{Reported by Ashley Harris}
When I first saw this in a scrappy magazine I was thrilled! I so wanted to get this and what I see what I could do with it! So I folded the corner down on the page and moved on. Well I got my hands on one of these beauties and gave it a whirl. Here is what I have found.Out of the box this tablet is super easy to set up. I mean seriously, my 5 year old could do this. So hooked it up and downloaded drivers and voila I was ready to go. Right? Wrong. I highly recommend that you watch the instructional dvd that comes with this. It is very informative and it basically teaches you how to use this tablet. If you are new to digital scrapping, like I am, then this is a requirement.
Once I watched the dvd, I got started. The pen is now your mouse. This gives you the ability to write, doodle, have pinpoint editing options and it is great! My main reason for being so interested in the Bamboo Craft was that I could put my own handwriting on my digital layouts. So with the pen being the mouse you can do this!! It took a lot of practice to get my handwriting legible on the page. I mean we are talking a good 2-3 days worth. This was the number one attraction to me and I wanted to get it right. So after working with it and practicing, I found that I could write almost as comfortably as I would on a regular tangible layout. However, the pen is your mouse. It will react as your computer mouse does and do wild things on occasion, so you will just have to take that in consideration and go back to the previous step in your Photoshop to correct that wild slash across your page.
What I made:
Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet, Adobe Photoshop CS2, ARD Dino Solids Brown, ARD Dino Elements Journal Tag, ARD Dino Elements Chain Link Mat, PRP Creamy Cocao Alphas (All on the cd included with the Bamboo Craft)
Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet, Adobe Photoshop CS2, ARD InMyLife Cran Flower, ARD InMyLife Hat Pin Pink, ARD InMyLife Pink Brad, French Laundry Photo Edges Sande Krieger for 2Peas, Carina Gardner 2Ps Digital Journaling StampsWhat I liked:
- I was able to use my own handwriting.
- I can edit photos with crazy detail.
- I can make my own digital elements and embellishments.
What I disliked:
- It takes a lot of time to get used to it.
- The inaccuracy of the pen due to the mouse factor, but that is to be expected.
In the box:
In addition to your pen and tablet, Bamboo Craft includes valuable tools for helping you get started:
* A 26-session training DVD from Jane Conner-ziser and Software Cinema showing you how to use the pen with the software included in the box
* A 28-page instructional book called Scrappin' With A Tablet by Amanda Dykan to help you jump right into digital scrapbooking and art projects
* A fun Digi-Scrappin' CD of complimentary embellishments
* Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6.0, the perfect application for editing photos
* Corel® Painter™ Essentials 4.0 for designing you own artwork and embellishments
* Nik® Color Efex Pro™ for adding unique photo effects to your digital photos
* Free 1-year Subscription to Scrapbooking & Beyond Magazine
* Free 8" x 8" hard-cover, professionally-bound Photo Book from Shutterfly
* Free online store so that you can sell your artwork or creations with Café Press and $15 off you first purchase of $50 or more
Where and how much:
Product: Bamboo Craft
Manufacturer: Wacom
MSRP: $129.00
http://www.wacom.com/bamboocraft/index.php, www.amazon.com *
Rating out of 5: 4.5
What do you think?
Overall, I love this product! I cannot wait to get started on my own digital elements for hybrid projects as well as digital. But I want to know what your take is....Is this something you would use? What would you use it for? Leave a comment by noon PST tomorrow (Tuesday) and you could win your very own Bamboo Craft!
134 comments:
This sounds very interesting. I had a similar tool in my Commodore 64 days (1980's) and I really miss it. I would love to win this.
I have wanted one of these for about 4 years. I am not sure how much I would use it because I am not a digi scrapper, so I have held off on the purchase. I wanted it for editing photos, and who knows, maybe I would love digi scrapping! (maybe thats what worries me, another addicting craft! Ha)
Your review was actually quite helpful. I've seen it before but have not had the pleasure of seeing what it could do. I'm not much of a digi scrapper but it does fascinate me that I could use my own handwriting on my layouts - I could see some great hybrid possibilities!
Great review! I was wondering how sensitive this tablet would be. It's interesting to note it has the same quirks as a mouse would, but I would love the amount of detail you could do. Right now I work off a laptop and am pretty constrained with the touchpad. Luckily, Mac laptops have amazingly sensitive touchpads, but this would be fun to experiment with.
Great review! My friend has one and loves it...I have been dying to try it out!
I've never done any digital scrapbooking but this looks very interested. Would definitely love to win one fo these to play with. Thanks for the chance to win.
I have the Bamboo Fun medium tablet and I just love it.
It does take a little getting used to, but once you do, it is VERY easy to get exactly what you want onto your project.
It's also an amazing deal with all the software you get with it.
Good luck everyone!!
This is such a fun idea!!! I would love to have my kids write on this and be able to save thier art and writting forever. The photo editing also sounds like it would be fun, this would be a fun step towards some digital scrapping.
This is something I would love to play with. I love to digi scrap and I would LOVE to be able to use my own handwriting on a page.
Oh I have soooo wanted to have one of these. I love to do digi but just havn't been able to justify buying yet another product for my LOs...lol. Oh I do hope my name comes up.
Catherine
I have been dying for one of these for a couple of years. I have not yet started digital scrapbooking but tools like this are what make it seem so exciting. All the fun of traditional scrapbooking without the mess.
Thanks for a great review! I would love to have one of these and have been eyeing them forever. I would love to me able to use it for photo editing, being able to use a pen seems like it would be so much easier than the mouse. I would like to try writing on my digi layouts too.
I have never heard of this before but it looks brilliant. I would use it to write and doodle on my page.
I do both paper and digi scrapping, and I think this tool is awesome and I would love to have one! Being able to use my own handwriting is definitely a plus!
Thanks for the review! I have been wondering about this tool but haven't talked to anyone who had it. I am just starting to get into digital scrapping and with editing my photos so think this tool would be fun to use.
I would love this for photo editing and creating large titles with my handwriting. :D
I don't know much about it but I think it is something that would be a lot of fun to use. Thanks for the heads up.
Thank you for this honest review. I have been looking at these and wondering if it is something I could work with. I love the idea of detailed photo editing! I would use it for that a lot, and then move into other things, too!
I've had my eye on this product for quite some time now. I love the fact of being able to use my own handwriting on my computer. Thanks for the review.
I would definitely use it. I have a goal to learn something new this summer. One boy is off to college soon and another boy is going through puberty. I need something to keep me sane. LOL!
What a great review! You've definitely piqued my interest in this tool.
My husband has a standard wacom table that he uses for this work, but I never thought they would come out with one especially for crafting; and seeing as I do a lot of digital work, I would definitely use it. This is fabulous! :D Thanks for the review.
What a great review. I am always unsure of new digital tools and if I really need them. This sounds like it is a necessary tool for digital scrapping. I am just teaching myself how to digi scrap and would love one of these. :)
This sounds really neat! Great review!
I actually think this would be great to alleviate the pain I feel in my wrist (I have tendon problems) when working with a traditional mouse. Great review!
I would love to win this because the creativity of doing your own lo's your way every time. I would make pages for books that would be the same so grandma, nana and papa and all the aunts and uncles could get some amazing little books of their granddaughters/nieces.
This really looks like the most fun tool I've seen since the Silhoette (which I've been coveting for a year now).
Thanks for the chance to win.
I've been eyeing one of these for awhile but haven't taken the plunge yet. Some good things to consider in your review. Thanks!
I've been so curious since I first heard of these tablets. What a great giveaway!
I was like you, folded the corner down and moved on. The ability to use your own handwriting would be great. No blurps when you handwrite like I do now.
I'd love to use it to create my own digital elements and add a personal touch to my photos and pages. I spend MANY hours trying to create elements with preset shapes and brushes. I believe a wacom would save a lot of that time spent...
Thanks for the chance to win!
That would be so great to win!! Get me into the "digital age" :) Thanks, and I love the box boy page!
I am so intrigued with digital scrapping, but don't know where or how to get started. This might be the tool that pushes me into it.
I have never heard of this and it looks very interesting. Thanks for the review! I would love to use this for putting my own handwriting on my layouts!
I have wanted one of these for a LONG time and it just hasnt been in the budget. I would love to do more digital layouts, have more control over my editing and include my handwriting on photos and digital layouts. Everything you mentioned! Thanks for the chance to win such an awesome giveaway!!!!!
Rebecca Keppel
Wow! This is a really cool product. I love the idea of creating your own digital elements and using it for photo editing.
My husband has a wacom tablet and I should really start using it, my 3 year old uses it more than me! lol
I had seen this advertised in scrapping mags but wasn't sure how exactly it was used. I would love to have this to do photo editing and be able to use my own handwriting on layouts. It would also help me feel more confident about doing digi or hybrid scrapping. Thank you for the great review! :)
I have the wacom intuos and love it!! But I would love to win the bamboo to give to my soon to be 2nd DGC's mommy. SHe will have lots of pictures to scrap and has wanted to create digitally, this would help her out in getting started. TU
Hugs,
PattiM
(Pattie's passion)
I Scrap So All Moments Are Remembered!
Oh my gosh! I've been wanting one of these for years! I'm glad to hear a review about it. Thanks!
Great review! This thing intimidated me a bit, but now I feel like I just want to jump into digi. What a fun tool, and I am very impressed with all it includes.
Its going on my list....
Wow... I've seen this before and have loved the idea of doing more with my own handwriting...
I think I would like to do hybrid elements on my traditional pages... but have my journaling done printed out this way on the hybrid elements.
Yes, I would use it. I would love to put my own handwriting on digital layouts. What a great idea!
This has been on my wish list for awhile. Even my husband is interested. I think having a Wacom pad would encourage him to take more part in my scrapbooking! What do you think? ;)
Great review! I'd love to win, as a Wacom tablet has been on my list for ages!
FINALLY! I have been dying to know what exactly this is for, THANK YOU THANK YOU! I knew there was a reason why I joined here, LOL!
I have been looking for something like this to be able to add my own handwriting to my digi LO's. I do alot of digi LO's for family to see and it would be awesome to actually have my own handwriting on there vs some computer font! Hmmm...My birthday is in 59 days!!
I would love to give something like this a try. I have stayed away from digi scrapping becuase I have SO MUCH invested in traditional scrapping I just can't justify the cost. I have thought about hybrid, maybe if I won this I would have the push I needed!!
not sure i could justify the expense of it right now but it is nice to know it is out there. You mentioned that you can use it for photo editing--how does that exactly work--i think i would want to know more information about that and would probably use it for that more than digital pages.
Thanks for the info
Hmmm never heard of it! Although I am new to being interested in digi...
What a great way to get me started though-dontcha think???
Wink wink!
Great review!
Diane Cooper
diane7@rogers.com
This is a great package for a beginner (or wannabe!) Thanks for the review.
Oh my gosh that is the coolest thing ever!!! i would love to try one!
Oh you have certainly made me curious about this li'l baby. I'd love to play with this, thanks so much, ms.cheryl
I really want one of these too ... check out the Wacom website, they've got a some links to what folks have done w/theirs - really inspiring stuff. Now if it would just go on sale somewhere (counting my pennies, hubby lost job).
I have wanted one of these for sooo long. I do lots of graphic designing, and this would make it so much easier! Thanks for the chance to win :)
Whoooa! Great review. I would like to try one of these. I would use it to design cutting files for my Gazelle die cutter machine. Way to cool!
I have wanted one of these for awhile now. It looks very cool and interesting...thanks for the review of this product. :=)
Andrea
I would totally use one of these! I have 5 kids that I need to scrapbook for. Anything that could help me get that done? Big plus!
Sounds like an interesting product! Would love to try it out!
Wow would I love one of these> yes, yes. Thanks for the great review.
Thanks also for the giveaway.
debbie peysen
I have heard both good and bad about using the tablet type sistem. I think if you're serious about digital scrapping or photo editting that this would be something you'd definately need to concider. Great giveaway, and thanks.
I would love to win this. I actually planned on buying one for my husband for Christmas, since we both scrapbook and he loves to play with the photos on PSE. Something postponed me getting this for him. Thank you for the review on this product!
I have seen this before, and hear they are great, and thanks for your great review! I understand that many people draw with these...I would love to try to create and have fun on my scrapbook pages...I've recently started digital pages too! Thanks for a great tool to win!
This sounds really interesting. I have never done any digital scrapbooking, but this intrigues me. Your layouts look great!
Oh, I would SO love to win this!! Tanks for the review!
My friend has it, and we used it to create some doodles flowers and other things for embellishment. It was addictive, and I would LOVE to have one myself!
I have been debating whether or not I "need" one. LOVE your review! Would love to have a "hands-ons" review one day soon. I hope I win one {wink-wink} thanks again!
I'm a digi scrapper and I would love to have a Bamboo tablet. I'd like to be able to doodle on my pages and use my own handwriting.
Great review, I have a friend who uses one better than she uses a pen and she loves it. I would love to get one, very high on my wish list! Thanks.
I have a girlfriend who has had a wacom tablet for several years now, she is an artist in her own right and it is amazing what she can do with that thing. I have contemplated many times how useful the tablet would be for scrapbooking but felt the price was too high. What fun I could have if I got my hands on this contraption. Love your reviews...keep up the good work.
Oh My!!! What a great review!! I never heard of the Bamboo Craft ! I would love to get my hands on one of those! That would be great to work with my Paint Shop Pro software!
Mélyane
Wow, I cannot believe what this awesome tablet can do!! Thanks so much for reviewing new products---
Linda Peterson
I use to have a Wacom tablet and I loved it. There was a earning curve but I had so much fun playing with it I didn't mind. Than we moved and I haven't seen it since!
Thanks for the review - I've been curious about the Wacom for a long time. I've yet to venture into digital scrapbooking, but this makes it sound like something worth trying.
Thanks for the great review. I've been looking at that same ad for a while now, I'd love to win one!
I got excited when I saw this in a magazine. Thanks so much for the review and the Box Boy LO is just too cute! I just love anything electronic/computer toys so I wanted one the minute I saw it advertised. I'm not into digi-scrapping, but I too would like to see my handwritting on the computer. Thanks again for the review.
Thanks for the info about this product. I have seen it advertised in magazines but have not taken the time to really find out much info. I have been dabbling a little with digital and this would be a great tool to have on hand.
I have not gotten into digi scrapping, but have wanted to for awhile now. I think with this tool, I would most definitely be able to dive right in!! Great review!!
It's also great for those with arthritis or mouse-related RSI (ie me!!). I'd LOVE one!!
I've seen this advertised too and I'm still on the fence-it sounds like a very cool product that once I got to play with it could do some very cool things with!!!
I too have seen this in the magazines and found myself drawn (not pun..lol) to it. I know I would use it since I do dabble in digital, but I keep finding other reason to not spend the money...:( Maybe one day..
I am not sold on this product and was not pulled towards it as a "have to have" item. I am really not sure what I think about it but would give it a whirl if I had the opportunity to try it before I was to buy it.
I've had my eye on this product for a while and glad to see your review. I've wanting to do my own digi elements and I think this little hummer is the device to get me going. Thanks for the report!!!
WOW the possibilities could be endless - what a fun little gadget to play with :)
This looks like a very fun computer tool to use for digital scrapbooking.
Great review... I have the grey Wacom and I love the pen. Haven't even begun to really use it, but it is very precise and definitely cool. Awesome giveaway!
Thanks for the review! I had an old Wacom tablet, but when I upgraded my computer to one with Vista, it didn't work 100% anymore...I've been lusting after one of the new ones, but financially can't justify it right now.
It sounds interesting, but how do you actually do the pages? Do you get papers and embellishments in digital kits or is this all do-it-yourself?
Thanks so much for this informative review. I have always wanted to do digital scrapbooking and this would be the perfect tool to get me started.
LeeAnn Giroux
I've been dying to try one out, thanks for the opportunity!
I have been wanting to dabble in the digi world and what a better way to get started!
This may just be the perfect tool to get me started dipping my toes in to digi pool!
Thank you for your feedback on the item. I've been wanting to use a tablet for awhile. I'm new to digi & love reading tips and hints.
I could totally use this! Thanks for such a detailed review.
The idea of writing with it is very intriguing, and adding in your own doodles and flourishes...now that could become very addicting!
I've been looking into this but wondering on the "learning curve" thanks for the great review on it!
This looks really interesting. I have been fascinated to try one, but not sure of the investment. Thanks for the insight!
I have not yet ventured into the digital scrapbooking world, but I could see how this would be fantastic for doodling on the pages. You could make your own artistic and decorative designs. For me the handwritting option would be the main purpose for buying this. Thanks for the review!
I would love this for the simple fact I would be able to include my own handwriting on my pages without the hassle it is now!
Hubby and I are really thinking about getting one of these tablets. We think it would be really useful when editing photos. We just haven't made the leap yet! Thanks for the reivew. Very helpful.
Wow! Thanks for the review! I have so been wanting to add this to my techy stuff! I love to journal in my own handwriting and this would be cool....I can also use the font I made from my own writing. I also like that I could draw with this.....the possibilities are endless!
I have been so scared to try the digi thing...I am now totally intrigued, I have seen the ads, but didn't really know what it did. Thanks for another great review!
I am soooo ready for digital scrapbooking. I would love to get more done as far as pages go. But I love getting dirty with all the other stuff, mini albums, inking and all that good stuff. So I think that this handy little tool might start me on the right path to getting a little more done as far as pages go! Thanks for another great review, you sparked me interest!
I would love to own one of these. At my age with Arthritis in all my joints, I have been toying with the idea of hybrid scrapping, at least, if not full on digi. I really think it would be fun to try using this tool!
Thanks for another great review!
Jeanne Klohr
jeannek93309@yahoo.com
Great review!!! I would love to get one of these....I am slowly getting into digi scrapping and this would be the perfect tool :)
This sounds awesome. I am almost on the verge of dipping my toes in the digi pool, and I reckon this tool would help out alot xxxx
I would like to give one of these a try. I covet them at Costco. I wonder how these compare to other Wacom tablets? And future comparisons in The Scrap Review's future?
I love the concept.. It would definitely help with designing your own brushes too.. Thanks for sharing.
I am sooo drooooling right now!
I have wanted one of these since I first saw the original, just a little too pricey for me :-(
I have always wanted to try this out! The only stopping me is the price. Thanks for the helpful review!
Not only would it be neat to be able to handwrite on the computer, but I'm assuming it'd make it easier to outline things. I'm so clunky with the mouse.
I am already looking at these for a while, i will use it for editing photo's and digi scrapping. i think it will be so handy!
fingers crossed!
This thing looks great! It would be soooo much fun to have!
Blessings,
Christine
Great prize package. Would love to have one for designing brushes and the endless possibilities for hybrid scrapping.
Wow! This is something I would totally use for editing photos and just letting the kids play around with their own photos. My brother has one and loves it... I am so jealous of him, lol! I already put it on my Christmas list!!!
This could be JUST the thing to get me to delve in the digital scrapping world. It looks awesome! Thanks for the great giveaway.
I've always wanted to try one of these!
Great review. I would love to try something like this. I have seen it in the magazines, but was not really sure what it was all about. Thanks for the review.
Tina
This looks fantastic. I would love something like this because I have a laptop and have moved away from having a mouse. It's one thing that keeps me away from digi. Eeek!
Thanks for teh great review. I've been wavering on whether or not to take the plunge and buy one...guess I'll keep my fingers crossed that I win it first!
I've been wanting a wacom tablet for years! Since i was in design school. We got to use them in school and I loved it!
This looks great, I especially like the idea of being able to handwrite on your digi LOs. Thanks for the review!
x
Oh, how I would love to get my hands on one of these!!!! I, too, folded down the corner in a magazine advertising this fabulous product! Been wishing to play with one before I purchase ... would be even better to WIN one! You ladies are too good to us! :)
Thanks for the review. I've been wanting one of these for using my own handwriting on digital layouts.
This sounds like so much fun - and seems you could make very original layouts using it. Would LOVE to win this little tool!
I have never dabbled in digital and have heard of this and your review was awesome! This would be a fun thing to try!
a friend of mine use it and love it
never heard about it !!! love to try it
Love to try this fun stuff !
thanks for the chance
So funny! I've been eyeing one of these for a while...same thing, saw it, dog-eared the magazine and have been lusting after it ever since. Well, wish me luck!!
Have been wanting to try this but couldn't justify the expense at this time!
This is soooo amazing, the possibilities are endless................
The price is very reasonable
This sounds cool. Not being able to hand write my journaling is what has stopped me from doing more digi layouts.
Wow!!! I've been wanting one of these for a long time.. I think it would be a great tool to use in digital scrapbooking and photo editting...
pick me!!!!
I've been eyeing the ads in magazines for this and have been very intrigued. Your layouts are wonderful and this looks exciting to use. Adding it to my wishlist! Thanks for the helpful review.
I've been thinking about getting this little gem for the same reason. I want MY handwriting on my pages. Thanks for letting me know that it is worth it.
What a fascinating tool! Great review. I appreciate your honesty about the difficulty of using without watching the DVR!
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