Can someone explain to me . . .

[cobbler]

What power layouts are with CM? Not sure what it is the box does or how it works. I understand the concept of power layouts -somewhat but more detail would be nice.

AND

Sizzix - what is this thing? From what I figure it is a die-cut machine? Other than that I am clueless.

Thanks

 

[ajksmom]

I'm not too familiar with the Sizzix machine perhaps others can explain it to you better.
As for the CM power layouts- There is a power layout box you can buy from them. It is very sturdy and comes with 15 heavy vinyl-like dividers that are the size of CM's 12x12 pages. There are also "score" marks showing the other 2 smaller page sizes. The idea is you 1) divide you pictures by theme or page ideas 2) crop your pictures 3) use the dividers to organize your pages, adding your "embellishments" at this stage, you'll have 15 dividers in front of you representing 15 pages in an album. You can make sure you like the arrangement or change them around without changing pages in your scrapbook. At this point you can "box" it all up and it'll stay organized just the way you left it. So that 4) the next time you open the box you are ready to just put it all in your scrapbook and add journaling. It's easy this way to just take off to a "crop" with just the box, adhesive, pens and your album/pages.
I've found that using the power layout way is much easier for me having my DS3 around, messing with all the paper, etc. I can crop and organize my photos with him around no problem, but once he sees all the bright paper and stickers,etc he's all into them. This way one evening after he's in bed I can do all the actual page planning - adding papers,stickers, and what else I like and tuck it away when I'm done. I can then insert one page at a time when I have the time or take the box with me one night to put it all together. It's been a real timesaver for me, and a great motivator also. When you can sit down and in a matter of an hour or so, put together 15 pages in an album it really feels like I've accomplished something. Some people I know purchase extra dividers so they can do 30 or 45 pages at a time, they still will fit into the original box. I am contemplating getting one more set.

 

[wtpclc]

Power Layouts is a black, photo-safe plastic box that comes with 15 "guides". You can get more guides, I'm up to 45.

The guides are plastic sheets the size of a 12x12 page with an index tab on them. There are indented lines on teh guides for 8 1/2 x 11 and 7 x 7 pages too. You set the guidesout on a large surface. You set them out so that the tab represents the outsideof the book when open. That way you can see the 2-page layouts. Then you set your photos (cropped or uncropped) out on teh guides. Then memorabilia, tehn embelishements. When finished, you put the pages in teh box, last page on teh bottom.

The best benefits that I have seen (and I love my PL system as you may have noticed) are:

1. I can see fron and back sides of the pages at once. Basically, you see the whole book lying flat in front of oyu. It really helps me visualize things.

2. WHen you have even a few minutes to spare, you can pull 1 or 2 pages out at a time and you need very few tools out to finish putting them into your book. It usually takes me 7 to 15 minutes to put a page in, depending on how complex my layout is.

It's a great system for speed too. In 55 minutes, I got 23 pages in my box. All my color schemes are set for when I do have a few minutes now.

I had some people who wanted any speed tips they could get, so I bought a box os that I could do a workshop for them. I loved it!! I did 17 pages in my Disney 7x7 in about 4 hours total. They had fairly complex layouts for me. I can't scrap without it any more!

 

[cobbler]

Thanks for the info. I may have to consider getting myself one.

Anyone else who has any info on it I would gladly accept and also on the sizzix!

 

[ILOVEPOOH1]

Will the boxes hold true 12x12 papers? I don't use CM albums so all my papers are true 12x12

 

[Rebecca12345]

The Sizzix is a die cutter & an embosser also.


check out the website for all your questions:


http://www.sizzix.com

they keep adding new products so there is a large number of dies & embossing plates to choose from.......

 

[wtpclc]

ILOVEPOOH1 - Yes, the box will hold true 12x12 paper. The guides are 12x12. They have score marks (thanks for the better term ajksmom!) where teh edges of the CM reinforcemts are. SO, you use teh outer egde for "true" 12x12 and teh score marks for CM 12x12.