Tuesday 17 April 2012

Cool Die-Cutting Storage Idea & Die-Cutting Advice Needed :)





I found this online HERE and I think this is really one pretty cool idea...




It doesn't come cheap...but then what does?!

And shipping would be expensive too as it looks bulky...
BUT isn't it just perfect for storing dies?  
No more unpacking from the original packaging each 
and every time I want to use them and everything safely in one place...
It says it comes with 3 magnetic sheets but can hold up to 21...
 I have NO IDEA where I would get the magnetic sheets separately, do you?

Die-cutting is relatively new to me & I am still finding
 my way around the different dies available. I put off buying 
a die-cutting machine for SEVEN YEARS and finally
gave in and bought myself a BIG SHOT last year.

 From what I see - 
 so far I like Sizzix, Tim Holtz, Spellbinders,
 Cheery Lynn Designs and My Favourite Things 
(did I leave anyone out?)
but trying to find everything together at one online store is 
NOT EASY!

So please can you help me out and answer 
ANY OR ALL of these questions...

1.  What die-cutting machine do you own (and how do you like it?)

2.  About how many packs of dies do you own?
 (trying to justify my future spending here...)

3.  Where do you shop for your dies & which ones do you like?

THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance for your help!!





16 comments:

Vicki said...

I got a Cuttlebug initially just for embossing as I have a Cricut machine. Now though, I buy Spellbinders and Cherry Lynn dies for the Cuttlebug. Once you start though its neverending. LOL. I tend to buy mostly alphas and things I can't get in the dies for the Cricut. No point in doubling up. :)

FiKenward said...

This sounds great Helen, have you tried the nestibilities storage yet? I have the magnetic sheets but everything falls off when you pick them up, well not everything but the larger ones. They have a storage folder but they are always out of stock wondering what they would be like. But this looks great because its would all be secure in its own container.

Anita Tillman said...

I started with a cuttlebug but soon moved to a bigshot as it handles thicker chipboard, fabric, felt etc a little better.. I also have a cricut but have only had it out of the box for a short time ... just not right for me as I need thick and chunky cuts... I have lots and lots of dies but lately my faves are MFT (My favourite things) ... so sweet and you can get matching stamp sets which I like... welcome to the next addiction! xoxo

Lisa Amiet said...

Hi Helen,well I have lots of dies, probably about 20 at least :) Because I'm on the design team for Fancy That dies I get lots, I have a big shot, which I love....but as to the storage of the dies, I have seen this folder before but decided yep too expensive and the shipping to Aus WOO no way I'm paying that. So what I did was bought a folder that closes like that for $2 from the cheap shop where I also bought some magnetic P plates that you have to display on your car here when you are on a provisional license, not sure if you guys have anything like these but they are about 15cm square and all magent, a pkt of 2 cost $2. I stuck all my dies to these, put them in the folder and now I can see all my dies whenever I open it, allnice and neat. Hope this helps... I LOVE my dies, check out the papercraft hub here in Aus, they have heaps...lots of brands and I think the post is quite reasonable. xoxo

Alanna said...

I saw this artbin storage recently too, but it is quite pricey! I'm sure I saw the extra sheets on the same site, so maybe just ask around at stores that sell the storage, I'm sure they'd have to get the extra sheets in too! I decided against it just because of price.

I've just recently re-organised my own dies and will be doing a blog post shortly. I never really had a storage for them, they just kind of went whereever. Now, I'm storing them on magnets in CD cases. Stay tuned over at my blog for more info! ;)

I have a cuttlebug and a cricut. Boyfriend bought me the cricut in September last year and I haven't really worked out how to use it, but I have about 6 cartridges. I have had the cuttlebug for about 18 months maybe? I never used to use it that much but have been using it more so now that I've discovered some amazing dies. I am loving spellbinders at the moment for the layering effect. I purchased a bulk lot of some cheaper shaped dies about 4 months ago, and they're great, but I prefer the nestabilities for the layering ability. Slowly increasing my stash of those, but at $25 a pop, they're not the cheapest things around.

I have probably about 30 dies at the moment... love Spellbinders and MFT mainly.

I buy some of my dies from online shops here in Aus, and my LSS, but I am also a fan of the US site "Simon Says Stamp" as they have a lot of things for cheaper than I can get here in Aus. Me and my friend place an order every couple of months or so, and with our combined purchases, we normally reach the "free postage" limit. Used to be $300, but now I think they've increased it to $350 for international orders. Not sure if you've heard of that site, but you'll love it if you're anything like me! If you can hold off (the hardest part!) when you see something you love, and then place an order when you've got $350 in your cart, it's well worth it!

Hope this helps, and looking forward to seeing what die solution you come up with! I love posts like this, and will be back to check out the opinions of your other readers soon!

Sorry for the super long post!

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

I have a spellbinders and a cricut...and I loveeeeeeeeee my spellbinders the best!! And my friend Krista has an AWESOME way to store her dies!! I don't know if you have them over there... but we have fabric zipper binders... (they sometimes call them CD wallets... ) that normally hold CD's... but instead she puts her dies in them... and then labels the plastic sleeve so she knows what dies they are etc etc etc... here is one like it... http://www.supermediastore.com/product/u/cd-wallet-200-disc-blue-cross-design-sn12200bl?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=productAds&utm_term={keyword}&utm_content=pla&gclid=CJed-qHouq8CFSoGRQod1w0Nkg

yyam said...

I have a Cuttlebug. Which I got primarily for embossing. I like that it's compact and can take all dies. I don't have many dies though...some sizzix and spellbinder dies (all gifts) so I just store them in the same box as the machine. Most of the time, I borrow dies from a local friend [she has everything!] because I get bored using the same design. I would say buy dies you really really love. Spellbinders are great because they don't take up a lot of space.

Michelle said...

I too was going to suggest CD storage as Julie did. I only have 2 sets of spellbinders dies from my DT stint with Imaginisce for a product swap. I have a Cricut and the very old guillotine Sizzix machine from about 12+ years ago. I just recently upgraded to a Cuttlebug as they were on a good sale. I am not sure where to purchase all the great dies. I would like to know that one too. :) I have mostly embossing folders. My old sizzix dies are not ones I would use now. I have since sold them off.

tania said...

hi helen!! i also started off with the cuttelbug,but I like its embossing features best and then I have a Cricut,which i bought with a deep cutting blade which enables you to cut chipboard:)

Mitralee said...

Great post, interesting ideas. I know you know what I have! ;-) Never thought much about storage, those magnetic things look interesting...but then I have a lot of cases already...

Unknown said...

I have no advice on this..I have a cricut and big shot. As I've told you I am a hoarder. I've never used my big shot. I have 10 dies and it is still in its packaging. I buy my dies at Hobby Lobby, I get 40% off coupon, good for 1 item. So I can go there everyday and just keep using the coupon. My cricut, I don't like anymore. It's temperamental.

I have a cubby for all my dies and cartridges.

when you make a project using your dies..show me ok?..I may decide to open one of those and actually get motivated and use them.

Lan said...

Hi Helen, I have a cuttlebug and a cricut machine. I just recently purchased some magnetic sheets from orientaltrading.com to organize my dies. Let me know if you are going that route, I can send you some of my extras. I only have a handful of dies maybe 15 or so? I have the spellbinders and papertreyink dies. I love the layering on the spellbinders and the matching stamp sets for the PTI.

Bellaidea said...

I have BS, NEVER used...I know....

CathQuillScrap said...

I got a cuttlebug... have a few embossing plates but I've never used them. I mainly use it for cutting alphas and circles... love my dies for those.... I got a whole bunch of Sizzix dies from a friend which have really made this machine a fav. I don't have any other one so can't compare them.

As for storage.... I have my dies in their original packaging just put into an old ice-cream container... works for me... all the sizzix ones are in their original storage things too... they all sit on a shelf together.

Good luck with all your decision making.

ps - reading this post I never realised there were soooooooo many different die manufacturers.... will need to investigate some of them.

Lynette Jacobs said...

I have the Revolution with the 12 inch platform as an extra to cut borders. Most of the dies can be used as long as it is not wider than 4 inches.

Eila Sandberg said...

Crikey Helen, this is really interesting reading! so much information, have got a few things to check out for sure. Thanks ever so much for your post! Building up a stash nice and slowly is good advise.xoxox