Welcome Back
Today’s post is a bit of a confession {blushes}. I’ve been a bit naughty and spent a fortune on a new gadget! This is the new Slice Elite from Making Memories.
My early Birthday pressie
Justification
- I love my Cuttlebug and Nesties but the prices are going up for Cuttlebug ‘food’. I love alphabets but they are so expensive.
- Great design cards, much nicer than the Provocraft cards (sorry but personal taste and all that).
- Upper and lower case alphabet plus elements in 7 sizes on each design card
- Add ons for Drawing and Embossing at a later date
- I’ve kept my eye on technology, and no one is doing an affordable version that will let me cut images from my own designs.
- In June I’ll be 40!
- My continuing pain from whiplash, is making the chance of a holiday this year a non starter.
- Got a great deal and didn’t pay full rrp on anything
Basically I felt somewhat fed up and when the going gets tough, the not so tough go shopping This has hammered my savings, so no chance of a holiday now, even if I wanted one. oops! I guess this year will be taking things slow and letting my crocked body heal. Lots of car bills will finish me off financially anyway!
Check out the links later in the article for the kind of things this Slice will do. I’ll have a play and once I’ve got the hang of this thing, I’ll share reviews and maybe if all goes well, some tutorials.
Links
For those wondering just what this is and how it works, check out the manufacturer’s website for inspiration and demos. Essentially the Slice is an electronic die cutting machine. It cuts designs from cards that you load into the back of the machine.
Best wishes and thanks for reading, see you soon
Billie
Hi Billie -
I’m so sorry you are still feeling pain. I’ll say a little prayer that you feel better soon.
I’ve been looking at the Cricut and and Slice information myself lately. My sister has a older Cricut which she has never used. I borrowed it back in December when she wanted me to make a large banner for my nephew’s graduation from Culinary School. I needed to make large letters for each pennant and I used the Cricut for it. Once I got the hang of it, it went quickly. And I’ve noticed that the cartridges have nicer designs now. Then I thought I’d look at the Slice too.
But I also like to cut chipboard and was not sure if either of the machines could cut it. I also don’t know if I would get much use out of them. I will be very interested to get your take on the Slice and see how you get along with it!
So go play, the sooner you play, the faster I get info – LOL! Only kidding sweetie.
Feel better.
Hugs,
Elaine
HI Elaine
As a friend of mine said if you have the money and like the cartridges you are probably better to go for the Cricut route as you then get even more options for size.
For my own use, I only make small cards so the limited size option hasn’t proved a problem and this is a much smaller gadget to store away, the Cricuts are as big as a printer and noisy too. The Cricut also has a lot more consumables with the mats.
The Slice uses a glass mat, which might wear the cutter quicker over time, but I’m only using it occassionaly for words/numbers so its not getting heavy use. I think I need to put more adhesive on the mat and perhaps I wouldn’t have as many problems with the card moving.
Getting the blade to cut perfect registration seems an issue, there is a little bird on a branch that I most wanted and in several sizes the blade crosses itself and cuts off half the branch and one of the birds legs
When I only want the odd thing here and there and I’m limited on cardstocks I’m not enjoying this lack of reliablilitiy. NOt sure if its the machine or something I haven’t learnt to do yet.
Shame there wasn’t an instructional DVD with it. Theres tutorials on line but you have to be online to view them
I think this will be a slow burn for me to love it.
hugs
Billie {born without patience}
I just love your justifications
Why do we feel the need to justify our spending?
You need to spend time letting your body heal and this is a good way to help the healing process
Well that’s my reasoning and I’m not going to apologise for it!
40
You are just a baby yet 
I beat you by 15 years and have the white hairs to prove it!
Enjoy your new machine and hope it lives up to your expectations.
Hugs
Lynn xx
Hi Lynn
I guess I’m rubbish at patience on all fronts eh? I want to be better to play so end up rushing to do things when perhaps resting up would have been wiser DOH.
Still on a learning curve with this gadet, hope I’ve got the patience to learn it rather than just resigning it to the cupboard.
Hugs
Billie
Been watching Sheena on C&C ohh that paint fusion looks fun! Sitting on my hands as have no funds after all this lot!
Oh you should see my wish list
It is two A4 pages at the moment and there seem to be masses of bargains out there too 
Still as I’m not working just now and limited income not a lot I can do about it until we sell the house. Rod keeps telling me that there will be plenty of bargains in the future but, like you, I don’t have much patience .
Oh don’t resign it to the cupboard just yet. There must be someone who can give you information on it. Have you looked on Splitcoast Stamper forum? They have a forum for all types of cutting machines.
If I watched Sheena I’d be sitting on my hands too
Luckily we haven’t got a television!
Hugs
Lynn x
Ohh noooo my resolve didn’t last long :0
I tuned in to C&C (when will I learn) and there was limited stocks on Sheena’s new painting DVD& kit. I missed the Pick of the Week set but went for the single sheet of stamps with the DVD.
I had a little go of her ideas with my Golden Fluid acrylic paint, which worked ok, so I’ll try that first. I’d rather have paint I can use for lots of things rather than just that if I can.
I guess sitting on my hands didn’t work, if I’m serious about not spending I’ll have to give the laptop to DH. Only problem then is, how do I blog
Of to take photos of projects while the suns out
have a good day everyone
Billie
you shouldn’t feel naughty for buying this.So it may have cost you many moneys but look at it this way
think about how much you really wanted it,what you can do with it and how long it will last and also you will make many wonderful items with this.
I think it’s worth it on the long run =)
many loves and hugs
x x x ldearts x x x
Hiya
Yes you are right, once my bank account gets over the lack of funds I’ll be able to enjoy it more
In the longer term the cards will be a cheaper way of collecting lots of options for alphabets in many sizes. Which was the main reason I went for it. Once I get the hang of using it, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine 
Best wishes and thanks
Billie
Great post Billie… I’ll be looking out for your ongoing posts about the Slice. Feel better mate!
Billie I was perusing the Splitcoast Stampers forum last night and in the Tool and Product Talk section there is a whole host on The Slice. Some of the talk was about the problems you were having and in some cases some of the people had sent their machines back to Making Memories where they were repaired or replaced – although I don’t suppose that is an option here unless there is a UK based MM.
Quite a few of them were suggesting that cans of repositional glue (similar to that sold under the Crafters Companion label) was better than the glue supplied. Other suggesions included buying a 12 x 12 glass cutting mat.
Loads of helpful advice there
Hugs
Lynn x
Hi Lynn
Ohh thanks for that. Please could you send me a link for where you found that info? Yes a friend of mine says she uses Sara’s Stick n Spray too, perhaps that would be better.
Thanks for looking it up for me
Billie x
Hey Lynn
Was this the thread you meant on SCS http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/tool-product-talk-f128/slice-faq-t466773.html Its FAQ on the Slice. As you say lots of very suseful advice on there.
Thanks for the heads up
Best wishes
Billie
That’s the one Billie. Seems a very useful lot of information on there, takes some reading through though
Hope it helps you.
Hugs
Lynn xx
Hi Lynn
Yes it helps lots, thanks
will settle down with a cuppa and have a good read
Billie
Hope your not in so much pain now..
You won’t be disappointed in your buy, i loved my original slice so much i upgraded to the elite lol and the hands free mat is awesome.
Hi Minxy
Thanks for stopping by
I managed to crock my back again doing something daft. (Must learn I’m no longer 12!) Have got plans to get the Slice back out of the cupboard, watch ever tutorial on the Why Slice site and see if I can get this thing working nicely. I think I may need to try some of the crafters Companion Stick n spray on the glass mat, several people have suggested that, so its worth a go.
luv n inkiness
Billie