Time To Defend the Sizzix!!

I have been reading some entries here, and other sites and have seen so many people state that they were no longer using their sizzix machine since getting other "cutters", I felt so bad for the machines! I also found this so odd as I own other cutting machines, between myself & my design partner we have like 6 total & for some reason my favorite is the sizzix, I love them all and all serve a good purpose but I won't lie my fav is the sizzix. I did upgrade to the bigshot, and love it even more. I know it's "manual" but I can cut so much more with it compared to all else, at least all else I have, the original and bigz dies cut felt,fabric - various materials very smooth. I also love that the dies from the very beginning still cut like new, and believe you me I abuse mine... they take a beating - yet never do I have to replace them, unlike I find myself replacing blades a lot as the quality of the cut decreases with my other cutters, again I love those cutters but I don't use them for everything - they can't handle it like a bigz die can. But this is just my humble little opinion!

I got a Wishblade last September and I love it (of course) but I do still use my sizzix (i have the original one)

I am still in love with my Kicks!! I use my Sidekick all the time. My Bigkick cuts the cookie cutter dies from QK, so I didn't even bother with the Revolution. I have and love my Silhouette, but I will never ever give up my Sizzix Kicks!!

Oooh I agree the Wishblade is great - so useful too! Glad to here ya still give the sizzix usage too

I have a Cricut but I use the Big Shot more!

Isn't the little guy great (sidekick)! It's the only cutter that is actually on my desk, so fast and easy! That + the mini xyron sticker maker = happy scrappin

I have a Wishblade and an Expression and still use and LOVE my BigKick. Especially for cutting thicker materials like chipboard or felt. I would NEVER get rid of my Sizzix:)

Did you know that the Sidekick can cut the Cuttle Bug Dies??

I love my original Sizzex...using the adaptor and wafer, I can adjust to other brand dies and embossing folders.

just not ready to invest in a cutting machine...this does it for me...at least right now

I have a Wishblade , expression and a bigshot! Love them all and use them all. I have been having a great time with the sizzix and my circle shapes. With them I can make the cutest lollipop flowers.

Also, I use some of the XXL dies to make gift bags! So cute...uses up those papers that I can't find a use for!

love By Homesclscrapper

Sizzix gift boxes By Homesclscrapper

LOVE all my sizzix machines! I have the original red dinosaur (2 in fact! bought the second on clearance!), sidekick, and big kickk. LOVE em! Would be lost w/o them. They're quick and easy to use, don't require sticky sheets to cut with, don't need new blades, can be used when the power's out (happens here a lot!), can cut any dies out there, and don't take up much space. Anything I've left out?

Only cons I see- cost of the dies and inability to scale the shapes as needed.

I love my sizzix I love the compatibility with using all dies.I love one machine for all those different style choices we have to pick from. I have the slice and the cricut I use them all the same.The cricut is grat when I visulize something I want and of course welding. The slice is fast and great for layering and the sizzix is the start of it all, and their style isn't overdone.

Cindy

I'm like Nancy. I've got a Big Shot, Sidekick, Expression and a Wishblade . I love how easy, fast and quiet the Sizzix machines are.

I also love punches. Still buy those and dies for my Sizzix.

I've got the room for all my toys so I don't have to get rid of my Sizzix.

Wow... guess I am weird... I have a Sizzix and I am looking to get rid of it... it is NOT that I don't like it well enough or that it isn't easy... but I can't see spending money on new dies... I can buy a new big die (either on sale or 2nd hand) for say $5-6. I can get a new cart for the Cricut for 30.00 new - So I can buy 5 or 6 dies for the Sizzix that only cut in one size and direction... or I can get a whole cartridge... and I use my cricut the most for fonts... I can make them in MANY sizes... for 30.00... the Sizzix fonts are way outside my budget... even on sale!
So I guess for me it is an economical issue... what can I get for the same price.
I can say for sure that if I were to get 100.00 and was told I had to spend it on dies or cartridges, I would have new cartridges...

JMHO!

I started with the Sizzix original red and love using it at home. Than when the Sizzix Sidekick came along, I bought that and love taking it to crops.

I have the personal Cricut it is my last choice to use. I prefer to conserve on electricity and I like the manual hands on feeling of scrapping.

my MIL as the original sizzix (the push down handle kind) and i find its really easy to use and it doesn't take any longer than the crank ones. you can still use everyone elses dies and embossing folders in it and they turn out great.

I love my big kick - my sidekick and my original red sizzix sit unused in the closet (should think about selling them). I use the big kick ALL the time - like on almost every layout. I also have the cricut and like it but sometimes the bigkick is easier..its easier to use the nestabilities label die since I already know the exact size. When I start using my Cricut I end up having to cut a sample to see if its the right size and then make adjustments and it takes up too much of my crafting time..but on the other hand I really like using the cricut when I don't have a die for the sizzix and I always cut titles w/the cricut...ok I'm rambling so I think I better go to bed...nite all!

I love my Big Shot too!! I love the new dies they have been coming out with, like Hello Kitty, I love that it cuts felt and chipboard and any other stuff I would not risk cutting my other machines, and I love the new Stampin Up dies for it too. I recently started using the texture plates (embossing) and those ROCK too!

I have EVERY machine QuicKutz has ever put out (including both Silhouettes) and I still love my Sizzix. I did not care too much for the Sidekick so I sold it and all the dies (I have since bought a handful of dies to use with the adapter in the Big Shot). The Ellison Warehouse is about 1.5 hours from my house and they have a huge sale every fall where I stock up on dies at a good price. They also have a mega sale online that time too.

I try to get versatile shapes I can use for multiple things so the cost does not bother me. I mostly use it for flowers or flourishes anyways.

So here's to the Big Shot!
Thanks for starting this thread!!

we have the Sizzix SideKick, CuttleBug/CuttleKids, ZipéMate and soon the Cricut. Out of those, the CuttleBug and SideKick run for a close no.1. The SideKick because its small and handy for the small projects and quick cut, and the CuttleBug because you can literally cut anything with it with the right dies. We use all Sizzix dies with the CuttleBug including embossing dies.(even those who are meant for manual pens).
I'm thinking of buying the big one for at home but not sure as I have the ZipéMate at home, just dont use it often atm.

Forgot another great bonus....I don't fear when children & teens use them! My nephew, 6 years old, after a few rounds of watching me, jumped right in and as long as you watch over them, it's all good! (never leave the little one in the scraproom alone....my paper massacre still hurts - ooohh!!)

i agree. i own the sidekick and love it, but i also own the silhouette. it's convienent (sp?) when you only need a few letters, flowers, or other dies. i love the silhouette too, but sometimes it doesn't make sense to cut out or use so much paper on something smaller!

I have the original Sizzix machine and still use it sometimes. But I have a Cuttlebug now and I can use all my Sizzix dies in it. My sizzlet dies would never work right in my big Sizzix but they work great in my Cuttlebug.

I love all of my Sizzix products and will stick to them for quite awhile! Judy

Good Luv Ladies!!

I have a Sizzix Sidekick and a Cuttlebug in addition to the Cricut. Because the Sidekick only takes the thin dies, I find myself more often reaching for the Cuttlebug and bigger Sizzix dies when I just don't have the right shape on a Cricut cartridge.

My Original sizzix, the red one is still one of my most beloved tools. Not only does it work with every type of die I own (and I own practically every type made and a few that are no longer in business) it has ways done so. I use it on materials that no one had thought of when I got it. Wood veneer, shell veneer, cork, vinyl sheeting, stencil sheets, magnet sheets, sheets of aluminum, balsa wood, and the list goes on. It still works great. I even use it to smash the natural dyes out of flower petals to stain patterns on cardstock. While the electronic machines are great the sizzix still does the hardwork the others will not.

Right On! And some of the older dies are my favorite - very clean lines, perfect for all the other materials and wow do they actually hold their value - I have been trying to get either the yellow or red die ice cream cone, it's retired and that bad boy keeps going for like 30 to 40!!!! Used!!

I use my old original red machine to smash down bottle caps. Yes, it voids the warranty.

My warranty is way over.

Someone was just asking about how to smash bottle caps on a group I am on and without "Old Red" I don't know how else to do it?!

I have both the BigShot and the Cricut. I love both of them. I bought the BigShot specifically so I could use their new 12" border dies. They're beautiful! I wouldn't trade either of them. They're just two completely different tools. A person would never think twice about having a CropADile and also having a Scraparatus or other hand-held eyelet setter. Sometimes you grab for one, sometimes you grab for the other.

I use my Big SHot every time I scrap! I LOVE IT!!

• Jennifer Priest Said:

"old red" is the only way- I put a few layers of cardboard under it, pushed down a bit and got it started inward and then mashed it the rest of the way. DH suggested turning it face down and banging on it with a hammer. I dunno- seems so much more difficult (and NOISY!)

Oh yeah- my warranty is WAY over!

That is a very good idea w/the bottle caps, and while the hammer idea may have logic to it, good ol' red will do it evenly with perfect pressure, can't say the same for swingin' a hammer - great idea w/the bottle caps - thanks for sharing it!

I have a Sizzix Big Shot and a Cricut Expressions. My spouse works graveyards and prefers that I use my Sizzix during the day when I do most of my work and my Cricut when he is not sleeping! The Sizzix is quiter than the Cricut and I agree, the Cricut doesn't chirp it hollers!
I love them both and I use them both for different reasons! Keep your Sizzix's they are for things that the Cricut and other machines can't do! P.S. If you use the Sizzix for stamping, the ink is cheaper for it than it is for the "Crayon coloring of a Cricut!" Deb. D.

I use both Sizzix and Cricuit. Love em both! I love all of the new Sizzix dies that have been released.

I have a sizzix & cricut...I use both all the time and have no intention of stopping!!!! I also have a lot of hand punches...every tool has a use in my scraproom!

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I know!! They have been releasing some really neat stuff, those clear Bigz look, uh... wonderful and those new frames, I managed to snag a couple on you know where.... cut a few of them in fabric & felt and oooohhhh- my!!

Okay, so I bought the original one years ago and hardly ever use it. But I would like to start using it again and see that you can use if or other brands embossing dies. How do I use it with all the different brands? Is there a video sight that talks about all the different uses for the old fashioned, red original?

I know the original is comp with some of them, like the ones in the video, hope this helps! http://www.scrapbook.com/videos/471.html

I have the lil guy but find it so hard to get nice cutters. I only have 3 lol but he is handy!!

we are alphabet junkies. We have 10 of the sizzix alphabets with about 30-40 individuals dies - mostly leaves and general items. I like to use the sizzix alphas with smaller albums and other crafts.

Now on the other hand, we have 12 alphabets for the Cricut with 4 more on the way. I cant remember how many "other" cartridges we have - i would guess to say about 20 with 2 more on the way.

My BFF just purhcased the Expressions with a great deal on cartridges and a bonus package! It should arrive in the mail by Thursday/Friday. We are planning a 12-hour crop on Monday!!!
-nc

Okay, so you convinced me! When I was at J's today they had their Sizzix dies 40% off and they had some marked on clearance for 5.97 so I bought some more. You're right...it is a good little machine!

Yay!!!! Which ones did you get? If you get a chance, pick up some felt, the originals cut felt too!!

They cut felt shapes too? And I just found out the cuttlebug embossing plates works as well as the spellbinders...

Oh, I got a heart with wings and a one with 2 types of leaves on it.

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Yep! I only use felt in the originals only though, I would not use it with a sizzlit.... ever again, it was a mess so if I can save anyone the tragedy of that experiment I will!! I use my originals to make felt flowers all the time, and they are great, I usually cut a piece of cardstock of a similar color to back it with, makes the looser woven felt just firmer and easier to work on your page. You can also cut fabric with them, depending on the fabric you may want to back it with cardstock - I even use iron on transfer to seal the fringy fabric. And oh yeah, I have been eyeing the spellbinders - the nestabilities line is just so amazing looking - to cut and emboss, and then be able to color or shade while it's holding sturdy in the die - I may be in trouble!

I haven't gotten into the spellbinders/nestabilitie s yet. I keep eyeing them but I don't know what I'd ever use them for. I know- LAME on my part!

I love my sizzlits- I've been able to cut SOME chipboard, SOME felt, SOME vinyl but not much! I need to go to J's and see what they've got on sale. Not that I NEED anything.

hi I am new on this.
I have a big problem with the big shot Express, this is my first machine, how make the sandwich to use nestabilites die?
can you help me?
thanks a lot.

Nope. Haven't given up my original Sizzix even though I now have other die cutters. The original Sizzix dies cut felt, chipboard, lots of stuff other dies don't.