Cuddlebug Review

One day while shopping at Michael’s craft supply store I asked my friend which scrapbook die cut machine she preferred. She had mentioned that the Cuddlebug was her favorite cutting tool. I am always looking for new scrapbooking products to try. She told me it was made by ProvoCraft the same company that made both the Sizzix and Cricut machines. Well she sold me on the machine by telling me some of its features. Of course I walked out with my brand new Cuddlebug that day. I couldn’t wait to get home and try this new scrapbook product out. I like to have many tools on hand for their variety and versatility. It makes coming up with a scrapbook layout ideas easier and quicker. I like to make a more creative scrapbook each time.

Some of the advantages of owning the ProvoCraft Cuddlebug are that it is affordable. I paid 50.00 of course with a 40% off coupon. That's one of the advantages of living near a craft supply store. For me it was the least expensive die cut machine I have purchased to date. The Cuddlebug does retail for 79.99. You can find the machine for sale on eBay, Amazon and many scrapbook supply websites. I love the fact that this machine is so compact. It's real easy to store with the rest of your scrapbook supplies or if you have a crafting area just leave it there. It folds and tucks away nicely. The Cuddlebug is lightweight and has a pop up handle, which makes it easy to take to scrapbook parties, cropping events or classes. Another really nice feature is the gripper suction built into the bottom. You just open up the sides and its stays put for easier cutting. It grips nicely to hard surfaces like a table or floor. Where ever you feel most comfortable. I leave my Cuddlebug right on my craft table for easy accessability. This die cutter comes with 1 spacer and 3 cutting pads. The cutting pads are all different thickness. They are also labeled for convenience. Another really cool feature about the Cuddlebug is it is compatible with many other dies on the market namely Sizzix, Sizzlits, Quickutz or whatever other brand dies you may have. ProvoCraft offers a wide variety of die cut shapes, alphabet letters and phrases. The variety of embossing cards is also large. There are many different die themes,special occasions and Holidays to choose from. I purchased my alphabet die sets brand new on eBay really reasonably priced. I like to take a cut die shape and then emboss it after. This adds more detail to my scrapbook page layouts. For cutting you just turn the handle and the Cuddlebug takes the die right through. You have a cut paper die in seconds. I like anything that saves me time in this fast paced world. I have lots of photos to get onto scrapbook layout pages. So I can get them into my themed scrapbook albums.

A few of the disadvantages of the Cricut are that your limited to what dies are available on the market. No customizing here unless you draw and cut by hand. You want to clean off the bottom as I notice the loss of the suction grip sometimes occurs in the middle of turning a die through the Cuddlebug machine. I also noticed with use over time it seems to be loosing it's ability to grip. The Cuddlebug brand dies bend when put through the system. Especially the longer ones. Like the alphabet dies. When they come out they have a permanent curve to them. So far I haven’t noticed anything different in the performance of them cutting. It can be difficult at times to turn the handle as the dies struggle to go through. It seems like a tight squeeze. I even double check to make sure I am using the proper cutting mat. In some instances I have to shim the die to have it cut all the way through the scrapbook cardstock paper.

I am glad I purchased the Cuddlebug die cutting machine. It is a nice addition to the scrap booking products I already own. It fits nicely on the corner of my craft table. I just reach for it when I am ready to use it. One of my favorite features is the embossing folders. It gives a nice new fresh look to my scrapbook page layouts. They also give me more ideas for future scrapbooking pages. I give this product a 4 out of 5.

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