Emgrahl's Reviews

I am beyond thrilled to finally have a durable storage solution for my 12x12 paper/cardstock! Many years ago, I purchased a HUGE Bazzill Variety Pack. I honestly think it had at least two sheets of every type and every color cardstock they made at the time. Since I don’t really scrapbook, but need 12x12 paper around for other projects like my Baby Dress Albums and Envelope Hidden Hinge Albums, I still have tons of this paper (plus themed paper for Holidays). I’d been storing it in large Iris bins meant for 12x12 paper…4 of them under my bed. But outta sight, outta mind. So I purchased 15 of these envelopes and organized my paper mostly by color, but also by theme. Since the envelopes are semi-translucent, I can easily see which color group to grab when I want. And bonus: they look so pretty lined up on my shelf (in rainbow order, of course)! I’m back for more! If your on the fence about quality, hey…it’s SB.com…so you know it’s great!

This is what you use when the YouTuber says to use “Strong Adhesive”. I use this width on almost ALL my shaker cards: it’s skinny enough to go around a circle window without wrinkling up too much. Just be sure you’re confident about your placement. Once it’s stuck, it’s stuck! (Unless you are REALLY careful when gently pulling it back up).

I have a drawer full of this brand’s adhesive...in all the sizes, even the sheets. I can’t imagine creating a card without it. And it’s the ONLY adhesive I use on my envelopes. I leave the release tape intact so clients can close and mail when ready. Perfect!

I love the Nuvo Pure Sheen Gemstones and wanted all the colors...until I thought about dyeing them to match any card or invitation I created. I know they come in different shapes too...so if you want another shape, this tip isn’t for you. But have you thought of dyeing these? So many ways! I often use Copic markers to color them, but you can use any permanent method that is transparent: alcohol inks, Stazon inks, maybe even Sharpies (not certain they retain the transparency). And if you want it to match the ink you have stamped with, that’s simple too. Just take a small circular stamp...probably overlooked in your stash: the center of a flower, a large “period mark”, etc...and use your chosen ink to stamp a small circle. Then use a glue that dries clear to adhere the gem over the stamped circle. After it dries, viola! You have a perfectly matched gem!

I was lucky enough to be able to purchase one of these mats just as soon as they were released, so I've been using mine for I guess about a month now. This is HANDS DOWN THE BEST MAT OUT THERE! I love every feature about it. I can't list them all...please see the video posted on this website for details! I cut on it, glue on it, watercolor on it, stamp on it, mix pastes for stencils, use it as a palette for mixing watercolors, tape watercolor paper to it, heat emboss on it...everything! I'm anxiously awaiting the ruler that is designed to coordinate with this mat...I'm sure that will be awesome too! There is just one tiny wish I have that would be an improvement: I wish the gridded black portion was also magnetic (under the glass) with a magnetic ruler and neodymium magnets to hold paper in place while I draw lines after placing the (magnetic) ruler down. In addition to making invitations, cards, watercoloring, etc., I also do modern calligraphy/brush lettering. The zero ruler is a great feature to have...but if I could just hold my paper down with magnets while I configure the layout of my design, my rough draft would be so much easier! But it still gets 5 stars! The magnet would have been above and beyond! No crafter should be without this mat!!

I love this die set! One of the sentiments is something that I used to tell my children when they were small, "I love you to the moon & back"...so I was really excited to see this as a stamp. The most frequently used stamp in this set is the cutest one in my opinion...the baby face! It's so adorable! I like to make a tiered carriage and have the baby face peeking out as if he/she is trying to see what's going on. I will put a photo up soon.

Where I used to need the "pokey tool" to push the paper out of my most intricate dies from the back...through all the tiny holes, and sometimes right into my finger on the other side, now I simply place the die with the paper still in place face down on the pad. Then I roll the brush back and forth over the back of the die and the bristles get into the holes and push the paper out much faster. When the paper is released from the die, I can even place the paper on the foam and roll gently over it if there are any small pieces remaining that are cut, but haven't been pushed free. The time it saves is definitely worth the price!

I was happy to find this font in lowercase...as well as "bounce" form! I also purchased the uppercase font and use them together. Awesome!

It's difficult to find this font...and in "bounce" form! Totally awesome. I was surprised by the small size of the die, however it is not misrepresented. The size of the letters is correct.

Made by Sizzix, this Embossing folder embosses perfectly every time! Just wish Sizzix made Large folders...as in 8 1/2 x 11.

I own a Big Shot Pro, and realized a lot of the work I do could be done on a smaller scale. So I decided to purchase this...less wear and tear on my Pro, which has more expensive accessories. Great idea...great product!

Please see my review under the medium die storage binder. Overall good product. Could improve on quality of magnetic sheet (I have to double mine into one sleeve), and each plastic sleeve is open at the top like a page protector...not with a closure on the larger sleeves per the video.

So if I love love love it, why not give it that 5th star? I want to...but there are 2 big areas for improvement that were not omitted b/c they weren't thought of...the company either didn't see the need or there was $ to be pinched. #1: The pockets that hold the double-sided magnet could have a closure of some sort instead of just being open like a page protector. I know the pouches are protected in a binder, but I don't want to spend time putting my dies back where they belong. #2: The company was a little stingy when choosing the quality of magnet sheet. I appreciate that it is double-sided, but dies easily slide off unless you use a stronger magnet. I have placed 2 of their magnetic sheets together in the same sleeve and have much better results! Overall, I love this binder...I plan on purchasing 3 additional medium ones and one large one!

I've tried a couple other brands of glue sticks and was disappointed that they either warped the paper like liquid glue, or did not adhere well. EK Success Glue Stick does make your paper feel damp initially, but no warping! And wow! There is a little open time with this glue to adjust as needed, but after that...you're stuck! Literally. Overall, great product. I'm not surprised...it's EK!