Help with cutting systems?

[Sandy22]

I'm new to scrapbooking but I've been shopping for months - just picking up whatever caught my eye. So now I have all this stuff and I'm ready to actually create something but I realize I can't make any frames or large cut-outs. I had purchased templates to use with plain old scissors - but they're just a pain to use. So I need to buy a cutting system (not sure if that's the right term)...it has to be reasonably priced, versatile and meet most of my cutting needs. Any suggestions?

 

[bananiem]

How large are you talking about? If you want frames for 4x6 pictures, Sizzix has several die cuts that work. If you want something cheaper, I have the Coluzzle templates and like that system. What I like about it is that they are "nested" so no matter what size I make the picture there is a bigger size for the mat. Sometimes I even double mat.
A lot of the time I mount my pictures on the cardstock or paper. I still get a mat look but it's easier.

 

[WDWAurora]

Yep, Coluzzle will definitely get you the most bang for your buck and it is an easy to use system with lots of options for sizes, which is great for matting.

 

[cobbler]

I am impartial to Creative Memories, great cutters for making shapes.

 

[RealMickeysGirl]

I have some coluzzle and the CM cutting set. I only have a couple of the coluzzle templates but I do like them. I usually end up using the CM one though. I would say that for the $$ Coluzzle would be a good choice.
Just my opinion,
Sandy

 

[Tiger Fan]

The CM cutting system is my very favorite, with Coluzzle being a close second. I have every set of the CM's, but find I really only use the circle and oval ones and rarely will use the others (hexagon and others). As for the coluzzle I agree that you can get more for less, but some people find it hard to use. I was lucky and it's pretty easy for me, but several of my friends say it's just too hard and they end up nicking thier templates, which can basically ruin a template. See if your LSS or a local CMC has some you can practice with before you shell out all that money.
Lisa
Tiger Fan

 

[Sandy22]

So is Fiskars not a good option? It seems to be what's most featured in stores so I thought that would have been the best option. CM's prices are high but if I get my money's worth then I'll go for it. Is the Coluzzle system basically an exacto knife with templates?

 

[Twigs]

The fiskars circle cutter and the oval cutter is difficult to use. The fiskars shape cutting system uses plastic templates and is easy to use, but you are limited to the sizes on the templates. I do use the shape cutting system, but not nearly as much as the CM cutting system. You have a lot more choices of sizes, each template will give you 6 sizes of the shape depending on which cutting blade you use.

 

[WDWAurora]

So is Fiskars not a good option? It seems to be what's most featured in stores so I thought that would have been the best option. CM's prices are high but if I get my money's worth then I'll go for it. Is the Coluzzle system basically an exacto knife with templates?

It's a blade that is really tiny and it swivels to allow you to follow the patterns very closely. The templates go over the pictures and you're able to really see what it's going to look like when you finish, which is what I don't like about CM. You have the sheet for the sizing, but you can't leave that over the picture while you're cutting. If you misalign, you can cut off something important...Hope that makes sense.

 

[Sandy22]

It's a blade that is really tiny and it swivels to allow you to follow the patterns very closely. The templates go over the pictures and you're able to really see what it's going to look like when you finish, which is what I don't like about CM. You have the sheet for the sizing, but you can't leave that over the picture while you're cutting. If you misalign, you can cut off something important...Hope that makes sense.

I've only seen the CM stuff in the little catalogue - but the custom patterns look see-through...why can't you see what you're cutting? Is it the shape of the little round CM cutter tool that gets in the way?

 

[piratesmate]

You're right, the CM patterns are transparent. However, I find it difficult at times to see through the "tracks" that guide the cutting tool. They're transparent, too, but thicker than the base. Make sense? It's a little like looking through the bottom of an old coke bottle.

 

[Twigs]

When using the CM system I put the template on the picture then align the plastic sheet over that and line it up. When you look straight down on the picture then you can tell what you will be cutting, and you can make adjustments if you need to. Hope this made sense.

 

[WDWAurora]

I've only seen the CM stuff in the little catalogue - but the custom patterns look see-through...why can't you see what you're cutting? Is it the shape of the little round CM cutter tool that gets in the way?

Well, what I'm trying to say is because the blade size can vary, you aren't actually looking at the exact size the picture will be when you finish cutting. The cutout of the template is a little larger than the picture will be because the blades come out a little from it. It's not a big difference, but it's big enough to give me problems with the tops of heads, etc. when doing a close crop.

It's still a good system, don't get me wrong.

 

[Sandy22]

I went to the store and looked at the Coluzzle system and I liked what I saw but didn't buy it just yet. I'm almost convinced to go for Coluzzle but do they have larger templates? The ones I saw might fit a 5x7 picture, but what how would I create large mats? How would I create an 11x11 frame using Coluzzle or CM? Sorry I sound so dense - I've never attended a crop or seen anyone else scrap before.

 

[wtpclc]

I went to the store and looked at the Coluzzle system and I liked what I saw but didn't buy it just yet. I'm almost convinced to go for Coluzzle but do they have larger templates? The ones I saw might fit a 5x7 picture, but what how would I create large mats? How would I create an 11x11 frame using Coluzzle or CM? Sorry I sound so dense - I've never attended a crop or seen anyone else scrap before.

Sandy - for that size, you would neen a 12" pattern with teh mat and blades set ($38 total) or teh 12" Straight tirmmer in the CM system. The 12" pattern is on its way out with teh new 12" straight trimmer ($19.50) and the 12" decorative trimmer, but I'm sure a CMC could still get you one.

Anyway, the 12" trimmer would be the easiest. However, if you want the other shapes, you will eventually need teh mat & blades set. All I can really tell you is that you line up teh paper with the marking for thickness and cut. For the inside, you line the blade up for thickness. Clear as mud, I know, butwords are too hard for these. I would suggest asking a CMC to try her tools and show you. I don't know if a LSS would do teh same with the Coluzzle, but it's worth a try.

If you have friends/family that are interested in learning to scrap, have a CM home class. Whether or not you like the CM style, you will learn to use their cutting system and get free products!

Last thing, I'm partial, but my non partial friends have told me that CM patterns are much sturdier than Coluzzle.