Cherry Bing
A couple of weeks ago I posted a question about embossing machines, specifically, the Cuttlebug. I have a Cricut and do like it, but it doesn't do embossing. I'm still very undecided. I adore the Sizzix cuts and Anna Griffin embosses and die cuts. My first question, what is the difference between the Cuttlebug and the Cricut V2 machine? I'm also pretty much out of storage space in my craft room, how much room do all the dies, folders, plates etc take up? The machine itself doesn't look too big. Any help, suggestions, critiques would really be appreciated. I feel confused as to how they work, how much other stuff you have to buy to buy to get them to work etc. Thank you.
Cherry Jubilee
I am sorry, I can't help. I have tried embossing, with powders and a heat gun, but I know it will take me lots of practice!!! A machine would be a real handy way. Hope you get some input here.
Susan 
Cherry Picker
What I did was look at the dies that I liked the most....for me that was the Tim Holtz line...and I purchased the machine that I could use those dies with.
Since I didn't want to spend $200 for the Tim Holtz machine, I opted for the Big Shot, which works with his line of dies as well as the embossing folders.
Since I didn't want to spend $200 for the Tim Holtz machine, I opted for the Big Shot, which works with his line of dies as well as the embossing folders.
Cherry Garcia
I have the Sizzix Big Shot...which embosses...and I really like it. I don't know about the other machines because I don't have them. I usually buy dies when they are on sale or I have a coupon. As far as storage, they take up a little space depending on how many dies you have. The machine itself is really pretty small.
Chocolate Covered Cherry
Let me throw this up for thought.
Look at the We R Memory Keepers Evolution Advanced. I bought this last month on HSH. It does cut all dies on the market and will emboss with all embossing folders.
The difference between the Cuttlebug and Cricut V2, these are not comparable. The cuttlebut is a manual device. the Cricut V2 I assume is the Cricut Expresson Version 2 and that is just an enhanced version of the original expression.
Look at the We R Memory Keepers Evolution Advanced. I bought this last month on HSH. It does cut all dies on the market and will emboss with all embossing folders.
The difference between the Cuttlebug and Cricut V2, these are not comparable. The cuttlebut is a manual device. the Cricut V2 I assume is the Cricut Expresson Version 2 and that is just an enhanced version of the original expression.
Janie
Live long, laugh often, hug someone.
Live long, laugh often, hug someone.
Cherry Cropper
I love my Cricut and have a Sizzix Texture Boutique. It uses A2 embossing folders (front of a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card). It works great and doesn't take up much space. I got it, because it was economical, and I didn't think I needed anything else that would cut, since I LOVE my Cricut. But since so many stamp companies are coming out with stamps and coordinating wafer thin dies, I'm about to purchase a Big Shot, hopefully at half price through a Stampin' Up! workshop. I have also seen some cool tutorials on how to make a swing card with any small die.
Sorry, I can't compare the Cuttlebugs for you, but I would go with a Big Shot and you would get the platform and cutting pads you'd need to get started. Then you could do everything with it, instead of buying something smaller, then wishing you had a machine that did so much more.
Sorry, I can't compare the Cuttlebugs for you, but I would go with a Big Shot and you would get the platform and cutting pads you'd need to get started. Then you could do everything with it, instead of buying something smaller, then wishing you had a machine that did so much more.
Kim
Cherry Tart
I sold my Cuttlebug and bought a Big Shot, and have never regretted it. Love my Big Shot! I would also recommend the Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot to use with the thin metal dies 
Cherry Bing
ScrapmarinerI sold my Cuttlebug and bought a Big Shot, and have never regretted it. Love my Big Shot! I would also recommend the Magnetic Platform for the Big Shot to use with the thin metal dies
Can you tell me why you sold the Cuttlebug and switched? I love the Anna Griffin dies from what I have seen the most, and I've heard it uses other dies/embossing folders, what's the biggest difference to you between the Cuttlebug & Big Shot? Thank you so much.
Chocolate Covered Cherry
I bypassed the Cuttlebug right away in 2008 when I purchased the Quickutz Revolution. I loved the machine from the start. It still is a great machine and I love it.
There are two types of manual machines. One has a sandwich system and the other a single plate system. If the machine has a sandwich system they can take the thicker dies like the Tim Holtz and waffer dies which what Anna Griffin has.
I had decided the next die machine I will buy is the WRMK Evolution Advanced when they introduce the package with the motor next time on HSN. Why is because I trust the design and workmanship. Quikutz was purchased by Lifestyle Crafts then WRMK and now owned by American Crafts. The Evolution can take all dies.
The reason I bypassed the Cricuit is the roller in the machine can cause some flaws in cutting an image with some dies. Barb ran into that problem with her Cricuit earlier this year and couldn't cut the detailed Cottage Kutz Dies where my Revolution breezes through with them. She had to shim the wafer dies and still wasn't happy with the cut on one of her dies. The difference is the Revolution has metal roller. Now with all that said the Revolution as great a machine as it is, is no longer supported by WRMK. There is a secondary market that supports the Quickutz Revolution and Epic 6 for your cutting and embossing mats. What I also like about the Evolution is it has Letter Press ability as well as the ability to change the cutting pressure on the roller to cut. Now motorized to if you wish to add the motor. A huge plus for me since I'm in mid-50's and might not be able to crank as easily as I do now in ten years. There are just some things where I am not a fan of technology. I do not want an electronic machine although the Brother Scan & Cut really intrigues me for the sole purpose of preserving my handwriting....waiting for second generation to see if they fix some of the issues the machine has.
Personally it boils down to do you want to make a one time purchase in a lifetime or multiple purchases. I am that one time person. I want the wider base but will still use my Revolution, too! I have way to many friends who are on their second or third Cricut. When they needed to purchase that second Cricut they already spent more then I spent on my Revolution.
I will say one more thing. Those who have purchased the Big Shot have loved it!!!
There are two types of manual machines. One has a sandwich system and the other a single plate system. If the machine has a sandwich system they can take the thicker dies like the Tim Holtz and waffer dies which what Anna Griffin has.
I had decided the next die machine I will buy is the WRMK Evolution Advanced when they introduce the package with the motor next time on HSN. Why is because I trust the design and workmanship. Quikutz was purchased by Lifestyle Crafts then WRMK and now owned by American Crafts. The Evolution can take all dies.
The reason I bypassed the Cricuit is the roller in the machine can cause some flaws in cutting an image with some dies. Barb ran into that problem with her Cricuit earlier this year and couldn't cut the detailed Cottage Kutz Dies where my Revolution breezes through with them. She had to shim the wafer dies and still wasn't happy with the cut on one of her dies. The difference is the Revolution has metal roller. Now with all that said the Revolution as great a machine as it is, is no longer supported by WRMK. There is a secondary market that supports the Quickutz Revolution and Epic 6 for your cutting and embossing mats. What I also like about the Evolution is it has Letter Press ability as well as the ability to change the cutting pressure on the roller to cut. Now motorized to if you wish to add the motor. A huge plus for me since I'm in mid-50's and might not be able to crank as easily as I do now in ten years. There are just some things where I am not a fan of technology. I do not want an electronic machine although the Brother Scan & Cut really intrigues me for the sole purpose of preserving my handwriting....waiting for second generation to see if they fix some of the issues the machine has.
Personally it boils down to do you want to make a one time purchase in a lifetime or multiple purchases. I am that one time person. I want the wider base but will still use my Revolution, too! I have way to many friends who are on their second or third Cricut. When they needed to purchase that second Cricut they already spent more then I spent on my Revolution.
I will say one more thing. Those who have purchased the Big Shot have loved it!!!
Cherry Bing
Would the Big Shot handle most brands of embossing folders or die cuts? I am extremely confused at this point!
Bowl Full of Cherries
I love my Big Shot. I have had both the Cuttlebug and the Big Shot. I use the Big Shot solely now. The Big Shot takes all dies on the market. It has simple directions printed right on the platforms. It is quite strong. It will cut or thin metal, chipboard and paper. I find that it does everything I need for embossing or cutting out manual diecuts. I have a Silhouette Cameo that I use for electronic diecuts.
Cherry Addict
I am also a Big Shot fan. I bought my electric version from QVC years ago when they still had scrapbooking shows . I love that I can cut and emboss using the same machine.
As long as you have the correct platforms, I haven't found any manufacture that I can't use.
As long as you have the correct platforms, I haven't found any manufacture that I can't use.
Cherry Bomb
If space is an issue, I would suggest getting the cuttlebug. It folds up and takes up lot less room than the big shot. I don't know about the others. When you ask the difference between a cuttlebug and a cricut v2, I think they are the same thing. The cuttlebug v2 is just the newest updated version of a cuttlebug. I don't think you'll regret buying one, really no matter what you get.
Melissa
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