The company Making Memories is synonymous with scrapbooking embellishments. They have a unique collection of metal embellishments that will create a unique and artistic look to any scrapbooking page. Along with embellishments, they now also have a range of tools that are loved by scrapbookers for making life easier, like the silent eyelet setter, a tag maker and dies for stamping.

One of the newest scrapbooking tools on the market that is a new must have for all keen scrapbookers, is a scrapbooking die cutting machine. As with a lot of big scrapbooking companies, Making Memories have also released their version of the die cut machine. It does however have some stiff competition from Provo Craft’s electronic cutter the Cricut and the manual original die cutting machine by Sizzix.

The Making Memories SLICE machine is one of the newest entrants into the world of die cutting machines for scrapbooking. The SLICE retails for much less than the lowest of the Provo Craft Cricut range of machines, but slightly more than the Sizzix Big Shot Machine for example, which is a manual die cutter.

The SLICE die cutter is marketed as the first die cutting machine that doesn’t need a power cord. So it is really competing with the Cricut as an electronic die cutter and not competing with the Sizzix range of manual cutters. Imagine being able to take it anywhere and show off what it does, without having to plug it in! Just imagine the possibilities.

The Making Memories SLICE has similar features to the other electronic die cutters on the market like being able to plug in cartridges (known as design cards) and cutting shapes and letters at varying sizes. It does not need to be connected to a computer to function.

Where the Making Memories SLICE differs though is in the type of material it can cut. Electronic die cutting machines with all their fantastic features are limited by the thickness of the material being cut. Where manual machines like the Sizzix can cut anything, but are limited by the fixed dimensions of the die shape. The SLICE attempts to reduce the difference by allowing materials up to 0.5mm to be cut, where as the Cricut can only cut thin cardstock.

From all the tests conducted and feedback received from owners of SLICE machines, it does cut materials up to 0.5mm very well. Also, when compared to other types of die cut machines for scrapbooking, it is very compact and needs far less desk space than its competitors.

The SLICE’s only disadvantage is that it requires the user to supervise its cutting. For those that hate the Cricut sticky mat, this could be a good thing! So with all of its great features and ability to produce die cuts quickly and easily and much cheaper than other brands, it is definitely a great option for scrapbookers keen to get a hold of a die cutting machine for the scrapbooking projects.

Jenny James is a passionate scrapbooker who loves to embellish her pages with die cuts made fromdie cutting machines for scrapbooking. She reviews a lot of machines like the Slice Machine for Scrapbooking Machine to see how they rate.

The Cricut Gypsy is a tool that now allows you to design scrapbooking components while you are travelling, using the same tools that you used to use at your computer. This new product is called the Cricut Gypsy, and it looks a little like an oversized Blackberry.

Make your scrapbooks, posters and other works of art come to life with your very own professional looking designs created on the Cricut Gypsy. Then simply hook it up to the Cricut machine. It couldn’t be simpler to set up, and we do recommend that you use the Cricut machine rather any another scrapbooking diecutting set, even with all the choices available.

The Cricut machine works just like the software that you use on your computer. You’re able to store your own cartridges on the Cricut Gypsy, up to 7,000 of them and there is enough storage space to save up to 10,000 of your own custom projects. You can use the librarys images or your own cartridges and you can stretch, skew or move them around the mat to create your own designs.

There is no computer required with the Cricut Gypsy, it runs on batteries that can go for up to four hours of continuous use, so it doesn’t matter how long that wait at the dentist is, plus, with its small size, (8 inches by 3 inches) you can take it anywhere you go. Also, all of the images and designs are perfectly organized searchable so that you don’t have to spend hours flipping through the manuals looking for the design you want. You’d rather spend that time making the perfect design wouldn’t you?

Just connect the cable to the Cricut machine and press the button and you’ll see your design in the reasl world. You’ll choose from a huge selection of fonts so that each picture in your scrapbook tells exactly the story that you want it to say.

So, whether you are on the subway traveling to work, or on an extended road trip with your family, take the Cricut Gypsy with you. You can even take it with you to doctors or dentists office, and create designs while you’re waiting, easily saving them to work on later.

Finally, the Cricut Gypsy easily updates the software with bug fixes, new features and allows you to easily add new cartridges to your collection with just a simple plug and play interface. You’ll love your new Cricut Gypsy and all the things that you can do with it, and we know you’ll absolutely adore the scrapbooks that you can make with it.

Jenny James is a scrapbooking addict who loves to create scrapbook pages using die cuts made with scrapbooking die cut machines. Her website at die-cutting-machines.com reviews all the latest scrapbooking gadgets, like the Cricut Gypsy.

Most of us who have an interest in scrapbooking, home decor and paper craft are already familiar with the Cricut line of products. What is it then, that makes the Cricut Expression different from the other two Cricut machines, and is the Expression worth the extra money over the original Cricut? I will have to say that it depends on your needs and goals. All three Cricut machines are made by Provocraft, the original Cricut machine, the Cricut expression, and the Cricut create. The two we will concentrate on today are the original Cricut and the Cricut expression as they are the most popular and have pretty similar uses.

All these machines are used to make shapes, letters and other designs for scrapbooks, home decorations and other uses, like making christmas cards. The machines use advanced cutting technology and are very precise. The Cricut Expression Machine can cut not only paper but a load of other materials like vinyl, soft plastics or fabric. It is a larger and heavier machine than the previous Cricut machines so you can use mat sizes of 12″ x 12″ or 12″ x 24″. Another benefit of the larger size is the inclusion of a LCD screen in this model, which allows you to see what you are typing before you cut. This of course will save you time and paper, and avoid frustrating mistakes.

All the various Cricut machines come with built in keyboards where you select which graphics or letters you want to print, so you do not need to use a computer to design your cutouts. Instead the systems use keyboard overlays that are unique to each Cricut cartridge. On a side note, the Cricut Expression uses the same cartridges that the original Cricut machine uses, so if you want to upgrade to the Cricut Expression you can keep using your entire library of cartridges. Cricut cartridges come in themes such as “Christmas”, “continents” or “Storybook” graphics, or as font cartridges which typically contains a font and a lot of associated borders, decorations and so on. There are around 90 available Cricut cartridges out right now, so you will be able to find graphics and fonts for every occasion.

Overall the Cricut Expression is a robust and useful machine if you work a lot with papercraft. If you already own a cricut machine I would consider if I need the increased mat size or the LCD screen, if you don’t I would stick to the original Cricut machine and use the money for additional cartridges.