Are you sick of trimmers yet? Well if you are, you'll love our last trimmer giveaway of the week, because it's not actually a trimmer; it's more of a "trimming system." And you'll REALLY love Friday's giveaway, because it doesn't resemble a trimmer in any way, shape, or form. It's cheese. Three months of cheese. So be sure to stop by tomorrow! Trimmer fun starts now.
1. Spotlight
The Crafter's Ultimate Cutting Toolkit by WeRMemoryKeepers! It comes with a 17x14 cutting mat, a magnetic ruler, an art knife WITH replacement blades, super strong magnets to hold pictures and papers in place, a rotary cutter WITH replacement blades, and a circle cutter that cuts from 1/2-inch to 6-inch circles! It's like a dream come true. It's ultimate, very ultimate.
2. Today's Tip
If your rotary trimmer starts misbehaving, before you switch out that blade take a look at your cutting track (aka the cutting channel). Most rotary trimmers have a rubber cutting track that absorbs the impact of the blade. And if you've worn it completely out, the blade won't perform as well. Step one is to flip the rubber track upside down and use up its reverse side (if your model allows that). And once you've worn that out, it's time to invest in a replacement cutting channel, which is MUCH cheaper than buying a new trimmer.
3. Giveaway
Leave me a comment by 2 pm MST on Friday, and I'll pick one random winner who will enjoy the ULTIMATE crafter's toolkit. Your topic: why are most trimmers purple and/or orange? Think about it: Fiskars=orange. Purple Cows=purple. Tonic=orange. WRMK pictured above=purple. Marvy Uchida=purple and blue. It's a mystery. I'd love to hear your theories.
4. Antics
This is me giving a little kiss to Porter Rockwell, who menacingly guards the entrance to our parking lot. How's that for antics? He's not so scary once you get to know him...nothing but a big teddy bear with a rifle.
And here's Jennafer in a pseudo-engagement picture with Porter. This is probably the most action he's seen in decades!
5. And More
Did you know that there's a super duper precision paper trimmer called the "Genesis" (MSRP roughly $390) that you have to get on a waiting list for several years before you can actually buy it? Apparently, they're now shipping orders taken in January 2006. And you can't even get on the waiting list at the moment. Eventually, when the manufacturer gets caught up with existing orders, new people will have the opportunity of waiting for several years. This better be a damn good trimmer. Does it also do your taxes for you? Was it blessed by the hand of Moses in the book of Genesis? Is it going to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity? What? It actually cuts straight? That's probably what all the fuss is about.
I think it is because they both have red as a base colour, so will hide the blood easier when I accidently cut myself!
Posted by: Cass | February 26, 2009 at 01:19 PM
Wow! This looks wonderful! As for the color choice, I thought it had to do with the company colors, but I could be wrong. I know that orange and brown are supposed to make you hungry and blue and purple are supposed to be calming. So perhaps they are trying to make you hungry to buy it, but secure in your purchase once you do. :)
Posted by: Libby Brill | February 26, 2009 at 01:39 PM
I think it is because they can stand out better in your scrap mess...I mean my scrap mess...lololololol...thank you for the giveaway
Posted by: Tina B. | February 26, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Yay for the fab giveaways...
As for the colors... I dunno. Maybe it goes well with crimson red??? (the color of blood, if you were wondering)
Posted by: Avital | February 26, 2009 at 01:49 PM
I know, why not a red trimmer? I have no clue. Do those colors compete less with things you are cutting?
Posted by: Cris | February 26, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Maybe because those colors contrast well with more "commonly used colors?" I don't have a clue.
Posted by: Etta | February 26, 2009 at 01:51 PM
Great giveaway! I think certain colors are used as marketing tools, in that certain colors evoke certain emotions which make people more inclined towards certain things/items perhaps??
Posted by: Lindsay Bateman | February 26, 2009 at 01:57 PM
because orange is the new black ;)
Posted by: emily pitts | February 26, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Well, I know why Fiskars is orange - that's what the machinist happened to have left in his machine when he made the first scissors prototypes. Proved to be a popular colour in the 1960s. Hence the orange colouring in most Fiskars products. As for purple, I guess it's slightly less girly than pink (which some people hate) but still appealing to women.
Posted by: tape | February 26, 2009 at 02:02 PM
They are bright colors so we can find them amongst all the paper on our tables!
Posted by: Joanne | February 26, 2009 at 02:27 PM
It must depend on the designers favorite football teams colors! HeeHee! Truely though, I have NO idea!
Posted by: Lori Y. | February 26, 2009 at 02:32 PM
I belive that most trimmers are orange or purple is beacause those colors would inspire you to be more creative.
Posted by: cards4ever | February 26, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Somebody must have done some research to determine that these are the least used colors in scrapbooking...therefore, it will be the easiest to spot on your scrap table!
Posted by: Kim K | February 26, 2009 at 02:38 PM
i have no idea. sorry!
Posted by: carriegel | February 26, 2009 at 02:39 PM
and purple is the new orange (see Emily's comment above).
Posted by: Paula | February 26, 2009 at 02:44 PM
I have to agree that it is the easiest to spot on your messy scrap table. I love bright orange or purple tools. I can always find them.
Posted by: Karen | February 26, 2009 at 02:53 PM
I think they're orange or purple so I can find them easier in the mess that is always on my desk!
Posted by: kim a. | February 26, 2009 at 03:01 PM
I have no idea why but I bet the companies spent a lot of time researching what color would sell the most - that's the way most companies work anyway.
Posted by: Laurie Takens | February 26, 2009 at 03:06 PM
I have to agree with other posters, those colors are used so you can find your trimmer in your mess!
Posted by: Christine D | February 26, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Hmmm... I'm thinking that trimmers are orange or purple so that they catch your attention (orange just grabs you - can't miss it and purple is a happy color).
Posted by: Mindy | February 26, 2009 at 03:11 PM
I think they are those two colors because those colors stand out to people. Orange grabs the eye but purple tends to be a more comforting color. Personally I'm more inclined towards the purple than the orange but that's just because I love purple. Ten to one if it's purple and I want it then I will buy it!
Posted by: ScrappyMommy | February 26, 2009 at 03:31 PM
I know a lot of people say that purple is the hardest color to work with, so maybe they thought that most of the time you could easily find your trimmer if it stood out from the paper all over it?
Posted by: AndiD | February 26, 2009 at 03:32 PM
I have no idea about the chosen colors--maybe brand recognition? I've noticed though, that there aren't yellow rotary cutters & green mats, like my old Olfa quilting set up.
Great giveaway!
Posted by: BettyC | February 26, 2009 at 04:11 PM
I like the idea the other ladies have about being able to find it easier in a mess.lol
Posted by: Erin Bohland | February 26, 2009 at 04:19 PM
I hardly ever use orange or purple in my scrapping, so they do stand out in my room making them easier to find in the mess! But oddly enough, I've never had a purple one...
Posted by: Bonnie Lewis-Watts | February 26, 2009 at 04:38 PM