I have a confession to make. I've never owned a die-cut machine before. It's not that I haven't wanted one, I've simply been waiting for the "right" machine to reach the market. After four years of scrapbooking, the wait for the perfect die-cut machine is over. Well, ok..not perfect, but close. I've been anxiously awaiting the release of this machine. It's release date was pushed forward a few times. It was demonstrated at Winter CHA '08 and again at Summer CHA '08. There were rumors flying around about it's final release date. Would it be September? October? November? Finally, it started landing on store shelves a month or so ago, just in time for Christmas! I didn't buy it right away. I was skeptical. I waited for reviews and did some homework first. I wasn't really able to find "complaints" about the new machine. It's been receiving great reviews and of the many people I've been in contact with concerning the machine, all of them have told me that they love "The Slice". So, on Monday, while pondering what to get myself for Christmas, I decided to buy "The Slice". After bringing it home, I left the box unopened for the day. I was little intimidated by the machine. Laugh. It required the reading of a manual (which only ended up being a few pages) & the organizing of equipment necessary for using the machine (I was able to fit it all in a small size container that now sits on my desk). Once I found a two hour slot in my night schedule, I sat on my bed and opened the box. I reviewed the miniature manual and equipment. The following day, I let the unit charge (only takes an hour) and then experimented with it. Turns out, it's super easy to use and cuts beautifully and precisely! It not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. I love "The Slice". Below you'll find a few little items I put together using the new machine. I can hardly wait to use it on projects. Also, Making Memories has a "Why Slice?" website that is a great resource for Slice users. Ok, here's a few photos of what I accomplished with the machine (I wasn't really thinking too much about it either. The machine does all the hard work for you.)
I mounted my pattern paper on the glass mat using their removable liquid adhesive. (By the way, you don't need the brayer for this step as suggested by MM. Use the palm of your hand and rub it across the paper to make sure it's well adhered to the mat). I set the machine on my paper, selected a shape & size, and had the machine cut the shape from my paper. You can barely tell by looking at the photo above, but the shape has been cut already. Note photo below:
This is a must have tool for removing shapes from the sticky mat. I almost didn't purchase it, but I'm so thankful I did. It works like a charm and saves my fingers from having to come in contact with the adhesive on the glass mat.
I think one of the things that really impresses me about this machine is the detail of cutting that happens while the machine cuts the image from the paper. It's clean, crisp, and beautifully detailed.
Just for fun. I had to make something to show off this cool machine!
Endless combinations. Make your own personalized flowers, frames, & shape combination using this machine. You won't ever run out of options!
Overall, I'm glad I purchased "The Slice". It was worth the wait and I'm pleased with the it's overall performance. I'm looking forward to using the machine for projects in the very near future. If you already own "The Slice", please share what you've created using the machine!! Thanks ahead of time!
One word of warning about "The Slice"-it can be noisy. Actually, I've heard it's rather quiet in comparison to other die-cut machines..with Ethan sleeping only ten feet from me when the machine was in use, I was worried it was going to wake him up. Laugh.
Lastly, the first kit newsletter will go out this Friday!! I know, many of you have been waiting patiently for the first newsletter and I'm greatly appreciative of your time. I didn't want to release it "too soon" or "too late". The first week of December seemed the ideal option. In the newsletter, you'll find out how to purchase kits from my blog. It's going to be easy and paypal friendly. Kit quantities are going to be very limited for this first found of kits. My goal is to have the kits ready and available for purchase either early or mid-January. Find out more about the kits this Friday! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you haven't already! Thanks everyone!
