I thought that I would take today’s blog to spotlight one of my favorite little machines! Provo Craft Cuttlebug 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 Spellbinders Grand dies or Sizzix Bigz 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!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Today I would like to introduce the QuicKutz Tropical 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 first page I used my Big Shot Pro with the Bigz Pro Die Circle Ribbon, then I used the Epic Six to cut the Surfboards and Tiki Sign which is included in the Tiki Alphabet used for the letters.  The Hibiscus were cut from the Hibiscus border.

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.

You can use the Hibiscus die and other 12″ dies  in the Cuttlebug V2, Big Shot or Vagabond by Tim Holtz using extended plates! If you plan to use your Big Shot Pro Machine with these dies or any wafer thin die, you will need the Big Shot Pro Solo Platform, Shim & Wafer Thin Die Adapter.

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!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

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 Creations Bella 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!!!!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

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 Spellbinders Borderabilities 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 also use these dies in the Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Big Shot Pro Machine, Vagabond by Tim Holtz,  QuicKutz Epic Six Tool, and of course, the Spellbinders Grand Calibur!

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!

Okay, so I have to share with you this incredibly fun idea that one of our local customers shared with me today! Using the Heartfelt Creations exclusive Spellbinders Die- Daisy Patch and her die cutting machine,  she has made these adorable hair bows out of soda cans! Amazingly, the cans do not dull the dies and are not sharp once the shapes have been cut! Awesome!

Laura started her hair bow business only 3 weeks ago and her hair bows have literally blossomed on Facebook! She is a stay at home mom who also runs a daycare out of her home! Wanting to bring in more income, she decided to try the hair bows after a friend had given her daughter a similar bow. Just by putting pictures on Facebook, they have taken off! I can see why! They are adorable!

If you are interested in Laura’s Soda Can Hair Bows you can email her at palagonzo@hotmail.com or call 801-870-3665. They are priced at $4.00 ea. or 3 for $10.00.

You can let her know what colors you would like! She will find a can to match!

Here are are just a few examples:

Thanks Laura for you fabulous idea! Good luck in your new business!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

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!

It can be used in the Quickutz , Epic Six Tool, Sizzix Big Shot Machine, Provocraft Cuttlebug Machine V2 using extended 13″ plates! They can also be used in the Big Shot Pro Machine as well as Spellbinders Grand Calibur!

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!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

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.

For the feminine side, we will start with DCWV All About Girls Paper Stack,  Blossoms and Butterflies Paper Stack, Garden Party Paper Stack, or Pocket Full of Posies Paper Stack to name just a few!

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 Quickutz Anime Monkey to scrap some of her younger grandchildren! Or the Mixing Bowl and Spoon for those moments making cookies with the grandkids!

Heartfelt Creations, Just Rite Stampers and Sparkle N Sprinkle all have stamps that are fabulous to give her or buy for myself to make her card with! They all have stamps that coordinate with Spellbinders dies! Want2Scrap has Nestabling to go with!

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!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

I have had numerous questions about the use of Provo Craft Cuttlebug Embossing Folders with the Spellbinders Grand Calibur! I decided to post your answer on our Blog today!

Start with the A Base Plate on the bottom. Place the folder (with cardstock inside) on top of the A Base Plate and cover with the Tan Embossing Mat then the W-025 Raspberry Spacer Plate (otherwise known as the Sizzix Original Cut Mat). Insert into the front of the Grand Calibur. Turn the handle until the sandwich exits at the back of the machine!

Since the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders are the same thickness as Quickutz Embossing Folders and Sizzix Textured Impressions, they should all work in the Grand Calibur the same! The only exceptions may be the 12″ folders. You may have to run them through twice in order to get the whole thing.

REMEMBER to NEVER force anything through your Machine!

Now you can use your Grand Calibur Machine and CB Embossing Folders to emboss those special cards for Mother’s Day!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Hooray! We just received Some Sizzix items that have been back ordered for some time! We are happy to announce that the following items are back in stock:

656640-Tattered Florals by the ever popular Tim Holtz. Just in time for spring, these flowers are absolutely gorgeous! They are big sellers and I’m sure that you can see why! Everyone loves handmade flowers! Order yours now while we have them in stock!

657177- Mini Paper Rosettes die showcases the bold and edgy style of Tim Holtz. You receive two different sizes of rosettes: 2 1/8″ and 1 3/4″. This Decorative Strip die measures 12 5/8″ and is compatible with the BIGkick, Big Shot and Vagabond machines (with the Extended Spacer Platform and a pair of 13″ Cutting Pads). You can also use this die in Provo Craft’s Cuttlebug with 13″ Cutting Pads. This die coordinates with the 656931 Paper Rosettes die which is a HUGE seller, so this one should do just as well! We currently have a large stock of these items, but they won’t last!

656469-Fall Set Textured Impressions from artist Rachael Bright was a summer 2010 CHA release that sold out before fall even got here! It has been on back order for over seven months! Get yours now so you will be sure to have one when you are ready to make your fall and Thanksgiving cards and layouts! This set is absolutely beautiful and is sure to sell just as fast this year!

Don’t wait to order these items! If you wait, you may wish that you would have jumped at the chance sooner!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

I have to say that I was so excited when I first saw the new Spellbinders Creative Book Pages Grand Die by Donna Salazar! There are endless possibilities for mini books with this spectacular set!

As I have mentioned before, my youngest boy just entered Basic Training for the Army National Guard, and it is his birthday this month, so I wanted to do something for him that he could use and keep in his limited space foot locker! They can’t have a whole lot and he made me promise NOT to send treats during Basic! Hmmm…. what do I send? Well, I CAN send pictures, and we just had our family pictures done the weekend before he left, so I decided to do a mini album using the Creative Book Pages Die Set! I only used dies #2-5.  Of coarse I used my Spellbinder’s Grand Calibur to cut them. You will either need the Grand Calibur or a Big Shot Pro by Sizzix to be able to use this set.

I didn’t want to embarrass him by sending anything even close to frilly. Army style seemed fitting and manly! I used paper from Creative Imaginations Signature Collection-U.S. Army Scrapbook Kit. The stickers are by Karen Foster and Reminise. I also used the Boss Kut Black Jack Alphabet for the “My Family” title.

Well, that’s it! I think he will love it! His little niece will make him smile for sure!

This is really a fun project for any occasion! You can bind it any way you like!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

What is the difference between the Making Memories Slice and Slice Elite Cordless Digital Design Cutters, you ask? Well, lets start with the basics!

Both are comparable as far as looks; size is less than 5″, weight-2 pounds, and both have a 2″ preview window. Both run either on rechargeable batteries or can be plugged in with the power cord, which allows total flexibility for taking it to crops, vacation, etc.! Both take the same design cards and are offered in blue or pink!

With the Slice, you can  select from thousands of high-style images and instantly convert them into die-cuts up to 8 sizes ranging between 1/2 inch and 4 inch tall.

The Slice Elite has a hardware upgrade which allows the ELITE to cut more precise, 40% faster and twice as deep. Cut textured cardstock, vellum, vinyl, acetate, foam sheets, thin metal sheets and photos up to 1mm thick. Cut 1 inch to 4 inch designs in 1/2 inch increments anywhere on any size media.

WHY CHOOSE THE SLICE OR SLICE ELITE, you might ask?
1. Because it’s on-the-go just like you. Weighing less than two pounds, this 5″ square wonder goes everywhere you go. And because it’s cordless you can cut anywhere on any size media.

2. Because you can easily do it all at the touch of a button. Just insert a design card, select a shape from the friendly graphic interface and watch it work its magic.

3. Because the designs you desire come from one place. Enjoy Making Memories’ top-notch designs including the popular styles of the Noteworthy and Animal Crackers programs. Cut your favorite designs in one-to four-inch increments to compliment projects both large and small.

SLICE CUTTING CAPABILITIES:
The Slice is designed to cut through media in varying thicknesses including:
- Textured paper
- Cardstock
- Vellum
- Textured cardstock
- Photos (up to .5mm thick)
- Vinyl
- And Acetate

SLICE DESIGN CARD FEATURES:
- Design cards expand the Slice shape offerings many times over, and are currently available in four themes including Basic Shapes I, Basic Shapes II, Basic Shapes III, Noteworthy and Animal Crackers.
- Includes equivalent of thousands of design cuts including:  Upper & lower case alphabets
Monograms
Numbers
Scrolls
Flourishes
Photo Corners
Journaling Spots
Frames
Flowers
…..and much much more! All in our store!

I hope that you will also watch the video on the Slice Elite! Just click on the “More Details” button of the Slice Elite Cordless Digital Design Cutter and scroll down to the video!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

A brief video showing Inspired Crafts Products for cleaning die cuts, scrapbook punches, die cutting machines, and all other craft tools. The products featured in this video are cutter glide, paper glide, ez tool cleaner, and the mist-it. All products are eco friendly!

To read more or purchase any Inspired Crafts cleaning solutions click on link below:

Inspired Crafts

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View Inspired Crafts products on youtube.

The Lifestyle Crafts (formerly known as Quickutz) Epic Six is a die cutting and letterpress machine on the market. The name comes from its 6 inch wide opening. It is actually very similar to the Cuttlebug in design, portability, and function. Except Lifestyle Crafts states that the Epic 6 was made to distribute the pressure more evenly on the cutting surface so the user can get more of a clean and even cut on your dies. It will cut and emboss ALL Quickutz and Lifestyle Crafts dies unlike their old machines as well as other consumer dies. The unique feature of the Epic Six is that it can be used for doing letterpress printing on cards. If you buy the letterpress printing plates along with the ink these will fit in the machine. See video below on how to make a letterpress effect.

To read more or purchase the Quickutz Epic Six click on link below:
Quickutz EPIC SIX
Letterpress printing products

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View Epic Six on youtube

Here is another video showing how the epic six can be used to do letterpress printing right from your own home. No need for big bulky letter press machines. With the epic 6 from Lifestyle Crafts you can do all the cards, invitations, scrapbook pages that you want.

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The Cuttlebug by Provo Craft is the MOST portable of all die cutting machines and will cut and emboss most leading brand dies. It has a platform that folds up for easy storage and has an easy to use roller mechanism. It grips really well to a flat surface with suction so that while cutting it doesn’t move. Here below is a nice video of the Cuttlebug and what it sort of looks like as the model has changed, but all the inside parts are the same. Lastly, the Cuttlebug cuts and embosses Spellbinders dies (including Nestabilities) very well with the right plates and with the Spellbinders tan embossing mat.

To read more or purchase the Cuttlebug click on link below:
Provo Craft Cuttlebug (new version!)
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

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View Cuttlebug on youtube

The Sizzix Big Shot is probably the most bulky of all die cutting machines, but very durable and long lasting. It has been around the longest. It cuts and embosses all Sizzix dies and most other leading brand dies. The Sizzix Big Shot is known for being the most versatile machine as far as cutting different materials on the market like cardstock, fabric, and many others. It to has a roller mechanism to easily push dies through. There is also an electronic version of this machine called the “Big Shot Express”, which is for those who may have arthritis or other hand issues, and would rather push a button than use a roller.

To read more or purchase one of these machines click on links below:
Sizzix Big Shot
Sizzix Vagabond by Tim Holtz
Sizzix Big Shot Pro

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View Big Shot by Sizzix on youtube

Here is another video demonstrating the Big Shot by Sizzix Ellison at the Craft and Hobby Association winter 2011.

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