SIZZIX BIG SHOT!!

Some of you have asked me about the newest tool that Stampin' Up! has now added to their product line: the Big Shot!! So, I thought I'd just give you a little bit of info although I know that there is tons around, but you may not have seen it yet. You can click on the picture above to see some of the dies that will be available on September 2nd and some that will be offered in the Holiday Mini on October 1st.

The Big Shot is a die cutting machine, manufactured by Sizzix for Stampin' Up! It is not a new tool to the market, although I've heard that this design is slightly different than what you can purchase at your regular craft stores. Don't quote me on this, but I believe that Stampin' Up's tool is made out of one piece whereas the ones you can purchase at other stores is made in three pieces. This means less chance for breakage! The Big Shot is a nice stable platform. I do have a Cuttlebug and must admit that the Big Shot is easier to use. I don't have to fold down the flaps, it's stays stabler on the table, there's a handle on the top that is easy to grasp. The handle turns easily and the sandwiches are easy to make. If you don't know what I mean by a "sandwich", I mean that every die you run through the machine needs to be put between different items so as to protect the machine mechanisms as wells as allowing it to do it's desired function whether that's cutting or embossing. So, a large die, like the Top Note die, is about 3/4" thick whereas the Swirls die is about 1/4" thick. The instructions for making your sandwich are handily located on the materials to sandwich with!

Stampin' Up! will be offering this machine and accompanying dies in September, on the 2nd. There will be some dies that are completely exclusive to Stampin Up but there are also several that will be found in your regular craft stores. The Big Shot works with ALL competitive dies, and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials, including fabric, foil, and chipboard.

As to price, this machine is very competitively priced. I actually did some price comparisons with other competitors and found that our prices are considerably cheaper. Although we cannot compete with the 40% off coupons, you can't get hostess benefits from the others or a fabulous demonstrator to show you how it all works!! :-)