I'm sure for just the little you used it, you shouldn't have ruined the mat. That is terrible to have to pay for something that was well used in the first place. I agree the dies and the system are expensive. Don't know if I want to do that much in the way of cutting itty bitty pieces to sew together.

Sizzix also offers die cutting machines and dies for fabric...not as extensive a choice of dies, but also a bit less expensive. Cutters and dies are another way to work our craft,as is a sewing machine/handwork, scissors/rotary cutters.....one makes choices; we are fortunate to be able to.