|
|
Post by Susan on Feb 2, 2012 11:45:52 GMT -5
ladies - I have gotten flooded with questions, so I thought I'd just start a fresh topic so the video and discussion isn't buried in another thread. Much easier to find this way -  Okay - the video from CHA the other day...(it's the same one I posted in the other thread!) Here is the link to the pre-order for the "Genius Platform"... www.scrapyland.com/Lifestyle_Crafts_Genius_Ultimate_Platform_p/genius-platform.htmThe "Evolution Machine" they are expecting in "late spring to early summer" - so it's not up for pre-order yet, and we don't have much info on it as far as price. As soon as we hear talk, we'll share!! ANSWERS to QUESTIONS I have already received... the Genius Platform will work on every 6" machine, Big Shot, Cuttlebug, Epic Six and Vagabond. Yes, I tried them all at Lifestyle Craft's booth - and it works great! the Genius Platform IS magnetic, which makes it heavier than the Epic platform. I'd say it's about as heavy as the Revolution 12" platform. the Genius Platform is a really nice tealy-aquay-turquoisey color. The only thing that could make it better is if it was lime green. And while I did suggest it - they pointed out the LC logo is turquoise. I don't understand THAT reasoning, because lime green goes with almost everything - doesn't it?!! LOL! the Genius Platform comes in a "kit" - the turquoise base, the double-thick grey cutting pad, the thinner grey embossing pad. All three of these work in all of the machine - Vagabond, Big Shot, Cuttlebug, etc. The only thing they did not have supplies for me to try out was embossing Spellbinders dies...but my hunch is it will work the same way as it does in a Big Shot...platform, die, two tan silicone mats, thin embossing pad. There are also 25 nesting dies in the "kit". So the MSRP, and the Scrapy Land price, is a great deal!! the Evolution Machine - we haven't been told a price point, because it's still quite a few months out. But I pushed and pressed, and guessed and bugged - and my hunch from their reaction is that it will be between $99-$139. I emphasized that $99 is wayyyyy better than $139 - LOL!! the Evolution Machine - WILL work fine with the Letterpress kit. I tried it, made a project, used it twice - made two projects - LOL! Works like a dream. the Evolution Machine is 6" across, it's basically the same size as a Big Shot - has a nice long "bed" for the platform to roll across {which I love - compared to the Epic}. the Evolution Machine is replacing the Epic Six in LC's product line-up. Meaning it's basically being discontinued as soon as the Evolution is done being produced. Which will likely be relatively soon. Once the Evolution is done, the Epic will be gone. I have a Big Shot, a Vagabond and an antique Cuttlebug that I use for embossing folders. Will I be rushing out to get an Evolution?? Probably not. I really think that the people who will be ANXIOUS to get their hands on this machine are the scrappers who still have, and only use, a Revolution. And there are lots of you out there - and we love you!! Loyal, genuine and maybe a little bit stubborn - tee hee!!!! You only use LC/QK dies, and you only have trusted your Revolution. That's fine - I hear from lots of you when new, larger sized dies are released. THIS will be the new upgraded machine for you! Made my QK, made for QK dies, and sleek. It will definitely be a popular machine - but I do believe {and yes, I already told Dani so I won't be shocking him by saying this...} that Big Shot or Vagabond users who switched to those machines during the Epic Six debacle - will not need a new Evolution. BUT there are lots and lots of ladies who have been waiting for QK to release something new...their Revolution is ready for a break or a replacement. The Evolution will be it!! I hope that answers everything I have received so far. Let me know if you have more questions. I am hitting the road here in a bit {with a quick stop at the Coach outlet store in Palm Springs...I think a DV CHA celebratory treat is in order, don't you??} I will answer any other questions when I get home to Phoenix late this afternoon! |
|
|
|
Post by midmiscrapper on Feb 2, 2012 12:37:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the info, Susan!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 2, 2012 14:26:23 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info!
(And we will need photos of your Coach score at the outlets!)
|
|
|
|
Post by AnnaMatrix on Feb 2, 2012 14:42:47 GMT -5
Love, love, love the Genius!!  The magnetized base, and that it is a nearly universal platform!!  I agree with you on the Evolution, Suz - sounds like this is finally what we all hoped the Epic would be - a reliable, sturdy 6 inch version of our beloved Revolutions!! If I hadn't wound up getting a Vagabond, I would be ordering the Evolution as soon as I could, believe you me!! What a genius move on the part of QK!  Thanks, Susan! Gail |
|
|
|
Post by susie on Feb 2, 2012 15:19:03 GMT -5
Hi Susan, This platform looks great! Is it long enough for the 12" border dies to lie parallel to the edge? Do you happen to know the length of the Genius Platform? I am assuming it doesn't work with the Grand Calibur. Is that right? The Original Spellbinders Grand Calibur mats are short.  Thanks so much for all the great info. smiles, susie |
|
|
|
Post by AnnaMatrix on Feb 2, 2012 17:30:04 GMT -5
Susie, I don't think this will work in the Grand Calibur - too thick, I bet! And yes, isn't it frustrating that the original CG mat was only 11.5" long??? What were they thinking!!!   I see Dani has some replacement mats for the GC www.scrapyland.com/Spellbinders_CHA_Winter_s/782.htm- just not sure how/if they'll work for our machines.... Hope Susan can provide an answer. OH, Susan??? Gail |
|
|
|
Post by scrapkatze on Feb 2, 2012 17:49:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapkatze on Feb 2, 2012 18:03:26 GMT -5
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of magnetic platforms. Even if I'd ignore that it almost killed my poor little Revolution by losing a magnet between the rollers and moving nor further neither back (took me a whole evening and three broken fingernails to get it out again), I don't like how it moves around my perfectly alligned paper/die sandwich as soon as I put it on the platform. Most of my problems with paper sliding over the dies are caused by slightly twisted or static cutting pads. And I think Sizzix pads are much worse than the old Revolution pads when it comes to this. So I'd be more interrested in the new double thick grey cutting pad, especially if it leaves less cutting marks on thinner paper than the Sizzix pad.
|
|
|
|
Post by midmiscrapper on Feb 2, 2012 18:39:21 GMT -5
Great questions and points brought up! I'll be watching this thread closely as I only have Revolution and Epic right now. Being a QK/LC loyal, this may be my next step!!
Susan: I agree with Michelle...show us your Coach score! A great shade of green, I'm guessing!! You know the nearest mall is over a mile away from me. I do have an outlet mall within a 1/2 an hour. A small outlet mall (maybe 20 stores or so)...but it has a Coach!! I'm an addict.
Pam
|
|
|
|
Post by Cat on Feb 2, 2012 19:08:11 GMT -5
Thanks Susan for all of the updates!!! Thanks to all of your helpers who have keep us updated too!!! The Genius will be coming to my house as soon as Dani has them to send out. Loved the magnetic platform of the Rev. The Evolution is on my IF list. It depends on our camping plans.......if there is No power outlets then No Vagabond So IF I feel the need for a wider machine than the Rev.....this could be on a wish list someday.  Cat |
|
|
|
Post by crazy4pink on Feb 2, 2012 20:46:02 GMT -5
Ok I am a sucker!! I want that Evolution!! I said yesterday that I could not be persuaded to buy it until it had been out for a bit and the kinks were worked out, but... I want it!! I have the cuttle bug (never really use it), the Epic (never really use it) the Grand Caliber (use it a lot) and a couple Revolutions (use it ALL the time) but I still want this one!!! The Genius WILL be coming to my house to live. I think its brother, the Evolution, will be following behind it!! Cindy |
|
|
|
Post by animal on Feb 2, 2012 22:14:50 GMT -5
This platform is awesome ladies you will love it. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Noelle on Feb 3, 2012 0:32:09 GMT -5
Well my favorite color is turquoise/aqua so of course, I have no issues with the color. Since it won't be shipping until May-ish, I can procrastinate on ordering the platform for a bit, but I definitely will be ordering one.
|
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 3, 2012 9:07:02 GMT -5
It's my understanding that the Genius platform is included with the Evolution, but is also sold separately?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 10:13:27 GMT -5
It's my understanding that the Genius platform is included with the Evolution, but is also sold separately? The Genius platform is listed under LC/"Accessories" on the SL website...shipping in May. (I can't make my laptop provide a link here!  |
|
|
|
Post by happycows on Feb 3, 2012 10:27:24 GMT -5
Thank you Susan for answering all the questions, as there is now no supplier in the UK of lifestyle/quickutz, have had to be reliant on you ladies in the USA to keep up to date with things, have pre-ordered my Genius platform and will think about the evolution later on in the year, if it will work with the letterpress platform as i have found that, that was the only thing useful about the epic if works ok i will then treat myself to one and dump my epic in the bin Carole
|
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 3, 2012 10:55:56 GMT -5
Carole, don't bin your Epic! I use it for embossing and cutting chipboard, felt, etc. All those things that use high pressure to cut. I don't want to stress out the gears on my Rev, so I use the Epic for those jobs.
Last month, I was cutting 6 layers of felt with a Sizzix die in the Epic. And I didn't worry a bit! I was sure the Epic could take it, but I had nothing to lose. If I broke my Epic, I was going to get either a Big Shot or a Vagabond.
So don't trash it just yet. Use it as the sacrificial machine!
|
|
|
|
Post by AnnaMatrix on Feb 3, 2012 11:17:30 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2012 12:04:53 GMT -5
What a great idea! Maybe my Epic has a purpose, after all!  |
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 3, 2012 13:55:58 GMT -5
Well, it certainly takes the fear out of cutting! I'll cut anything. And sadly, I haven't killed the darn thing yet.
|
|
|
|
Post by cheerfulmom on Feb 3, 2012 15:08:31 GMT -5
That's a great idea Michelle! I should dig mine out for heavy duty jobs too. Phyllis |
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Feb 3, 2012 15:37:36 GMT -5
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of magnetic platforms. Even if I'd ignore that it almost killed my poor little Revolution by losing a magnet between the rollers and moving nor further neither back (took me a whole evening and three broken fingernails to get it out again), I don't like how it moves around my perfectly alligned paper/die sandwich as soon as I put it on the platform. Most of my problems with paper sliding over the dies are caused by slightly twisted or static cutting pads. And I think Sizzix pads are much worse than the old Revolution pads when it comes to this. So I'd be more interrested in the new double thick grey cutting pad, especially if it leaves less cutting marks on thinner paper than the Sizzix pad. the "shifting" of the dies on the Rev's magnetic platform was always a little bit of an issue, but I think I just learned to let the die pick a solid spot on the platform, and I left it there. As for aligned papers and such - have you tried the Removable Scotch Tape??? I used that exclusively when working with the Rev and aligning specific patterns under my dies. Works like a charm. But I do hear those questions quite a bit - the magnets shift things around, and sometimes it's frustrating. As for the cutting marks on paper - I'm a bit confused. Any marks on the die-cut paper from the impression of the cutting pad would be on the back of the die-cut piece. Or are you using paper that is so thin that the marks show through on the front? I've never had a problem with cardstock or patterned papers revealing marks on the front of the piece. The backside though - yes, they definitely do emboss with cutting marks. As for the static - I keep a dryer sheet handy. Swipe it over your clear cutting pads and it seems to cut down on the static "cling". Here in AZ where we are dry as a bone - static is a big issue. But I seem to be able to keep it at bay with the dryer sheet. Or the Removable Scotch Tape - I tell ya, it's a lifesaver in so many instances! |
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 3, 2012 15:49:27 GMT -5
I've said it before, Susan's removable Scotch tape trick changed how I scrap. For me, it's the difference between using dies/fonts with small pieces and not using them at all!
And I'll second the static issue and using dryer sheets. It was more of a problem in our Boston house, but it works wonders. I would use a used sheet so that I didn't get the coating my my paper. And if you ever cut 200 Girl Scout SWAPS out of craft foam, it's a must!
|
|
|
|
Post by scrapkatze on Feb 3, 2012 16:55:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the suggestions Susan and Michelle! I think the problem is that I switch between my Revolution and Big Shot, so I'm not always aware my die is going to pick it's place on the platform according to magnetism and not where I put it  If I do, I use removable tape. I was making daisies with smooth bright white paper, but definately more than copy paper weight, but I couldn't use the cuts I got with my Sizzix cutting pad, cause the flowers had clearly visible marks on both sides. Got much better results with my (original, never replaced) Revolution pad. I still have leftovers from old, old 4x6 Sizzix and DCWV Mat Stacks which I use for cardmaking and these tend to show cutting marks too. Well and sometimes I want kind of a mirrored design, so I use for example on one side of my title the "normal" diecut of a flourish and on the other side just flip it and use the backside. So a cutting pad that leaves minimal cutting marks would be huge buying argument to me. Ladies, you won't believe me, but we do not have dryer sheets over here  Sorry for the dumb question, but what are these supposed to do in the dryer? Maybe I can find something similar if I understand the purpose. I tried those anti static thingies you can use to kepp embossing powder from clinging to the paper, but it's a mess and doesn't work. Right now it's really cold outside and wearing flece or wool pullovers doesn't help with the static at all  |
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Feb 3, 2012 17:50:38 GMT -5
Barbara - OH MY - I don't know if I could live without my Snuggle sheets! {that's a brand name of dryer sheets} Dryer sheet are sort of like pieces of paper toweling, gauzy kind of things - that have fabric softener in them. As the wet laundry rubs against these sheets in the dryer they smell good and the static is greatly reduced in your finished, dry load of laundry! Does that help??? Isn't it funny how we just assume that everyone has everything? I apologize!! But the sheets mainly cut static {and smell oh so fresh!!} so swiping them over the cutting pads seems to me to reduce the static jumping around!! |
|
|
|
Post by Basketlady on Feb 3, 2012 22:15:48 GMT -5
No dryer sheets??? Wow, I would think those things are universal! They also make it in liquid form that you add to your wash load. But I prefer the sheets that you add to the dryer load. I think there is less residue on the clothes. And I use the unscented sheets--I'm allergic to everything, so I try not to use scented laundry products. So I use the Snuggle Free sheets. Barbara, if you PM me your address, I will pop some sheets in the mail to you. They are wonderful! |
|
|
|
Post by happycows on Feb 4, 2012 10:23:23 GMT -5
thanks Michelle had not tought of that as i have only used if for the letter press function, since it cuts so badly no matter how i shim, will have nothing to lose trying it many thanks Carole
|
|
|
|
Post by mkcurio on Feb 10, 2012 13:09:30 GMT -5
Hello, I have a bit of a conundrum concerning the new Evolution Machine. See I'm super new to all of these machines and I've been looking at the Epic for the L Letterpress function to use for my business. Now that I hear the Epic is going to be discontinued and this new Evolution is soon to come out I don't know what to do! My main use for the machine would be letterpress with custom plates for thank you cards, business cards etc. and maybe some light die-cutting and embossing. The Epic/Letterpress combo is on sale right now so my main concern is should I buy it now while its on sale? or wait for the Evolution? Is the Evolution going to be such an upgrade that I'll be kicking myself when it comes out? I seek insight |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2012 14:26:11 GMT -5
This is my opinion...and my opinion only:
I would definitely wait for the Evolution, if that and the Epic are the only machines that you are considering.
For the record...I own an Epic, Vagabond, Cuttlebug, Grand Calibur, and Revolution. I almost never use the Epic unless I don't care if the machine might be damaged, because I would not consider that to be a huge loss.
There are several machines that the ScrapyLand website carries that will work with your Letterpress, and I would suggest that you wait to see what someone (who uses the Letterpress system) will post about which machine(s) work well for them.
HTH
|
|
|
|
Post by 1whoscraps on Feb 10, 2012 14:39:04 GMT -5
Hello, I have a bit of a conundrum concerning the new Evolution Machine. See I'm super new to all of these machines and I've been looking at the Epic for the L Letterpress function to use for my business. Now that I hear the Epic is going to be discontinued and this new Evolution is soon to come out I don't know what to do! My main use for the machine would be letterpress with custom plates for thank you cards, business cards etc. and maybe some light die-cutting and embossing. The Epic/Letterpress combo is on sale right now so my main concern is should I buy it now while its on sale? or wait for the Evolution? Is the Evolution going to be such an upgrade that I'll be kicking myself when it comes out? I seek insight You know I was attracted to the Letterpressing as well. I waited on the Epic because it wasn't getting a lot of rave reviews. I have recently purchased some Sizzix Letterpress style dies and I did try using them in other machines and just couldn't get the sandwhich part correctly. Since then I was able to have Santa give me the Big Shot Pro (not that you need the Pro) but specifically cause those stinkin letterpress dies are supposed to work in that system unfortunately I haven't yet played with this again. It wasn't the only reason I wanted such a large machine but did help influence me. But if you are considering the machine solely for the letterpress I would do a bit of research. I have a link to a company that did a review when the Epic first came out. This company is a letterpress company so they did give a nice honest opinion on its use. Otherwise I would consider what else you may want your machine to do (envelope templates?), size of things you want to use with it, how much you will use it, etc. The evolution seems like an all around upgrade to their existign epci system and have to say..upgrades can be a good thing. |
|
Gail
If I do, I use removable tape.
