If you're a paper crafter, you probably have cardstock scraps! Today's papercrafting tip is a great idea for using cardstock scraps from die cuts in a creative way.
Sometimes it pays to think outside the box. Often if you look beyond the given shape of a punch or die you can see MULTIPLE different ways to use it.
This post will demonstrate the dos and don'ts on how to use Sizzix Big Shot before you invest your time and money. A crafter's dream machine!
These 10 die cutting hacks are lifesavers for anyone scrapbooking, card making, or papercrafting. Watch the video to see them in action.
You won't believe how many ways there are to use die cuts! Given the proliferation of die ideas out there I thought it was high time that I...
It's quite remarkable how we're able to get intricate and delicate die-cuts with Thinlits dies. Did
A must-see here! A beautiful partial die cut card you'll love to make! This project teaches you card making techniques, tips, & designs out of this world!
I love die-cutting, but I don’t love spending ages dotting glue on the back of my delicate die cut shapes! In this tutorial I'll show you how to use double sided adhesive Sticky Roll, to stick down your die cuts easily and mess free!
I'm in love! Yup, with the new Expressions Thinlits Dies (see the thinlits online - 132171) in the Holiday Catalog! This simple card was created with the Magnificent Maple stamp (see it online - 131868) and the Orange Stampin' Glitter (132206) with Heat & Stick Powder. See the little speckles in…
The Basics Of Die-Cutting and How To Color Them | Luvin Stampin
A die cutting machine uses metal outlines with turned metal edges and pressure to cut thin sheets of fabric, paper, or other media. It allows you to easily cut pieces beautiful, complex shapes into virtually any shape. You need to know how to use a die-cutting machine to create millions of projects and we're here to help you!
If you've seen any of my videos where I've shown you how to make self-adhesive die-cuts, you know
If you're a paper crafter, you probably have cardstock scraps! Today's papercrafting tip is a great idea for using cardstock scraps from die cuts in a creative way.
Sometimes it pays to think outside the box. Often if you look beyond the given shape of a punch or die you can see MULTIPLE different ways to use it.
Update: Sadly the Cricut Cuttlebug is no longer made by Cricut. A great alternative is the Sizzix Big Shot, read my full review and also…
Do you know how to make custom shapes with stitched dies? This is a customization tip for die cutting that you'll use over and over! Let me show you how.
Challenge yourself and keep it simple using cardstock only for your cardmaking, it's fun. Also a great idea if you're a beginner crafter.
5 unique ways to use your dies for card making and beyond! I'm confident, that after today's video, you'll be looking at your dies in a whole new way!
Want to supercharge your card making skills? Try these 10 die cutting hacks that will help you get great results with your die cuts.
Hello Friends Today it is all about the Designer Series Paper Animal Expedition. To see all the how to for this card make sure you scroll down. I have great tips for you how you to use the th
Die-cutting opens up a whole world of papercrafts with one pass through a machine, which we love here at CB. For beginners and experienced crafters alike, turning your hand to a new hobby always comes with the introduction to your new set of tools, but we’ve gathered some top tricks of the trade from expert papercrafters to get you started on your die-cutting journey. Grab a cuppa and a biscuit and enjoy these pro tips! Which top die-cutting tips do you stick to most? Joanna Sheen says… “My first tip is a simple one – keep your die-cutting machine spic and span. Carefully clean the plates as you go along; scrape off little bits of paper and don’t get glue or pen marks on them. There is nothing more annoying than finding a carefully made die-cut that is marked or damaged. My second tip is to organise and store scraps of unused card. When you have a small die it’s amazing how a tiny piece of card can be just what you need. This also means you don’t have to cut a new sheet up for a small section. Keep colours separated too – pop them into individual envelopes so you know what shades you have on hand.” My dies aren’t cutting as smoothly as they used to – what can I do? Stephanie Weightman says… It’s first worth checking your cutting plates and the pressure of your die-cutting machine to see if there’s any problems there. If not, it could be that the cutting edge has worn down over time and repeated use. A quick and simple trick to put a bit more edge back into them, is to cut them through some good, thick kitchen foil! I’m crafting on a budget – how can I make the most out of my collection of dies? Katie Skilton says… There are so many different techniques you can apply with die-cutting. Using a flat image is just the beginning of your die-cut journey. If you have any flower dies, a great tool to help give a whole new look and dimension is the Sizzix Paper Sculpting Kit. This creates beautiful, three dimensional flowers that can be used in home decor, bouquets and fashion items. Another tip is to keep the negative when cutting and reuse as a stencil on your next project. You can also cut shapes from foam with your current collection of dies and use them as stamps. Have fun and play around with what you have at home – you will soon see how versatile die-cutting can be! What’s the best way to store my dies? Stephanie says… The best way to store your dies is to focus on organisation. Know where your favourites are and put them in something that you can carry about easily, especially if you’re on the move! Tattered Lace craft tidies are collapsible, meaning they take up very little space when they’re not in use, making them extra convenient about the house. How can I transfer die-cut pieces without damaging them? Natalie Muspratt says… There are many ways you can handle die-cut pieces without causing damage. Ensure you are using the correct plates with the dies, resulting in a crisp, clean cut. The 3-in-1 Die Brush is a fantastic tool to have when die-cutting, as it features a brush, spatula and needle that can be changed around, and saves you time fussing. Use the spatula on the die brush to remove excess card from the die, helping to avoid the card from ripping. The needle on the brush also helps to push out the pieces that have not been released. I want to introduce different materials into cardmaking – what works with die-cutting machines? Katie Skilton says… The best way to get fantastic results from a range of materials is to invest in some Sizzix Bigz Dies. The steel rule blade concept allows you to cut a huge range of materials from fabric and felt, to mountboard and leather. These will work in all of the Sizzix Big Shot machines and allow you to create mixed media projects using thick card to soft craft projects, such as quilting and appliqué. Of course, you can also use it for all your papercraft projects, too. A great rule to remember is anything you can cut with a sharp pair of scissors, you can cut with the huge selection of Sizzix Bigz Dies. How can I make the most of the waste shapes that are left after I have finished die-cutting? Stephanie Weightman says… “Die-cut leftovers don’t need to be wasteful! If the pieces are large enough to still cut into, perhaps you could use smaller dies to make extra pieces for decoupage or decoration. If you have multiples of the same shape, devise a pattern by arranging them in the right way and create a background effect similar to embossing. Don’t forget about the negative left in the card that you’ve cut from – it makes the perfect stencil for stamping or colouring!” What are your favourite die-cutting tips? Share them with us on social media!
Update: Sadly the Cricut Cuttlebug is no longer made by Cricut. A great alternative is the Sizzix Big Shot, read my full review and also…
I belong to a fabulous Facebook group called Linocut Friends: a very talented and generous group of people, always encouraging newbies and sharing new tips and tricks. Well, recently it was discovered by one of our members, that a little die-cut machine called the XcutXpress works very well as a small tabletop press! In the following (rather lengthy) step-by-step, I share my very positive experience with it! (links at the end) For years, I've been enthralled with pysanky, the art of wax-resist egg dyeing used by Ukrainians on their Easter eggs. Some examples have a lovely simplicity, while others are exquisitely ornate. I even bought a pysanky kit years ago, but was quite intimidated by it. I recently decided to do my own humble little version of pysanky on this reduction linocut of an Easter egg, using repeated motifs, etc. It took quite a few sketches to get to this first stage on tracing paper...I was going for natural elements (sky to earth) and trying to create some interesting patterns. I used these wonderful mounted lino blocks from McClain's. The lino cuts like butter and you can order it mounted—the fabulous thing about this mounting is that they set the lino in a bit from the edge. so you can grab it while inking and printing without touching inky edges, etc.! I used these wonderful mounted lino blocks from McClain's. The lino cuts like butter and you can order it mounted—the fabulous thing about this mounting is that they set the lino in a bit from the edge. so you can grab it while inking and printing without touching inky edges! Because I wanted that repetitive pattern to be almost abstract in its shapes, (and being fairly proficient in Adobe Illustrator from my days as a graphic designer), I then "drew" it in Illustrator. This is also a great way to explore color choices, line thicknesses etc. And, especially when you're planning a reduction print, it really helps to plan the whole process in Illustrator or Photoshop, where you can separate out layers, etc. I wanted a really accurate transfer to the lino block, so instead of using tracing paper, I printed it on my laser printer and placed it face down on the lino and ironed the back with a warm iron. It took a few tries but it did work! And the toner residue didn't create any problems with inking later. (And before we go further, I want to mention that I rather like the occasional stray mark here and there on a linocut print. I am not striving for perfection here. Good thing, huh?) Some of these are be out of chronological order, as I want to show the printer set-up at this point. I won't go into elaborate detail about the printer itself, as others have done that much more thoroughly, but I will share a few initial points of interest: The prices are already climbing. I got the last one on Home Shopping Network a couple of weeks ago at $99.99 plus tax and shipping. They're more than that now, but still WAY below the price of a tabletop etching press. It may look like a plastic handbag in the photos, when it's folded up, but it's actually quite sturdy and heavy. You're limited to prints that are 8.5"wide. Adjusting the pressure knob on top is everything. Play with different settings and papers before you do any "real" printing. This is a quick shot I took of my initial "play" session when I unboxed it last week: To keep the block in place, and to keep the rollers from having to go up and down over the block, I made a frame out of balsa pieces from the art supply store, cut to the desired lengths and affixed to the bases with foam tape. (I used the shallower "cutting pad" of the 2 bases that come with the machine, so that the overall height would fit through the press.) Jumping a bit forward, this photo shows the last layer set-up (I had a few prints on longer paper, so I added a balsa block above the lino.) This also shows my new Ternes-Burton pins: I don't know why I EVER tried to register any other way. Period. So, back to the first layer: I cut out everything that would remain white (the paper color), and printed the yellow layer. I used Caligo Safewash Relief inks. Yes, they dry slowly, but nicer ink makes a huge difference, and it really takes a very thin layer of ink to get full coverage. I own the 3 process colors, (which are a bit transparent) and their opaque white. If mixing colors isn't your thing, they have a lovely selection. Nicer gouges (I received these Pfeil gouges for Christmas) make a huge difference too. Pricey, yes, but I figure they more than pay for themselves: I didn't have one throwaway print in the bunch! The tabs from the Ternes-Burton system make it easy to hang the prints to dry, using string and paper clips. I waited 3 days between layers on this project. Next, I carved away everything that would remain as yellow, and printed the blue-green. I never get tired of lifting that paper and seeing the result! I didn't take a photo (sorry!) of my "sandwich" as I ran it thru the press. I would attach the paper's tabs to the pins, lift it up, slide the block in, lower the paper and lay the felt on top. Time to carve the last layer (an almost-black blue-green). Because it was pretty detailed, I needed to use tracing paper and a graphite stick to check my work as I went. And here they are! Not a bad one in the bunch....I mean, edition, of 14. * * * * * Paper: I sampled a number of different papers on this project; in a future post, I will share my thoughts on their performance. * * * * * Feel free to leave any questions in the comments—I know that this was a very quick overview of this process; here are a few very helpful links: Watch videos by Colin Blanchard: the "pioneer" in linocut printing on an Xcut: https://youtu.be/oRmAgpzslnU https://youtu.be/pbgT_Xjyoz4 The machine: https://www.amazon.com/docrafts-Xcut-Xpress-Die-Cutting-Machine/dp/B00GFM3NII The carving tools (I have Set C): http://www.pfeiltools.com/en/products/linoleum-an-block-cutters/set-of-6-linoleum-and-block-cutters.html The lino block I used: http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/blocks/linocut.html The ink I used: http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/ink/Caligointro.html Ternes-Burton registration pins and tabs https://www.ternesburton.com/
Makers Gonna Learn
Step by step tutorial to convert Silhouette Studio files to svg format for Silhouette Cameo or Curio.
Welcome to my blog. Today I want to share a technique that is an oldie but goodie. The wax paper resist technique. It works amazing with distress inks. This tutorial will be featured on the Distress Ink Technique page on facebook. I am one of the admins and we take turns to post a tutorial on there every monday, the technique of the week :-) Well let me explain this particular technique. You will need an old iron to do this technique, or one you don't use for your fancy clothes ;-) This is what you need: an old iron, two pieces of card, a piece of wax paper and an embossing folder. Oh and an embossing machine obviously lol. I dry embossed the sheet of wax paper using an embossing folder and a piece of card to add more pressure. Here you see the pattern embossed in the wax paper. I cover the front and back with my pieces of card stock, and put this sandwich inbetween two sheets of cheap copy paper. You iron over the cheap copy paper to get the wax to melt onto the card stock. It goes very quickly. I put my iron on the highest setting and just move it over the sheets a few times. You can barely see it, but the wax print is on there! Trust me ha ha ha. See, I told you it was there. Here you see the difference between the embossed and the debossed side of the wax paper imprint. Left is the embossed side and on the right the debossed side. I inked over it with stormy sky distress ink and an ink blending tool. I turned them into two christmas cards with some embellishments and stamped sentiment. I stuck the card onto a card blank after I trimmed it to size and inked the edges with some walnut stain distress ink. I had this ATC laying around for ages, so I decided to use it as a card topper. Then stamped my sentiment in black and after that completely dried, I stamped it again but with embossing ink and heat embossed it in silver. On this card I stamped the sentiment in archival ink and after it dried I wrapped some baker's twine around the card stock befor I stuck it to the card blank. I added a little red jingle bell to give it a more festive look. I painted a wooden snowflake silver and adorned it to my card and it is done! Thank you so much for taking the time to have look and I hope you are going to give this technique a try :-) Have a great day, and keep your craft on ;-) Take care, Freddie Xox
Makers Gonna Learn
{VIDEO TIP} Got warped Sizzix cutting pads? Discover this simple fix to get more life and less frustration from your cutting pads. Once you learn this tip, you won't go back to the way you were doing it before!
Kids of all ages LOVE this super fun art technique!
THIS is how to style six of L.A.'s most popular haircuts.
We've been creating Brother ScanNCut tutorials for quite a few years now, so we thought it was time to put them altogether on one page so it's easy for you to find them. There are close to 50 tutorials on the page at the moment, and more will be added as we do them. We have how-to videos, tips, hints, and You might also be interested in our premium ScanNCut training. We have 4 courses for the absolute beginner through to the more advanced user. And we have both paper and fabric ScanNCut courses. You can check them out here
*Updated December 26, 2015 to add new pictures of my die storage as well as new categories! Until now, I've been storing my dies like this and it worke ...
I used this cut file from Bird’s cards . I modified it a little so that I got a plain strip towards the bottom for my sentiment. Then I cut...
Sunflower patterned paper, stamps and dies are the main design element in the Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower collection.
How To Diecut Acetate Sheets | Luvin Stampin
Hi there everyone! Angela here with today’s post. A good friend of mine is having hip replacement surgery next week so of course I need a card. I thought this would be a great time to try som…
Using the amazing shapes found in nature and a new way of eco printing, capture intricate details. Resist Method of Eco Printing allows many possibilities
