Cropadile 2 Big Bite

Reported By Julia Stainton

A popular theme on the scrapbooking market is manufacturers always trying to come up with great new eyelet setting tools. The wild success of the Crop-a-dile from We R Memory Keepers has prompted a new release from this company, the Crop-a-dile 2 Big Bite. Released just a few months ago for the CHA Anaheim 2008 show, this product looked exciting and able to take on all the limitations that the Crop-a-dile faced. The original Crop-a-dile is a fabulous tool and well loved by many including myself. It's main limitation was the size of its "bite". You could only punch and set just over one inch from the edge of your project or layer... hence the name of this latest offering...The Big Bite. As a huge fan of the Crop-a-dile, I just had to order this new tool and give it a try.

The Crop-a-dile Big Bite is a very large punch and eyelet setter. Sturdy and heavy, it can punch through almost anything you could wish to punch and with ease. Chipboard, fabric, leather, layers of cardstock, tin and thin metal all punch well with this tool. The increased size of the "bite" allows you to now punch and set over 6" from the edge...a huge improvement over the first model. This makes it a very handy tool to have for scrapbookers who tend to design in 12x12 layouts. Like the original model, this tool will set eyelets and snaps in two different sizes... 1/8" and 3/16". We R Memory Keepers has a great variety of designer and unique eyelets to give you lots of options with this setter. I especially love their Jewelled Snaps and the embossed sentiment ones as well. They can really add a special touch to your project. Also available for purchase separately is a great storage case for your Big Bite. It comes with a matching orange case, and a selection of metal grommets...a new feature for use with the Crop-a-dile.

When I first opened my new Big Bite...I did have a few difficulties getting it to work. First of all, the punching mechanisms did not line up with the holes that they should slide into. Apparently this seems to be an alignment problem that can happen with shipping. It does take some strength to slightly adjust the bite of the Big Bite so that they do line up but I was glad to find that it is a problem that is fairly easily solved. I also found, like the original Crop-a-dile, this product does have a bit of a learning curve to it. The pivoting setting bits are almost identical to the previous version. I discovered that you do need to use more pressure than the original Crop-a-dile to set your eyelets and brads. With this added pressure, I found myself crushing my first few eyelet setting attempts. If you purchase this product, I'd suggest practicing on scrap paper first until you get the hang of it.




When repeatedly punching holes with the Big Bite in a pattern, it is a little difficult to line up with precision. The original Crop-a-dile has a separate punch mechanism that makes it easy to see down the barrel to line up your punching. This new design requires you to really try to see from the side edge exactly where the punch will hit the paper. That being said...it is still possible as you can see in the above photo where I stamped a backgrounder stamp and then embellished the design with eyelets.



A detail I needed to adjust to in this new model is the sliding bar on the top of the unit. You slide this to use either the setter or the punch. It is very easy to use but I did have to keep reminding myself to move it each time. During a few uses, I almost forgot and punched a new hole in my project instead of setting my eyelet.





The feature I did find easier to use was the new orange plastic sliding ruler in the bite of the Big Bite. When punching with the original, if you wanted a constant depth of holes from the edge, you needed to set a metal sliding piece and screw it into place. I often found it difficult to screw as the metal piece would slip on me. The new orange plastic measuring strip is very easy to use and the slider bar clicks along and stays where you wish it to be. One thing to keep in mind when using this tool is to use the correct one of the three measuring bars. Depending on whether you are punching with the 3/16 or 1/8" holes or setting your eyelets, verify that you are measuring the correct scale. Always check the setting with every use!



I was hoping to find extra details about this product on the We R Memory Keepers web-site. Unfortunately, it hasn't been updated with this new product yet. When the original Crop-a-dile came out, there was a great on-line tutorial to help customers. I would love to have a helpful tip sheet to go with the Big Bite as well. If you need help remembering the correct combinations to use with each type of eyelet, the original Crop-a-dile on-line tip sheet can help you with that.

(layout sketch from www.pagemaps.com)

Pros:

• Very sturdy, quality tool that will last for years
• I love the easy to use measuring feature on the "bite" that allows you to punch up to 6". This allows you to set anywhere you wish on a 12x12 scrapbook layout
• This tool is fabulous for punching and setting those hard to punch products
• no parts to lose....love this! ;)
• Easy to punch holes and set eyelets for people with wrist and hand problems...you do need more pressure to set the holes than the original though
• Quiet
• will set a large variety of sizes and styles of eyelets and snaps

Cons:

• Some users may find the different settings confusing to use. Making sure the bits are at the correct setting was a challenge on the original and is the same design here.
• This design is not as easy to line up for precision punching as the original design. I had difficulty lining up the punch mechanism as this design makes it more difficult to see the area. It is also easier to make a mistake with punching settings on this design.
• Heavy and not very portable
• Practice is needed to find the correct pressure to use with this tool. Too heavy results in squashed eyelets.

Where to Purchase:

• Local Scrapbooking Store
• Scrappin Great Deals
• Creative Express
• Croppin Paradise

Cost: varies approximately 29.99 - 39.99 US/ 39.99CDN

Ease of Use: 6 out of 10

I'm enjoying this new version of the Crop-a-dile now that I've had some time to get used to the new format. Perhaps I am just a creature of habit, but I won't be getting rid of my original any time soon. For a quick eyelet though, the original is easiest for me to work with. I do love the reach of this newer model and the flexibility it gives me. I also love the durability and the ability to work quietly while small children are sleeping. And so, while the Big Bite won't be replacing my original Crop-a-dile, the new Big Bite along with its brother, will have a permanent place on my shelf. If you have this tool, how do you feel about it? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Crop-a-dile Big Bite!

Craft Critique has the scoop an the Crop-a-dile you've been waiting for! This baby has a 6" reach!

Tune in to HSN on Thursday, January 10th. "Today's Special Value" will be the NEW Crop-a-dile Big Bite... making it's debut!

The Crop-a-dile Big Bite is produced by We R Memory Keepers.

Dear Santa...a papercrafter's list

Reported by Julia Stainton

Dear Santa,

This year I've been a very good girl. Busy crafting all year long, sharing my creativity with my family, friends. You didn't notice the occasional cobweb or dishes in the sink while I was oh so busy, right?

And so...I'd like to ask for a few small items just for me... {wink} OK... I don't expect it all for Christmas. I won't be greedy. But this is called a wish list, not an "I'm actually going to get it" List, right?

1. Bamboo Fun Med digital Drawing Tablet: I've had one of these tablets on my wishlist for months now. So cool...you can use them as a mouse, for drawing, adding notes, just about anything. I'm really looking forward to trying out drawing some images and doing a little digital scrapbooking. It looks like so much fun! This medium sized tablet is priced at $199.0 and you can also purchase the smaller sized version for $99.99. The Bamboo Fun Medium tablet comes with software including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials and Nik Color Efex Pro making it a great value for your money.


2. Spellbinders Nestabilities - I love these Spellbinders Nestabilities dies. The Spellbinders Wizard is a die cutting machine, perfect for crafting. My favorite dies are the scalloped shapes. I have the ovals and squares but I'd really love a set of the circle dies and the rectangle sets as well. These Nestabilities dies are perfectly scaled to fit within each other and come as scalloped and plain shapes that work together. Matting is simple and easy. To make it even better, you can also emboss with these dies making them oh so wonderful! I love circle and scalloped punches but they have their limitations. The Nestabilities take up less space and you can die cut your shape into the design wherever you wish, as long as your surface will fit through your die cut machine. Another wonderful thing is the flexibility of these dies. They work really well with other die-cutting systems if you already own one. Sets retail starting at $24.99

3. True Color Ott Light - I love designing and crafting but oft-times, it can be late at night. Poor lighting can make matching colors difficult...not to mention the strain on your eyes. Ott lights are fabulous lamps that really limit eye strain and the colors stay true as in daylight hours. I'm really hoping Santa will see this list and bring me one for Christmas! Available online, as well as craft stores, these lamps come in a wide variety of styles to choose from. The portable version starts at $79.95 and is easy to take with you. One of these lamps should keep my colors true and keep me designing well into the night.



4. Robin's Nest Dew Drops - I just came across these darling little embellishments a few weeks ago. They are a beautiful embellishments and come in a wide array of colors. This would be a fabulous stocking stuffer and I can think of so many projects I could use these on. I think my biggest problem with these little beauties is which ones to choose! The Robin's Nest Dew Drops are tiny little transparent "pebbles" that are sooooooo pretty. They can be added to flower centers, adhered to a design and used in the same instances you would use brads or eyelets or used as water droplets on design. The Dew Drops are packaged in nail-polish style bottles and are easy to attach to your design with clear adhesive. My friend Ellen actually counted them for me. At more than 560 dew drops per bottle, this is a seriously fabulous and inexpensive embellishment at $4.99 a bottle.


5. May Arts ribbon - OK yes...I have lots of this. I'll admit it. But for a ribbon addict like me, you can never have enough! The wide variety of ribbons available from May Arts just keeps me coming back for more. May Arts ribbon is available for purchase from many on-line and retail stores and retails at $1.50 for 3 yards and up.Beautiful rich colors, velvets, double-sided ribbons, irridescent, ric rak...a stocking full of this ribbon would be absolutely fabulous for Christmas this year. Hmmmm...I wonder just how much ribbon you can get in one stocking....


Things to give...

I'm sharing some of my favorite items that would make super gifts if you still have some shopping to do. Ranging from rather expensive to perfect for the stocking...these items come highly recommended by me. :) Products I use almost daily and would not want to be without.

1. Rebel XT digital SLR camera - I just adore this camera. I honestly don't know where to begin. This camera has so many fabulous features. I love the digital SLR version, the lenses and accessories perfectly work together with my original Rebel SLR camera. I love the flexibility. I can change my lenses, my settings, the camera can work in a total automatic mode or if I want to take it up a bit, use a variety of manual settings. If you've never used a digital SLR camera, you will be amazed at the speed you can take photos at. My original digital camera was quite an expensive point and shoot style camera. I was so frustrated with it. I have small children and just could never get the hang of getting it to focus before they were off doing something else. You know how fast those little ones move! My suggestion is...visit your local camera store and try it out. They can explain all the features to you.


2. Tonic Paper Trimmer: My Tonic Paper Cutter is probably my most used tool. I love it! Clean, professional cuts, this paper cutter is easy to use and is portable to boot! If you hate continually purchasing refill blades or getting raggedy looking edges, this cutter is for you. I was so impressed to find that this trimmer can slice off just the slightest sliver of paper if you need the smallest of changes to the size of your layer. To be honest...when trying out this paper trimmer, I was a little concerned with how sharp it would be. I have small children in the house and craft near their play area. While this trimmer cuts cleanly, it is not sharp. I actually tried it out on my finger and was really pleased that it was very safe. Additional features of comfort grip handles, safety guards, a handle, convenient storage on the reverse side and even a 13" cutting surface that makes this trimmer friendly for those scrapbooking papers with a title on the edge. This trimmer is exceptionally well engineered. Smaller and larger versions of this trimmer are available as well. This portable 12" trimmer sells for approximately $38.99

3. Crop-a-dile: This We R Memory Keepers tool took the crafting industry by storm a few seasons ago. It's bright pink comfort grip handles and super heavy duty construction have papercrafters dusting off their eyelets and snaps and putting them back into their designs. I just love the flexibility of the tool. It is so easy to set eyelets and snaps in various sizes silently without strain. I have quite a few friends with wrist and hand difficulties and they have all had great success in using this product. The Crop-a-dile is now also available in green with a case for storage and portability. The Crop-a-dile is available on-line and in craft stores everywhere and retails at approximately $29.99 If you decide to purchase this tool, you won't want to miss the We R Memory Keepers Designer Eyelets and Snaps that are gorgeous embellishments and will make this present extra special.

4. Autumn Leaves Buttons - Buttons are so hot right now and so easy to add to crafting projects. Scrapbooking, cards, altered items, sewing projects...you name it, you'll find buttons. I love the texture and color they add to a design and buttons are super easy to group together for a bold look. Paired up with stitching, real or faux, buttons look fabulous. One of my recent favorite finds is this great Bag-O-Buttons from the foof-a-la line by Autumn Leaves. Each bag contains 6 oz. of beautiful buttons in coordinating colors in large variety of sizes. They come in a convenient little plastic bag that is resealable, very portable and easy to store. These buttons are sold in three color lines for $6.00 each. Mini versions of these packages are also available in other color lines at a lower price making it easy to fill in those little spaces in a Christmas stocking.

5. Rhinestone Singles: Bling, bling, bling...what is Christmas without a little sparkle?! I love these little packages of rhinestones. Perfect for adding to projects, they add just the right touch of sparkle. Easy to apply, these rhinestone Singles by Me and My Big Ideas, come in single color packs of varying sizes. In fact, each package contains ninety-six rhinestones. These embellishments are high quality, have a great sparkle and their multi-faceted shape is still slim enough to use on scrapbooks and card designs without adding a lot of bulk. With names like Fern, Poppy, Iris, Freesia, Hibiscus... I just couldn't resist buying one of each. These Rhinestone Singles packages retail for $3.99 and can be found in crafting stores or on-line. If Santa needs a little extra something to slide right into a stocking, this is a great little product to fill that hole.

Whatever you decide to buy and whatever Santa brings you this year...I wish you all the merriest of Christmases!

Crop-a-dile :: Hole punch & Eyelet Setter

The Crop-a-dile :: By We R Memory Keepers

















Melissa Norris Reporting
Melissa's Blog

I think what makes this tool so great is that the 2 different sized hole punches (1/8 and 3/16) on the side will punch through just about anything (but use good judgment of course). The punch is very deep so it cuts easily and cleanly. It really reminds me of the drill punch that we used at the copy center I used to work at. The top part is used for setting eyelets, snaps, etc.

I haven't ever tried the other ways of setting eyelets, but after seeing the complicated tool kits available I want to try them either. I've never seen any product make a job so simple. If you like putting eyelets or snaps on your projects, or just like clean holes for ribbons, brads, etc. I definitely think the Crop-A-Dile is for you.

The crop-a-dile cuts through very thick chipboards, plastics and even tin. On the sides where the punches are, there is an adjustable stop so that you can mark the depths you want so everything is even.

Unfortunately, with any product there are also disadvantages. I saw a recent post in the SCS forums about it. Basically, the main complaint is how wide the handle is, much larger than a regular hole punch. If you have tiny hands it's very hard to use. My hands aren't tiny, I'd say they were pretty average, and I don't have a huge issue using it. However, I can definitely see that if you were punching a lot of something thick, like chipboard, your hand could start to hurt after awhile.

There were also posts about how it does not have a very deep reach, it looks to me to be around an inch. Here again I haven't had a big issue with that because most of the stuff I punch tends to be on the edge, or on a layer. But again I can see how this could present a problem. Also, there are concerns about how top heavy it is. I don't think this is a big issue once you start using the product. And, as I told my husband, it could definitely cause some damage if someone broke into our house!

This is the perfect tool for embellishing your work. Right now it comes in this great pink color but at CHA they introduced a new green one that comes with a case and 400 eyelets. But don't worry if you already have the pink one...they are going to sell just the case for us! If you are like me; you don't do a ton of embellishing and you don't want to buy a scary looking set of eyelet setting tools then I think this is the tool for you. I believe it to be reasonably priced. After Froogle-ing it, the cheapest price I found was $18.99 but I know I bought mine at Michael's with my 40% off coupon or Jo-Ann's often offers 50% of coupons. Basically, you can end up getting it for a very reasonable price and I think it is absolutely worth it!


Sarah Moore :: Adding Her 2 Cents
Sarah's Blog

I really love my crop-a-dile. I totally get how if you has small hands or if you were physically compromised in some way you would have some difficulty using this product... it is large and unwieldy. BUT I have not seen anything that punches holes like this baby. I actually punched through the entire thickness of a People Magazine with it... and it went like butter!

I will also agree... if you need to punch holes or set eyelets in the middle of your cards or pages then this will not be your tool... look to a traditional LOUD eyelet setter for that. And as far as eyelets go; it isn't necessarily the best tool on the planet for setting eyelets in regular 'ole paper, but it was awesome setting eyelets on a tin pail or through 8 thicknesses on a paperbag album.

You really need to read the back of the package for the specifics and settings; in fact I was using it backwards for a while. Many users complain of their eyelets getting squished or splitting too. I find that this does happen if I squeeze to hard when setting. Just practice and play with it before you take it to your projects.

My tests showed it would punch neatly through 13 sheets of Stampin' Up! Colored Card Stock or 18 sheets of Whisper White. I also successfully punched through A galvanized tin bucket and a tin memo board form the Target $1 Spot (see below). I have really liked using the Crop-a-dile for making Chipboard Coaster Boxes and Paperbag albums.

I should also mention I have seriously injured myself with my crop-a-dile. You should know that my motor skills are somewhat limited; and I am like Lucy when I stamp... but I pinched my finger somehow inside the eyelet setting part while I was punching holes and the injury required ice and elevation for a bit. I still have a bruise and it still hurts over one week later. Be careful and pay attention when you use this tool!


















I used the Crop-a-dile to punch three holes and add eyelets to the edge of this Target $1 spot magnetic picture frame.

That's me by the way; age 5... everyone say "Aw!"



















The Crop-a-dile made easy work of this project. I don't know of any other tool that would allow me to reach inside a bucket like this. Plus the "depth stopper" was a great feature to have with lining up this row of holes.


Summary

Positives:
Punches through very thick surfaces, silent eyelet setter, multiple project uses, reaches inside narrow spaces like buckets and boxes, sets eyelets through thick papers or on various surfaces like metal, adjustable "stop" to ensure equal depth of punches, portable and comes in cute colors, embosses dots in paper, affordable, can also be used as a weapon.

Negatives:
Limited reach, large and heavy, may be hard for some people to use, not the best eyelet setter on paper, can also be used as a weapon.

Fun Crop-a-dile Links
We R Memory Keepers Project Ideas
How to use your new Crop-a-dile (pdf)
Use your Crop-a-dile to emboss!
Ellen Hutson shows us close up pics on her Blog; Simple Dreams

Video showing the Crop-a-dile in action at CH
Courtesy of Scrapbiz.com



Crop-a-dile News!
We R Memory Keepers announced at Winter CHA 2007 that they were coming out with a super cute Crop-a-dile that's in a case filled with eyelets... and it's Lime Green! But don't worry; if you already have a pink crop-a-dile they will be selling the eyelet filled case EMPTY, just for us! Take a look!


Crop-a-dile Carnival Participants! Thanks ladies!

Leanne in Australia :: Colour Your Memories used her Crop-a-dile to turn Chipboard circles and ovals into BUTTONS!

Lynn :: Stamperosity reviewed the Crop-a-dile just for us!

Would you like to play in our next carnival and reach our large readership? We are looking for your projects, articles and reviews based on the Cuttlebug. This could be an item already posted to your blog; or a post created especially for the Cuttlebug Carnival! Just send a link to us using the "Email the Craft Critique Team" button on the right. If selected; you will be asked to link back to the carnival on your blog. Please have your Cuttlebug submissions in by Saturday, February 17th. Tell your favorite bloggers!

The Reporters are Coming.... and a Carnival too!

Just posting to let you know we are still BUILDING! And we are loving all these fab comments! Keep 'em coming... the give-a-way will continue until Friday and I can't stop adding to the goodie box!

And look over on the sidebar! We officially have a staff! Please hold tight for more on the wonderful women who have offered to VOLUNTEER their time in order to bring YOU the scoop on the products you are yearning to hear more about. Meanwhile; visit their blogs and you'll see why I am so excited to have them on board!

Based on YOUR suggestions, our reporters are doing research right now on the following subjects; The Cuttlebug, The Cricut, The Crop-a-dile, Digi-Scrapping... and more! We are off to a great start don't you think?

We still need YOUR help! Have you already posted a review of the Crop-a-dile on YOUR blog? It's not to late... go ahead and write one up! We would love to link to your Crop-a-dile related posts! This will be the FIRST of many Craft Critique CARNIVALS that we will host for all our talented blogger buddies. Simply email our staff (the email link is on the right hand sidebar) a link to your blog posts that contain reviews, tutorials, or completed crafting projects relating to or featuring the Crop-a-dile by We R Memory Keepers.

Your submissions are due by Saturday, February 10th at midnight Central time. Those posts selected by our staff will be included in our Monday February 12th feature article. Sorry; not all posts can be accepted, but ALL posts will be reviewed! :)

Stay tuned for future Craft Critique Carnivals. We will be bringing you these on a regular basis. A carnival is just no fun without a few rings full of crafty bloggers... so I sure hope you'll participate! Now go get out your Crop-a-dile and start playing!

THANK YOU for telling your friends about Craft Critique!

Edited to add: In exchange for participating in the Craft Critique Carnivals you will be asked to post the Carnival; or at least a link to it on your blog... it's a sharing thing! Heck, we won't send the Blogging police after you if you don't... but it'd sure be swell of you to play by the rules! :)