This is a really cool item hand carved by professionals so imagine the time invested for the low investment price. olive wood is the material of choice , symbolic of the cross of Jesus Christ. enjoy!
Silhouette Cameo Replacement Cutting Mat
I've had a lot of experince with cutting mats and die cut machines. This mat is no better or worse that any other mat that comes with these types of machines. Most people that die cut alot have tips for getting the most out the mats. Here are a few of mine:
-All mats are very, VERY sticky when they are brand new. They will shred your paper if you are not careful with them. Solution: Get some of the stickyness out by rubbbing a cotton T-shirt all over the mat. The barely visable fuzz from the shirt will soften the sticky to a managable level for your paper while not interferring with the blade.
-Sticky wears off after time. This is not really true but it seems like it. The real problem is dust and paper fibers adhere to the mat over time and block the sticky. Solution: Rinse with cool water and rub some dish soap with your hands over the mat. This will remove the debris thats blocking the sticky. Let air dry when done.
-Washed the mat way too many times and now the sticky really IS gone. This happens much later on in the life of the mat. Solution: Buy a can of spray adhesive (Making Memories Slice Removeable Adhesive works GREAT) or a broad tipped glue pen and reglue the mat yourself. Make sure it is completely dry before use. If you chose to use a Spray, make sure the unsticky edges of the mat are covered before you spray so they stay that way. You can YouTube "Reglue Cricut Mat" for the technique.
Hope this helps with the mat problems alot of reviewers are having. Rest asured, this is typical and normal issue and not at all exclusive to this machine or this mat.
-All mats are very, VERY sticky when they are brand new. They will shred your paper if you are not careful with them. Solution: Get some of the stickyness out by rubbbing a cotton T-shirt all over the mat. The barely visable fuzz from the shirt will soften the sticky to a managable level for your paper while not interferring with the blade.
-Sticky wears off after time. This is not really true but it seems like it. The real problem is dust and paper fibers adhere to the mat over time and block the sticky. Solution: Rinse with cool water and rub some dish soap with your hands over the mat. This will remove the debris thats blocking the sticky. Let air dry when done.
-Washed the mat way too many times and now the sticky really IS gone. This happens much later on in the life of the mat. Solution: Buy a can of spray adhesive (Making Memories Slice Removeable Adhesive works GREAT) or a broad tipped glue pen and reglue the mat yourself. Make sure it is completely dry before use. If you chose to use a Spray, make sure the unsticky edges of the mat are covered before you spray so they stay that way. You can YouTube "Reglue Cricut Mat" for the technique.
Hope this helps with the mat problems alot of reviewers are having. Rest asured, this is typical and normal issue and not at all exclusive to this machine or this mat.
Distinctive Pearls and Sequins Sewing Machine Presser Foot
List Price: $21.99
Sale Price: $15.99
Today's Bonus: 27% Off
This is a new "must have" if you want to attach pearls or sequins. I am very satisfied with this product, and plan on adding some pearls to a very plain dress to give it a designer touch.
Brother LS2350 20-Stitch Functions Sewing Machine
I purchased this sewing machine at a local sale brand new. It is my first new sewing machine. I previously was loaned a 1970's sewing machine my Aunt had so I could get the hang of sewing and decide if it was something I would enjoy.
I am very satisfied with this sewing machine as a novice. I can see however, that I will eventually outgrow this machine and want something with more options, decorative stitch functions, ect. This machine has no decorative stitch functions, despite what it may say on the box about having 20 stitches. Those are all achieved by adjusting controls as you sew. It is quite difficult for me to hold my fabric with one hand and repeatedly adjust the length of my stitches with the other so those stitches will likely never be used by me. Other than that bit I am really enjoying sewing with this machine.
I recommend you read the manual several times and keep it handy to look at it as you may need. Every machine has it's little quirks and this one is no different. As I said this is a very basic machine and will be great for me to learn on. it does all it's basic functions well and has been fairly easy for me to mess with a figure out as I go.
I am very satisfied with this sewing machine as a novice. I can see however, that I will eventually outgrow this machine and want something with more options, decorative stitch functions, ect. This machine has no decorative stitch functions, despite what it may say on the box about having 20 stitches. Those are all achieved by adjusting controls as you sew. It is quite difficult for me to hold my fabric with one hand and repeatedly adjust the length of my stitches with the other so those stitches will likely never be used by me. Other than that bit I am really enjoying sewing with this machine.
I recommend you read the manual several times and keep it handy to look at it as you may need. Every machine has it's little quirks and this one is no different. As I said this is a very basic machine and will be great for me to learn on. it does all it's basic functions well and has been fairly easy for me to mess with a figure out as I go.
Swingline SmartCut EasyBlade Plus Rotary Paper Trimmer, 12 Inch
List Price: $94.76
Sale Price: $43.99
Today's Bonus: 54% Off
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I've been wanting to try a rotary paper cutter for quite a few years due to straight blade cutters' propensity to cut crooked. Here are my take on the cutters' pros and cons.
PROS:
* Safe I can't even imagine a way to cut yourself using this cutter.
* The blade's fully enclosed, and you aren't even exposed during blade changes.
* Good for small numbers of sheets.
* Straight cuts for photos.
* Compact.
* Light weight.
* Clamp works well.
CONS:
* Clamp you may forget to set prior to cutting.
* Paper insertion hard to insert more than several sheets under the guide (even with the clamp up).
* Paper insertion difficult to insert folded sheets.
* Must remember to press the spring loaded cutting wheel down throughout the entire cutting stroke.
* Light weight...not likely to last decades under heavy use.
* Hard to use the matte scale to do 1/2 cuts (i.e., cutting paper to 1/2 its original width, which I seem to do a lot).
* Have to replace worn cutting wheels at $15-17 each.
* Have to replace or flip worn cutting matte.
Would I buy again? Only if I wanted to trim photos precisely or I had kids I wanted to protect from cuts. Also would be great for scrap booking.
X-ACTO 12-Inch Base Guillotine Style Plastic Paper Trimmer
List Price: $54.49
Sale Price: $36.99
Today's Bonus: 32% Off
This works just like the expensive one at work. I'm using it to cut large inkjet paper sheets into smaller sizes for printing. I want exactly sized sheets and this works perfectly. The markings are accurate and the slider allows me to consistently replicate even and square cuts. The light weight plastic is really a bonus. I'm sure its less durable for heavier uses, but for me its easier to store and doesn't affect its usability.
SINGER Vinyl Sewing Machine Cover
It is what is advertised. Could not find anything larger and just barely covers it completely, so am satisfied. It looks like it will hold up for years to come.
