Hello again, I would like to know if any of you have the Sidekick? Do you like it? Does it work well? and what dies would you recommend getting to start off? I don't want to buy a full size machine, since I can go my favorite craft store and use theirs along with the bigger dies they have, so the sidekick sounded like something for me, but I am curious to know how well people that own it like it. Also curious about the Xyron, I have the little sticker maker, the 150, (I think) but I want to get the 510 to use with the sidekick's die cuts. Anyone use these? Can you give me some reviews so I don't buy something I am going to hate...
A lot of people have posted their likes and dislikes in the past, but I hope that everyone will take the time to give their verdict again here in this thread.
Like it, hate it, why and if you like it your top 5 dies (and alpha set counts as one). If someone can volunteer to compile the answers, I'll post that to the website as well and next time we can point the person in that direction as well as tell them what our latest opinion is. AFTER we/ve done the sidekick, so as not to confuse the issues, we should do top 3 die cut systems. I'll expand our scrapbooking 101 section to add all this info.
Here is my answer
Like: YES Why: It is light, inexpensive and easy to use. So far I haven't had a problem with it (some people had the mats break but they were replaced immediately by the company) and they are comming out with an adapter which should help people who don't like the QK handle:
From the Sizzix websitre: Sizzix Adapter With the Sizzix Adapter, crafters can get even more creative use out of their Sizzix machines. For the first-time ever, crafters will be able to use other brands of wafer-thin dies with both their Sizzix Machine and Sidekick. Ten adapters will come in each package. Available Spring 2005.
Dies: Script Alphabet Funky brush set (it's on my wish list) Sizzlits - doodle Dies Christmas Set by doodlebug Sizzlits - doodle Dies Baby Set by doodlebug Sizzlits - doodle Dies Bug Set by doodlebug
I note that M-C would like to include the info on the Sidekick on the website and I have replied saying I am willing to compile if that is okay with everyone else. Don't want to tread on toes, so if someone else wants to do it just say....I will back out gracefully :o)
My view on the Sidekick...I got my Sidekick free with a magazine subscription in the UK....personally I don't think it is good value for money...remember I am talking here in the UK. I don't think that I would have bought it for about £32.95!!!!
On the groups/boards I frequent, there was a lot of disappointment that the cutting pads were breaking after very little use, sometimes on first use. Sizzix said that there had been a faulty batch of acrylic and the cutting pads were being replaced fairly quickly as M-C has already reported in another post. After having mine's for weeks I decided that I should get it out and try it or I might not get replacement pads if mine were faulty. Guess what?....my pads broke first time :o( I emailed Sizzix US, they apologised and forwarded my email to Sizzix European Div for attention...they emailed me next day apologising some more, asked for snail mail addy and I had my new plates delivered next day. Have to give them top marks for good customer service and prompt replacement. Haven't had the courage to try the new pads yet and that was about three weeks ago...LOL
With regard to the machine itself, it is portable and easy to use.....so that is a plus! Probably much easier for people with manual dexterity problems. I only have the dies that came with the machine and they are cute and dinky, flower, heart, stars, little tag, etc. No die recommendations from me as the available ones I wouldn't use!! I think I would use it more in the card-making side than in scrapbooking due to the size of some of the die-cuts.
Personally, I have a large die-cutting machine and the converter, so I could use Sizzlets dies in that if I wanted too! I feel that the Sizzlets available are too cutesy and I don't really do cutesy...LOL I don't have any alphabet dies either...IMO they are way too expensive and although I would love them I couldn't justify the outlay at close to £100.00 here. I use the PC, stickers or rubber stamps for titles.
Regards the Xyron 510, I use mine's very occasionally but I am not one of Xyron's greatest fans as I find things lift again.....but I generally use double mats of cardstock, not paper, so I need something stronger and more reliable It is good for sticker making and for applying adhesive to things like vellums, page borders or smaller photo mats. I am still using the repositionable cartridge it came with and I have had it nearly two years, so I think that says it all. I must be honest I prefer a thick, wet glue and I seem to have a knack for not over applying.
I can't help with the die cut machines. I have none and can't bring myself to buy one. I don't use enough die cuts to have something else to store. I do have a couple generic punches that I seldom use. Although I believe it was the ZAZ did tempt me... it was purple. hehehe
I don't have a Sidekick, but I do have a Sizzix. So I don't think I can help with the Sidekick question. Although, having the portability could be a huge plus. LOL If I found myself having to take my Sizzix & dies with me, and doing it frequently, I would probably invest in the Sidekick.
As for top 5 dies...in no particular order
Playground Alpha (I gotta get it!!)
Butterfly #3 (just got it last week, and I love the fact that I can use the hearts from the wings!)
Seasonal collection (don't have it, but want it)
Sizzlits Zoo set (another on my wish list, we LIKE zoos!)
Lollipop Alpha & numbers (both upper & lower case, of course..again, I don't have it, but I want it!)
I bought a side-kick with an alphabet font set and ended up returning the items to Michaels. I didn't have a problem with product quality. For me the process of cutting out die cut letters became tedious very quickly. I did not enjoy the time consuming tasks of trimming the paper to the size of the die cut and then running the die cut and paper through the sidekick.
I've been *considering* a QuickKutz for the simple fact you don't have to trim paper before cutting but the expense of the alpha fonts is holding me back.
Well Have been reading these to keep myself up to date with the posts, and I ended up buying a sidekick and 4 sets of dies on ebay. I found one for 34.99 NIB, and 4 different sets, for 35.00. I think it was a steel! But the sets I got were, Love Doodle, Doodle Bug, Buttons, and the Zoo one. I think these will be great for making cards and adding things to pages. I do allot of stacking and paper cutting so this should be helpful!
Also I have the fiskars cutting set, so it was making me think, The shape templates at pretty much die cuts in themselves so I made sure to get dies I don't have in the shape cutter templates. I like the shapecutter, but for some reason I never can cut things right. Makes me mad. My mother has the Coluzzle set, most of the templates, and we share sets because hers does good frames and mats for pictures. I use ALOT of rubber stamps and alpha stamps so the dies I will be buying will most likely not be alpha. Plus I draw the letters myself and cut them out or just draw on a mat and attach. I can find just about any Stamp at Stamplistic, my local store! They have EVERY stamp you can think of! If anyone is ever looking for a particular, let me know, if I can get it from there I would be more than happy to buy and send it out to you, with receipt and all, and you could return payment when you get it. It takes trust, but I see you are a close nit groupl, and am more than willing to join in on this family of crafting!
I dont think I like the Sidekick but I've not had it long yet so am still waiting to be converted At the moment I find I need three hands to use it and the sandwiching the plates with whatever is a pain in the whatsit.
The only dies I have at the moment apart from the 2 that come with it are the fruit smoothie alphabet whcih I really like.
In hindsight I wish I had got the QK before cos then I would have used the money I spent on the Sidekick and alphabet on dies for the QK.
I have tried the big Sizzix and I like that too, I just like the portability and flexibility of the cutting with the QK but then I have good arm muscles.
As for the Xyron, I only have the 150 and havent had it long but I dont think I will use it for much since I find I waste a lot of the tape using it, but maybe thats inexperience. :-)
I have the big sizzix. I don't have the sidekick. I don't think I would by it either. I have heard a lot a negative comments on it. All my dies are for the original. So I wouldn't be able to use them in the sidekick. The only bad thing about the sizzix is its heavy and not easy to take around it you are going to someone's house.
I've been *considering* a QuickKutz for the simple fact you don't have to trim paper before cutting but the expense of the alpha fonts is holding me back.
Glad to see that you have been well and truly enabled already....LOL I had to laugh when you said you have the Shapecutter...and have problems cutting with it. I bought the oval shapecutter when I started out papercrafting and have NEVER had a successful cut yet. I have heard that the Coluzzle is much better though. Marilyn
I have a side kick and have done everyone of my sizzlits in it...have every set but the shells...gettting them though. I Have "Girls are Weird" alphha..... I have over 100 quickutz and 3-4 alphabet. I have just the right shim made for the sidekick and use my quickuts in there also.... I love my little sidekick.... My pads have almost had it by now. I just noticed after
2 months of constant use that it has a crack in it. Its still hanging in there though.
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.