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VERY NICE!

Nice collection. I love the shoe I used to make those but I cut them out by hand. I put nugget candies in mine. I like the side detail on them. New to your channel. ❤❤❤

Hi Yvette. I so enjoyed your unboxing of Create 10. Enjoy your time making all the wonderful things Anna has planned for you.Thanks for sharing! I am not attending.

I bought the CC Gemini years ago when it first came out and then got the Empress specifically because the Gemini DID NOT cut my very intricate dies well. It took so much shimming and I had to put pressure to get the sandwich in, and I had to run through MANY times. With the Empress, it was a whole brave new world and I have never looked back. I cut my very intricate stitching dies through a double pass (which probably would cut fine in one single pass) without shimming, or any physical pushing and the cuts are SO MUCH CLEANER!!! I completely respectfully disagree that the Gemini is a stronger machine but for sure it cuts so much cleaner and better. I have kept my Gemini to foil until I use something else for foiling but I do not use it anymore for die-cutting. It was my understanding that when Anna Griffin introduced her Empress, of course it was made to especially cut and emboss her own Anna Griffin extremely detailed dies, and her dies were thicker metal, so the metal shim was made to cut other brand dies that are not as thick. That is why the sandwich you chose without the metal shim DID NOT fully cut and emboss the folding lines because it needs that extra width to make up for the fact that you are using dies not as thick as Anna Griffin’s dies. I don’t know if Anna’s dies have changed in the past 3 to 5 years since I was blessed to be able to buy this wonderful machine in Canada (man, I wish that we Canadians could shop on HSN, I live close enough to the border to have the items shipped to the US and pick them up and take them home but HSN will not sell to us here, which is sad). I have been COMPLETELY SATISFIED with my Empress and I have not needed to look elsewhere for a better machine. This is much superior to the Gemini. The plates are much stronger and resist warping. The Empress magnetic mat is a complete game-changer especially compared to the Gemini magnetic mat. That magnetic mat is the work horse of the plates as it takes all of the cuts and it keeps the plates pristine, as Anna Griffin says. I honestly believe that you will find this machine to be MUCH SUPERIOR to your Gemini. I love my Crafters Companion supplies and it’s a wonderful company, but the Empress gives a much superior quality of cuts and embossing with no physical effort and in a double pass vs usually many passes for intricate dies and now it’s a joy to die-cut and emboss. I’m wondering if you didn’t get good cuts when you tried cutting that same large die (your plates weren’t covering the whole die as you said) was that the paper seemed thin. I haven’t had any issues with cardstock rippling at all. I may be completely wrong, it’s just a thought. I hope that this explains the metal shim and how her plate system (which took out the embossing mat that I found that I really didn’t need), I think that you will be bowled over! The difference IS NOT POWER for this machine, it’s about using the metal shim when not using Anna’s own thicker metal dies. The Gemini never cut my intricate dies cleanly, Anna’s Empress does every time. I wish you well and I enjoyed watching your video, this is my first time on your channel.

Thank you for your content, i hope you feel better that Covid whip my but too. Im going to need help creating image can you help me i will appreciated, because I want to start doing t-shirts 😊

Yvette, a big tip on your magnetic mat, wrap in both sides with cling wrap and your dies won't stick to it and the confetti from the dies won't stick either. It made a huge difference in having to scrape all of that off. I always use the metal shim except remove both metal shim and magnetic mat and only use the clear plates and an embossing folder when putting through the machine. I have the Empress and love the heck out of it. I am sure you won't want to use anything else with the Elite. Congrats! BTW, I did hear them on HSN say that the dies didn't come with the machine. I was wondering that while watching and then they said it. Enjoy!

Thank you. I bought this one, tho I don't really need it because I bought the Gemini II a few months ago. I always wanted the big Empress. I have the mini and use it most because it's so portable. Like you, I was expecting a couple of dies. It's OK, tho I have about 5 cutting machines already.

TFS - The paisley paper pack is $63 on her website. That’s some of the prettiest paper I’ve seen in a long time. I would definitely pay $63 for that paper pad.

Are the create boxes only available to members?

What a great box!!!

I love your videos! They are so much fun. This year I’m trying to make scrapbook pages with the create 10 dies instead of cards. I have tons of cards and I always need more scrapbook pages :-) I appreciate when you said that you burn out during the event. I was thinking there was something wrong with me because I can’t keep up, do you ever go into the craft room?

My Elite arrived yesterday. Personally, I thought it was clear enough not to expect anything except the second set of plates to come with the machine BUT presenting the autoship the way they did was confusing. Took several presentations to figure out it was really a separate, add-on item that would not start until February. That said, I’ve wanted an Empress for several years and seeing the TSV thought it a good time to invest. At first go, I am disappointed. Gorgeous machine! Love the aesthetics but across the board performance for anything other than AG products fails - it’s not ‘whisper’ quiet, seems quite fiddly to use with anything other than AG, and doesn’t seem designed to accommodate any non-AG 3D embossing folders.😢 Based on the many YT videos singing the praises of the original machine, I think I’d have been happier with the older model. The Elite will get a few more chances to change my mind, but right now and considering the spend, I’m not sure it will be a keeper.

I picked up the empress elite too and I love it! This is my first electric machine and it is a game changer for me.

Wow! Thanks for sharing your exciting trip to Alaska. It's definitely on my travel list. It looks like you had an exciting time shopping, and the pictures were awesome.

The proper term is called a "bait and switch"...

I have the original Empress & I love it. I bought mine directly from the AG website during their Black Friday sale a couple years ago & it came with 2 embossing folders. I won’t be updating because mine works fine & I’m happy with it.

How much was this set? I just love the colors

I am going to create. Have not started my prep yet, so you are not alone. I got pretty much what you got. Beauregard had toppers, snarky comments aimed at men. I loved them and have made several cards with that set. I’m also from SC, hope to see you in the group chat

I was tempted, but already have an empress, which I love. I too thought it came with a die set (my original empress did). I have a Gemini which I do not care for. As you said personal taste.

Oh my I want some please tell me how to get it

Anna had said on HSN that Autoship starts in February 2025. You are getting the two sets of plates, the large and regular. Normally you just get the regular and the large plates are an additional charge.

I have more and more dissolutioned with Anna. I have an empress and mini empress and will not be purchasing the elite. I do love the one’s I have. Appreciate your honesty and your videos

I agree with you

I purchased the elite and received it on yesterday. I tried it out and I think I will return it. It is much louder than the Regular Empress. I will try it out again this week and see what happens.

I got my first one , and thanks for the info but that thing seems louder that they said it will be. I also through that you got dies also. I haven’t open it yet .

I’m still waiting for mine to arrive. I’m probably the only one, but based off the presentations I saw I didn’t think the machine was coming with dies. The only thing I expect are the extra set of plates (small set of plates). I didn’t get the autoship. I too have the original Gemini machine- have had it for several years. Thankfully, it still works.

I agree with you. Every die cutting machine I have ever purchased has always came with a sampler die set. I'm shocked nothing was included. Anna usually doesn't miss the mark with something like that.

I love the Empress and you will as well. I have the older version and didn't see a point in buying this one because they function the exact same way. Just a face lift if you will. I love the older one because it has a handle. I do like the turntable though. I bought marble turntables from Ross earlier this year and have all my cutting machines (Empress, Cricut, Platinum, Switch, and Gemini)sitting on them. Works well for me. I did buy the dust cover as well. It is so cute. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Great video I already have the previous Empress so I skipped on this one Thank you so much!

I’ve been thinking about getting an empress for a while. Then I saw the hsn ad. I have a die cutting machine problem, cause I have an Accuquilt, platinum 6, Gemini and Gemini junior, and a leather die cutting machine. I didn’t get the auto ship, because Anna Griffin dies aren’t my jam. I think mine comes tomorrow.

I thought exactly the same thing.

Info definitely stated you get 4 cutting dies, a frame, butterfly, birthday and a flourish!

Thanks I kind of agree with you, this is the first machine I purchased with no dies or anything included. Luckily since I'm not a new Crafter I do have stuff in my stash to use but I was expecting something to be in the box....but I was content with two sets of plates, something no machine I've purchased has had.

I love my Empress, it’s my favorite cutting machine. I wanted the new machine but if I’m honest my machine works perfectly. I would have only bought it for the auto ship. They did say in. the presentation the auto ships were February, May and August. At least that’s what I wrote down when I was trying to talk myself into buying it.

You got a great box!!!! My box was similar to yours except my square cards were Carte Noir and I got a star die set. I haven’t started prepping for Create yet either!!!! I need to get busy! lol.

The Mystery Boxes are fabulous! I'm looking forward to Create 10 and have started prepping today. I already need a nap!🙃

Thanks for sharing your unboxing…..😊

I like your box ❤

You got a great box! I guess you could use the papers with the cards, but as you said, Beauregard is more masculine, and the papers seems more feminine.

Lucky you I only got 2 die sets. Cute items

Wow! Your box is amazing. I got 2 die sets but no card kit. I got the Haunted Flower Cart/Shop Embellishments, Spooky Slimline Matt Foil Cardstock, Falloween Gift Card Holders dies, Scaredy Cat dies, and the pumpkin banner.

I agree, her team is slacking, today is 10/21/24 and i just got my box today, you and I got the exact same things. In the past I've had to call, and email them a few times to get updates. I did love everything I received 😊 thank you for posting your mystery box for us.

I love that card! 😍

They will love those compact mirrors

Me too. I called 3 times and Stephanie and Kate both lied to me. Out right lies. When I said Iwanted to cxl they would have someone call back. Never did. I finally cxld thru my creidt card. Cxld future mystery boxes and called HSN and cxld m😮y create 10. I will not purchase from AG again. But I do enjoy your videos. Thanks

i k shipping is a challenge. mine is usually late... i d k why -- you could sell the items you did not like or gift them. anyhoo...--- did you know she is thinking of making the mystery box specific every month in 2025. side note this will be my last create and no CAH5 because it does not give me enough time to prep and the cost for what we get from what was posted in other videos is not worth it. no 12x12 paper and very limited supplies sooo ..... i k people give push back on theses mystery boxes but if it is not for you big deal maybe the next one will be---..ugh free speech! TYFS YOUR HONEST REVIEW

Wow you received 3 die sets… I only received 2 die sets!

When do they have the mystery boxes?

Thanks for sharing your unboxing. If there are items you don’t like, you could always swap the items. Everyone seems to like Anna Griffin items. Thanks again for sharing. 😊

I am with you, I don't do Halloween either and I was truly hoping that I got more fall things than Halloween, but such was not the case. She clearly had a lot of Halloween inventory to share. So, like you most of my box went in the garbage too. Thank you for sharing and I am so sorry that you had to wait soo long for your box.