Happy Saturday everyone. Yesterday on my blog post I asked for your advice on whether I should purchase a Grand Calibur or Big Shot. The handle on my Wizard broke this week and my heart broke as I love that machine and use it for almost every stamping project I make. You guys really came to the rescue and gave me lots to think about. Both machines offer so many wonderful opportunities that I honestly was going back and forth minute by minute. I have come to a decision but first I have a wonderful story to share with you. As a sat here pondering all of your comments yesterday afternoon it occurred to me that I hadn’t thought to call Spellbinders to see if there was a possibility of getting a new handle for my Wizard. I called and spoke to Lisa Rivera in the customer service department. Lisa was so kind and immediately offered to send me a brand new handle for FREE!!!!!!!!! Yes….you read correctly. Spellbinders will replace your handle for free and they even send the little tool necessary to replace the handle. I don’t know about you but I don’t know of many companies that will replace a part for free on a piece of equipment that has been used as long and hard as my Wizard has. I am so impressed by Spellbinders’ level of dedication to customer service.
Now…on with the decision. Even though I am going to get my Wizard handle replaced I have decided to get a Grand Calibur. I was torn between the machines but finally decided that I wanted the option to try the larger Grand Calibur dies and more significantly I want the ability to process multiple pieces at once. I create double and sometimes triple matted frames for almost every project I make and I would love being able to do it all at once. Another decision maker was the fact that the Spellbinders plates do not warp and there are not lots of complicated sandwiching recipes. My main attraction to the Big Shot is the ability to use all of the Sizzix dies. But I don’t use them much and even if I do need to occasionally I still have my trusty old red Sizzix machine. Maybe I will take the leap for a Big Shot as well when my ship comes in.
I had 38 comments from you yesterday and they were all so helpful. I went to Random.org to determine the winner for my blog candy. The winner is:
Kimberly S.
True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 12 Powered by RANDOM.ORG
“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!!”
The blog candy consists of three brand new Stampavie stamps, a brand new set of Cuttlebug dies, my hand made flower card, envelope and a package of my hand made flowers. I hope you like everything, Kimberly.
I have a couple projects to share with you today as well. I keep saying that I have gone flower crazy and I surely have. I made both my cards for Splitcoaststampers challenges. My first card was made for yesterday’s Free For All challenge to use a sentiment as the main focus of the project. This is the card that I am including in Kimberly’s gift.
The second card was made for the Inspiration Challenge and Doodletart Glass was the inspiration site. Here is the piece that inspired me.
Here’s my take on the challenge.
The sentiment on the little garden sign says "Welcome to my garden". You can click on the photos to see a larger close up view.
If you would like to know how I make my punched flowers and floral sprays and wreaths check our tutorials on the top right of my blog page.
Stamps: Rubbernecker Floral Silhouette Set 467
Paper: Pink, White, Spring Moss
Accessories: Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Border and Corner Punch, Hydrangea, Frond and Pine Punches, Mouse Pad, Stylus, Paper Piercer, Embossing Folder, Nestabilities, Hand Held Mini Flower Punch
Stamps: Rubbernecker Wildflower Set 465
Paper: Blue, White, Caramel, Spring Moss
Ink: Cloudy Blue, Vintage Photo
Accessories: Deckle Scissors, Martha Stewart Pine Punch, McGill Foliage Punch, Hand Held 1/4" Flower Punch, Mouse Pad, Stylus, Paper Piercer, Glossy Accents, Crimper, Nestabilities, Mounting Tape, Linen Thread
Beautiful cards, Kittie!! You’ll have to tell us how you like your Grand Caliber after you use it for a while. Can you do dry embossing with it (Cuttlebug and Sizzix folders?)?? I’d love to have one if I had extra money to spare, since you can put many of the smaller spellbinders dies through it all at once, but since my Big Kick does the Spellbinders dies and all the others I’ll stick with it for now.
That is so great to know about the spellbinders Wizard. I have found more and more companies are standing behind their products and it certainly makes me more loyal to their brand when they do.
I would love to get a larger embossing machine but for now my little Cuttlebug will suffice. It was a gift and for sentimental reasons it would be hard to replace.
I love both of your cards. The pink one is so sweet and feminine. The swing card left me with my jaw hanging open! I love the depth and texture you created. They are both so gorgeous.
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Beautiful! I love your floral and foliage creations. Thanks so much for the tutorials!
That’s great about your handle, a big Congrats to Kimberly what a fantastic prize 🙂
Both cards are just gorgeous, I so love your tree scene, Amazing!
These cards are simply georgous. Thank you forsharing. Iam trying to make same deccision
I’ve never used one of these machines before, which is best, is there a machine that can do all of the dies you can buy?
I’d hate to get a machine, go have a look at one a die in a shop that I love and then not be able to use it!!
Thanks Louisa,
PS. What would you use to make those cards they are so gorrrrrgeous!
Louisa