Good Tuesday to you and today we are going to have a chat about the Big Shot. I think that we all can agree that this one amazing tool. I call it my “main man” in my work area…and truth be told, I have 2 of them so I guess you can say that I have an affair with (2) main men 🙂
At the end of the post I will share with you a “funny” and then a “great story” which happened to me last week with one of my Big Shots.
I can remember that when I first started Card Making I kept hearing about the Big Shot…I had NO CLUE what it was and then when I saw it I thought…well I’m not impressed ~ it looks like a black crank thing….nope, I did not need it!
Quickly as my obsession with making cards grew I figured – I need to buy this black thing….(still not really know what to do) as I was your “Simple Susan” ~ stamp, ink and cardstock kind of gal.
I finally bought something to use this black thing with, I think it was the Top Note Die (darn I missed that gem) and I put my big girl pants on and attempted to use it…I thought that I BROKE IT – I heard all of this crickty-cranking noise….I thought for sure it was a goner and then when I saw that the clear cutting pads were all scratched – I can remember saying to myself….“Now this is just silly – why in the world would something be so expensive to break on the first try!”
Today is a 2 cup of coffee day as you need to watch this super video that the Home Office put together. Now I can hear all of you right now….I do not need to watch this as I know everything I need to know about the Big Shot….well, you are probably correct BUT I will say…they do a FABULOUS job in describing why each of the different accessories for the Big Shot work in a specific way…
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BIG SHOT!
Because we have many different accessories now for the big shot, it really is important to know the ins and outs so you can make your product work in the best possible way that they are intended to do! (hopefully that makes sense)
Did you learn something? I do think that it is a great video and I want to touch on the accessories. All of the accessories will be in the store at the end of the post and I am sure that many of you are thinking…I do not need all of them…you may be right as they are meant to do different things so maybe you do not need them but my guess, you have the products… so you need to make sure you have the right tools 🙂
I have all of the accessories and I will say that I use them….actually use them very hard and appreciate the end results. Do you remember before the magnetic platform we used to use post it tape to hold the framelits in place?
One thing that I will suggest…always have an extra set of cutting pads….WHY? – well when you need them you will smile because you have them on hand. I like to keep a separate one that I just use for embossing folders (and yep, I use my label maker and mark it) so it stays nice and clean (no scratches)
I also like to keep a separate one for using the precision base plate as it will warp a bit with this base plate. By having it separate…I also know to only use it for the precision plate.
Now for a “funny” – each month when I am working on my kits, it becomes a family affair with who is at the house. John and James always find the Big Shot to be fun and I get all of my papers cut…..give them their “to do’s” and they go to town! That is their limits….BIG SHOT and they are done! They always say…this is amazing what this can do! 🙂
Here is a great story…last week I was noticing that my Big Shot was not embossing as usual…i called Stampin’ Up! and asked what to do to make the impression correct and you know what…??? They said, I am sorry – we will send you a new one. I then told them that I use it hard….SUPER HARD and I was not looking for a new one, but on the other end….they said – We want you to be happy and of course we will send you a new one”
In 2 days I received a NEW one…with the NEW Platform!!! YEP, when you order a Big Shot, no need to order the NEW Platform as it comes with it! Thank YOU STAMPIN’ UP! for great customer service!
Please feel free to share your thoughts about the Big Shot and the accessories…this is how we learn….from one another!
Thanks for some great tips, Susan. I, too, was skeptical when I first saw the Big Shot thinking it was way too much work. After our first encounter, I “fell in love” and we lived happily ever after! The end?
Thank you for the tips! When my daughter got married my husband and future son-in-law helped make the invitations by running the Big Shot. They grumbled about it, but I think they secretly liked it lol!
Oh . . . I’m so envious! In the beginning I started out with a Cuttlebug and a 55% coupon. I always had a thought I would get a Big Shot when this died. Well, a friend GAVE me a brand new Cuttlebug, FREE. So needless to say, I just can’t justify getting a Big Shot at this time and I miss all the exciting accessories. I can’t use some of the SU products, but I can use about 99% of them.
🙂
It took me 5 years of stamping before I broke down and got the Big Shot. And that was when I placed a huge order and got a 50% off item. Now I really like it! I do need to get a set or two of replacement plates, though. Add that to my huge wishlist!
PS, I cannot remove the picture of my husband that is attached to my email address. It is a good picture of him, but it is not me!
Big Shot day at Simple Stampin! My comment is regarding the “intricate” thinlits dies. I got the Flourishing dies like shown in the video. The catalog says precision plates are required, but I had my doubts and decided to try it with my regular magnetic base and cutting plates. I always rub a dryer sheet on the die before I run it through and it cut out beautifully, no problem. I just gave it a few passes with the die brush and viola! Some people put wax paper or a dryer sheet between the die and paper but I just rub the die with a dryer sheet every couple of cuts to make it less sticky. So far, this is working for me. Just wanted to let you know, I did not need to purchase the precision plate.
I, too, have the Cuttlebug and by adding shims, I haven’t had any SU die or EF I couldn’t use. One drawback for my craft room is the space the Big Shot takes up. I do like the new plates of the Big Shot and some re-arranging in the room may be in my future to accommodate one. Thanks, Susan, for sharing this video.
Well this little shot, yes I am vertically challenged, was so intimidated by the Big Shot I did not even take it out of the box for over a year! I finally took it out and then still didn’t use it for a month. I remember Ann Schach sending me E-mails about did I use it yet? I have no idea of why it intimidated me so as I used it at card club – well, normally I would have someone else quick run it through for me so I didn’t have the chance to break the demonstrator’s. It is fun to use but I haven’t invested in any real intricate dies yet. What is funny that our CTMH demo (Yes, I know it is the competition but she IS quiting CTMH soon) asks ME what to do when the dies move on the magnetic plate, why do they warp, etc. Thanks for the tips!
I got the little embossing machine when SU had it and I use that for most of my embossing, because, yes I’ve noticed that the Big Shot doesn’t get a good impression in the middle anymore because I use mine quite a bit too.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Did I remember to say “Thank YOU”? I loved that video. But, I’m still confused. What and when do we use the precision base plate with or without the magnetic base plate? I’ve gotten probably 10 different answers and I’m still sure when and how to use the two. In the video Holly said something about warping your dies? I could use your help, but I’ll go to the SU! website and watch the video again.