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I'm hoping you ladies can give me some advice. I've been an SU demo for 14 years, and I have Stamp Camps every other month or so. I also have fibromyalgia, so pain is just part of my life. After Stamp Camp in September, I developed a lot of pain in my upper left arm. I had die-cut a lot of things ahead of time with my Big Shot and my left arm held the hand to keep the Big Shot steady while I cranked the handle with my right hand. I figured it would get better, but it didn't. It's gotten worse since then. Hubby helped die cut things for my November Stamp Camp!
Anyway, I decided to see the doctor and am having an MRI on December 4th called an arthrogram - they inject contrast into the shoulder and then do the MRI. The doctor (hand arm and shoulder specialist) said that the x-ray showed an irregularity at the top of my upper arm bone and because of my symptoms (I can't raise my arm out to my side above 90 degrees - my right arm goes all the way over my head, but my left arm can't even get quite parallel to the floor) and the x-ray, he thinks I might have a rotator cuff tear, and I might need surgery.
Using my Big Shot is a big part of my paper crafting hobby. So I'm thinking about an electric die cutting machine to make my crafty life easier. Does anyone here have the Vagabond 2? Since that's made by Sizzix, I could still use all my same cutting plates, etc. I know there is a Gemini Junior too, but those plates would be different.
Are there electric ones I haven't mentioned, and what would YOU recommend? Amazon has the Vagabond 2 for $139 and that seems to be a reasonable price. Thanks in advance for your help!!!
__________________ ~ Susan - Celebrating 19 years as an SU demo! Grammy to Anna 15, Elizabeth 14, Nora 12, Abigail 12, Kendall 10 , Isaac 10, Evan 7, and Hudson 3 with me in my avatar Proud to be SCS Fan Club Member since the beginning!
I have a Vagabond and love it. I have quite deformed fingers from it and find an electric cutter to be a tremendous help. If my Vagabond ever dies I'll buy another one. I read a lot of reviews about them... some of them were really great and others hated it. Me... love it.
I don't own this..... and I might be crazy.... but isn't there some kind of motorized big shot that you don't have to crank? I assume you have a pretty big investment and embossing folders so, if there is such a thing, this might work.
I have both a Vagabond 2 and a Gemini (big). Much prefer my Vagabond. I personally think it does a better job with all my dies, even the really intricate ones. But if and when it breaks, I’ll buy another Vagabond in a flash. And it takes up less room than the big shot.
There are brand loyalists everywhere and everyone likes what they like. I too had a big shot and had multiple tears on right rotator. Have had frozen shoulders on both sides but they are fine now. That is why I bought my Vagabond as well. An electric machine makes a huge difference in how much I can accomplish.
Hope you find what works for you and continue to enjoy the craft.
__________________ BlueFeather An old cowgirl with a young heart!
Thanks for the advice, everyone! I ended up getting a Vagabond 2, and I"m happy that I'll be able to use all my current cutting pads, magnetic platform, etc.
I just cleared off my Big Shot area so I'll have room for my Vagabond and I can't wait to play with it!
__________________ ~ Susan - Celebrating 19 years as an SU demo! Grammy to Anna 15, Elizabeth 14, Nora 12, Abigail 12, Kendall 10 , Isaac 10, Evan 7, and Hudson 3 with me in my avatar Proud to be SCS Fan Club Member since the beginning!
Need advice on electric die cutting machines
