OK - please tell me.....

[Whizzz]

What to put on my Xmas/Birthday list.....

Sizzix
Sidekick

or something else ???

Pros & cons of each option please - oh wise Arty people, as I really don't know

Mainly I would like to be able to cut letters, flowers, people etc - not huge but just neat ! I don't make hundreds of cards at the moment as I don't have that much time.
Anyone have any opinions on what to go for (or any other gadgets i 'NEED').

It's a good opportunity to put together a list as I will have to wait all year for the next Xmas/B Day!

[Dingle]

I'd personally go for the sizzix over the sidekick as you can cut a larger range of dies with various adaptors.

There are several new die cutting machines on the market now, and I can't comment on those.

I luuurrvvve my sizzix!Thinking about getting an alphabet set from Santa!

[champs]

yep whizzz, sizzix will be better for you.

The big shot is coming out soon too if that interests you. I like the look of the new xyron cutter (the one that's a bit like a leappad) but the catridges are costly and the little printer.

[Whizzz]

Is a Sizzix really that good then ?

[Yorkiegirl]

Message withdrawn

[JayzMummysATurkeyStuffer]

Sizzix...IMO much more versatile than the sidekick.

[UCM]

I bought the Sidekick for 35 pounds and spent 8 pounds on the bloody coastal dies and 60 quid on the (JM you were right, my crafting demi god) funky brush alphabits/bars.

I have a very needy & unyielding guilt that I should have gone for the Sizzix.

Hope this helps.xx

[champs]

aww UCM, can you not sell it off and get a sizzix?

whizzz my sizzix is one of my bestest bestest craft buys, dies keep on jumping at me this month is my last pay packet so will be selling lots of cut offs,

[Carolinett]

Please somebody correct me if I'm wrong
Sidekick - As far as I know you can only use the small red flat sizzlix dies you can't use the original sizzix dies

Sizzix - you can use all types of dies all the original dies and with a converter you can use the sizzlix dies and with another conveter you can use other makes of dies

I think you can use the sizzix embossing plates on both you need the converter with the sizzix machine
But on both of those you can't fit a piece of A5 paper in the appeture

With the Big Shot coming out any time this month costs about £89 you can put an A5 piece of card in the appeture and cut a circle or heart in the middle or to one side to make your own small appeture cards
You can use all the original sizzix dies, not sure whether you need a converter to cut with the sizzlix die
Can anyone tell me?
So ask round the craft shops get a demo, look at the prices and way up what's the best for you.

[WeWhizzzYouAMerryXmas]

OK - it looks like I need a Sizzix then

Thanks for your views !