bird one, very cute die. I plan to use it on cards.

I'm anxious for my machine to get here.

The Big Bird die sounds cute. I'm going to try to keep the die collection under control - I think the key word is "Try".

Not the "BIg Bird", but like a dove or other type bird

Oh - I could see using a bird embossing folder.

My new Big Shot will be here on the 21st and I have 1 embossing folder. Well, I don't exactly have it, but it is ordered. Its called Hawaiian shirt and has monstera leaves on it which are all over Hawaii.

Now I want to find more embossing folders!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

Nothing nothing NOTHING embosses better than the GC. But you STILL need the BS for the thicker dies.

yep, you NEED them both.

that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Now Holly the enabler - I have 3 nesties that are even opened yet because I loved your cards so much!

And.. can't wait to try them out. Tomorrow is the day they are supposed to arrive. I ordered an embossing folder - Hawaiian shirt to play with first.

It does sound like I am going to need a Grand Calibre. Holly, you are a bad influence!

SO keep influencing me! I love it!

well,,,,,,,,if I were YOU,,,,,I'd put that money into NESTIES now,,,,,

then LATER, you will want a GC If only to cut the grand nesties

I love my Cuttlebug for the spellbinders and the thicker dies, but I'm wanting a GC so I can emboss and cut a wider and longer piece of cardstock.

Holly quit enabling. Your so bad....lol...you just want her to have as many toys as you.

Nooooooooooo,,,,,,I want her to have all the GOOD toys LOL!

Holly already has all the good toys! Now she's helping me to acquire them.

Big shot came today - a day early. Thank you Amazon.

Also got my new iPhone 4S and my son was here to help me set it up so I had to concentrate on the phone stuff. I'm home alone and am anxious to check out the Big SHot. Its out of the box. Now I just have to start reading stuff. RIght now I can't even figure out the hardware that goes with the handle. SO time to get the instructions out.

Bougt a cute embossing folder with stars all over it today.

For my "wafer thin" dies like quickutz/lifestyle crafts, cottage cutz, scrapbuggy ect i use one of those cd/dvd binders. the 4x4 dies fits well in those. Slides in and your can flip through it. Though i had to upgrade from a binder that held about 100 to one that holds 300...oops..lol


Big dies like Sizzix hmmm, right now i have them in one of those plastic 3 drawers you get at walmart or target for about $10-$20....I got 2 of those to slide right under my desk and they hold so much stuff.

That is a great idea! I have one small embossing folder and 3 sets of nesties so I'm anxious to play with the storage system becasue I've already ordered a second embossing folder.

HenriJean... HL carries their own brand of embossing folders and they are often 30% off. I like Tim Holtz embossing folders, too. I am so glad you got a fun new toy!

I am so frustrated right now. I can't figure it out, don't know what goes in what order and the directions are about as clear as mud.

I've put it away. May try again tomorrow to figure it out or find someone who has one to come help me.

ok, piece of cake,,,,,

the platform tells you which tabs to use.

If you are cutting a nestie, use all the tabs CLOSED on the platform. Next comes,,,

cutting plate
paper
die with cutting side down
cutting plate

then you need to emboss it,,,,

platform (this time all the tabs OPEN)
cutting plate
die with paper (cutting edges now UP and paper still inside)
tan embossing mat
cutting plate

now squish it through.

If you are using a thick die like the sizzix, DO NOT use the platform.

cutting plate
paper
die (cutting side down)
cutting plate

squish through.

check youtube too, they have saved my life on occasion

Congrats on the Big Shot!

Here is how I store my Nesties of you're looking for ideas...

Nestabilities Storage Front By DittoBabyGirl

I know, found out when using TH magnetic dies that I needed to use my 1 extra platform and a piece of chipboard to cut it through, wrote the directions on the dies paper it came with. Sometimes it is trial and error.

The others I did like Holly did.

Holly - I used your instructions and actually played with an embossing folder.

I think the problem is there is no chart showing what these things are. The little pamplet says to put the platform - I didn't know what that was. And I didn't know what the other things they are mentioning are.

THe platform shows pictures of the stuff stacked and now its starting to make a little sense. Since I embossed now I understand that.

My Cuttlebug embossing folder has stars all over it and Bill wants me to emboss his money today for his wallet. Such projects but he really wants his dollar bills embossed.

I'm confused about waht some things are - like what is the difference in between the letterpress plates and the impressions texture pad? and the pictures on the Tab 1 of the platform show a lot of different things in the sandwich but don't identify what they are.

Thanks for all the help! At least I can emboss now. That is step one. Later today I will play with dies!

I have no idea what the difference is I don't use any of those things!

and that is odd,,,,,my platform says "Multipurpose Platform" right on the front,,,,,,,odd,

Embossing money,,,,LOL

what a cute idea for a birthday or graduation though! Emboss the money! awesome, thank Bill for the idea please!

LOL, love the idea of embossing money!

Is it legal to emboss money? Or would it fall under the heading of altering currency...?

technically, it's illegal to WRITE on money,,,,,but people do it all the time LOL