Scrapbooking Tools: Die-Cut Machines

presents:
Scrapbooking Tools: Die-Cut Machines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Die-Cut Machines ........................................................... PAGE 1
2 Die-Cut / Embossing Machine .....................................PAGE
8
3 Electronic Die-Cut Machine ......................................... PAGE 10
4 Die-Cut / Letterpress Machine ................................... PAGE 12
5 More Die-Cut Machines ................................................ PAGE 14
6 crafty machines to fulfill your wildest die-cutting dreams
by Rachel Gainer
I
f yyou’ve ever tried to hand cut a word or shape with a craft knife
or precision scissors, you know the time and patience it takes to
or
cr
cr
create
that one perfect accent. There’s an easier way! Consider
in
in
investing
in a personal die-cutting machine. These handy gadgets
m
make cutting out special shapes or phrases much faster and a lot
more fun. With the roll of a handle or the push of a button, you
can produce beautiful die-cut accents that will fit any layout style
and match any color scheme.
We know from experience that these machines can be hefty
investments, so it’s important that you choose one that fits your
space and your cutting needs. Lucky for you, there’s something
out there for everyone! Some machines are portable; others are
Beauty Queen font by QuicKutz
meant to stay put. Some are hand-operated; others, electronic.
In the end, they all make producing that perfect accent much
simpler. To help you make this momentous die-cutting decision,
we asked six scrapbookers to test-drive popular models and share
their thoughts. Read on to find out what they discovered.
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Cuttlebug
by Provo Craft | provocraft.com | $89.99
For a long time, Lisa assumed
that a die-cutter would take up
too much room in her limited
workspace. When she saw the
Cuttlebug, she was pleasantly
surprised by its compact design,
which features a fold-up cutting
platform for easier storage. She
was also impressed by how simple
it was to operate—she didn’t even
need the manual to get started.
For this page, she simply cut three
identical silhouettes from white
cardstock and layered them over
a piece of red cardstock to make
a festive backdrop for her photos.
m a t e r i a l s Cuttlebug, holiday
die (Provo Craft) • patterned paper
(BasicGrey) • chipboard letters (Scenic
Route) • letter stickers (Doodlebug)
• rhinestones (Heidi Swapp) • brads
(Making Memories) • stamping ink
• Hootie! font • 12 x 12 page by Lisa
Dickinson, Erie, CO
More to Love about the Cuttlebug
• It produces crisp, clean cuts for even the most delicate details—just check out Minnie’s
lovely lashes!
• It can cut through a wide variety of materials (up to 1⁄8 inch thick), including cardstock,
chipboard, fabric, metal, fun foam, and cork.
• Its alphabetical cutting mat system makes it simple to select the right mat for the job.
• Its base suctions to the work surface to prevent shifting during use.
• Its pop-up handle makes transportation quick and easy.
Watch Out For
Size Limitations—The Cuttlebug is designed for a compact workspace, which means
its dies are also fairly small. If you’re interested in oversize shapes or letters, this machine
may not be right for you.
2 creatingkeepsakes.com
Revolution
by QuicKutz | quickutz.com | $99.99
Even though Mi’Chelle
Mi’Chel owns an
electronic die-cutter, she still
finds plenty of reasons to pull out
her hand-operated Revolution.
The stylish, portable machine is
perfect for quick projects, like
layouts and cards. Its standard
platform is compatible with all of
QuicKutz’s 2-inch and 4-inch dies
and most of its Cookie Cutters,
providing plenty of design options.
Mi’Chelle created the scalloped
border on this layout with the help
of a cool accessory: the 12-inch
platform (sold separately).
m a t e r i a l s Revolution, scallop die
(QuicKutz) • patterned papers (October
Afternoon, Scrapworks, Anna Griffin)
• letter stickers, letter rub-ons (American
Crafts) • machine stitching • 12 x 12 page
by Mi’Chelle Larsen, Bountiful, UT
More to Love about the Revolution
• Its dies are durable, lightweight, and thinner than a credit card, making them easy to store.
BREAKING NEWS!
QuicKutz has a new, motorized
version of this tool called
Revolution Love. It has a 9 x 13
platform and can accommodate
even competitors’ dies.
• Its magnetic platform ensures that dies stay put during cutting, which is especially useful
when working with multiple small dies.
• It comes in a sturdy storage case that can hold the tool, its cutting mats, and two Library
Storage Binders (sold separately).
• It is pretty enough to leave on display, even in a multipurpose workspace.
• It is supported online by helpful video tutorials and a robust idea gallery.
Watch Out For
Alphabet Prices—In the new QuicKutz Cookie Cutter alphabet sets, individual
letters are trimmed right to the edge to minimize paper waste and maximize flexibility.
Some sets cost up to twice as much as the machine, but others are less expensive.
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Big Shot
by Ellison | sizzix.com | $99.99
Whatt Elisha
Wh
Eli h appreciates
i t
most about the Big Shot is
its flexibility: its multipurpose
platform makes it compatible
with all Sizzix dies, including Bigz,
Sizzlits, Emosslits, and Texturz.
When used with larger dies,
this power-packed tool can cut
cleanly through a wide range of
materials—even chipboard. Elisha
capitalized on this feature by
cutting out two chipboard flowers
and covering them with patterned
paper flowers cut with the same
dies. No more fussing with a craft
knife or sandpaper to get the
perfect fit!
m a t e r i a l s Big Shot, flower dies (Ellison)
• patterned paper, brads (KaiserCraft)
• letter stickers (American Crafts) • Century
Gothic font • 8½ x 11 page by Elisha Snow,
Farmington, UT
Other Hand-Operated Options
Baby GrandMARK by AccuCut | accucut.com
Wizard by Spellbinders | spellbinders.us
More to Love about the Big Shot
• It is sturdy and durable, designed to last through thousands of cuts.
• Its handle turns so smoothly that even a child can do it (proven here by Elisha’s 2-year-old).
• It cuts quickly and cleanly through nontraditional materials like chipboard, fabric, and more.
• Its stackable cutting mats and multipurpose platform make it compatible with the entire
Sizzix library and many dies by other brands.
• It can also be used to produce embossed die cuts or to add texture to a paper element.
Watch Out For
Storage Demands—Sizzix dies can be up to an inch thick, so they demand a fair amount
of storage space. Before you buy a Big Shot, make sure you have the space to support a
good-size die collection.
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BREAKING NEWS!
The Big Shot now comes in an
electronic version that allows you
to move a die with the push of a
button—no cranking necessary.
Slice
by Making Memories | makingmemories.com | $149.99
Smaller than 5 inches square, the Slice is the first handheld electronic die-cutter on the market.
Because it can be positioned anywhere on a page, it’s ideal for cutting around a specific design or squeezing
lots of cuts out of one little scrap. Using the rulers around the base as a guide, I was able to precisely
position the Slice and cut my journaling block into a perfect scalloped square. I also cut six 1-inch flowers
from a 4 x 4 scrap of patterned paper and layered them together to create dimensional embellishments.
m a t e r i a l s Slice, design
cartridge (Making Memories)
• patterned papers (Fancy
Pants) • brads • Garamond
and LaurenScript Regular
fonts • 11 x 8½ page by
Rachel Gainer, Saratoga
Springs, UT
More to Love about the Slice
• It is small, lightweight, and cordless (when charged), making it a perfect cropping companion.
• Its user interface uses simple prompts and basic images to guide the cutting process.
• Its design collections are stored on tiny SD cards, similar to the ones used in digital cameras.
• It cuts designs in ½-inch increments from 1 to 4 inches tall.
• It can be positioned anywhere on a page, allowing for precision cutting in the center of a layout.
Watch Out For
Adhesive Application—The Slice works in conjunction with a glass mat coated in tacky adhesive.
This adhesive must be reapplied every so often with a foam brush; it takes practice to get it right.
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Cricut
by Provo Craft | cricut.com | $299.99
The Cricut runs independent
of a computer, relying instead
on cartridges that store
predesigned fonts and shapes.
Margaret was amazed at how
much each cartridge had to offer:
depending on the cartridge,
each basic design could also be
cut out in several bonus styles
(such as a shadow, blackout, or
layered version), as well as in sizes
ranging from 1 to 5½ inches tall
and up to 11½ inches long. This
gave Margaret the freedom to
test trees and garlands in different
sizes before settling on the right
look for her holiday layout.
m a t e r i a l s Cricut, design cartridge
(Provo Craft) • patterned paper,
chipboard letters (American Crafts)
• photo corners (3L) • rhinestones
(KaiserCraft) • dimensional adhesive
(All Night Media) • Courier font
• 8½ x 11 page by Margaret Scarbrough,
Butte Valley, CA
More to Love about the Cricut
• Its full-size cartridges include over 250 designs but demand very little storage space.
• Its cartridges come with unique keyboard overlays that make selecting the right image a snap.
• It offers several blade settings to accommodate papers of various widths, from vellum to cardstock.
• Its Paper Saver Mode automatically orients multiple designs to fit efficiently on a 6 x 12 sheet of paper.
• It folds up when not in use, saving space and protecting working parts from dust.
Watch Out For
Paper Waste—This version of the Cricut doesn’t accept 12 x 12 sheets of paper, so you’ll need
to trim your cardstock or patterned paper to 6 x 12 (or smaller) before use. (To avoid this step,
try the larger Cricut Expression.)
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Creative Cutter Inspiration
by Pazzles | pazzles.com | $599
The Creative
Th
C ti Cutter
C tt Inspiration
I
i ti
works in conjunction with a
personal computer. Its software
allows the user to create cuts
using TrueType fonts, dingbats,
and other downloadable digital
elements. Tina loved the freedom
this setup afforded. For this page,
she cut her title from a 12 x 12
sheet of blue cardstock; then she
popped the letters out of the
background and backed the cutout word with orange patterned
paper. She created her large
scalloped borders using a digital
scrapbooking design downloaded
from twopeasinabucket.com.
m a t e r i a l s Creative Cutter
Inspiration (Pazzles) • scalloped border
(twopeasinabucket.com) • patterned
paper (Making Memories) • label
stickers (7gypsies) • scalloped stickers
(KI Memories) • 12 x 12 page by Tina
Cockburn, San Diego, CA
More to Love about the Creative Cutter Inspiration
Other Electronic Options
• It cuts designs in sizes ranging from ½ inch to just under 12 inches.
Gazelle by Boss Kut | bosskut.com
• Its easy-to-use computer software comes with 300 preinstalled images and
Silhouette by QuicKutz | quickutz.com
allows the user to download or create an unlimited number of other designs.
Wishblade by Xyron | xyron.com
• It comes with a small font library and works with any TrueType font.
• It accommodates 12 x 12 sheets of patterned paper or cardstock, as well as
Pazzles’ specialty materials like vinyl sticker sheets, iron-on transfers, stamping
rubber, and stencil plastic.
• It is compatible with Pazzles’ accessories that draw, distress, emboss, and engrave.
Watch Out For
Price—The Creative Cutter Inspiration is a high-end cutting machine designed to do
much more than die cut paper. If you’re not interested in the additional features, this
machine may not be right for you.
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Creatopia
pulls
ulls out the
creative
eative stops
Say thee name “Xyron,” and mostt
okers think “adhesive.” It’s time to
scrapbookers
expand on that! Xyron has rolled out an
über-versatile machine, Creatopia, and with
its modular components, you can experience
a brave new crafting world. Check out the
machine’s capabilities:
• Apply adhesive to—or laminate—items up to
12" wide, 40' long, and ½" thick. Choose from
permanent or repositionable adhesive. Or apply
fabric adhesive in wide, long swaths as well.
• Emboss areas large and small with 12" wide
pattern rollers or 3" wide border rollers. Keep
on going—length is unlimited.
• Cut paper strips and finish edges using
interchangeable blade cartridges in different
styles: straight, perforated, scallop, wave,
deckle, postage stamp, and scoring (card lovers,
rejoice!). Create rectangles, squares, and strips
up to 12" wide in unlimited lengths.
• Use a 6" wide universal die press to cut
and emboss. Relish how simple it is to
use dies and embossing folders from
leading manufacturers.
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Q U I CK CR E A T O P I A T I P S
The Creatopia is a crafter’s delight. Make it even more so
with these quick tips from Julie Conyers, Education Manager
at Xyron:
Q Use the Creatopia’s fabric adhesive cartridge to adhere
ribbon quickly and permanently.
W Create a cool distressed look by embossing, then
sanding, white-core paper. (See Kimber McGray’s “Fairy
Houses” layout on the next page.)
E Planning to cut a shape from fabric? First apply adhesive
to the material.
R Always use the white guide wheel with the Cutz blade
cartridges. Listen for a click to signal that the machine’s
guide wheel and cartridge are engaged.
T For a lovely, glitzy look, emboss strips of paper, sand them,
and cut different patterns with the Cutz rotary cutting
component. Run your entire page or project background
through the Creatopia to apply adhesive and lay the paper
strips on top of your page or project. Fill in the exposed
adhesive areas between strips with glitter.
T O C U T S CA LLO P E D
S T R I P S A N D E M BO S S :
Q Cut 2" strips of colored-core
cardstock with scallop blade.
Fairy Houses by Kimber McGray. Supplies: Cardstock: Core’dinations; Patterned paper:
Jillibean Soup; Letter stickers: American Crafts and Making Memories; Blade cartridge and
embossing roller: Xyron; Punch: We R Memory Keepers; Die cuts: Jenni Bowlin Studio and
Making Memories; Embroidery floss: DMC; Other: Pen and sandpaper.
10
W Run strips through machine’s
FUN U S E S F O R THIS TO O L
dot-pattern embossing roller.
Q Design a custom 12” wide placemat.
W Emboss paper and die cuts to add dimension.
E Make your own fancy-edge background paper.
R Dress up a quilt, garment, or craft with appliqués.
T Create repositionable decorations for school lockers.
Y Add glitter and other embellishments to a wooden frame.
U Make stickers for children and grown-ups.
I Apply adhesive to cork, foam, chipboard, vellum, and transparencies.
O Laminate bookmarks, luggage tags, recipe cards, and notebook covers.
P Stencil away—the repositionable adhesive is safe for windows, painted
E Gently sand tops of
embossed dots to let color
show through.
walls, and doors.
See the Creatopia in action at creatingeeepsakes.com/issues/may_
june_2010 and pick up bonus tips!
Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 9
Cricut
Expression
sion
rises to every
very
occasion
Scrapbookers rejoiced
d when Provo Craft
onal Electronic Cutter.
rolled out its Cricut Personal
ght die-cut shape, style,
If they didn’t have the right
ies—the machine could
or size on hand, no worries—the
cut what they needed in seconds at the touch of
a button, no computer required.
Since then, the company has introduced a larger
machine with more muscle, the Cricut Expression.
Consider how these powerhouse features could
make your scrapbooking life easier:
• Cut custom letters, shapes, and phrases from
most paper types, vinyl, and thin plastic.
• Create larger cuts—up to 23 ½"—in portrait
or landscape mode.
• Feast on the flexibility of six cutting modes,
including Fit to Length.
• Preview via an LCD screen the exact pattern
or shape being created.
• Choose from hundreds of cutting dies in each
Cricut cartridge.
• Use any Cricut cartridge, blade, or blade housing.
• Select a mat size of either 12" x 12" or 12" x 24".
4
Q U I C K R E A DE R S E C R E T S
Want to get even more from the Cricut Expression’s cartridges
and cutting mats? Here’s the inside scoop from avid users:
Q Swap cartridges and share them during informal gatherings.
Amber Buzick notes, “I love to swap cartridges with friends for
two weeks or host a girls’ night (complete with treats!) and cut
out titles with friends.”
W Clean your cutting mat with a baby wipe. “It works perfectly,”
Kristie Coleman says. “The wipe removes all the leftover bits
of paper and fuzz, and it actually helps the mat stay sticky.”
E Extend the life of your cutting mat. “I spray my Cricut mats
with a quilt basting spray when the stickiness starts to go
away,” Amber admits. “You have to be careful not to spray
too much, however, or [your] paper might rip a little. Also, the
spray can leave a little residue on the tabletop, so keep the
spray away from anything important.”
A twist from reader Amber O’Malley, “When my cutting mat
starts to lose its stickiness, I lightly brush my Zig 2-Way glue
pen (jumbo felt tip) over the surface. I let the adhesive dry
completely. Its repositionable quality is perfect for temporarily
mounting cardstock or other paper on my cutting mat.”
R Recycle your cutting mat. “I hate to throw away items that
can be used in other ways,” Heather Carpenter confides. “If a
• Save time with an all-new center point function.
cutting mat loses its stickiness, I save the mat and use it for
• Mix or match creative features in the same cut.
projects where I need to catch excess glitter or embossing
• Cut mirror images.
10 creatingkeepsakes.com
powders. Or, I use the mat to mount another project on.”
House Card by Sue Neal. Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper;
Patterned paper: Die Cuts With
a View; Cartridge: Provo Craft;
Font: Century Gothic; Adhesive:
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Other:
Thread and crochet thread.
TO CREATE A
N E G A T I VE S I LH O U E T T E:
Q Die cut shape
from cardstock.
10
FR ESH U S E S F O R THIS TO O L
Q Create a mega-sized letter or shape to use as an accent or backdrop.
W Wow with a negative silhouette on a page or project. (See Sue Neal’s
house accent.)
W Trim ¾" around negative
image. Sew inside image,
taping threads down in back.
E Personalize a cap—such pizzazz!—with custom letters and shapes.
R Make your own promotional signs or banners and save money.
T Cut custom letters, shapes, and phrases for vinyl wall décor.
Y Create a letter collage for an elementary-school layout.
U Monogram a nightshirt, handkerchief, or napkin.
I Make templates to deep-etch drinking glasses to give as gifts.
O Make letter flashcards for a child.
P Design a T-shirt iron-on.
E Attach foam squares to back,
See how a negative silhouette comes together at creatingkeepsakes.
com/issues/may_june_2010. Plus, sneak a peek at other fun
Expression creations!
and adhere to patterned
paper. Mat.
Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 11
Epic Six cuts
with ease and
wows with L
Letterpress
The Epic Sixx cutting tool by QuicKutz
may weigh a mere 6.6 pounds, but it’s a
yweight on function. Constructed of
heavyweight
quality metal parts, the tabletop machine
is portable and backed by a lifetime service
commitment. Picture yourself completing
more scrapbook pages and cards with these
sensible yet stylish features:
8
EXPERT TIPS F
FOR
O R T H E E P IC
I C SI
S I X CO M B O
While the Epic Six and its L Letterpress option impress with their creative
power
power, step up their use with reader Amber Packer’s recommendations:
Q To blind emboss, follow the letterpress steps but do not ink. To
create cool debossed circles like those on the same page, apply
ink. Note: Debossing indents the top of paper but the bottom
remains flat.
• Cut and emboss paper up to 6" wide and
12" long with ease.
W The letterpress kit paper comes in white and cream. To add a
• Use dies or embossing folders from
QuicKutz or other leading brands.
E Stick with the 20 colors of specialty ink offered by Lifestyle
• Create a quick stream of impressive die cuts
in a small space in record time.
• Add a classic, distinctive touch with the
L Letterpress option from Lifestyle Crafts.
The combo kit contains everything
needed to elegantly deboss lettering and
other images.
whisper of color, spritz the paper with spray ink.
Crafts. The “stickier” ink is specially formulated for the letterpress
technique and dries in seconds.
R Mix the specialty inks to create custom colors and get more
bang for your buck.
T For the best results, deboss thick paper (Lifestyle Crafts paper,
watercolor, and 80# work well). To get a deeper impression, add
paper sheets below the clear packing mat on the letterpress base.
Y Coat your brayer lightly and evenly with ink. If you apply too
much, wipe off any excess with a cleaning cloth.
U Use the packing sheet only for plates not created by Lifestyle
Crafts. Otherwise, you’re good to go!
I Don’t let the guides distress you. They flatten during the process
and won’t affect printing.
12 creatingkeepsakes.com
TO CREATE A
LE T T E R P R E S S LO O K :
Q Apply adhesive to back of
printing plate. Position it on
clear lid.
Father by Amber Packer. Supplies: Cardstock, inks, and printing plates: Lifestyle Crafts; Dies:
QuicKutz; Patterned paper: My Mind’s Eye; Trim: Fancy Pants Designs; Clear strips: Glitz Design;
Brads: BasicGrey; Font: Inspiration; Adhesive: 3M; Other: Thread.
W Ink printing plate lightly and
evenly with brayer.
10
N EW TWIS TS WITH THIS TO O L
Q Punch super-fun shapes from fabric for a funky headband.
W Design your own letterpress plate (up to 6" x 8"). Visit lifestylecrafts.com for details.
E Create a stylish storyboard from a wood strip, photos, paper, and die cuts.
R Whip up elegant business cards and stationery with letterpress monograms.
T Print an eye-catching design on canvas. Even without debossing, it will be cool.
Y Cut a variety of shapes to use in a playful pop-up card or create a diorama
with your child.
U Die cut shrink plastic, then color and heat it to make charming accents.
E Position paper, close lid, and
roll printing plate through
cutting tool.
I Create a themed bouquet of die cuts to celebrate a milestone.
O Cut foam shapes to adorn summertime visors and sandals.
P Emboss a book cover, then letterpress your initials on the back.
Learn to letterpress at creatingkeepsakes.com/issues/may_june_2010.
Elegance comes easy!
Visit the companies online
• provocraft.com
• quickutz.com
• wermemorykeepers.com
• xyron.com ck
Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 13
CHECK OUT THE MANY MATERIALS
YOUR DIE-CUTTING MACHINE WILL CUT.
Incorporating unique looks and textures into your layouts and
trying new ways to do it is one of the draws of scrapbooking.
From the earthiness of cork to the crisp, clean look of acetate
sheets, pulling in an eye-catching texture can take a layout
from “nice” to “wow!” Now, there are tons of amazing pre-made
stickers and other accents that can enable you to add that
pièce de résistance to your layout in a snap. But sometimes
you want to customize your look. To take a texture and give
it a shape that will make it yours. The solution? Die cutting.
Not all die-cutting machines cut every material you could
possibly want for your page. There are a lot of variables to
consider. So we put loads of materials to the test. Will your
material make the cut? Let’s find out!
BY KIM JACKSON
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MANUAL DIE-CUTTING
MACHINES
These four manual die-cutting machines are versatile powerhouses! Just a
few quick turns of a crank or a satisfying squeeze of the tool, and you’ve got
customized pieces for your layouts. Take a look at all the materials these machines
can cut. Just find your machine and select your material, keeping in mind that
with manual machines, a die can make all the difference (see opposite page).
RETAIL PRICE
ELECTRONIC, HANDS-FREE
VERSION AVAILABLE?
COORDINATING
LICENSED BRANDS
BIG SHOT
EPIC 6
SQUEEZE
WIZARD
E LLIS O N
QUI CKUTZ
QUI CKUTZ
SPELLB I N DERS
sizzix.com
quickutz.com
quickutz.com
spellbinderspaperarts.com
$99.99
$89.99
$69.99
$99.99
YES
NO
NO
NO
THIN
THIN
STAMPIN’ UP!
TIM HOLTZ
MATERIAL
Acetate
Adhesive sheets
Cardstock
Chipboard
Cork
THIN
Cotton batting
THIN
Fabric
THIN
Felt
Foam
Iron-on transfer paper
Leather
THIN
THIN
Magnetic sheets
Mesh
Metal sheets
THIN
THIN
THIN
THIN
Paper
Shrink plastic
Sticker paper
Vellum
Vinyl
WITH 2 PASSES
Wood veneer paper
Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 15
DIE-CUTTING USING
MANUAL MACHINES
With manual machines, a lot of the cutting power comes from the type of dies that are
compatible with each machine: either steel rule or chemically etched.
Steel rule dies work by pushing a cutting blade through your material. Because these
dies use steel blades, they will cut a greater variety of materials than chemically etched
dies. But chemically etched dies typically provide greater design detail when you’re working
with paper. It all depends on what you want for your layout.
Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to working with the dies created by the
manufacturer of your machine. As Wendy Sue Anderson discovered, if you own a manual
die-cutting machine, other manufacturers’ dies may work quite well to help you achieve the
look you want. Wendy used her Provo Craft Cuttlebug machine and steel
rule Tim Holtz Alterations die from Ellison to create her cool line of
foam gears. Be sure to check your machine’s owner’s manual and
the manufacturer’s website to make sure the die you love works
with your machine.
Go by Wendy Sue Anderson. Supplies: Cardstock, letter stickers, and pen: American Crafts; Chipboard, patterned paper, and journaling spots: Cosmo
Cricket; Foam: Making Memories; Die-cutting machine: Provo Craft; Die: Ellison; Punch: EK Success; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.
16 creatingkeepsakes.com
ELECTRONIC DIE-CUTTING
MACHINES
Electronic die-cutting machines make creating customized looks for your pages
as easy as hitting a button or two. Here, we looked at four of these creative
time-savers and the materials that they can cut.
CRICUT
ECLIPS
SLICE
SILHOUETTE SD
P E RS O NAL
ELECTRONIC CUTTER
P ROVO C RAFT
ELLI SON
MAKING MEMORIES
SI LHOUETTE A MERICA
sizzix.com
whyslice.com
silhouettemachine.com
$499.99
$149.99
$299.00
.4mm
.3mm
cricut.com
RETAIL PRICE
MAXIMUM THICKNESS
$179.99
1.5mm
ADJUSTABLE SPEED
& PRESSURE?
YES
YES
NO
YES
CARTRIDGES REQUIRED?
YES*
YES
YES
NO
CORD REQUIRED?
YES
YES
NO
YES
COSMO CRICKET, HERO
ARTS, HOUSE OF THREE,
SCRAP FONTS, SEI,
DONNA DOWNEY
COORDINATING
LICENSED BRANDS
MATERIAL
Acetate
Adhesive sheets
Cardstock
Chipboard
THIN
Cork
Cotton batting
Fabric
**
Felt
Foam
Iron-on transfer paper
Leather
Magnetic sheets
Mesh
Metal sheets, thin
Paper
Shrink plastic
Sticker paper
Vellum
Vinyl
Wood veneer paper
*Third party software required in order to use your Cricut with your computer.
**Requires special settings.
Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 17
DIE-CUTTING USING
ELECTRONIC MACHINES
Electronic machines can’t do quite the heavy lifting that a manual machine with a steel rule
die can do, but they make up for it in their speed and versatility. With electronic machines,
you can easily resize your images using the machine’s digital display or your computer,
depending on the machine. Imagine being able to create perfectly layered flowers—it’s easy
when each layer is simply a resized version of the same flower.
Another advantage that comes with most of these electronic machines is the ability to
set the pressure and speed at which the machine cuts. This can enable you to easily create
some spectacular embellishments and titles for your pages. Just take a look at Laina Lamb’s
adorable layout. To create her title, she set the pressure and speed on her
Cricut to cut through only the top layer of her wood-grain contact
paper, making it easy to remove the title from the backing.
DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR “WILL IT CUT?” CHARTS FOR
YOURSELF. CHECK OUT “DIE-CUTTING MACHINE REFERENCE
CHARTS” AT creatingkeepsakes.com/clubck.
You Make Me Smile
Every Day by Laina
Lamb. Supplies:
Cardstock: Archivers
and Bazzill Basics
Paper; Patterned
paper and chipboard:
Cosmo Cricket; Vinyl:
Contact Brand; Brads:
Karen Foster Design
and Jo-Ann Stores;
Metal accents: Oriental
Trading Company; Pen:
American Crafts; Die:
QuicKutz; Die-cutting
machines: QuicKutz
and Provo Craft;
Software: Craft Edge;
Adhesive: 3M and Plaid
Enterprises. ck
18 creatingkeepsakes.com
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