Scrapbook Blog

Lately, I have been making many posts about the prices of Cricut cartridges….mainly because that is what I have been shopping for.  When I find great prices, I like to share that info.  But, I have also been doing some major “spring cleaning (in the fall, I know)” of my scrapbook room.  I have so many types of materials to use when I scrapbook.  I am moving beyond some of these items now that I am using my Cricut.  Here are my thoughts on some of these materials…..

Stamps:  I have A LOT of Stampin’ Up! stamp sets that I have loved in the past.  I make my Christmas cards every year with some sort of stamp theme, and I always get rave reviews.   I have always kept all the stamps and added them to my collection.  And I have purchased a lot of stamps intending to use them in my scrapbooking.  However, these do take up a ton of space.  And how often do I use them?  The truth is that they mostly gather dust.  I do have certain sets that I love to use, so I will keep them.  I like to have different types of material in my scrapbooks, so stamping here and there helps me mix it up a bit, but I have decided to get rid of about 50% of my stamps.  These stamps really do hold their value well, and I have found that they will fetch a pretty penny on eBay.  LOVELY…..now I can buy more Cricut cartridges!  My hubby has been complaining because I have been spending quite a bit on Cricut cartridges, but I just explained to him that I’m simply trading up.

Sizzix:  One of my most modes of die-cutting is going to be outdated soon.  I have a ton of Sizzix items, and I am not yet ready to get rid of all of it, but it is time to be realistic.  If I have a shape that is also on a Cricut Cartridge, then it is time for it to go.  Sizzix also takes up a ton of space (when you have as much as I have managed to collect over the years).  Here are a positive though…..the Sizzix or Ellison Decorative Strips.  They make a nice 12 inch border….and that is something the Cricut does not do, my friend.  These are worth the investment.

Brads and Eyelets:  I love these, but just am unsure if they will do damage to the pictures (when a scrapbook lays on its side for years) or pages over time.  I guess time will tell on these, but I am not investing too much in these types of decorations, and I am using them very sparingly.

Shape Makers and Punches:  Really, the same thing.  I have sooooo many of these.  A complete table in my scrapbook room is covered with punches.  Now that I have the Cricut and Cricut is releasing so many cool cartridges, I am getting rid of the punches if they duplicate what is on a Cricut Cartridge.  However, there are some I would never get rid of.  The basic shapes…..circles, squares, etc.  I am partial to the Creative Memories Shape Makers that are sized for stacking.  These are so handy.  You can buy comparable sized punches at craft stores that do the same job.  I love to take extra scraps of paper, and just punch out squares, circles, stars, whatever….in stackable shapes.  I store these in a nifty container to use on future pages.  I should do a post about that.  Anyway, I would keep my basic shape punches no matter what.  But my dragonfly punch is going.

Overall, I have to say that what is contained in one little Cricut cartridge, the size of the Cricut cartridge, and the ability to do so many different sizes of each item makes me think I want to spend my money there and get rid of some of these other items.  Not totally, but gradually reducing.  I have been getting these cartridges for around $40 or $50.  Think about it….a Sizzix Alphabet is more than that.  It takes up a ton of space, and only cuts in one size.  I guess you could call me a “Cricut Convert.”

Some pretty sweet alphabet sets! Here’s the link!

There have been rumors that Sizzix is on it’s way out. However, there has been a buyout of the company (from what I’ve heard), or they bought out a company….or something like that….but there has been some sort of restructuring anyway which I see as a positive sign they may stick around. However, my concern is that stores may no longer carry the Sizzix items. I talked to someone at www.creativexpress.com, and she told me that this company will only carry Sizzix items through September. Hobby Lobby, a massive craft store in the Midwest no longer carries Sizzix now. These stores are stocking newer items like the Cricut in the place of Sizzix. I own Sizzix and Cricut and find that I like them both for different reasons and uses. However, I am taking the “get it while you can” approach to Sizzix items. I have noticed huge clearances on these products and am taking advantage of the sales just in case it is the last of Sizzix.

There are some great Sizzix Clearance Sales going on out there right now.   

CreativeXpress.com has these on sale.  They also have the best prices on the Sizzix Machine (29.98)  and the Sizzix Sidekick (18.56).   They will also pricematch!  A quick note though….you have to search through the site several ways in order to find all the items.  Do a search for “Sizzix” on their page, but also look by category. Here is the link to the Sizzix stuff.

Sizzix.com also has some MAJOR Clearance prices right now.  I got dies for just a couple of bucks each.  These were the big red ones too!  Make sure you look through the Ellison stuff also.  Those dies will work in your machines when you use an adapter.  Here is the link to their sales.