I purchased the Empress based on Jennifer McGuire's video recommendation. It is truly a fantastic machine. I managed to warp my "A" plates to the point of being unusable (9 months of use) and this is due to being a beginner crafter and figuring out all the little tricks. However, I was able, thanks again to one of Jennifer McGuire's videos, to unwarp my plates using her demonstrated boiling water method. It worked like a charm, bringing the "A" plates from unusable to nice and flat. Regarding the Misti, I purchased the Mini-Misti based on the assumption that I would only be stamping for A2 sized cards. MISTAKE!!! I then ordered the StampWheel from Altenew. I'm in love with it! The StampWheel is the perfect substitute for the standard Misti, but with added benefits, because you can easily stamp any paper up to 7.5 x 7.5", and you can easily create stamped wreathes. Not only that, but the acrylic polymer surface inside the StampWheel that holds the paper down is perfect for inking stencils. It was somewhat spendy but to my mind worth every penny. I am now saving up for the large Misti so that I can easily stamp the insides of my cards without bending the paper. I think the giant Misti will also be great for other projects I have yet to dream up. I am looking forward to hearing Wendy's thoughts on the Empress after using it for a while.
I have had an Empress for years and purchased the large plates as well. They stand up so well. You also can cut thin or heavy dies with it which means your older dies can all be used with the Empress machine. Mine is the full size machine. I do have a Gemini Jr machine and it does a great job for the thin dies. However the plates for the Gemini do crack after a while. Maybe the newer Gemini plates will be better. I do love the clear plates more than the solid white plates the Gemini now have. For the cost in comparison of both full price machine (Empress vs Gemini) .. The Empress will be a better choice if you own both thin and older thicker ( bronze colour) dies. Enjoy your machine. I love the misty stamping tool.. it is a definite Must Have for any craft room.
I have had the Empress ever since it first came out about 3 years ago. It is so easy to use. It is my go to machine. I love it. I set it sideways. Easier to feed it that way. I cut into the black magnetic mat. It embosses that way too if the die has embossing. I just recently purchased the full size MISTI. Oh, it is dream to use.
Love my AG Empress, in fact I have 2 the same size. I started with the wooden stamps years ago but refuse (so far) to pay the price for the Misti. A stamping platform works fine for my level and what I need.
I have a Gemini for about 10 yrs. I purchased Anna Griffin plates about 3 yrs ago to use with it. The plates are still flat and not scratched. The reason? I use the magnetic plate with dies face down on it. I also use the metal shim plate under the magnetic plate. I will probably be purchasing a new magnetic plate soon but happy to have found a solution to clear plate problems and cuts beautifully.
@@WendyCranford so the clear plates should not be getting cut into then? Is that what you're saying? I have only run one thing through, followed the sandwich and that's how it worked for me, cutting into the clear plates. Is that incorrect??? Also, have you used any 3D embossing folders in the machine? I'm thinking they're might be a different 'sandwich' but not seeing it in any of the instructions. Thoughts?
@@WendyCranford the way I understood the instructions was to cut into the clear plate. Are you saying cut into the magnetic plate so you don’t see the cut lines? I guess I’m confused. Is it better to cut into the magnetic plate as oposed to the clear plate? I would think regardless, some plate would have to eventually be replaced.
Why did you start doing this? To avoid ruining your clear plates? Do the dies not make a dent on the magnetic plate like they do on the clear plate? Just trying to find out the reasoning for this. I did notice a slight dent on the magnetic plate but not like the cut it makes on the clear plate.
Great video. I think my next die cutting machine will be electric. I always like to hear other crafters views. Thanks for sharing! I think it’s important to point out that ‘electronic’ refers to a Silhouette or Cricut type machine, that uses cutfiles via a laptop or computer and does not use metal dies. Whereas ‘Electric’ is still a machine that uses dies, but is electrically powered instead of hand crank.
Have you tried the Altenew Stamp Wheel? If you're into layering stamps, man, it makes the job so much easier to do. Plus you can use stamps to make wreaths and use turnabout stamps with ease!
Great choice with the Empress! I got the Gemini Jr, after much research, and have been so disappointed! My plates started warping from the first pass. I have to take them to the kitchen about once a month and do the Jennifer trick or pouring hot water on them and putting something heavy on top. I've had it about 2 years and have gone through 6 or 7 sets of clear plates! Now I'm saving up for the empress! The glue press was a fantastic find for my arthritic hands and probably my best purchase ever!! No hand fatigue. I put art glitter glue in the bottle, a glue I've loved forever. Enjoy your new toys!!
I’ve noticed more and more of the card crafters are using the Empress! She is a beauty and a workhorse. I’ve had since it came out and no other compares IMO.
Wendy, after using your Anna Griffin Empress, tell me what you think of it now. I know you haven’t had it for long but I wanted to see your take on the value per cost. I am thinking hard about purchasing one but want to know your honest option. Yes? No?
I got the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus back in the summer. I researched too and it was in my budget, has the reverse feature, and and single push to start it (don't have to hold the button). I love the huge plate capacity. Mine was because of my wrist. I agree it's a "luxury", but for me it is a really nice to have item. I still use my SU! machines for one off dies or single embossing, but if I'm doing a lot, I use it. The magnetic plate would be amazing, but again, this fit most of my needs and my budget. I love your Anna Griffin machine - looks amazing.
You are going to love the Empress. I've had mine about 3 years now and use it every day. I love the magnetic mat and that the plates don't warp. Love my Misti, too.
@@lorrainecimino8508 I've had mine 3 years. I got it after seeing a video by Jennifer McGuire about her favorite machines. She had been using it for a year back then. It is worth every penny. Also it doesn't bend my dies like some manual machines do.
Bought the full-size Gemini--hate it. Huge "blank" area right down the center that does not/will not cut. Too expensive to return, so I have a big, blue paperweight. Heard the Junior is good, but am finished with Gemini and Create-and-Craft. (some of the photo-polymer stamps are turning yellow, and they aren't stored in sunlight). Can't afford to buy an expensive "luxury" item at the moment, but the Anna Griffin one looks lovely! Glue Press? Don't need or want it. Misti -- excellent choice!
This is a great machine. I need to point out that the directions say to cut into the magnetic mat. I didn't want to do that at first but realized that the mat lasts much longer than the plates. So you demonstrated it incorrectly. Look at the directions. Your plates will last longer if you do.
@@WendyCranford I think you can use this either way. I reread the instructions, and for die cutting, the cutting die is placed on the magnetic mat face up (the cutting edge is up) with the paper placed over that, then topped with the "A" plate. The advantage of cutting into the mat, besides saving cuts to the "A" plate, is that you can see the die placed over the material, which is nice when you are die cutting a stamped image. For stand-alone dies, this is no big deal.
Yes, you can use it both ways. Even J McGuire is now suggesting it both ways after originally saying to cut into the magnetic mat. I used it as the instructions and found that the magnetic mat flattened after a while and didn’t give me clean cuts on detailed dies as the magnetic mat is NOT a self healing mat. Wherever I had repetitive cuts, there were indentations which no longer gave me a firm even surface needed to make clean consistent cuts. So, there is nothing wrong with using the sandwich cutting into the plate. It’s just personal preference..
I agree with you that these items are expensive, but that does not mean they are a luxury. If you craft with stamps and due cuts these items are simply essential. I don’t know if anyone who doesn’t have every single in of these products.
Well good for you 😂😂I’ve been stamping for nearly 30 years and don’t own any of these things. The definition of luxury item isn’t just about the price - it’s also about whether it’s absolutely vital in order to be able to stamp. And none of these things are. They’re nice to have, of course, but I make beautiful cards without them and would never want to make anyone who can’t afford them feel like they shouldn’t get into stamping. 🤷🏻♀️
@@Binky130 well good for you. Don’t knock it til you try it. You have no idea what youre missing out on. The speed and accuracy of stamping with the Misty would blow your mind.
@@anntolley2738 I’m sorry you don’t have very good comprehension skills. I wasn’t knocking anything. I was pointing out how snobbish and elitist your comment sounded. I never said there was anything wrong with any of the items in this video. I said they’re not vital, and I would hate to make someone feel that they shouldn’t get into stamping if these things aren’t in their budget. And I’ve used a Misti. It’s fine, but not something I find necessary.
![Twenty One Pilots - “The Line” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/E2Rj2gQAyPA/mqdefault.jpg)
Empress is hands down my favorite machine.
I purchased the Empress based on Jennifer McGuire's video recommendation. It is truly a fantastic machine. I managed to warp my "A" plates to the point of being unusable (9 months of use) and this is due to being a beginner crafter and figuring out all the little tricks. However, I was able, thanks again to one of Jennifer McGuire's videos, to unwarp my plates using her demonstrated boiling water method. It worked like a charm, bringing the "A" plates from unusable to nice and flat.
Regarding the Misti, I purchased the Mini-Misti based on the assumption that I would only be stamping for A2 sized cards. MISTAKE!!! I then ordered the StampWheel from Altenew. I'm in love with it! The StampWheel is the perfect substitute for the standard Misti, but with added benefits, because you can easily stamp any paper up to 7.5 x 7.5", and you can easily create stamped wreathes. Not only that, but the acrylic polymer surface inside the StampWheel that holds the paper down is perfect for inking stencils. It was somewhat spendy but to my mind worth every penny. I am now saving up for the large Misti so that I can easily stamp the insides of my cards without bending the paper. I think the giant Misti will also be great for other projects I have yet to dream up.
I am looking forward to hearing Wendy's thoughts on the Empress after using it for a while.
I have had an Empress for years and purchased the large plates as well. They stand up so well. You also can cut thin or heavy dies with it which means your older dies can all be used with the Empress machine. Mine is the full size machine. I do have a Gemini Jr machine and it does a great job for the thin dies. However the plates for the Gemini do crack after a while. Maybe the newer Gemini plates will be better. I do love the clear plates more than the solid white plates the Gemini now have. For the cost in comparison of both full price machine (Empress vs Gemini) .. The Empress will be a better choice if you own both thin and older thicker ( bronze colour) dies. Enjoy your machine. I love the misty stamping tool.. it is a definite Must Have for any craft room.
I just ordered the Empress. I can’t wait to get it!
I have had the Empress ever since it first came out about 3 years ago. It is so easy to use. It is my go to machine. I love it. I set it sideways. Easier to feed it that way. I cut into the black magnetic mat. It embosses that way too if the die has embossing. I just recently purchased the full size MISTI. Oh, it is dream to use.
I absolutely adore my Anna Griffin diecutting machine.
Love my AG Empress, in fact I have 2 the same size. I started with the wooden stamps years ago but refuse (so far) to pay the price for the Misti. A stamping platform works fine for my level and what I need.
I love love love the Empress. I too have both sizes.
I love the magnetic plate.
I love my Misti.
I have a Gemini for about 10 yrs. I purchased Anna Griffin plates about 3 yrs ago to use with it. The plates are still flat and not scratched. The reason? I use the magnetic plate with dies face down on it. I also use the metal shim plate under the magnetic plate. I will probably be purchasing a new magnetic plate soon but happy to have found a solution to clear plate problems and cuts beautifully.
Yes I realized after I should have been cutting into the magnetic plate. But first time out of the box I was so excited to try it. 😂
@@WendyCranford so the clear plates should not be getting cut into then? Is that what you're saying? I have only run one thing through, followed the sandwich and that's how it worked for me, cutting into the clear plates. Is that incorrect???
Also, have you used any 3D embossing folders in the machine? I'm thinking they're might be a different 'sandwich' but not seeing it in any of the instructions. Thoughts?
@@WendyCranford the way I understood the instructions was to cut into the clear plate. Are you saying cut into the magnetic plate so you don’t see the cut lines? I guess I’m confused. Is it better to cut into the magnetic plate as oposed to the clear plate? I would think regardless, some plate would have to eventually be replaced.
Why did you start doing this? To avoid ruining your clear plates? Do the dies not make a dent on the magnetic plate like they do on the clear plate? Just trying to find out the reasoning for this. I did notice a slight dent on the magnetic plate but not like the cut it makes on the clear plate.
I can't comment on the Gemini Junior.
Yes, I used the magnetic plate
Fun idea for a video. Food for thought for sure.
I love mine. I have both sizes.
I love my Empress Mini! I have a full size Gemini so I didn’t need the full size Empress. Congratulations!
Great video.
I think my next die cutting machine will be electric. I always like to hear other crafters views. Thanks for sharing!
I think it’s important to point out that ‘electronic’ refers to a Silhouette or Cricut type machine, that uses cutfiles via a laptop or computer and does not use metal dies. Whereas ‘Electric’ is still a machine that uses dies, but is electrically powered instead of hand crank.
Have you tried the Altenew Stamp Wheel? If you're into layering stamps, man, it makes the job so much easier to do. Plus you can use stamps to make wreaths and use turnabout stamps with ease!
Great choice with the Empress! I got the Gemini Jr, after much research, and have been so disappointed! My plates started warping from the first pass. I have to take them to the kitchen about once a month and do the Jennifer trick or pouring hot water on them and putting something heavy on top. I've had it about 2 years and have gone through 6 or 7 sets of clear plates! Now I'm saving up for the empress! The glue press was a fantastic find for my arthritic hands and probably my best purchase ever!! No hand fatigue. I put art glitter glue in the bottle, a glue I've loved forever. Enjoy your new toys!!
I hated the Gemini.
Thanks for this video Wendy..the Anna Griffin electronic die cutting machine looks amazing..as do the other products you showed..ty for sharing😊
LOVE MINE!!!!!
I’ve noticed more and more of the card crafters are using the Empress! She is a beauty and a workhorse. I’ve had since it came out and no other compares IMO.
Wendy, after using your Anna Griffin Empress, tell me what you think of it now. I know you haven’t had it for long but I wanted to see your take on the value per cost. I am thinking hard about purchasing one but want to know your honest option. Yes? No?
I got the Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus back in the summer. I researched too and it was in my budget, has the reverse feature, and and single push to start it (don't have to hold the button). I love the huge plate capacity. Mine was because of my wrist. I agree it's a "luxury", but for me it is a really nice to have item. I still use my SU! machines for one off dies or single embossing, but if I'm doing a lot, I use it. The magnetic plate would be amazing, but again, this fit most of my needs and my budget. I love your Anna Griffin machine - looks amazing.
Also, for card making, I still have the stamparatus but wanted to get the Misti. Which size would you recommend?
I have Anna Griffin's smaller electric and I love it but I need new plates and a magnetic plate but I haven't been able to
You are going to love the Empress. I've had mine about 3 years now and use it every day. I love the magnetic mat and that the plates don't warp. Love my Misti, too.
I thought this was a brand new machine, but you say you have had it for r years?
@@lorrainecimino8508 I've had mine 3 years. I got it after seeing a video by Jennifer McGuire about her favorite machines. She had been using it for a year back then. It is worth every penny. Also it doesn't bend my dies like some manual machines do.
You're reading my mind. The misty, still waffling but I'll likely buy it
Oh Wendy, thank you kinda. Now you know I “need” one! Ha! Great machine!
I’m currently saving up for it too 😊
Bought the full-size Gemini--hate it. Huge "blank" area right down the center that does not/will not cut. Too expensive to return, so I have a big, blue paperweight. Heard the Junior is good, but am finished with Gemini and Create-and-Craft. (some of the photo-polymer stamps are turning yellow, and they aren't stored in sunlight). Can't afford to buy an expensive "luxury" item at the moment, but the Anna Griffin one looks lovely! Glue Press? Don't need or want it. Misti -- excellent choice!
❤️😊
I see there is a mini Empress. Is that worth consideration?
Maybe. I think for now I’m happy with this one.
The mini is faster, so great for slimline (need longer plate set) and smaller (A6) dies. I use both a lot.
Anna Griffen is the best.
And the other comment was correct, cut into the magnet mat and you only have to replace that.
Love the Empress. Enjoy. I have questions about your boxes in the background with stamps in them…Where are they from. They look perfect! Thanks
The white ones on the wall? Or the boxes with my dies?
The glue press is amazing. Glue is always ready to use.
My greys are coming in hot... lol!
It’s bad lol
Do you mind that your address is on the front of the box in the first frames?
This is a great machine. I need to point out that the directions say to cut into the magnetic mat. I didn't want to do that at first but realized that the mat lasts much longer than the plates. So you demonstrated it incorrectly. Look at the directions. Your plates will last longer if you do.
Thank you. 😊
@@WendyCranford I think you can use this either way. I reread the instructions, and for die cutting, the cutting die is placed on the magnetic mat face up (the cutting edge is up) with the paper placed over that, then topped with the "A" plate. The advantage of cutting into the mat, besides saving cuts to the "A" plate, is that you can see the die placed over the material, which is nice when you are die cutting a stamped image. For stand-alone dies, this is no big deal.
Yes, you can use it both ways. Even J McGuire is now suggesting it both ways after originally saying to cut into the magnetic mat. I used it as the instructions and found that the magnetic mat flattened after a while and didn’t give me clean cuts on detailed dies as the magnetic mat is NOT a self healing mat. Wherever I had repetitive cuts, there were indentations which no longer gave me a firm even surface needed to make clean consistent cuts. So, there is nothing wrong with using the sandwich cutting into the plate. It’s just personal preference..
Thanks! Have always wanted one and this is perfect! Just ordered. Applied for the credit card so got $50 off and they had free shipping too!!
that's awesome!!
Order new plates
Lol, it's electric rather than electronic.
I agree with you that these items are expensive, but that does not mean they are a luxury. If you craft with stamps and due cuts these items are simply essential. I don’t know if anyone who doesn’t have every single in of these products.
Well good for you 😂😂I’ve been stamping for nearly 30 years and don’t own any of these things. The definition of luxury item isn’t just about the price - it’s also about whether it’s absolutely vital in order to be able to stamp. And none of these things are. They’re nice to have, of course, but I make beautiful cards without them and would never want to make anyone who can’t afford them feel like they shouldn’t get into stamping. 🤷🏻♀️
@@Binky130 well good for you. Don’t knock it til you try it. You have no idea what youre missing out on. The speed and accuracy of stamping with the Misty would blow your mind.
@@anntolley2738 I’m sorry you don’t have very good comprehension skills. I wasn’t knocking anything. I was pointing out how snobbish and elitist your comment sounded. I never said there was anything wrong with any of the items in this video. I said they’re not vital, and I would hate to make someone feel that they shouldn’t get into stamping if these things aren’t in their budget. And I’ve used a Misti. It’s fine, but not something I find necessary.