R&R Scrapbooking February Newsletter
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Well well here we are again! Gee seems like I just did this !!! Time sure does fly.
In the store we’ve sure been busy, more so than usual, it seems like the Christmas Rush just hasn’t slowed down. Thanks to all our wonderful customers for your great support.
I’ve outlined a few lines that are making some changes below
Ok Here’s the skinny to the best of my understanding (which I’m told can be minimal at best)
Ellison and Sizzix have joined forces, Ellison is the parent company who has taken over Sizzix, so now there are 2 completely compatible and joint companies under the umbrella of Ellison, Sizzix and Ellison Design. Sort of like GM having 2 cars manufactured in the same plant with different designs and bells and whistles. They are both completely interchangeable and cross compatible.
With this transition also came a HUGE conversion,
eliminating all the old codes, discontinuing MANY dies and the implementation
of a new code system. Bear with us as we too try and convert our site to
reflect the new codes. There does seem
to be a bit of a difference in pricing for some of the items that seem very
similar and I’m not too sure why, we’re doing out best to give you the best
prices possible for instance the long dies have a
For those of you who have the original Sizzix machine there will be some products that you cannot use, for instance the big impressions or Texturz lines. For these and some of the other new lines you’ll need an Ellison big shot machine or the Sizzix Big Kick, please check on the respective sites to ensure that the products you are buying will be compatible with your machines.
The only real difference between the big shot and big kick is that the big kick comes with the multi purpose platform, the other differences are cosmetic.
My hope is to try and stock just a few of the very most popular dies and do the rest by special order. This way I’m able to keep the prices low and the selection high. Also there are SO many of these that keeping the site up to date is next near to impossible. Rob will be adding what we have in stock for some of the newer thin dies they are SO cute! I especially love the girls line by me and my big ideas.
The Cuttlebug is by Provocraft, we’ll bring these in as ordered, one might think of Cuttlebug as an MP3 player and Ellison Design & Sizzix as the original Ipods. They do not specifically say that they are Sizzix and Ellison Design compatible but rather they will work with the major brands. I’ve not heard great things about the Cuttlebug machine certainly not as “substantial” as the big shot or big kick. You can look at their products at http://www.cuttlebug.com/
OK this has been way popular, can’t keep the cartridges in stock! I know our price is good but really some gals are buying four or more at a time, you ladies must sure be addicted to and enjoying your Cricut machines! There are lots of new cartridges coming as well as a new machine called the Cricut Expressions.
Here is some of the info on the new Expressions machine from the Cricut site:
Q: What are some of
the features of the Cricut Expression?
A: With all the
quality and convenience of the original cutter, you can now create intricate
and detailed cuts as small as 0.25" and as large as 23.5". Cricut
Expression works with paper sizes up to 12" x 12" and 12" x
24", significantly expanding your creative capabilities. This impressive
machine is also compatible with all of the existing Cricut cartridges.
Additional features include: - Quantity Mode - Auto Fill Mode - Fit to Page -
Fit to Length - Mix ’n Match - Portrait - Multi-cut - Flip - Return Line -
Center Point
Q: The Cricut product
is less than a year old and I just got mine for Christmas. It’s already
outdated and if I would have known a new one was coming, I would have waited.
A: This is truly
understandable, but we assure you that your investment in the original Cricut
is well worth it and far from outdated. Cricut Expression™ (the new 12" x
24" model) is an extension of the Cricut product line and not intended to
replace the more portable and easy to use Cricut. It is intended to satisfy the
needs of the crafter by offering a larger scale result as well as production
level tools that assist in a classroom or workroom setting. Cricut and Cricut
Expression are different in multiple ways. As a consumer you will first notice
the difference in cutting capability. The Cricut Expression will cut a 12"
x 12" or 12" x 24" medium. Some consumers will find the
additional size a necessity in their creative projects. Those of you who do not
need to cut larger than 5 1/2" will find the ease and size of the Cricut
machine more attractive. Cricut Expression is designed to be a stay in one
place machine. The space requirement for Cricut Expression is more demanding on
a craft room or kitchen table. Space-constrained consumers will also find the
smaller Cricut machine easier to use. Some users will also find the portability
of Cricut absolutely essential to their cropping lifestyle.
Q: What is the Multi Cut feature on the
Cricut Expression?
A: This feature allows each contour of
each glyph to cut 2, 3, or 4 times according to the Multi Cut setting instead
of the usual single cut. This allows the Cricut Expression to cut deeper each
time and eventually all the way through thicker stock such as chipboard.
As I’ve mentioned before this is my cutting system of choice, this and Sizzix… The Wishblade is a computer based plotter type cutting system. It’s small profile and expansive abilities are what I love. I don’t know about you but I have hundreds of fonts already on my computer that I’ve accumulated over the years and would be devastated to have to be buying more. I like that I can do my regular journaling in my favorite font and then cut out a title in the same font for the title. The feature that I also use before cutting anything is the pen holder, I like to see exactly what will be cut, size etc on paper, not that the software isn’t bang on it is, but I’m more of a measure twice cut once kinda girl.
This spring Wishblade as well is upgrading, the good news is the machine itself
is only undergoing cosmetic changes.
Actually just a colour change from blue to pink. The software is where the BIG changes are
coming. The good news is current Wishblade owners wanting the new software will
be able to purchase it without upgrading their machine! We don’t have pricing on it yet but expect it
to be around $100.
NEW FEATURES: PC & Mac compatible, weld words, mats &
shadows, autotrace!!!!
The Xyron® Wishblade® is a computer-connected digital cutter that allows users
to cut fonts and shapes in any size from ˝” to 8” wide and up to 39” long!
The machine works with basic software that resides on your PC. Once active, the
easy-to-use program allows any True Type Font, clip art or a variety of other
file types (including jpegs) to be cut with the click of a mouse.
A separate and newly developed Software CD, also included with the unit, makes
welding words, creating shadows, auto-tracing items for simple cropping and
other advanced design applications fast and effortless! This exclusive software
offering was developed specifically for Xyron Wishblade users and works with
both Windows® and Mac™ operating systems. The unique Print and Cut technology
in the Wishblade gives users the ability to print images to their personal
color printer and then cut them with the Wishblade.
Features & Benefits
• PC and Mac™ compatible*
• Cut any True Type Font (TTF)
• Create and Cut Welded Words
• Size letters and shapes from ˝” - 8” in width and up to 39” in length
• Cut multiple words and/or shapes in various sizes on a single page
• Three interchangeable blade-caps make blade adjustments to cut virtually any
paper quick and easy**
• Ability to cut adhesive-backed paper
• Print and Cut technology (Print images to a color printer and cut using the
Wishblade)
*Windows® 2000, XP or Mac™OSX
**up to 80-pound cardstock
Comes with Xyron Package: Wishblade machine, blade pack with pen holder,
cutting mat, power cord & USB cable, 2 software CDs. The Xyron Wishblade
also comes with a comprehensive Instruction Manual, a Quick Start Guide, a
Quick Application Guide, a basics shapes package and a 1-year Limited Warranty
Card. Xyron offers a 14 day return policy.
I have not received pricing yet on the new Wishblade package but
expect it to be only marginally higher than the original machine. We won’t be stocking more original machines
until the new ones come in.
As you can see there are MANY factors to consider, this was the
case initially with these machines and NOW with all the upgrades, it’s made it
even more research worthy.
One of the biggest factors for me was how much am I going to be
spending long term, for sure the Cricut users are constantly needing more fonts
and shapes, blades and Mats at what I would call an almost alarming rate! I’ve
yet to replace my blade or mat… Wishblade blades are expected to last about a year,
mats can be cleaned if they become less tacky, and some have found sprays etc
to re-sticky them! I have to say I do LOVE the Cricut spatula!!! It’s a dream J
This has
been a very popular line especially in the Christmas season. We’re very excited about a couple of new
products from them, one being the new Hutch for the desk as well as the
portaink storage. Take a look on their
site www.bestscrapbookshelf.com
for a good look at the line including the new products.
Unfortunately
the manufacturer has increased their prices to us and with the decline of the
Canadian Dollar the prices that we were offering at par on these fine products
at are no longer feasible.
The pricing
will now have to reflect the US dollar exchange for the day we place the order,
the shipping that is charged for the products from the manufacturer we will
still absorb the exchange, to encourage our customers to order through us.
The good
news is now all shipments will be shipped directly to your door, these are
heavy products and not always so convenient to pick up. Please contact Rhea if you have any
questions.
WOW our
cardstock sale sure has been well received.
We’re re-working the layout of the storage area for the store and
realized that we had reams of this paper and are willing to blow it out at well
below cost. Some customers have been buying upwards of 250 sheets per
colour!! You’re going to be AMAZED at
the incredible quality of this fine cardstock; it’s heavy weight heavier than
most Bazzill. For example the Augusta green and Bluestone are linen cardstocks,
unbelievable quality with a high cotton content. And you ladies using the
Sizzix machine will love the punch packs and the 4x6 packs, talk about a quick
mat, trim half an inch off 2 sides of your photo and you’ve instantly got a
quarter inch mat! For sure you won’t be
disappointed, unless of course you miss out!
Talk to your school art department or playschool and let them know about
this amazing deal!
Please
be advised that we’re going to have to eliminate colours as they sell out from
the packs, and will prorate accordingly.
Where else are you going to get TOP quality cardstock starting at just
$0.10 a sheet??? Only here at R&R !
Here is a link to the paper http://www.scrapbooking.ca/rrcardsets.htm
Service,
Service, Service that’s what I pride this company on, that’s one reason I love
offering this option to our customers. I
understand and really want to work with the ladies who are isolated and can’t
match their cardstock to the paper packs.
I’m trying, (as I get time) to find coordinating Bazzill cardstock to
match the ever popular Basic Grey packs.
I’ve had tremendous positive response to doing this and I’ll endeavour
to match the NEW packs just as soon as possible… They are selling really fast
so hopefully some will be available when I get a second to line them all
up.
These
Bazzill packs are the perfect solution to those gals who are overwhelmed by a
project, I found it sure gave me a kick start on my trip album to use just ONE
pack and all the coordinating cardstock for one album plus the fibers or
ribbons as you’d like. It was refreshing
and sure took a lot of the guesswork out of the task. I loved how everything matched! I for one use about 5 sheets of cardstock to
every patterned sheet so go through a LOT of cardstock, I love matting and it
shows. Another thing I did that I was
really pleased with was having a separate journaling page with a reference to
about 5 pages of just photos… simple titles and THEN I took out my rub ons and
lettered each picture from A to W (just happened to work out to W for the
number of photos I had) and am doing my journaling on a panoramic page that
once complete will fold out with the details of each photo. This will be the final touch on this album to
be done! FUN!
A newsletter wouldn’t be a newsletter without a few specials! SO here goes:
While
quantities last from now till the end of February!
Thanks
to everyone who sent such positive responses to our family photo posted in
January’s Newsletter, makes me think I should take the time and do my hair more
often! Truly working from home my “uniform” of choice is pajama bottoms, a
t-shirt and a ponytail and the extent of make up is chapstick!!!
Please
be patient for the next little with your orders as myself, Rob, Ryley and my Mom are going on a
warm holiday for a while and will be away from Feb 14th to the 24th
. I’ll be back in the office Feb 26th
. We will have a skeleton staff doing
what they feel confident doing, answering emails and getting out non
complicated orders.
COD’s
will not be sent during this time nor will any international orders.
We sure
appreciate all our fantastic customers thanks for making R&R the booming
success it is, we’re in our 9th year of business and loving every
day thanks to YOU!
Keep
warm and we’ll hopefully have a couple of photos from our holiday upon our
return!
Sincerely
Rhea Wilson
780-489-6713
