If you have a sizzix ...

[lavendersun]

Do you love it or not.

Could a 9 year old use it independently? We need to buy DD a gift from us and GPs and can't think of anything tbh. I have asked her if there is anything she would like, her response was - the next Mysterious Benedict Society book which I have bought in my monthly book buy anyway.

She is always making things and is very creative. I don't know anything about them really, but I think she might like it, only if she could use it by herself though. I thought that she could save her pocket money for the dies that she wanted.

She currently buys little packs of things, shapes, mirrors, stick on things, from our local art shop and last year I filled a nice box with lots of that sort of thing for her birthday which she has almost used up.

If you have one what do you think of it and what do you think of it for a 9 year old?

Thanks.

[IceRebel]

I assume you mean the Sizzix bigshot?

It's very easy to use, but I would say it's a very expensive present for a child who hasn't actually asked for it.

The dies retail about £5-£25 each and the machine would need it's own space on a desk or flat surface as it doesn't store away easily and is quite heavy. I love mine, but I think my 9 year old self would have much preferred some crafty kits rather than a machine which will need more bits bought with my own money to get much use out of. :)

[lavendersun]

Thanks but I didn't ask for opinions on the cost vs whether it has been asked for. She never asks for anything so buying for her is very hard indeed.

She doesn't really like kits - prefers to free range with her creations.

I wondered if it might stop her buying little packs of things in the art shop. She has a box of fabric offcuts. I think I read that it cut fabric somewhere? We have drawers of craft paper and card/sparkly bits.

We have plenty of room for it to stay out. Perhaps I need to go to a shop somewhere to have a look at one.

[MargolottaOfUberwold]

Great idea, i love mine

Though it is huge, so make sure you can give it house room.

Dies can be expensive, but I love that I can do paper and fabric

Also love the dies that make the nets of cute little boxes to fold together

[MargolottaOfUberwold]

Oh and I have let my brownies use it and all except the tiniest were fine without even any instructions, it is fairly self explanatory

[lavendersun]

Thanks Margolotta, that is really helpful.

I think that buying the dies could be good for her, she currently saves her pocket money and rarely spends it, when it gets to a certain amount we buy premium bonds with it - great - but I would rather she spent it to be honest.

She did used to save it up for Lego but has got enough of that. Hence I think a die every now and then would be a good thing.

[lavendersun]

Margolotta - could you tell me if all the dies cut fabric or if they have to be a certain type? Or is it strictly separate fabric dies and paper dies.

Are there good places to buy dies or should I stick to Sizzix only.

I have shown DD the video with the annoying woman talking about the extended multi purpose platform and she loves the idea which is great . I just needed to know that she would be able to do it herself before suggesting it.

[MargolottaOfUberwold]

You aren't meant to mix them, but I do, I am such a rebel

Generally the paper ones aren't strong enough for fabric, but the other way around works ok

The non-sizzix ones do work, but I would start with branded for ease of use.

For a side gift, my friend stores hers like this, which is awesome: amazon link

[lavendersun]

Thanks again, I have ordered one and a few dies.

I discovered the Sizzix web page when killing time at swimming lessons which was useful, and potentially expensive.

I can imagine DD cutting out lots of things and having a box of them ready to use and them being plastered all over the house.

[lavendersun]

It came yesterday Margolotta but I was away so we gave it to DD today - a massive success. She can use it completely on her own as you predicted and there are now bits of paper and fabric all over the sitting room.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

If you can get hold of the adaptor the Spellbinders dies are absolutely stunning! I have had my Sizzix for years and my 2 YO DS adores it. He can roll the handle on thinner dies with paper if I hold the machine down for him. Hours of fun. And yes, little bits of cut out paper EVERYWHERE.

I've bought a fair few dies on Ebay for good prices.

[lavendersun]

Thank you, I will have a look for that and add it to the list!

DD insisted that we didn't 'have' to buy her a present, I knew that.

She was really poorly last term, has a heart problem which doesn't really affect her but can complicate things sometimes. Absolutely never complains and is like a permanent ray of sunshine. She literally got out of bed to take two music exams which I didn't want her to do ... and passed with a distinction and a merit. We wanted to reward her tenacity really I suppose, would have made a brilliant birthday present otherwise.

Great advice on here as always seeing as I know absolutely nothing about them.

[lavendersun]

Oh, forgot to ask, is there anywhere in particular on e-bay. I did have a quick look last week and my eyes glazed over after a while, I am not good with too much choice. Not knowing which ones I could use meant that I just stuck to Sizzix.

I wish that there was a catalogue or book of dies that DD could look through and save up for the ones she wanted.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

I had a sizzix catalogue once - It came with an order of sizzix dies I made from a craft shop but I can't for the life of me remember which shop! I'll try and find out for you.

I like Create & Craft (the TV channel) as they demonstrate things, I'm sure they do Sizzix shows from time to time.

[MargolottaOfUberwold]

Sounds like you need to take her to one of the big craft expos :D

[Germgirl]

I love my BigShot, one of the best purchases I've ever made.
A good accessory for her would be a magnetic mat, it makes using thin metal dies like Spellbinders really easy.
What type of dies for she like? Personally I love cute, cartoony things like the Lawn Fawn dies. Have a look at this online shop for a lot of American products.
Craftie Charlie is an eBay shop
I also use a lot they have lovely things.
Buying direct for Sizzix will probably be far more expensive than searching eBay or other online shops.
Another tip. If she gets into using the thin metal dies, a great way to store them is on magnetic sheets in a ring binder. I have loads in mine, it weighs a ton!
Lots of the dies have tiny little bits & if you don't keep them in check they get easily lost.
Have fun!

[lavendersun]

Thanks all, I do need to buy a magnetic mat, I found an acorn and toadstool die that I thought DD would love, and she did, but I didn't have the right mat for it, must remember to do that this afternoon.

I bought everything from Amazon, the prices seemed fairly reasonable and I have Prime membership. I found a reduced section at Sizzix though which I can see us buying from.

[MauriceTheCat]

I love mine So So SO much. I had the original and passed it on to a kids craft club and upgraded to the big shot a couple of years ago. I get a lot of tonic and tattered lace dies from Create and Craft.

My girls love the Lawn Fawn stamps and dies. You can pick them up cheaply from amazon

[RueDeWakening]

I love my BigShot although I don't use it that often. I splashed out on some Hello Kitty dies, and DD (age 7) uses them with those foam sheets, she has notebooks, folders, every sodding thing etc covered in Hello Kittys now.

I've also used mine to cut fabric, felt, paper, and card. And very thin plastic.

[lavendersun]

Great to hear more recommendations.

DD chose a net to make little boxes and a lace type dress, shoes and bow combination at the weekend. She really loves it - generally she likes fairies, elves and that sort of thing, Cicely Mary Barker has hero status in her world.

One of the dies I bought at Amazon last week for £3 odd is now £10.99, their pricing system seems mad!

[Germgirl]

I just adore mine. Here's a few cards I made yesterday with various stamp & die sets.
I have a die buying addiction, made worse by joining several FB craft selling groups!
I'm glad your daughter is loving her crafting :)

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Germ those are beautiful! DS would love those fish - are they die cut or just stamped and cut out?

The beauty of sizzix (and other die cutting systems) is that you can get just a few generic dies and produce lots of beautiful cards / scrapbook pages etc with them. Expensive to start with but I make all my own birthday cards and I'm sure it's paid for itself many times over by now.

[Germgirl]

Thank you cupcakes :) the stamps & dies are by Paper Smooches I cut the fish first & then stamp & colour in.
You're so right, with just a few dies etc you can make some lovely things, I make all my own cards & really enjoy it.

[lavendersun]

Those are lovely Germ. I have a lot of stamps/inks so will suggest using them together.

DD produced a lovely thank you card for my mum, entirely on her own, last night, brought it into the sitting room to show me afterwards. I was quite impressed at the composition, for want of a better word.