Cat's Crafty Corner no problem. Agreed. The initial cutting seems promising. I did some cutting after this video. It was promising but the plate warpage not sure. I’ll be doing more demos the next few weeks though.
Hello GF. It’s been a minute since I posted anything. I got a new job and I’ve been working my buns off! I am so impressed with your demonstration. You are quick and directly to the point, well thought out with loads of information! I’m impressed with the Empress! I’m going to want to get this machine now!! I will tell you something I found out from Anna herself, this will take the cuttlebug plates. The clear ones. So even though the Cuttlebug is discontinued, if you have old plates and died, you can use them in the empress. You just don’t need the big thick white platform
ssharp11 no problem. If you can hold off buying it. So far its holding its own but I’ve only played twice. In the past I would have said Gemini hands down, but I really don’t think he quality control is there like it used to be. But this product is too new to tell.
poetspice yes I am going to wait to hear your feedback after more testing. Thanks so much for your complete and through reviews!!! I do use them. Hugs, Susan
Oh no, i have just got the Gemini Junior!!!! Pressing that button all the time would annoy me, but i like how quiet it is. Pro's and cons on both sides as far as i can see. Thanks for sharing this with us.
debbie parker I have all 3 Geminis, A Big Shot Plus, this, a Baby Blue, I had a Cuddlebug, a Cricut Air, and a Silhouette. I love die cutting! However, I’m still on the fence as to this machine. I did more cutting after this video. The Empress is holding its own so far. We shall see. I plan on doing more demos and a side by side comparison over the next months.
@@poetspice i have the larger Gemini, the junior, big shot and the grand callibar, die cutting is my fav thing to do. My husband would kill me if i got another one lol.
Managed to snag this on hsn for five flex pays and 20% off the beginning of this week (great pre Black Friday sale) and it came in 3 days. Played with it yesterday and it works like a dream even with heavy glitter card and mirror card with one pass. No "hanging chads" either. 😂😂 I got the Cuddlebug earlier this year and the Empress blows it completely out of the water. I don't have any Crafters Companion ones but I think I will probably go crazy getting dies now because using this machine is just SO satisfying. 😍😍 Mine hasn't sucked the sandwich in lopsided yet but I hold it until I'm sure it's got a secure hold before letting it go.
I immediately thought you should use the shim with the CC die to emboss b/c that's what you did with the cutting portion. Great demo! Thanks for telling us the differences with Gemini so that we could make an informed decision about which we wanted to buy.
I enjoyed the demonstration. I am new and the different vocabularies accompanied by it associated actions needs a little clarification for me. Am I making sense?
Tina Costner I’m not really worried about where to get it. However, having to replace plates too often is not a plus for me. I die cut A CRAP TON🙀🙀🙀 so if these plates warp quickly, definitely not a keeper. So far I’m not over joyed at the plate longevity. I’ve not even really played with it as much as I would have if work was not as hectic as it has been the last couple weeks. The plates are already not performing as I’d hope. We shall see.
poetspice 👍🏻 that’s where I am with Gemini plates. No more than I used it the plates didn’t last long at all. Then when I wanted new plates I couldn’t find any. I did by the jr plates thinking they would do until I got new ones for the big machine but I can’t get them to work with it. Kinda frustrated. Ha! I did get the big plates to straighten out just by flipping them back and forth through the machine so now when I use them they warp on one side I run it through the machine and it flips and warps from the other side lol 😂
This was my first electronic machine and the main reason I bought it is because it is so much more quiet than the others that I have seen demonstrated. Then I recently bought the fabmatic??..I think is the name, because it was on sale and you know I had to have one for the Bigz dies...Fedex had great timing on the delivery...hubby was out...lol... Haven't tried the Fabmatic yet...hope it's not too loud. Hugs!
Fantastic demonstration! I think you’re going to be happy with this AG Empress it’s really good with all my Tattered Lace dies. However, even though the magnetic plate is strong it really doesn’t last any longer than the Gemini’s plates. 😒
Stephanie Taylor no problem. The plates warp too quickly and the magnetic mat does not last long. I now use the Grandcalibar plates. Of course that is not AG recommended, but it works much better in my opinion.
What concerns me, when you put it back through with the mat to emboss, it's on the side that it cuts correct? Doesn't it cut and damage the embossing mat? I too have the Gemini and yes it's loud, and I do love it. I also want the Empress, cuz it is quite.
Jami I wanted to get this but my gown children happen to be here when HSN had craft day, lol 😆 my Gemini is still in box. I love craft gadgets they took remote and phones made watch half the day until 11:59 no purchases. Ok I'm babbling thanks for sharing love your videos.
The weight of the paper depends on how intricate of a die. The more intricate, the more times you’ll have to run through. Really thin paper tends to not work well alone. Basically, you have to try it with your machine. Never use the precious paper first if you aren’t sure. Try paper you don’t really care about.
When I bought my Cuddlebug I read somewhere that if you put the dies in at an angle it cuts better, maybe that's built in to your new machine. Have fun playing.
Raleysmom Baker if you put straight edges yes it’s easier to cut. It’s not a built in feature, it was the machine not grabbing like it should. However, not a big deal for the small plates, but it could cause jamming with the big plates. Hopefully not going to be an issue.
Thank you for the info. Hope this machine works better than the Gemini. Hope your new baby is doing well. My oldest Ari has been fading fast since I was gone a bit for my surgery last month, won't be here much longer. Happy crafting.
When you have a Free Moment ( LOL ) could you please demonstrate how to use the Empress for steel rule dies? I have destroyed some of my other machines trying to use those dies, and I don't want to do that to this one. Thank you so very much for helping us to craft smarter not harder with all of your videos.
@@poetspice Thank goodness I checked in with you first because I'm loving my machine and don't want to mess it up. You're the best ... thank you!!!!!!!!!
It has it's prons and cons. In my opinion is is not as good as the Gemini because the Gemini has more pressure. However, If this were at a lower price point and it came WITH the large plates instead of making it an extra purchase, it's not bad. I'm still on the fence as to if I'm going to keep it or not. I have until January 10th to make up my mind.
Thanks for this video - I have a Big Shot & a Vagabond, but the motor or the battery has died so I'm looking to buy a new machine - Can U please tell us which is your favorite & why. It would help me so much. Thanks HUGS
MrsgoMez2012 no problem. I’m still testing this out. So far there are pros and cons. I will say it did cut an intricate snow flake die from China really well! That was impressive. I’ll do a final decision video once I’ve played with this a bit. I do plan on doing some more demos of various dies. 🤓
I’m surprised when you emboss that since the cutting-edge is up that it doesn’t cut the rubber mat. Loving this machine, not a fan of the Gemini, it has to manny plates.
Lori Seabrook I’ve only played with this twice. Right now I’m not sure which is better. I’ll be doing more demos though. I also plan on doing a side by side comparison.
Terry Rodriguez yeah. I’ve been die cutting a long time. Sometimes the fingers are quicker than the pokey tool/brush if the paper was cut well enough. I like to use that as a test to see how well the machine as cut the die. If they fall out with a touch, that’s a plus.
I don’t like that it comes with small plates... hence that wonky mess endless you use it sideways. So by the time you add larger plates too much money since I own a Gemini and Gemini Jr already. If I didn’t own a machine already would get this one.
Rosies Crafty Classroom my Gemini jr is completely stuck. This is the second of their machines to do this on me. I decided to try the Empress because it can be returned by January 31. 🤓 That’s enough time for me to test it!🎉🎉🎉
Oh sorry to hear that, so holding the pause button for 10 long seconds didn’t work? Cause that worked for me when mine got stuck....bummer that it happened to you...Enjoy your Empress 😉💖
