Sizzix: stepping into a world of magic

Hi there!
During the three days of our double event "Festival delle Arti Manuali" and "Festa del Ricamo", many people who visited our booth asked a whole lot of questions about the multifaceted Sizzix machines and we have realized that - probably because of the number of crafting possibilities they offer, as well as because of the as many cutting and embossing dies available - there's still a little confusion around them...
So, to clear up some of the doubts still existing about these wonderful "craft companions", we have decided to publish some posts about them, conceived to move the first steps into this - as wonderful - world.
At present, there are three machines from Sizzix:
Sizzix Texture Embossing Machine
Sizzix Big Shot Machine (Powder Blue & Teal)
Sizzix Big Shot Pro Machine (Periwinkle)
The first one is not a cutting machine: it's a model designed exclusively for embossing, i.e. that simple but lovely technique, allowing to get amazing relief effects on paper and light cardboard of any kind.
To create these little, lovely "tricks", all you need are the so-called "embossing folder", such as the Fa La La Set and Swirls, just to make a couple of examples.
These same embossing folder can be used with your Big Shot and Big Shot Pro, too, to emboss all the paper and cardboard you want, but both these machines are also designed to be used with a whole lot of cutting dies (currently more than 1000!), to craft the most different shapes!

How to orient yourself among all these dies?
Selecting the right cutting dies can be often quite hard, just because of the number of cutting dies available However, there are some simple standards that can be followed, to make things easier! First of all, the cutting dies with the word "Pro" in their name are compatible with the biggest machine, i.e. the Big Shot Pro, only. Some examples? Take a look here: Bag, Treat; Card w/Window & Envelope; Box, Fancy Favor.
Secondly: the cutting dies named "BigZ" can cut virtually everything! Cardboard, felt, fabric, expanded and foam materials, light leather and leatherette, aluminum foil and even light-acetate sheets
Third: Thinlits and Sizzlits, like the following ones, Doily, Love Silhouette; Cake, Three Tier; Medallion, Layering Heart; Label & Edge, Scrollwork; Scallop, Fringed; Bower Birds are wafer-thin cutting dies, designed to cut only single paper or cardboard sheets, or light aluminum foil, and are not meant to cut fabrics, felts, or similar materials.
Fourth: Framelits are cutting dies conceived to cut little frames, small windows within cards, or larger and similar projects, also creating amazing layering effects, thanks to the possibility of layering the different shapes, once cut! The Framelits, too, such as the 8PK Circles, Scallop; 5PK Tickets and 9PK w/Stamps Charms, Winter, are meant to be used with paper and cardboard... Mainly, but not only
That's it, for now! We've got a lot on our plate already, haven't we? Hear from us soon, then, with all the necessary info on the accessories needed to use all these cutting dies
Hugs!