The company Making Memories is synonymous with scrapbooking embellishments. They have a unique collection of metal embellishments that will create a unique and artistic look to any scrapbooking page. Along with embellishments, they now also have a range of tools that are loved by scrapbookers for making life easier, like the silent eyelet setter, a tag maker and dies for stamping.

However the question here is, with the popularity of die cutting machines for scrapbooking and the massive competition in the market from the two big brands of Die Cutting Machines... the electronic Provo Craft Cricut range of machines and the manually operated Sizzix range of machines, can Making Memories make a Die Cutting Machine that is comparable with these two big brand names?

The Making Memories SLICE hasn't been around for long, but it is making its name well known in the market for die cutting machines for scrapbooking. When compared to its competitors, it is much cheaper than the basic model of Cricut machines, which is an electronic cutter, however around the same price as a manual Sizzix machine like the Big Shot.

Where the Making Memories SLICE stands out though, is that it does not require a power cord to be operated. So it markets itself as being more portable than the Provo Craft Cricut, but with the same advantages, and as equally portable as the manual version of die cutting machines like the Sizzix. However since it is an electronic die cutter, it does not really compete with the Sizzix range of manual machines.

The Making Memories SLICE has similar features to the other electronic die cutters on the market like being able to plug in cartridges (known as design cards) and cutting shapes and letters at varying sizes. It does not need to be connected to a computer to function.

When being compared to the Cricut though, the SLICE attempts to go one better by having the ability to cut thicker pieces of material. While the Cricut range of machines can only cut cardstock and the Sizzix though can pretty much cut through anything (although it is a manually operated machined), the SLICE attempts to merge the gap by allowing material up to 0.5mm thick to be cut. So you get the benefits of a manual machine, on an electronic die cutter.

Given that the SLICE is competing with the Cricut and other electronic cutters, it is very well priced. It also takes up a lot less room than the other electronic cutters. From all reports, it also cuts very well and can cut sheets up to 0.5mm thick.

One of the SLICE's disadvantages though over the Cricut range of machines, is that you have to hold the card while it is cutting, as it does not have a sticky mat or other means of automatically cutting. This makes it a little time consuming, compared to the Cricut which you can set and forget. However at half the price, with the same advantages including the added bonus of no power cord, it is a definite player in the scrapbooking die cut machine market.

The Cricut Gypsy let's you sit on the train, riding in a car, or even sitting in the waiting room of the doctor's office, and all with the same functionality that is available on your PC at home. It's perfectly named, as the Cricut Gypsy is so portable you can take it anywhere, just slightly larger than your cell phone.

Designing your own scrapbooking materials is a wonderful way to make your scrapbooks personal and unique. You can hook it up afterwards to a scrapbooking die cutting machine and cut out your designs. Die cutting machines for scrapbooking abound in the hundreds, but the one that works with the Cricut Gypsy is one that most scrapbookers are familiar with.

The only difference between the software that you install on your computer to use the Cricut and the Gypsy software is basically the screen size, as you still have full functionality to move, stretch or skew images, browse the library or go through your own perfectly organized cartridges. You can store up to 7,000 of your own purchased cartridges and up to 10,000 of your own designs so you'll never run out of space on the Cricut Gypsy.

The Cricut Gypsy is only eight by three inches so it's easy to carry around in your purse, pocket or in the glove compartment of your car, and it's even easier to store. Plus, it runs on batteries and if full charged you can use the Gypsy for up to four hours straight so it doesn't matter how long you are stuck somewhere you'll always have something to do. Plus, everything stored in the Gypsy is organized intuitively and easily searchable so more flipping through pages and pages of manuals to find the design you want, which means you'll be able to concentrate on making an awesome design instead.

Just connect the cable to the Cricut machine and press the button and you'll see your design in the reasl world. You'll choose from a huge selection of fonts so that each picture in your scrapbook tells exactly the story that you want it to say.

It doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing, whether it be traveling by bus, train, car or plane, you'll have the Cricut Gypsy to make designs the whole family will love. Imagine, sitting down with your kids or at Grand ma's house and deciding on the perfect images, layout, fonts and sizes that make that picture look perfect in the scrapbook.

The Cricut Gypsy also connects to your computer easily for bug fixes, and new software updates, as well as easily allowing you to add purchased cartridges. Where ever you go, you'll love the ease and portability of the Cricut Gypsy, and you'll love the designs that you create with it. Happy Scrapbooking!