I have been getting emails from our mad Cropper readers asking what the best die cutting machine is.
Personally, it really depends on what you’d be comfortable with. Sammy Deortha at Ezine Articles did a research comparing die cutting machines.
If you are considering buying a cutting machine to enhance your crafting projects, you have probably noticed there are a wide variety of machines from which to choose. How do you decide which machine will be the best for you? Price, of course, is the biggest determining factor, but where do you go after that? Do you want a manual machine or …read more

Halloween is just around the corner and are you keen to add something special to your halloween decor? I picked up this idea from Making Memories from the Spellbound Collection and using Slice Cordless Design Digital Cutter. Happy decor making!
To create this project, do the following:
1. Cut a 8.5” x 8.5” piece of Making Memories’ Spellbound glitter dot black paper and use the Slice to cut a 3-inch pumpkin (from the Spellbound Design Card) on the bottom right corner. Fold the paper in half.
2. Cut a 4.25” x 8.5” piece of Making Memories’ Spellbound orange brocade paper and adhere it …read more

The Pioneer Scrapbook Binding System is a cool product. It doesn’t look much but based on the reviews I read in Scrapbook.com, I think it’s a must have rather than a ‘nice to have’. I have post-bound scrapbooks and they can be a pain sometimes if my layouts are bulky because of the embellishments.
Here’s an example of a customer raving about this product:

These little peices of plastic are absolutely the best! No more messing with screwdrivers and adding extension posts with the Snap Load bindings. Once you replace your posts with this product, your pages will lay better, turn better …read more

A Mad Cropper reader, Cae is asking how to use her Provo Craft Silent Setter as her setter didn’t come with instructions. She says:

cae
Jul 10, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I need some instruction in how to use my silent setter. It came with no instructions. I’ve figured out how to make a hole punch but I can’t make the eyelets work. Help!!
I’ve found instructions from About.com, hope this helps!

Step 1) Place the item you wish to apply an eyelet to on the cutting mat provided in the tool kit.
Step 2) Insert the size hole tip that matches your eyelet size into …read more

**STICKY: Have you checked out Mad Cropper’s latest contest yet?**
If you want to promote your design team calls, contest, challenges or anything scrapbook-related, drop me a line at christine@b5media.com

I was browsing through my favourite scrapbooking sites and found this portable scrapbooking table by Scrap-N-Stow.
It retails for $189.95 but looks oh so good to have! This is especially good for croppers out there that do not have a dedicated scrapbook space in your home. This might be the answer to your prayers!
According to the site,

Table Top Compartments are sized specifically to hold your scrapbooking tools and materials.
Spacious work area (52″ …read more

Revolution Die Cutter: Black
One of our Mad Cropper readers emailed me asking where she can buy a Quickutz Die Cutter. You can buy it at Camera World. Just click on the image above and it should take you directly to the site.
Product Description:
The sleek Revolution tool creates cutting edge QuicKutz designs in a snap! Larger 4″ dies snap into place on a magnetic platform and spin through the Revolution to create BIG die cut letters, shapes, and ShortKutz phrases! Revolution dies are durable, lightweight, and thinner than a credit card. The Revolution tool is also durable and compact with a …read more

Still looking for that craft cutter that you can invest in? Do you think it’s the Quickutz Silhouette?
The Quickutz Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter is designed for crafters who:
*Have a PC with Windows 2000 or XP
*Have an internet connection
*Want to cut out Quickutz designs and computer fonts in multiple sizes
*Don’t want to worry about cartridges or CDs
*Want to explore advanced features of digital craft cutting
Have you got a Quickutz Silhouette? Do you like it? How do you find it?

Provo Craft Cuttlebug Machine
Looking for a machine that not only cuts but shapes and embosses as well! Wow!
Product description after the jump:

Here’s EK Success new release: Cutterpede Straight Edge Trimmer. The only difference that I could see with this trimmer is its rotary blade shuttle (click on 2nd image) that could be swung.
For instructions on how to use the trimmer, click HERE.

I *heart* Becky Higgins. She’s my scrapbook hero, I swear. I attended one of her workshops when she was down in New Zealand on a scrapbook workshop roadshow and it was worth it!
Becky Higgins has a video of her favorite tools. I can’t embed the video here but you can go to the Creating Keepsakes’ site HERE. Just go to the right hand bar and click on ‘Becky Higgins Favorite Tools.’
Some of Becky Higgins’ favorite tools include:
EK Success Circle Punch
See Through Ruler
Heidi Swapp’s petite paper piercer