Joy Trouvaille

Hi, have you missed me?  I have just returned from a holiday on the Riveria de Fleur in Italy.  A beautiful part of the world, pity the holiday company forgot to tell me that the hotel was in a not so good part of the town, that is   was  situated on a very main busy main road into town and next to a 24 hour self service garage!  If I go missing again I will be write a very long letter to the coach company.  In the meantime......

My design teamster, Miranda, has managed to get this reply from Joy Craft:

" It's possible to use embossing folders for the Trouvaille if they are not thicker than 2,5 mm.

 When the folders or stencils are thicker than 2,5 mm, you have to use two D plates.

Hope to be at help in this matter,

 Best regards,Ilona van StokkumJoy Crafts BVH.R. Tiel 11064651
ilona@joycrafts.nlwww.joycrafts.nl

This is useful and my thanks to Miranda for getting a reply which I failed to do, as did many others!

Unfortunately, embossing folder suppliers do not tell you the thickness of their folders and they do vary, so it means you will have to check them all!  OR, your machine will break!!  As many have done!!!   Pity they failed (like Spellbinders with the GC) to inform us of this very vital piece of information!!!!

Now, do I have two 'D' Plates?   NO!  I have an A. B.C.D plates and a black foam mat as supplied with the machine. By eye the B and D plates look the same, so I'm  now looking  for a micromater to check the thickness of the plates and will let you know later.  I will also check out the thickness of my folders because saying 2.5 mm means nothing to me! 

You can see why I have advise you to be very careful when using embossing folders!  If you should by any chance have two 'D' plates with  newer machine, please let me know and I will post the information on to others.

Joy Trouvaille A4 machine

This......machine keeps cropping up!   Another crafter has contacted me regarding the breaking of this machine.  If you are also having problems, or just looking for information, you will find a list of all the posts (including a questionnaire) on my sidebar under "Joy Trouvaille". 

I have found that the machine works okay with die cutting, and embossing masks, BUT it does NOT  like embossing folders!   And, I would definitely NOT recommend you use it for this purpose, which makes you wonder if it's worth buying??!?!??!?!?  It was a similar situation with the Grand Calibur until they made a new plate which you had to buy as an addition.  If you didn't want to buy the new plate, the suggestion was to emboss with a number of shims, this could possibly work with the JT!? but I have given up on the embossing with it.

Sorry to sound so down on this because the thought of a A4 embossing machine sounds great and would be if it worked!

Tippy ~Thursday

I have received a message about the Cuttlebug all in one folders.  I have no knowledge of these folders but assume that because they are Cuttlebug they will go through the Bug!  However, as far as the JT machine is concerned - I would not on use them. 

My JT machine broke a few months ago for the second time.  My supplier, Liz of Make a Lasting Impression could not have done more to put the matter right at considerable cost to herself!  When the second set of cogs arrived, I would not have been able to fit them, but fortunately I know a man who could.  (Bless him).  The machine now cuts, and will emboss masks but I have only tried embossing a folder once, and I had to hold my breathe - it took the folder okay, but then  tightened and it was a real effort to get it through.  The machine just does not like the double thickness of folders, this was the same with the GC and they produced a new plate which you had to buy! So, Jilly and answer is No where the JT is concerned.  When you get to using your new folders, perhaps you would like to let us all know of your experience.

Just a word if you are thinking of buying new dies and folders - my suppler Liz has reductions on some of her dies and also a good selection of embossing folders and masks.  You can view by using the link on my sidebar.

Have you entered my blog candy?  The prize - a board from Diamond Crafts. 

Tippy Thursday

Some news from Spellbinders - starting next Monday  for 5 days  (21st  to 25th March) there will be a Bunny Hop whereby you can visit two blogs each day and enter a draw to win the dies that are being shown on that blog.  Always worth a go - and hopefully one of us will be lucky!  I will post the link for you later.

I received a message from Jose saying that she had a problem with the Marianne Creatable Dies in that the frame cuts were difficult to get out of the die and some won't cut evenly,  also that on white card the die left a blue mark on the edge of the cut.  I have had a couple of dies that have left this blue mark, but after giving them a good scrub with a washing up brush and use, it seems to have cured the problem, but you could use a coloured card or paper, or alternatively ink the edges.  It's a shame not to use them because they are lovely designs.   However, I have noticed that new dies are made in a light blue colour, and I have not had this same problem with the one I have.  So perhaps the company has solved the problem for us.  As far as cuts getting stuck in the die - this can be a problem with any intricate die included Nesties!  You can run the die through with a wax paper this will help and will not damage/mark the card you are cutting.  If the cut is uneven it maybe that your plates are worn or warped - try placing the die in a different place than the centre, and running through a couple of times, even turning the die 90 degrees after the first cut if need be!  Getting the cut out - I use a fine needle, or a low tack tape to ease the release - and many of the die have a small hole(s) that also help - but I agree, you do have to be careful.

Jo-Jo has asked me if I have used any  folders in the JT machine other than Cuttlebug/Provocraft.  The answer is yes, but not the Creative Expressions folders - this company have a warning on their site stating that these folders are slightly thicker than others and suggest  in the Grand Calibur that instead of the embossing plate to use 8/10 sheets of A4 card.  (Starting with the lesser and working up until the pressure is sufficient on the folder without forcing the machine). This should be okay in the JT.

Thanks for dropping by, hope your day goes well. 



Thanks Shaz, I forgot to mention the about rubbing and polishing the die after running a candle over it.
Also good tip Aquarius, about the blue tac for geting the cut out.  From Tracy: an untacked 3D pad will lift out the bits, and the candle trick worked to. 
 TFS, ikki

Tippy Thursday - JT machine

I have today some information for you on the Joy Trouvaille A4 machine following the replies that I received from the questionnaire that some kind crafters offered to complete.

I asked the questions:

When did you purchase your machine and how long after purchase did it break or not?    The answers which in many ways good, is that all the machines that broke did so withinn the lst to 3rd time of using.  Mine broke on the 2nd.  It would seem that there was a batch of these machines on the market that had faultly gears.  One crafter told me that the company  she purchased her machine from had over 40 machines  faulty machines, and so stopped selling them!

I asked about replacement of machines or were they repaired - most were replaced, but refund of postage was a problem!  I have to say that Crafts too you (the distributor supplying my machine) did replace the gears, but I did have to do the repairs myself (or rather Dave did), and also  Liz from Make a Lasting Impression did offer to replace the machine but I chose the repair.

I asked: What operation were you doing when the machine broke?  The answers came back was - cutting a Nestie!
I also found that the machine was very stiff when embossing folders (some more that others - like sizzix and creative expressions).  I have noticed on C&C on their Grand Calibur shows that this is also a problem with this machine.  The answer they are giving (whilst waiting for Spellbinders to come up with a plate that will work - can you believe it!) is to use  8/10 sheets of A4 cardstock and the tan embossing mat instead of the top embossing plate.  Starting with the lowest and building the sandwich until you get a good impression that goes through the machine without force.  THIS IS WORTH TRYING IN THE JT if you are worried about the difficulty in embossing.  Strangely another machine that broke also had the same vicious backlash on the handle that I mention in my first review of the machine.

I asked about the instructions leaflet, was it clear and easy to use.  The answers varied, but Liz from MLI has kindly supplied a list of the sandwiches and you will find this on the embossing/die cutting pages above.  The leaftlet also mentioned using a Silicone mat in the embossing process - no one was using this, or had heard of it and no one was having problems (that is, of course, after the first machine had been replaced). 

I asked about tips for new buyers:  mark the plates yourself - double check the sandwich - never force  -Very good for maximizing use of A4 card to cut lots of shapes at one time – quicker than individually.  Also good for embossing/ cutting apertures in A5 card and  A6 opened out when you only want to emboss part of card  - great for embossing even embosses when it cuts which is a time saver and gives a very good impression - excellent if it doesn't break! - but this comment made me smile "wait for Cuttlebug to bring out an A4 machine"!  Since they haven't and did the CBv2 instead - what do they know that we don't????? 

It would seem that the machine is a bit tempermental and (like the GC and all machines) you cannot force the plates through without causing damage, but this is something we all know!  The manufacturer does not come out of this very well - I sent three emails and got no reply, even the company  selling most of the machine apparently did not get much support from them.

I hope you will find this news of interest and it will allay fears of using the machine.  I've started to use the machine again and I'm being very cautious but it is not causing any problems. Would I recommend it?  Not sure at the moment - it will take time and results.  I find if only doing a small cut or emboss - I still turn to my BUG!  Having said that the machine is very useful for cutting the Grand dies, of which only three of the smallest sizes will go through the Bug.


NB: In case I didn't, can I now make |it clear that I was offer a replacement machine by Liz, but I decided to go with the repair under no pressure. 

As an alternative to buying dies, I have a little surprise for you this weekend!?!?!?!in the way of a free draw.
Hope you will be able to drop by to see what it is.  

Tippy Thursday - Joy Trouvaille A4 - New Wizard Shapeabilities Dies

JT machine update - My JT machine is working, but I'm finding that I still turn to my Bug!  Perhaps I'm just so disappointed and also cauious!  I still have not received any communication from the manufacturer, which is very disappointing that they just do not care!!  Thanks to all who replied to my request to complete a questionnaire - I will be in touch with you asap.

If you are interested in the new dies from spellbinders, pop over to Make a Lasting Impression (link on my salebar), Liz has some on sale at  £16.50 with free UK postage.  But, be warned - these are very tempting! 

I also pick up a post from Craft at Home called Big up your Bug.  Might be of interest to you and you can also from the link watch a video of using these large plates on utube.

If you have been reading my posts of WW - check out the page - see if you are going to join me.  This morning is my serious start day - on the scales this morning I have already made a loss on the last week and I think this is just due to thinking more about what I was doing and a little (I do stress I mean a little) exercise.  What a pleasant surprise to start the day!  Hope your day goes well too.

Joy A4 Trouvaille - Embossing Stencils and Masks

Hi friends, thanks to all who responded to my appeal for info on the JT machine.  I will be in touch with you, and if anyone else would like to add their comments negative or POSITIVE, I would be pleased to hear from you.

The machine is still working okay, no squeaks, the vicious backspin of the handle seems to have stopped and it turns smoothly!   So far so good, but I'm being very cautious! 

One of the things I've tried is using brass stencils and masks....

 

This mica mask is from Creative Expressions and called That Special Touch - Ivy background.  I  was very surprised to get such a good embossing/debossing effect on the JT, because I've never been completely happy with embossing this type of stencil in the Bug using the Spellbinders Impressionabilities, which I now find also embosses well in the JT.  Great, this opens up more pattern options!  Both sides of the pattern have been coloured with chalk, which is a medium I used a lot before I discovered DI's and happily will now be using them again.

From the JT leaflet   (they describe it for embossing templates)

 the sandwich recipe :  A plate / Black Mat / Paper / Embossing template / B plate

Now for a bit of News, and puzzling at that!!!

The other day I received a message from PeeJay telling me of another A4 die cutting machine on the market called "Happycut" from Artemio (a French Company).  And, she thought I might be interested in seeing it - to right PeeJay.  AND, this is the surprising bit - it's WHITE and LOOKS exactly like the JOY TROUVAILLE (a Dutch Company)  !??!?!?  What is going on? 

Now for some help please, I have received this message from Karuna, but I have no experiences of this problem - so can anyone add anything to help?

From Karuna an reader living in India

"Hey ikki, I see your expertise on the bug and i need some help please. Just today i tried to use the nesties in my buy and it went so lose. Yes i triple checked on the sandwich too! :( i have used it only 3 days ago and it was cutting well. I almost used 8 cardstocks to make it cut the nestie! What happened to the machine. even the bug dies go quite easily but still cut. Any help? "

If you have any comments to make please feel free to add them by using the comments button below.

Thanks for dropping by an I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Joy Trouvaille A4 Die Cutting Machine

Well it's working again, thanks to Dave and his engineering knowledge and toolkit.  On Saturday morning I received a parcel from the distributor Crafts 2 U with  just a compliment slip with the words "as arranged" and two black gears.  Oh, I see - they must have known about DAVE!! because otherwise they would have sent instructions on how the mend the....thing!  You will by now have realised that I'm not impressed!  Nor, have I received a reply to my two emails from the "caring" (their words) company who make the machine.  Poor customer service is all I can say!

I'm thinking of doing a survey  on this machine, and wondered if anyone would like to help me?
Please email me on ikki2010.hotmail.co.uk with your email details if you are interested in filling out a questionnaire and I will contact you.

I've tried the machine again, but as yet I'm still waiting some info on the sandwich recipes for certain types of embossing and does it need a silicone mat, and which one?  The instruction leaflet supplied with the machine is written in a number of languages, and need studying.  For example the leaflet states the machine will cut all dies, but then talks of thin dies, then thick dies - thin dies are are presumably Nesties, Marianne, Joy etc., but what are thicker dies - it doesn't say????  Obviously this is important info to safeguard your investment.

Hopefully soon I will be able to give you my experiences on all cutting and embossing operations, and YOURS if you are willing to help! 

Have a good day,


PS Thanks PeeJay - looks exactly the same with the same instructions - it's just the colour that's changed????!????  Wonder whats going on?

Thanks Crafty Jo, but OUAS have stopped selling this machine because of problems they have had with it breaking!  I think you can class the GC as an A4 machine - afterall you cannot put the plates of theJT through landscape. 

News - Elusive Images, JOY Trouvaille and me

Hi, not sure where today has gone!  First a visit to the physio to see if he could sort out my back and neck pains - a bit painful but hopefully worth it!  Next a treat - lunch out.  When we arrived home, the post had arrived with some absolutely beautiful stamps from Glenda of Elusive Images - this lady certainly can produce some fab artwork!  If you are at EI fan - WATCH THIS SPACE - I will soon have some very interesting news!!!! I can hear many of you saying "teasing again" - NO, not teasing just keeping you informed  - the Design Team lives again and I'm so excited that I just had to say something!!!!! 

On the JT front - there's no news!  I think tomorrow I will be making a noise in Holland.

I'll be doing a TippyThursday post tomorrow - so see you then.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

THE NEW A4 JOY TROUVAILLE DIE CUTTING MACHINE

Hi, I have now had the chance to emboss and die cut with this new machine, which I have nicknamed my "JT", and I'm impressed! 

The machine comes with an instruction leaflet and 5 plates (including an A4 embossing mat).  The plates are different colours and also clearly marked apart from the embossing mat.  Like the Bug and any other machines the cutting plate marks.  I like this colour coding, and once used to which colour is which plate, think it will make finding the plate you want much easier!  This is an advantage over the clear plates of the Bug, where I still have to look to make sure I have the right one.

The machine has a very good suction system making it very stable, and the handle turns easily and without the sqeak made by the Grand Calibur whenever I've seen it demonstrated.  The handle is also removeable and can be stored in the compartment on top of the machine.  When I first used the machine, it did seem to be a long winding process, and I thought if only using the front part of the plate,  running it back would be quicker - take warning here because although it does reverse and is slightly quicker, the handle can spin and it's spins faster than you can wind!  I know because it slapped me a couple of times and it hurt!! 

Die cutting:  I have tried and successfully cut my Spellbinder, JoyCraft, Marianne and Nellie Snellen dies with no problems.  In fact, hope my Bug's not listening, it actually cut the intricate Marianne and NS dies in one go with a nice clean cut.  You still have the problem of getting the cut out, but I think even that was easier.  Sorry Bug! 

Embossing:  Again no problems with my folders (Crafts 2 U, Cuttlebug, Joy Crafts, Sizzix), I have yet to try Creative Expression folders, but I'm assured that these work well and I hope to have a few to try soon.  It is the larger folders that will be useful in the JT.  I did notice that when embossing with a heavy cardstock (300gsm) wrapped round the folder that it required more winding power, but since I very rarely emboss in this way - for me no problem, but for you?  Having said that, the machine did emboss the card and with use might get easier (or I stronger)!  I was probably being a little cautious not wanting to force or damage anything, but thought I should mention it! 

Storage: This is often a problem for crafters, me included which is why I bought the Bug in the first place, but actually although the JT is heavier than the Bug, there is not a lot of difference in the actual space needed to store them - much to my surprise!  Since the handle on the Bug is fixed, and the handle on the JT is removement - very little difference in length (about 2").  Of course, on the New Bug V2 the handle is removeable so that will take up less space. Width: again not a lot of difference.  The JT is like a rectangle box - it looks solid and so, much bigger and is not a pretty bright colour, whereas the Bug is curvy shape and a great colour (the new Bug V2 is a super shaped machine (much like a handbag!) and is even lighter), but since the feet of the Bug stick out - not a lot of difference in the actual space required for storage.  In fact at this moment my Bug is sitting on top of JT quite neatly.  It is not going to be forgotten!  The Bug does, however, score when the platforms are down.  The JT then takes up more room and even more when operating.  So for storage space not too much of a difference, but for limited operating space - it's the Bug and forgo the advantages of a larger embossing and die cutting machine. 

I'm happy with the JT, it seems to work well and the larger cutting and embossing possibilities appeal to me, but I have to admit that the new Grand dies are expensive.  However, I think there will be many times when I turn to the Bug for small one-off cutting jobs because of the quickness.  So, unlike the advice given by Create and Craft last week, I will not be giving my beloved well used Bug away!

If you are looking to buy a new machine, I cannot tell you which machine you should go for - as you will have read, there are advantages and disadvantages with both, but both work well!  You will need to take into account what you are actually looking to do with the machine, the cost; and the space needed to store and operate the machine. 

I have now opened new pages relating to embossing and die cutting and the relevant sandwich recipes.
You will find these pages listed above and by clicking on them you will arrive at the right place. I do intend to cover all machines, but I'll have to do some research before I give info on them.

Since I've had many requests for info on the JT, I hope you'll find this post useful and informative, and if I can answer any other questions that you have, please shout!

Tomorrow I hope to show you another way of making a larger card, hope you'll have time to drop by.