I need your help. My Wizard broke this week and my heart was broken. Can you hear my whines of loss? What in the world did we do before the die cut and embossing machines were invented? Boy has paper crafting has come a long way in the seven years that I have been stamping. I would love to hear your thoughts on the kind of machine I should choose to replace my Wizard. The two I am considering are the Grand Calibur and Big Shot. Do you have suggestions or reviews on either of these machines? Do you have another kind of machine that I should consider? Please leave me your comment here by Saturday at noon for a chance to win my blog candy. Winner will be chosen by Random.org.
The Thursday Ways to Use It Challenge on Splitcoaststampers was to create a project with trees. I haven’t created a scene card for a while and thought this was the perfect opportunity to combine scenery with a spray of punched flowers in the foreground.
This was fast and simple. I sponged in the sky, water line and ground area and then stamped the trees. I attached several punched pine pieces to the ground area and added the baby flowers. I would normally create a double matted frame for a scene like this but….my Wizard is gone. sniff sniff.
I hope you have a great weekend. I am looking forward to having some stamping time and watching for your advice comments on die cutting machines.
Stamps: Rubbernecker Kittie Kits The Moose is Loose
Ink: Shabby Shutters, Peeped Paint, Aqua
Paper: Barely Banana, Cream, Watercolor, Pink, White
Accessories: Tiny Flower Punch, Stylus, Mouse Pad, Glossy Accents, Martha Stewart Pine, Sponges
I think it really depends on what type of dies you use. From what I have read online the grand calibar will only take the thin dies, like the nestabilities, etc. If you use anything like the thicker sizzix dies you would need another machine anyway! The plus side of the grand calibar is you can use the grand nesties in it.
I have a big shot and I love it. Mine actually broke a couple of months ago, and when I went to buy a new one I was told it had a 3 year warranty so mine was replaced for free. I have no idea what warranty Spellbinders have on their machine. I know the cuttlebug’s is only 1 year.
I found this thread on SCS which may help in your decision
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/tool-product-talk-f128/grand-caliber-vs-big-shot-pro-t519964.html
I love my Grand Calibur and use it almost everyday to create cards. I love the flexibility of making shaped cards with the mega dies. I teach classes at my LSS and love the convenience of cutting multiple dies at one time as well. Also, for those large sizzix dies (Tim Holtz’s alterations) I find that I can use my cuttlebug just fine with those dies. Good Luck !
I’m using a cuttlebug right now but my next machine will be the grand calibar..
I just added the Grand Calibur to my arsenal. I already have the Big Shot Express. I love both of them for very different reasons. The Grand calibur is great because I can use the mega dies in it. And now I can cut my own 8×8 albums. The Big Shot Express is wonderful because I can use my Sizzix dies that can not be used in the Grand Calibur. The Grand Calibur also has a 3 year warranty. http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/
My vote would be for the Big Shot. I love the versatility of it and the fact that it can take almost any kind of medium, even thin metal to cut through. I can use nesties, any kind of sizzix die, embossing folders, and can even manipulate those to create different frames for my image size. On the Cutathome site, they have a great tutorial on how to use the Big Shot with all these mediums. One of my favorite things to do is create blank embossing for a centered blank space for stamping. All in all, I find that it meets my needs, plus it is a very sturdy and reliable machine. I bought mine used four years ago and it is still going strong. Whatever you get, I can’t wait to see what you do with it! Love your cards!
I have a Big Shot and I love it! I don’t think that I would want the Grand Calibur unless I was going to do a lot with the large dies, so the Big Shot fits my purposes just great!
Beautiful card Kittie.
I own a cuttle bug and it is getting old. I have been thinking on the same thing, which one to buy. I am leaning close to both :). I want the versatility that only a big shot can give and the Grand Calibar if I decided I want a few of their large dies.
I don’t have either machine but I think my choice would be the Grand Calibur. Here’s a review that I found: http://www.crafttestdummies.com/craft-product-reviews/craft-product-review-grand-calibur-die-cutting-system-by-spellbinders/
Love your cards and you are such an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing.
Kittie,
I bought a Big Shot to augment my Cuttlebug, and I haven’t touched the Bug since. I don’t scrapbook, so bigger dies like the Grands don’t interest me. I use my Big Shot all the time. It has it’s own desk! I’ve made dozens of identical cards using a homemade magnetic template to line up my Nesties. It can use the thinnest of material to emboss… I found a thin brass Christmas ornament that I wanted to try, and it gave me a great emboss. FWIW, if you don’t need the bigger dies, get a Big Shot.
I own the Big Shot Pro as well as the regular Big Shot and a Cuttlebug. Because I use large Sizzix dies a lot, and wanted to try the large Pro dies for 3D projects and the Grand size Nesties, I bought the Pro. I love having the ability to make both of those larger items. Calibur can not do both. The drawback to the Pro is its large size and heavy weight. I chose to put mine on the top of a mobile microwave cart/kitchen cart and filled the bottom shelves with all the dies and accessories. I can move it around easily in the craft room to where I need it without taking up a ton of my limited counter space.
I just love my ol’ fashion crank it out big shot. I use it nearly every time I make a card. I can cut out my die cuts and emboss with it. I love it. It’s one of those timeless machines, lol.
Love the trees and the spray of flowers, this is so great.
I absolutely LOOOVE my Big Shot!! I’ve never had a Wizard, so I don’t know about that machine, but I couldn’t live without my Big Shot! I have heard that you can only use the thin dies with the Wizard, and that’s just NOT an option for me!!
very pretty card, reminds me of when we camped in Michigan 🙂
Sorry to hear about your Wizard, I can’t tell you between those two other machines because all I have ever had is my cuttlebug and I do use it everyday, like you said we would be lost without them now. Don’t know if you have an Archivers near you but they let you try out different machines, that way you could kind of get a feel for the one you would like.
I have a Big Shot and I just love it…and I think that a lot of your embossing folders that you used in your Wizard may work in the Big Shot…I can use Cuttlebug as well as Sizzix.
Love your artistry, thanks for always sharing!
First of all, your tree scene is so gorgeous as all your scenes are! I just recently wrestled with the same question of which die machine to buy. StampOwl already linked you to the SCS thread that helped me make my decision and that was to go with the Big Shot. I am not interested in the huge dies that the Calibur is known for. I can use every single die (and I have many from many different companies) in my Big Shot and it’s such an improvement in the quality of embossing compared to my Cuttlebug which I loved before, but haven’t touched since.
Kittie, your craftmanship is just over the top….I love your designs (as you know, because I have CASEd them from time to time). As for a die cut/embossing machine, I have a Cuttlebug and it is all I have ever used; however, I am considering the Grand Calibur should I decide to change or feel the need for something new. I know very little about the Big Shot so I can’t really offer an opinion on it.
I guess many of us are asking ourselves if we “need” the Grand Caliber these days. I have a Sizzix Big Kick… same machine as the Big Shot… works the same just looks different. I LOVE my Big Kick and love it even more since I got it at Michaels with a 50% off coupon so for what it does is was a super deal.
I do see the Grand dies out there, and see how many use them to make shaped cards, but since I don’t do any scrapbooking (at least so far) I just can’t justify the cost of the Grand dies for cardmaking only. I’d hate to add up all the money I have invested just in the regular size Spellbinders dies so I can’t imagine spending what the Grand dies cost to start adding those to my collection! LOL!!
But, bottom line is that you will have to decide what you meed your machine to do for you. I LOVE my Sizzix dies because I can cut much more than just paper with them and since the GC doesn’t handle the Sizzix dies I can’t see buying it just for what it can do… since my Big Kick cuts my Spellbinders dies and embosses them so beautifully.
If I had plenty of money maybe I’d splurge on one since it does make it possible to run a big bunch of the regular size Spellbinders dies through all at once. But that alone just doesn’t seem to make it worth spending the money on the larger machine.
Good luck with your decision.
Gorgeous work as usual Kitty. I have a cuttlebug but upgraded to a Big Shot several years ago, and like others, have not touched the Cuttlebug since. I love being able to cut so many materils in the Big Shot and it’s been so reliable. Also it works with so many different companies templates. Good luck on your decision.
I too love my Grand Calibur. The dies are fabulous and make life so much easier because of the amount of dies you can cut at one time and of course making shaped cards is awesome.
I also have the Cuttlebug and seldom use it any more.
I have tried cutting felt, many layers of tissue at one time, cross stitch linen and cork – great results for each one.
Love your cards and I think you would have fun with the Grand Calibur but whatever you choose, I know you will enjoy.
Kittie, First let me say how much I enjoy your punched flower work – I look forward each day to seeing your latest creativity!
I have an ELECTRIC Big Shot and one would have to pry it away from me. I do a lot of repetitive work as I make many of the same card to send to Operation Write Home. It is a very versatile machine and easily does anything AND there is no cranking or fighting the shifting of the machine on the table; the electric motor does it all. This allows one to have a tight fit when embossing to get a really clean, crisp emboss.
Hope this info helps. Blessings
I am saving up for the Big Shot. The grand dies don’t really interest me- I would rather have the thicker dies for the work I do. I have enjoyed reading the comments though so thanks for posting!!! I LOVE your sprays of punched flowers! I need to see if I can do it!!!
Great card,I love all your creations.I have a big shot & a Wizard my handle broke on the wizard twice ,they replaced the handle for me.I love the Wizard with the thicker plates,but sometimes I have to use the Big Shot for thing that I have trouble cutting on the Wizard. I would love to have the Grand Calubar so I could make different shape cards,Money is a tight so I will have to be happy with I have for now.
Jocelan
Kittie – I have the Big Shot and love it. However, I am amazed with the Grand Caliber and the large size dies…..would I use it more than I use my Big Shot? Knowing that I could use any size die in the Grand Caliber and am limited with the Big Shot – makes a big selling point….but if the Grand Caliber only takes thin dies…then that might not be a selling point.
Decisions…Decisions!!
Kitty, I have a Cuttlebug that I’ve been very happy with and almost bought a Big Shot a couple weeks ago when my LSS had them half price. I’m sorry I didn’t buy it but I have a Cricut Create that I got for Christmas and have barely touched. I’ve vowed to learn to use it before I buy another machine.
I love all your flowered cards. They are all beautiful.
Kathy
Hi Kittie, I have owned all of the machines out their, I finally sold them all with the exception of my wizard, which I just love. I purchased the GC on the basis I was a true Wizard fan, in my opinion no other machine comes close. Love the fact the plates stay flat no matter how old they are. And strong, was shocked to hear yours had broken. GC, love it, love it, love it. So simple to use, no complicated sandwiches. The only drawn back is it doesn’t take the thicker dies, but with storage issues, who needs them!!!! And with the cheaper A4 dies available – well, the BS just doesn’t cut it. Good luck
I would invest in the Grand Caliber due to the versatility of the machine and it taking the larger dies, besides the option to cut more than one die at a time. I love my cuttlebug and would love to be able to invest in the Grand Caliber. I have the big shot and I don’t use it like I do my cuttlebug, it’s so much lighter to take places.
Blessings~
I have a Cuttlebug and the Big Shot. I don’t really use the large dies so both of these do me just fine. I love your sprays, wreaths, etc. Hopefully I’ll try to do that myself. Only hope they will turn out as beautiful as yours.
Kittie, I am in the dark on these machines as I just use a Cuttlebug. I know you will choose what’s right for you. I wanted to leave you a note on your blog to thank you for inspiring me every week. I enjoy every one of your beautiful creations.
I own the original sizzix machine, cuttlebug, big shot and an accucut machine. My vote goes to the big shot. I love mine and use it all the time. My kids have used it for school projects and everything. I have seen the bigger dies out there and will most likely buy one at some point hoping to be able to use it with my accu-cut somehow. Good luck with your decision and let us know which one you chose and how you like it.
I have a Cuttlebug and a QuicKutz Revolution, so I’m not as familiar with the other two machines.
I like the idea that the Grand Calibur can be used with the larger Spellbinder dies, so it might be worth considering if you think you’d have a use for that size diecuts. I have never tried a Big Shot but I know I’ve read a lot of positive comments on it. All in all, from what I’ve read, I think the Big Shot would be a better overall choice.
DeniseB
Ever since I bought my Big Shot, which I love, I have not touched my Cuttlebug. I can’t really add anything more than what the others have written in terms of the stellar performance of the Big Shot. At one time I thought I would like to have a Grand Calibur, too, in order to use the mega dies, but they are so expensive. Plus, it’s my understanding that you cannot use the thicker dies in the Grand Calibur. Good luck with your decision, Kittie!
I only know the Cuttlebug and the Big Shot, which I use now. Very sturdy and works great. I wanted to tell you how much I’ve been enjoying your cards. Thank you for sharing your talents!!!
Don’t you just hate it when these machines break. I think the Big Shot is very well made and would last a long time. I am not familiar with the Grand Caliber but I think I will Google it to find out because I am thinking of replacing by Cuttlebug.
I love my Cuttlebug! I use it every day with all kinds of dies and embossing folders. It gives great results every time. I also have the original red Sizzix machine and still use it occasionally. I also use my Cricut Expressions machine somewhat regularly. And now I have the Grand Calibur…I love that I can make all sorts of beautiful shaped cards with it and the Grand Nestibilities and it is fun to be able to do a number of dies at a time. When all is said and done, if I could only have one machine it would be my Cuttlebug for sure.
I have the Grand Caliber and the Cuttlebug.Since getting the GC I only use the Cuttlebug if I am running the thick Sizzix dies.The GC has MUCH better plates,they dont warp……..and you can run 8 1/2 paper through and cut several things at one time!PLUS the larger dies are great too.If you watch,you can get the GC with a half price coupon at AC Moore and do the same with any new dies you want!
LOVE LOVE your cards and the fantastic tutorials you give!Hard to believe you have only been doing this for 7 yrs!
not familiar with teh grand caliper but teh big shot is what I will get if my cuttlbug ever dies on me.
I have the Big shot. It work well. I wish however, I had waited and got the Grand Caliber. I may still get one and have both. My Cuttlebug broke, and was my first machine. Was inexpensive and I was able to do a lot with it. I am now really wanting to have the ability to cut out more at a time. Love the fact that you can use 8.5 X 11 inch paper. Also use the big size nestie
dies.
I had not heard it wouldn’t cut sizzix dies. So perhaps it’s good I did buy the The Big Shot after all.
Thanks for the chance at the drawing and good luck picking your new die cutter. Either way you’ll be happy!
Hi Kitty! I have a Big Kick (same as the Big Shot) and have found it to be a very reliable machine. Many a project I have cranked out on it. I’ve been eyeing up the Grand Calibur because you can cut several dies at once. I do find, however, the price of the larger dies to be prohibitive. It seems some folks can afford anything they want but most of us can’t. I’d have to think long and hard about it to make that leap. I also would love an electric machine for those days I am doing lots of cranking. That part gets old.
Mary
http://www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com
I recently replaced my CB with a Big Shot and had considered the Grand Caliber too. The reason I went with the Big Shot was the style. I like the long platforms that are just an inch or so higher than my countertop. If I did more scrap booking & had Grand Dies I’d probably would have gotten the GC.
Kittie, I own the Big Shot and the Grand Calibur. I like both but find myself using the Grand Calibur so much more often. I use more of the thin dies and find I can place several on the Grand Calibur platform at one time. I also like the fact that you can emboss with the 5×7 embossing folders and feed them through sideways so that you can emboss a complete card front (I hope this makes sense. It really is handy.) If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you. I don’t use any of the Grand Calibur specific dies and I still love this machine the best. Also, you can purchase it at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon. Good luck with your decision.
Kittie, what brand of watercolor paper do you use?
Sizzix Big Shot/kick has a three yr warranty and the Customer Service is excellent when you need to take advantage of the warranty. The Caliber only has a yr.
I don’t have the caliber, but I am considering it. The big kick doesn’t seem to be able to give a clean cut on all the spellbinder dies. I think that the grand caliber will take the newer extra wide nestibilities, and the big shot isn’t wide enough. On the other hand the Big Kick takes the thicker dies and the Caliber cannot. It all depends on how versatile you need your machine to be.
I’m looking into buying the grand calibur. But I seen reviews on amazon that the handle breaks has this happened to you ? Thank you for your imput
Hi I’m thinking of getting the gc I seen reviews on amazon that the handle breaks. Have you had this happen ?
How in the world did you get an ELECTRIC Big Shot?
Feliz de iniciarme en el mundo de scrapbook, traje de EU la spellbinders gran calibur y se me daño pero en Bogota me la estan reparando y ya compre por amazon la big shot express y estoy feliz esperando las dos , lindos sus proyectos pero muy contenta con todo los accesorios y materiales que he comprado y seguro que con la colaboracion de ustedes voy aprender mucho. Vivo en Ma nizales una bella ciudad de Colombia Gladis Salazar gladeho48@hotmail.com