**tap** **tap** is this thing working

Good Morning,

If anyone is still reading this, I want to let you know that I am coming back.  I lost my scrapping mojo and it has come back.  First I have to unbury all my gadgets and see if the table top is still there.  Because my room didn’t get into such a mess in one day, I know it will take more than a day to get it back.  I can’t wait though. 

In the last couple of weeks, I have been scouring the internet, buying magazines and hanging out at my local craft stores.  And I have missed out on a lot of new gadgets so you can guess what I am asking for Christmas. 

I want to redo this site to make it a gadget review site but also my scrapping blog.  So you will be seeing some changes soon. 

It feels good to be back!!!!

Gadgetgirl

Move over cutterpede there’s a new cutter in my life…

I am sorry to report that I have found a new cutter that I love more that my Cutterpede.  *GASP*  I know, I have loved using my Cutterpede since the first day I bought it.  I have owned every color they made with the exception of the new lavender one.  Yes Ladies, they have made a lavender one.  But I got the MM Trimmer for Mother’s Day and what can I say.  I LOVE IT!!!!  It is a little bulky but ohhhhhh how it cuts.  It will cut the thinnest piece of paper.  

But don’t worry Cutterpede, I will keep you.  You have been to good to give you up completely.

Gadget Girl

 

 

Bitten by the bug

I have tried to stay away from this bug for the last 2 years and after spending some time with some people who had already been bitten, I was hooked.  What bug am I talking about?  I am talking about the Cricut. 

The original Cricut came out in 2006 and I thought it was way to pricey for a diecut machine.  I even told my husband that if he bought it for me, I would be mad because I didn’t think it was worth the money.  Then Provocraft came out with the Cricut Expression.  This was a bigger model and more expensive.  And I still held my ground on not owning one.  And after one crop with a wonderful group of ladies that let me use theirs, I was bitten.  I came home and told my husband that I had to get one.  So I started saving my money for the smaller one.  Then when I realized that that the bigger one was just about $100 more, I decided I wanted that one instead.  Two months later and I own the Cricut Expression and I love it.  I am now saving my money for the cartridges. 

For those of you are still on the fence, I have listed the stats on both machines below.  But if you are still on the fence, get one.  I don’t think you would regret the purchase.

		Cricut	Cricut Expression
Cutting Sizes		1″ to 5.5″ tall and 11.5″ wide	.25″ to 23.5″
Modes
Portrait – changes the cutting direction from landscape mode to protrait		No	Yes
Mix N Match – allows multiple creative features to be applied to only certain characters.		No	Yes
Quantity – allows you to choose number of cuts you want of those selected		No	Yes
Fit to Page – maximizes the size of the character on the page, overriding the size set with the size dial.		No	Yes
Fit to Length – allows you to set the size of the length of a designated cut.		No	Yes
Auto Fill – fills the page with as many of the characters selected on the display		No	Yes
Multi Cut – allows you to cut the cut lines of a selected characters two, three or four times on top of the original cut lines		No	Yes
Center Point  - cuts characters centered on a designated point		No	Yes
Line Return – allows you to create line breaks between cuts		No	Yes
Flip – creates a flipped or mirrored image cut of characters		No	Yes
Portable		yes	Sort of (I think it can be if your very careful with it)
Cartridges		cartridges can be used with both

I really believe it depends on what kinds of projects you plan to do on which bug you will want.

Also, if you find yourself bitten or want to know more, go to www.cricut.com and check out their message boards.  These talented women are great in answering your questions and they have funny to boot.

Gadget Girl

 

 

 

                         

GADGET GIRL IS BACK!

I am back and I have so much to talk about.  I will be updating the blog very soon about my newest toy.  And I know many of you are wanting to know about it.   Do you like that little tease? 

Also, I am going to be changing the blog around a little so please be patient with me.  My good friend Julie has been making some changes to hers and it gave me the motivation to change this one. 

 

 

Around the Block Tape Writer (labeler)

I would like for everyone that bought this thinking it was going to be the next best scrapbooking gadget ever to raise their hands.  Now I would like to see the hands of everyone who still feels that way. 

My hand sure isn’t raised.  I bought this because I was so excited that I was going to be able to change out the fonts.  What a cool idea!  So the minute I could get my hands on one, I bought it.  I didn’t research to see if anyone liked it. Nada nothing.  Just bought it.  And let me tell you, everytime I get it out thinking I must not be doing something right.  I end up getting irritated and going back to my old standby and reliable Dymo. 

I even bought the decorative strips and when I opened the package I was sorely disappointed.  I thought that the strips were like the labels but found out they are just thin cardstock with adhesive on the back.

I tell you this is one product that I wish I hadn’t spent my money on. 

Gadget Girl 

Daisy Bucket Designs

 

Have you seen their paper?  Or should I say, have you touched their paper?  I bought some of this paper quite a while ago and found it in my stash one night while I was scrapping.   It has the texture of of wallpaper.  I know that sounds weird but I am not sure how else to describe it.  It has a texture to it that I just love.  I love just running my hands over it.  

So one night as I am researching a gadget, I decided to see if they had a website.  I found it and when I did I found more styles than what I have seen so far.  Then I also noticed that they sell acrylic stamps.  And anyone who knows me knows, knows I love my acrylics!!

If you haven’t had a chance to check out this company, you really need to.   Just go to www.daisybucket.com.

I know this wasn’t exactly a gadget but I still had to share.

Gadget Girl

A quick apology

I don’t have much time but I wanted to apologize for not updating my blog.  Things have been crazy wild.  I have so many items I want to talk about and so many things I want to share.  I hope you will come back because as soon as things start to slow down, I will be back in full swing.

Gadget Girl

Purple Cow 12″ Two in One Paper Trimmer

I went to the CK Convention Vendor Faire in Tulsa Friday and I was lucky enough that someone was willing to let me play with this.  But before I give you my review here are a few things about it.

It has a guillotine style cutter and rotary cutter.  Most of the common sizes are on the grid.  It has a safety bar to protect your fingers.  It can cut up to 10 sheets of paper.  You can also buy perforating blades, pinking blades and the rotary blade.  It separates from the guillotine for taking to crops.

Okay, I am not going to candy coat this.  I think this product was not worth the money.  I kind of felt sorry for the girl at the booth that was demonstrating it for me because she was really trying to convince me to buy it.

The first thing she showed me was how safe the guillotine was.  She put her hand under it and then proceeded to lower the blade onto her hand.  It didn’t even scratch her.  This I was impressed with since my 3 year old likes to come in my scrapbook room.   So I played with the guillotine part for quite a while, cutting strips of paper.  It cut them very straight and you can cut the thinist that you can imagine.  I started to get a giddy while playing with this.  I so loved the guilotine part.  But then……………….

I had to try rotary trimmer.  She showed me how you put your paper under the safety bar and then lock it down two buttons, one at top and one at bottom.  My paper slipped a couple times before I got it locked down.  So finally I get it locked down, and I push on the case that holds the blade and slide it down my paper.   I pushed the two release buttons, yes I did say two release buttons.  And pull my paper out and……..it didn’t cut it.   So I thought “learning curve”.  So I tried it again and once again my paper slipped before I got it locked down.   With the paper finally locked down again, I pushed the case down and slid it along my paper.  It didn’t cut it again!!!  What am I doing wrong?  So the lady was nice enough to demonstrate it again for me.  But once again it didn’t cut for me.  By this time I was frustrated.  So my friend Amber came up and tried it and guess what?  She couldn’t get it to work either.  So it wasn’t just me.  WHEW!  I didn’t want to think I was Purple Cow impaired.

But even after all of that, I still played with it some more.  I tried to take the two pieces apart.  I picked it up and started to push the little buttons on the bottom that should release the two pieces.  But picking it up, I was worried I was going to break it.  It felt like it was made of cheap plastic so I was a little afraid to push on the buttons to hard.  But after a few minutes that seemed like forever, I got them apart.  I have never been so stressed out trying a new gadget.  The poor sales lady pretty much gave up on selling me this.  I think she knew I wouldn’t be wasting my money on it.

So everything I have heard on the negative side of this trimmer was true.  I had heard that you need to try it before you buy it, quality was lacking, hard to use, and the rotary part was awkward.

So here is my opinion, don’t waste your money.  For $70, I think they need to make some major improvements.

Gadget Girl 

WHEW! Just a little tease!

I just wanted to post something so that you guys wouldn’t think I am neglecting my blog. 

I had a very busy weekend.  And there is so much I want to tell you guys that I am still trying to organize my thoughts.

I went to the Tulsa with some girlfriends for the CK Convention.  Okay, maybe not so much for the convention but for the shopping.  Also, to check out any new gadgets.  After 12 hours of non-stop shopping, we made it home safe and sound. 

I was able to try out some gadgets and even bought a new one to add to my collection.  I can’t wait to talk about them but it is late.

Gadget Girl

My Tote-ally Cool Tote

I thought I would share my Tote-ally Cool Tote.  As you can see I have personalized it with my Hello Kitty style and of course my name.  I carry just about all of my basic tools in this tote.  I didn’t realize how much stuff it would hold until I started adding my things to it.  It has so many pockets that there is a place for everything.  I bought a lazy susan to set it on so that I can turn it when I am scrapping.  Mine is one of the older ones so they have made some improvements to the new ones.  The new ones already have a turn thing on the bottom and they fixed the problem with bottom collapsing when you take the drawer out. 

Just to give you an idea of what I have in mine, here is my list (and I know I will be forgetting something):  journaling pens, glaze pens, pencils, my 3 cutterbee scissors, my small fastenator, cropadile, stapler, Making Memories Tag maker, my cutterpede, my first aid kit (funny story), mp3 player, corner rounder, adhesives, tool kit and so much more.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing one of these you really need to check out All My Memories website (www.allmymemories.com).  These totes come in a variety of sizes and colors.  

This really isn’t a gadget but I just wanted to share one of my favorite scrappy things.

Gadget Girl