Tools of the Trade Tuesday-Canon Selphy v. Epson PictureMate Charm

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

The pups are happy to have their mom back home! They haven't left my side since yesterday. The Giant sent me this pic while I was away on my retreat.  The hounds thought I was upstairs.  It pulled on the heartstrings...despite the fact that they look like demon dogs with their glowing eyes.

So, I have been wanting a portable photo printer for several months to take to crops and retreats. I feel like as soon as I get one, a newer, improved version will be available.  This is what I refer to as technology-induced anxiety. And lo' and behold, as soon as I began my research on the Canon and Epson printers, I found that a new Canon Selphy model had just been released in Jan.; the CP910, retail: $99.99. Epson also has a newer model of the PictureMate but it is out of my price range at $256 (B&H). I thought I would share some of my research with you in case you too are trying to decide on which portable photo printer to buy. Here is a quick and dirty run-down of each of the printers I'm looking at.

Selphy CP910
Price: $83.24 (B&H) B&H Canon Seplphy CP910
Print from a digital camera?: Yes
Wireless Connectivity: Yes
Print Sizes: 3.95 in x 5.83 in, 2.1 in x 3.4 in, 0.7 in x 0.9 in, 3.5 in x 4.7 in
LCD Screen-2.7"
Features: Borderless printing, red eye reduction, Image Optimizer, PictBridge Interface, Supports AirPrint, smaller print cartridges than its predecessor, optional rechargeable battery
Resolution: 300 x 300 dpi
USB port & SD Card slot
Dye-sublimation printer
Power Adapter
1.8 lbs.
Accessories: B&H-battery charger $65.99, battery pack $49.95, color ink & paper pack-$12.99
Review: PC Magazine PC Mag-Selphy CP910
Cost per print: .32 (based on retail price of ink)

Epson PictureMate Charm PM225
Price: Amazon has it for $172.99 and free shipping if you are a Prime member. B& H Photo, Video, & Pro Audio has it for $174.99 w/ free shipping. B & H Epson Picture Mate Charm
Print from a digital camera?: Yes
Wireless Connectivity: Yes with bluetooth adapter
Print Sizes: 4 x 6 only
SD Slot/USB
Features: PictBridge Interface, optional rechargeable battery, borderless printing
Resolution: 5760 x 1440 dpi
Can print on glossy or matte
7.9 lbs.
Accessories: bluetooth adapter ($38.99-B&H), rechargeable battery ($42.95-B&H), glossy print pack ($36.29 on sale-B&H)
Review: PC Magazine PC Mag-Charm
Price per print: .32 (based on retail price of ink)

It appears that the Epson PictureMate has more accessories to purchase to make it truly portable and the ink and paper cost more.  I also like that the Charm can print both glossy and matte photos (I prefer matte but have learned to live with glossy). The Selphy is very portable at only 1.8 lbs. and now has a rechargeable battery pack that wasn't available with the CP900. Both work without having to be hooked up to a computer because both have SD card slots. As far as resolution goes, the Charm wins but do I really need anything above 300 x 300 dpi for scrapbooking?

Decisions, decisions...

I am very interested in hearing about either of these two printers so if you have one, would you please let me know how you like it in the comments below?

Thanks for stopping by and stay scrappy!

-Gina & the Hounds

Tools of the Trade Tuesday-Fiskars Sure Cut Paper Trimmer & Hound Drama!

Happy Tuesday!  Before I begin on today's product review, I must tell you about the hound drama this morning at the Bates Motel. The whole family was snuggled in the bed this morning as it started out to be a chilly, overcast day.  Handsome jumped up on Giant's chest as he usually does and Bax was sandwiched between the Giant and myself. Handsome began licking Giant's face and inching toward his nostrils. As he did so, Giant rolled him off, (not knowing that Bax was right next to him and belly up I might add). What ensued can be best summed up this way:

$200 and 3 staples later, Handsome is resting comfortably from his minor surgery to close up an almost inch long laceration on his right front leg. I was so upset to see him in a cone and bumping into walls, that I went out and got him a bitter, no-lick bandage instead.  

We'll see how the bandage works...

Now onto today's product review, the Fiskars Sure Cut Paper Trimmer.  I decided to review this product because it is a question that comes up often at crops.  I have owned paper trimmers from Cutter Bee, American Crafts, We R Memory Keepers, Purple Cow, and have used a variety of guillotine trimmers in teachers' workrooms.  Whenever I am asked which trimmer I think works the best, I always recommend Fiskars.  I have both the large and the smaller version, one for the scrap room and one to bring on crops.  Both cut 12 x 12 sized paper and both have swing arms for larger measurements.

What I like most about the Fiskars trimmers is that you can see where you are actually cutting which allows for more accurate cuts and fewer mistakes. It is able to cut card stock and chipboard with ease.  The replacement blades are easy to find and install as well as inexpensive.  If you are looking to cut other types of material like thin foil sheets, these paper trimmers are not suited for that (as I learned first-hand).  It will shred the cutting wire, rendering your trimmer useless.  You must use a rotary trimmer for those kind of cuts.  I have not tried cutting fabric but I assume that a rotary trimmer would be best suited for that as well. 

Amazon always has a variety to choose from depending on your needs.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fiskars%20surecut%20paper%20trimmer&sprefix=Fiskars+sure%2Caps%2C219&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afiskars%20surecut%20paper%20trimmer

And you can't go wrong with a 40% off JoAnn's coupon!

http://www.joann.com/search?q=fiskars

Scrapbook.com has a decent selection great prices as well. 

http://store.scrapbook.com/products/?w=fiskars+

Thanks for stopping by and stay scrappy!

-Gina & the Hounds