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Sunday 11 October 2015

Big shot mark 2


Thank you for the lovely comments regarding my little ornaments , I know now they are called Fauna.  Now I know and will not forget.

The weekend has gone rather quick, the boys went to visit DH family (not my cup of tea!!') and me and Little Miss, well we decided to head off to Carmarthen , just because we fancied it.  We were there over 4 hours and I have never know her so chatty and telling me so many stories about new school, sometime she was laughing so much I started laughing and she could could not finish the story straight away.   We went to The Range ..oh wow.   The last store I visited was back in Kent probably over 2 years ago...oh we oohed and aaarghed .  We filled a basket with goodies that Little Miss thought we should!!!! She has asked me for the first year to help her make her friends and family home made presents......I saw her looking at some Christmas trimmings and she was a bit quiet,   I asked her if she was OK and she said, "mummy I have lots of ideas ....could you help me make some other things, not just my angels ? My hands are not good like yours ?"  Oh wow again....
She has never suggested anything like this and well like giggling schoolgirls (oh course she still is!!)
we chose some bits, wow our little basket soon was full, thank goodness we didn't have a trolley.
We came home and oh we were so tired......... But we wanted to see our goodies again....
And still laughing,  we emptied our goodies on the dining room table and we got some craft books and mags out and she started her "to do list".    (Just like her mother I thought with a smile...I always have lists, not one ever gets finished, but the good intention is there. !). I went to bed with a huge happy heart last night.  Missing my boys ...home today....

my new die cutting machine (sizzix big shot) arrived to replace my old broken one on Friday .
I have had comments about the old die cutters.  I buy manuals because they are cheaper and do
"everything it says on the tin". They have come down in price so much since they first came on the
market.  I got the standard size again...I don't see the need for the bigger size.  I would say if you have
a dilemma about buying one go to a big outlet that sells them first and ask for a demo.  That's what I did.  The dies are a personal choice and vary in price .  I use my quilt dies all the time, they are not cheap, but you can shop around.  I suffer from numb and tired fingers especially when using tools like scissors and gripping for long periods so for me this machine is heaven and leaves me to enjoy sewing whereas if I was cutting for hours , well sewing would not get down.  The shapes cut are always perfect (with a bit of practice!!!') and with thin fabric you can cut up to 5 layers at a time ,
Again I start off with 4 layers if the cut is crisp I add another and so on.  I haven't but I am sure there
are loads of demo's too on YouTube..I hope this has been useful. You can get electric die cutters of course, but up until last week I have not had a problem with the manual cutters and they are much cheaper, if you have a question please ask and I will reply ....






My old broken machine 
and the offending handle .


Now some more Christmas making 
these are destined for the Christmas markets..




















I am loving this little chap.


And now for 
big shot Mark 2



Well first of all it is a new colour
And
It has a much longer platform  
And
I wonder if there was a problem with the "fixed "
handle  in previous models 
Because now it 
Separate..mmmmmmmm
Handle 




I couldn't wait to use 
my new toy

and with this die





I made this 
(I love gingerbread men)






and more in the pipeline






...all the components are cut on the die cutter.
Imagine having to cut all those little bits out by hand?



See you soon.xx


24 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you Gracie, I am having a play with ATC too , oh if I only had more time..but I will join in soon...promise. Xxx

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  2. You have almost got me there. I will be on the lookout for a shop for a demo. The gingerbread man looks good enough to eat.

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    1. When we have our meet up ( so looking forward to it!!!) if you like I will bring some samples so you can feel and see the results and take them away and decide. Easy for me to say buy one , but I will bring a list of who I buy from etc and well then you can make an informed decision.xx

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  3. Ooooh nice new toy! Love the gingerbread man too... Looks adorable all stitched up :)
    Yes The Range is like a massive toy shop for me too!! I loved going in there. Unfortunately they pack so much in the store here it's hard to get me down isles in my wheelchair... Great store though :)
    Smiles :)

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    1. It was amazing and had so much!!! Sad the access isn't great for you, now you mention it the aisles were narrow.xx

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  4. and new toys make projects so much easier...love the gingerbread man....x

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    1. Thank you, different sewing but so much fun...xx

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  5. What a fantastic day with your daughter, I was smiling and my heart was melting for you both while I read! Wonderful times together, her school is obviously suiting her!! xx

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    1. Thank you Amy. She has been so scared of her world again in the last year..fell like we were constantly going backwards but I see my old sweetheart back, her little laugh and all I ever want is their happiness.xxx

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  6. I think it's so important to spend time alone with each child as you do, besides, girly time is so much fun. It sounds like you have such a wonderful relationship with your daughter, no wonder she takes after you. Glad you got your new machine, you'll have been feeling lost without it.

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    1. Thank you Jo, for your lovely comments. We try to give them special one to one time , I think it just makes them well have you all to themselves and well each child is different and need different things don't they. Little Miss well , I joke she was sent to pay me back for being so wicked to my own mother !!! Haha xxx

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  7. Your decorations look good. I bought a Big Shot last year as I couldn't face cutting out all the hexies I needed for my Liberty quilt. It sounds like you had a wonderful day out with your daughter, it's great that you have such a good relationship x

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    1. We are very close , she has always been that way since a baby, always watching me, arms up asking for cuddles and wanting kisses....I hope she never changes .....in fact both are like that...I count my blessing they are ours. I know what you mean about quilting and the die cutters, they make such a difference.xx

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  8. Hi Dotty

    I asked for a machine for Christmas last year - the manual one - my friend has one that she has had for quite a long time and which she has let me had a play on. I think this will definitely be on the cards this time round as I am particularly interested in for the fabric cutting of patchwork pieces as well as the card making. Love the Ginger Bread man now that is one I am going to look out for; Enjoy your meet up with Pam;

    Take care

    Pattypan

    x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Pattypan, they save so much time and energy! Looking forward to meeting Pam, BB and Dawn. Hope the little town can cope with us all!!! Sure we will have fun.xx

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  9. oh no! Never heard of these before you wrote about them but now I want one. And I don't need any more projects but I want one. Oh, did I mention that I want one lol. My husband will think I am nuts, well nuttier than he already thinks I am.

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  10. Hi Maureen, you make me laugh!! They are a little investment that deliver perfectly cut shapes...hope Boris and Maggie are well. Xxxx

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  11. Sounds like you had a marvellous day out with your daughter and are super pleased with your new toy. Have never seen one of them here.

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    1. We had the most fun time, she is such a sweet angel. I love my new toy....especially this busy time of year.xxx

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  12. how lovely to have time for just the 2 of you to spend time and be "girls" xx

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    1. We know how to have fun, hope the fingers are better honey.xxx

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  13. fab decorations. What a gorgeous conversation with your daughter! Family relationships are so important - boys aren't the same though!

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    1. Thanks honey. I never ever thought she would chat like she does so double special. I think boys are a need to know basis, well my boy is. Xxx

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