Today I am so excited to share with you some of the videos we have just done to show you how you can use the Letterpress Starter Kit by Lifestyle Crafts with various machines!
Yes, it is true! We have tried, tested and proven the Letterpress Starter Kit with the following die cutting machines;
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Big Shot Pro
Sizzix Vagabond by Tim Holtz
Cuttlebug by Provo Craft
The Letterpress turned out beautifully in each machine and it was so easy! There are no other mats required. Everything you need to start is included in the starter kit! Of course, if you want different cards, or ink colors you will need to purchase those separately.
Right now we have Letterpress Starter Kit on sale for $58.99! That’s a steal of a deal!
This kit includes the following:
Letterpress Starter Tool
Clear Packing Mat with grid
Paper Placement Guides
Ink Base
Brayer
Ten A2 flat cards
Nine Printing Plates
Tube of Black Ink
To view our videos you can either click on this link
I know that many of you have tried and love the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders by Provo Craft but, did you know that SizzixTextured Impressions are embossing folders that will work just like the Cuttlebug folders? You betcha they will!
Textured Impressions will work with the same sandwich formula as the Cuttlebug folders in the following Die Cutting Machines; Cuttlebug Machine, Big Shot and Big Shot Pro Machines, Vagabond by Tim Holtz, Grand Calibur and Epic Six Tools!
Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folders offer the deepest and boldest embossing experience. You can turn ordinary cardstock, paper, metallic foil or vellum into an embossed, textured masterpiece.
Sizzix designers have created these folders with beautiful artwork to give your projects the special touch that embossing/debossing creates. You can choose from elegant flourishes and flowers to seasonal folders that will create a fantastic card in seconds!
Marcie took some video of the latest Textured Impressions at CHA that we would like to share with you!
Here we are, half way through September! I hope that you are busy getting your Halloween paper projects done as it will be here before we know it!Quickutz has sure helped me out with my projects with their Be Spooked release. I am loving all the die sets in this release!
I have been trying to make a banner with the Nesting Ghosts for 2 weeks now, but finally got a chance to finish it up last night. I tell you, things have been crazy at my house, especially since all my yummy veggies have decided to ripen all at the same time and need something done with them NOW! (Does anyone know if you can do freezer salsa?)
Anyway, once I was able to find a minute to stay put in my craft room, it went together really fast! I used my SizzixBig Shot Pro Machine to cut the big shapes and my Cuttlebug for the rest.
I think this would be fun to decorate home or office with. Hopefully this helps you get planning for all the little spooks that will be making their way around the neighborhood in only 6 weeks! YIKES!!!!
As promised, I am featuring projects from the Be Spooked, Be Stuffed Collection from Quickutz/Lifestyle Crafts. These dies can be used in the following machines: Quickutz Epic Six Tool, Provo Craft Cuttlebug, Sizzix Big Shot and Vagabond by Tim Holtz.
I used my beloved Cuttlebug for these projects. I rely on that little machine more than any of my others! It is like a trusted friend.
Since harvest time correlates with fall, the first item of decor on my list for September 1st is pumpkins! I grow pumpkins in my garden for the sole purpose of decorating my front porch! I have a thing for pumpkins and scarecrows! A few corn stocks are also a must.
With that said, my first project just had to be with the Pumpkin dies! For dimension, cut 3 of each size. I used pattern paper from DCWV and 1/8″ Scor-Tape from Scor-Pal on the edges to hold the pieces together. I want to use these as table decorations (possibly put a candle in the middle of each) so I put a vine and leaf on all three sides.
Add faces to transform plain ol’ pumpkins into Jack-o-Lanterns for Halloween! Single pumpkins will also make great scrapbook embellishments for my fall layouts! Set includes 4 dies.
I used the Pilgrim Hat for my next project. I adore this die set because it is just so cute! Why use it only for Thanksgiving? I decided to make an altered witch hat for Halloween favors! More ideas- leave off the buckle for an Indiana Jones hat, turn up the sides and crease the front for a cowboy look, etc.! Fill with candy, crayons, mints, whatever! The best part is….with only 4 dies, it only takes minutes to put together!
There is more, but you will just have to wait until tomorrow to see more!
Today I would like to tell you about a fabulous product sold exclusively by Scor-Pal! The top selling No More Shims Embossing Mat has taken embossing with the Cuttlebug from Provo Craft and the SizzixBig Shot Machine to a new dimension. You can now emboss things such as leaves, sequin, lace curtain and lots more ordinary household materials to make great embossed backgrounds!
When putting one of your Nestabilities through and even your Impressabilities you will see the huge difference it makes. You can run coins and charms through and make your own embellishments by embossing them on to craft foil.(up to the thickness of a quarter.You can flatten bottle caps with the mat in both the Cuttlebug and the Big Shot. You can flatten up to 6 aluminum caps at a time. All instructions included with the mat for the Cuttlebug and the Big Shot.
*Do NOT use this mat in the Spellbinders Grand Calibur Machine or Wizard Machine . It is to thick and can break the machine, so please use the Tan Embossing Mat from Spellbinders for embossing in those machines.
Please note you cannot run coins , bottle caps etc through an electric machine (such as the Sizzix Vagabond by Tim Holtz), but you will be able to emboss lace , leaves etc .
I thoroughly enjoyed the two gentlemen who developed and demonstrated this handy mat at CHA. Their English accents along with their enthusiasm for their product made them so much fun to listen to! I love the No More Shims Embossing Mat in my Cuttlebug Machine because I no longer have to use a chipboard shim with my embossing mat (which is one less layer that I have to worry about) so I am totally happy!
Take a peek at our video from CHA to see what I mean!
Heartfelt Creations artists are once again bringing us another outstanding collection which includes five gorgeous stamp sets with coordinating die! The Decorative Basket Collection is expected to start shipping next week! It is sure to be a favorite!
The stamps that are included in the Decorative Basket Collection are:
The exclusive Spellbinders die made just for Heartfelt Creations that coordinate with this stamps set is the HCD 714 Decorative Layered Basket Die. It includes 3 dies.
Approximate Die Sizes:
1. Decor Basket: 3 1/2 x 2 3/4″
2. Layer Basket: 3 7/8 x 2 7/8″
3. Leaf Spray: 1 3/4 x 1 3/8″
I was inspired yesterday while reading Tim Holtz‘s Blog. He mentioned that one way he gets past a creative block is to organize! He finds stuff he forgot about and becomes inspired! Well, I decided that my space could use a bit of tidying up, and I found some little things I had forgot about that I could use on my project for today’s blog! I also used some of my brand new stuff that I have been dying to try!
I used the Decorative Layered Basket Die (available next week!) on my card below. I used the solid basket die to cut printed paper then used the decorative die to cut a marbled card stock to layer. I did have to run the decorative die through my Cuttlebug Machine 2-3 times to make sure it cut through all the way as it is more intricate.
Other items used in this project were from Spellbinders and Donna SalazarCreative Book Pages Two. Paper from Teresa CollinsWorld Traveler 6 x 6 paper pad. Flowers were made using the smallest flower and leaf from Heartfelt CreationsBotanical Floral 2 then cutting with SpellbindersRose Creations Die set. Other embellishments- mini brads, label from Making Memories, adhesive acrylic sentiment, sanding block for distressing embossed edges.
It was fun to go through and find stuff that was stashed away for a while! It felt like I had something new and it was already paid for! That’s always a good feeling!
I thought that I would take today’s blog to spotlight one of my favorite little machines! Provo CraftCuttlebug Machine V2! This machine is very similar to the older version which it replaced. It has the same sleek design and works the same as the older model, however, Provo Craft says it is more durable with its stronger outer casing and metal handle. It has an easy carrying handle making it very portable.
This little guy is a worker! It is the smallest machine I have, but definitely the most used! It is very user friendly and is great to take to crops, as the design enables it to fold up and take up very little space. With buying the extended 13″ plates, there are not many things that I can’t do with it! Use it for all your card making and scrapbooking die cutting or embossing projects!
With it’s 6 inch opening, it is compatible with QuicKutz, Boss Kut, Spellbinders, and Sizzix dies and embossing folders. It is NOT compatible with SpellbindersGrand dies or SizzixBigz Pro dies.
Tip: Keep one B Cutting Pad dedicated as your top plate for cutting and embossing. This will help the Adaptor C and other B Cutting Pad last much longer so you are not replacing them as often! The top pad will get really warped and ugly, but don’t worry! Just keep flipping it over and over and it will become your most loved (but ugly) plate! you won’t want to be without it! It should last quite a long time, but once it breaks, you will need to replace it, so I suggest having spares on hand. You can bet that it will break late at night, right in the middle of an important project, so it is important to have one handy!
If handled properly, the A Spacer Plate should last as long as your machine, however, we do carry replacements of all the standard and extended plates JUST IN CASE!
Today I would like to introduce the QuicKutzTropical Splash Collection if you haven’t seen it already! Perfect for summer layouts, party invitations, and even party favors! There is so much you can create with this fun collection! There is a variety of sizes in this collection from 2 x 2 wafer dies to 12″ cookie cutter dies. The darling Tiki Alphabet is on a 4 x 8 plate with letters measuring approximately 1/2″ tall.
If you are planning a summer party or luau you can create your own Drink Umbrellas, Lantern, and even a Lei or two (or 50!).
My family is big into water sports so I have a ton of pictures at lakes or the ocean and this collection is perfect for my scrap room! Maybe I can get all those pages done that I have been putting off! At least I got a start with the pages below!
For my next page I used the full Hibiscus border on the top then cut up another one for the pieces on the bottom. The palm leaves are cut from the Tropical Tags die and attatched with a copper brad.
Here’s a look at some of the displays QuicKutz had in their booth at CHA!
I hope this gives you some inspiration for future projects! It is always fun to see someone else’s spin with a product! QuicKutz inspired me to start die cutting and I have been an addict ever since!
We’re here! Marcie and I are in Chicago at Craft and Hobby Association Show which we commonly know as CHA. We have been busy as bees going from booth to booth gathering information on all of the “latest and greatest” products and ordering from all our favorite designers so we can bring you highest quality, popular products on the market! I can tell you now that you are going to love what is coming!
Here’s a shot of Marcie while visiting the Graphic 45 booth! Say Cheese!
Graphic 45 has done some amazing projects with their new paper lines. Here’s a sample of the Christmas Emporium and ABC Primer!
Heartfelt Creations made beautiful paper bouquets that look quite real!
We saw the new line of Nesting Dies from QuicKutz and Framelits from Sizzix. The new Nestaboard from Want2Scrap is HOT! Just Rite Stampers also has great new stamp sets that coordinate with Spellbinders dies! Teresa Collins is not only talented, but stylish! We also visited My Mind’s Eye, Provo Craft and Silhouette .Everyone is on board and excited to bring you what’s new!
I hope that you have taken a few minutes to look at all the rest of the pre-order dies from Spellbinders that were made viewable this morning! Astounding!
This may be the best CHA release to date! Of course, since this is the first show that I have been to, it is the most exciting one for me! I am having a blast here in Chicago! It is most definitely a paper crafter’s heaven! Can’t wait until tomorrow for more exciting products from DCWV, Tim Holz, and anyone else that catches our eye!
I am so thrilled to introduce the Decorative Lace Border Die! It is a custom Heartfelt Creations Die manufactured by Spellbinders. This die coordinates with the Wedding Collection stamps. This die has more intricate details, so if you have a “loose” machine, you will have to cut a couple times. You will need to run it through your machine and cut once and then turn it 90 degrees and cut again.
I actually ran it 3-4 times through my Cuttlebug Machine then turned it before running it through 3-4 more times just to make sure! It is well worth the extra time it takes to cut it out! You will want to have either a QuickStik from QuicKutz, Pick Me Up from Silhouette, or pair of skinny craft tweezers to more easily poke through the holes! I love this die!
Since this is the season for weddings, I created an A2 wedding card using the Decorative Lace Border and Heartfelt CreationsBella Rose Scroll stamp set. I scored my card stock using my Scor-Pal for an accurate fold. I used 1/8″ Scor-Tape along the main lines of the die cut and ribbon to place on my card. A little chalk to add color to the roses then I used foam adhesive squares just on the top of the scroll to give the some dimension.
I don’t consider myself a designer, but I definitely have fun trying! I love playing with all of the fantastic products we carry and showing off the finished project! My family gets pretty tired of me showing them. They tell me it’s fine without even looking at it! Can you relate? I thought so! Of course I’m the mom, so I rant an rave over their stuff! I guess that is just how it goes.
I hope that you all have a great weekend! Better get lots of sleep, because we will have lots to show you next week after CHA! You may have to stay up nights just to see all the new stuff!!!!
It has been a while since we blogged about the Provo Craft-Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Folders, however, several of you have been wondering about how to use them in your Cuttlebug Machines, so I am going to review for you! They do take a bit to get used to!
The most important thing to remember before beginning is to remove the cardboard backing by removing the two green tabs at the top! DO NOT TRY RUNNING THE FOLDER THROUGH YOUR MACHINE BEFORE DOING THIS! You could break your plates or your machine!
Once these are removed, you can take the folder off of the backing and follow the instructions on the backing. It will tell you the sandwich formula to use for these folders. Please check your plates to make sure that you are using the proper plates!
We also have a How To Video which we hope will be helpful in using these folders! Once you get the hang of them, you are sure to have a lot of fun with them!
We will be closed Monday, July 4th for our Independence Day! Have a safe and happy 4th! We will be back on Tuesday!
I appreciate when customers email with questions concerning products that I can use on our Blog! One of our customers asked today for ideas using SpellbindersBorderabilities Dies. She also asked if she could use the 12″ Borderabilities Grand in her Cuttlebug Machine even though she did not have the Extended Cutting Mats.
Yes! You can use the 12″ Grand Dies with standard plates if you are just needing a portion for a card or something short! Just make sure that you don’t bend the die where it is hanging over the edge!
If you do have the extended plates, you can cut the die cut to the length you need for layouts, cards, banners or other projects!
The Borderabilities Petite generally come with 2 dies. One of the dies usually comes with only one cutting edge for a nice card border, called an Accent Die. The Accent cuts the bottom edge and embosses the upper edge.while the other Border Die cuts and embosses on all sides for an actual border that you can place anywhere you choose!
You can use these dies any way you want, the idea is to PLAY! That is the whole idea in creativity! See how many ways you can use them! Let the kids use the dies to decorate soup can pencil holders for their teachers, or for their homework binders to dress them up for school! That will keep them busy during the hot summer afternoons when they “are bored” because it is to hot to go outside!
Sometimes I feel guilty that I have so much stuff that I don’t use! Yet I keep purchasing more! Its just that the manufacturers keep coming up with such great products! Yesterday I told you about the new Cuttlebug Embossing Folders from Provo Craft, so I took the Rebecca home with me last night to play with! Love it! I also used stamps from the new Heartfelt CreationsBella Rose Collection!
By the time I got home from work, my frantic weekend traveling to and from San Francisco (almost 24 total hours in the truck in less than 48 hours) had caught up with me! I had zero energy and just as much brain power, but I was determined to get something done to show you today! Here is the result of my exhausted efforts!
I stamped the Bella Rose Vintage Background on tan card stock, colored the flowers and leaves with colored pencil (I really need to invest in some Copic Markers!), then ran a piece of vellum in the Rebecca Embossing Folder through my Cuttlebug Machine for the cover of the card. I then stamped the rose on the vellum, using brown ink, with one of the Bold Bella Rose stamps (so beautiful!). I used vellum tape to adhere the vellum to the card so you can’t see any tape lines. I added a ribbon bow and went to bed! LOL!
I had to look at it again this morning to actually make the decision on whether it turned out good enough to show you! I couldn’t tell last night, but I am actually happy with the results! I really like using embossing folders with vellum because it naturally highlights the embossed lines to give it more depth.
Hopefully, I will be awake for my next project! It is amazing what a good night’s sleep can do for you!
Just arrived! Six brand new Cuttlebug Embossing Folders from Provo Craft! Whoo Hoo! They are gorgeous! Three come in A2 size and three are 5 x7! I am so excited to put these to work embossing cards! We have these in stock ready to ship to you!
Musical FlourishA2 Embossing Folder is just perfect for the music lover!
Rebecca A2 Embossing Folder is beautiful with scrolls in all four corners! Great for any occasion!
Tiffany A2 Embossing Folder is totally upper class for wedding cards or invitations!
Keyboard 5 x 7 Embossing Folder is absolutely stylin’ for a teenage musician! Great for recital invitations!
Mary Ann 5 x 7 Embossing Folder reminds me of a Parisian window screen. The scroll work is fabulous!
Madison 5 x 7 Embossing Folder gives a stained glass effect! Lovely for wedding or bridal invitations!
Provo Craft has fabulous designers for their embossing folders! They are always bringing us wonderful new designs to make our creativity easier with their intricate patterns! Add a few embellishments and you have an incredible card that looks like it took hours to make, when it really took a few minutes! I love that!
I am always getting comments like “This is awesome! How did you do this?” They just can’t believe that it is so easy! Of course, many don’t have any idea what an embossing folder is, but I tell them to come over and I would be happy to let them try it for themselves!
Many customers who have purchased the SizzixBig Shot Pro Machine have inquired how to use the Spellbinders Dies with that particular machine. I am happy to say that Customer Support at Sizzix was gracious enough to spend time with me explaining the sandwich formulas needed to cut and emboss Spellbinders Dies! We want to express our thanks to them for being patient and helping us help you!
I hope this is helpful for all of you lucky enough to have your Big Shot Pro Machines! They are gaining in popularity and have been on back order for some time!
For those of you who have not received yours yet, we are filling orders by when they were received, as the machines trickle in! We appreciate your patience!
Extra, Extra! Read all about it! An all new style in embossing! ProvocraftAll In One Embossing Sets! Designed to work with the Cuttlebug Machine, the All in One allows you to combine a variety of embossing plates to give you the freedom to emboss, deboss and letterpress images the way you want. It’s easy to rearrange coordinating designs to create unique effects on your projects!
You will need to purchase the All in One Folder to use with the plates. This 6″ x 9″ folder works with the All in One Emossing plates which snap into the folder in the design that you desire!
To Emboss
1. Place the positive plate into the holds on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Align the negative plate on top of the positive plate. Close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Open the folder. Place paper between the plates. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.
To Deboss
1. Place the negative plate into the holes on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Align the positive plate on top of the negative plate. Close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Open the folder. Place paper between the plates. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.
To Letterpress Print
1. Place the positive plate into the holes on the bottom of the folder (green). Press until you hear a snap. Plate should be flat.
2. Place a blank plate on top of the positive plate. close the folder, pressing down until you hear a snap.
3. Evenly cover raised designs with ink using craft tool and ink pad.
4. Place letterpress paper between the plates. Close the folder. Place two “B” mats on top of the closed folder and run through the Cuttlebug machine.
Just to show you a simple example, I did some embossing and debossing with the All in One Beautiful Set
Embossing:
Debossing:
As you can see, it creates a crisp impression!
I found that I could also use these in the SizzixBig Shot Machine! To get a crisp impression, you will need a shim along with both Standard Cutting Pads. I used the chipboard backing off of a notepad which is approximately 1/16″ thick.
If you are a scrapbooker you already know that borders are a wonderfully quick and easy way to embellish your pages! Well, we have a border die from Quickutz on sale for those Easter and layouts that you are planning to do!
Quickutz Easter Egg Border is a 12″ border dies that is perfect for layouts! It can be cut down to shorter lengths for smaller layouts or cards (think ahead)! On sale for the amazingly low price of $8.99 from the Retail Price of $24.99! This is a steal of a deal!
For some added dimention and springtime embellishment, why not add some Petaloo flowers! At 40% off you’ll want to gather them up as fast as you can! These are offered at this incredible sale price while supplies last!
Even though Spellbinders has not yet produced a plate that is the size of the other plates for that machine, there is a sandwich for 4″x6″ embossing folders using item W-025 Sizzix Original Cut Mat ( otherwise known as the Rasberry Spacer Plate).
Start with the A Base Plate on the bottom. Place the folder with cardstock on top of the A Base Plate and cover with the Tan Embossing Mat then the W-025 Raspberry Spacer Plate. Insert into the front of the Grand Calibur. Turn the handle and the sandwich exits at the back of the machine.
There you have it! I know that this will make a lot of you happy!
It is crunch time to get you gifts done for Mother’s Day if you haven’t already! Here’s an idea for a card box if your mom likes cards, but needs a place to store them, or you can fill the box with pre-made cards for her to use when needed! Of course I used roses, because that is what mom’s like! Right?
The paper I used for my tin box is the Rustic Paper Stack from DCWV ( It is an exclusive to JoAnn Stores), and the Shimmer Stack for the roses. To cut the roses I used QuicKutzRoses die. Easy! I cut it out with my Cuttlebug Machine then rolled them up and glued them in place with some Zip Dry Paper Glue!
This was a lot of fun! It took me a minute to practice making the roses with some regular paper, but found that the thicker card stock made it easier! Just roll it up with your fingers and let go for it to take shape, then glue it where you want it!
Wow! Mother’s Day is right on our doorstep! Can you believe it? I can’t! I feel like we just barely had Easter…oh wait, we did! I don’t know about you, but I had better get crackin’ on a gift for Mom!
My mom is a scrapbooker, so she would like just about anything that has to do with scrapbooking! Why don’t you come shopping with me to see what I can find that would make great gifts for her special day!
She has tons of pictures to still put in albums as she has 10 children (I am the oldest) and 34 grandchildren, so I think I will start with the basics. Paper! She has 7 sons and lots of grandsons, so the All About Boys Paper Stack from DCWV or Alphabet Soup Boy from My Minds Eye are a great start for the boys! A Proper Gentleman 8×8 by Graphic 45 works well for all of her masculine photos.
She has a Cuttlebug, and loves die cutting! Let’s move over to the dies to see what we can find! Spellbinders dies are always a perfect gift! She and I have very similar taste, so I think I will go with a couple of my favorites! Labels Twenty, Lacey Circles, Lacey Squares, Lacey Ovals (okay, so I like lacey!), Floral Doily Accents and Floral Doily Motifs as well as the Parisian Accents and Parisian Motifs! Well, that is more than a couple, but maybe we can keep some of these in mind for her birthday or Christmas! I could shop forever in Spellbinders!
She would love QuickutzAnime Monkey to scrap some of her younger grandchildren! Or the Mixing Bowl and Spoon for those moments making cookies with the grandkids!
Whew! This shopping trip could last a long time if we got into the nitty-gritty of adhesives, embossing folders, foils, flowers, etc.! I think I will let you shop for yourselves now! I have a pretty good idea of what I will end up with! Have fun!
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