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

http://ucutathome.com/blog/letterpress-die-cutting-machines/

or you can find each individual video on our Blog Page on the right hand side under Pages.

I know that this is exciting news for many of you who have been wanting to do Letterpress, but didn’t want to purchase another machine!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

These brief videos will show you how to Letterpress with different Die Cutting and Embossing Machines that are out there on the Market. You will be able to see how to do letterpress invitations and cards with the Lifestyle Crafts letterpress starter kit. With the starter kit you will get everything you need to get started in any of the following machines: Sizzix Big Shot, Big Shot PRO, Vagabond, and the Cuttlebug. Lifestyle Crafts formerly known as Quickutz has provided this starter kit with letterpress printing plates,ink,placement guides,roller,mats, and much more!

Click on anyone of the links to view the video demo on how to letterpress with these cutting & embossing machines!

Sizzix Big Shot

Sizzix Big Shot PRO

Sizzix Vagabond

Provo Craft Cuttlebug

Here you can view how to letterpress with the Epic Six machine

letterpress printing

Hold on to your hats! Sizzix Framelits die sets w/stamps are here and are a hot item! They are blowing out of here as fast as we can get them in! Now that it is cooling off and the kids are in school, it is the perfect time to stay inside and do some stamping.

The Framelits sets w/stamps are not only beautiful, but very functional, because they include a stamp set AND the cutting dies that coordinate with each stamp! Here’s an example of one of the sets with 5:

You receive five – seven cutting dies (depending on the set) and a stamp set. Create the most exact cuts around your cling stamp images. Introducing wafer-thin and chemically etched Framelits Dies from Sizzix with their own matching cling stamp set from Hero Arts. With this unique product pairing, you cut exactly what you see with nothing to obscure perfect print registration. Even scraps, stamped images and printed sentiments can be cropped precisely. Framelits also create beautiful frames or die-cuts that fit snugly within each other. Ideal for stenciling or cutting windows in cards and scrapbook pages, too!

The Framelits Dies are compatible with the BIGkick, Big Shot and Vagabond Machines (used with a pair of Cutting Pads and the machine’s included Platform; when using the Essentials Platform or Solo Platform & Shim, the Extended Adapter or Solo Adapter is required). All items sold separately.

Just think how much easier these sets will make paper crafting! I am excited to give these a try!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

I know that many of you have tried and love the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders by Provo Craft but, did you know that Sizzix Textured 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!

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

The new QuicKutz dies are out and are a big hit! If you have a party in your plans, you should really consider some of these new dies! I decided to take a few minutes and play with a couple over the weekend!

My neighbor’s birthday is the 4th of July. I was out of town for most of the weekend, but when I got back I wanted to give her a little something! I used the Gift Bag Cookie Cutter die, cutting it out with my Epic Six Tool. I stuck a flower and a button on the front, some candy inside and put it with a card and I was done! It made a cute gift in minutes!

Next, I used the Cracker Box die. This one is perfect for wedding or shower Thank You gifts! It goes together really quickly and you can embellish it with ribbon, flowers, tags, etc.! I used Petaloo Flowers to embellish mine and put some small candy inside!

This would be a fun treat to take to the office “Just Because”! Hmmm….. maybe I should take my own advise and make some to bring in to our office!   A little surprise treat always makes the day better!

I’m looking forward to playing with some of the other new dies and posting them!

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 ladies and gents, I finally had a chance to play with the new Heartfelt Creations Wedding Collection Stamp Sets! I just can’t get over the incredible detail that their artists put into them! They are so beautiful! These cling stamps are so easy to use with any acrylic block!

I am a bit behind in scrapbooking my daughter’s wedding, so I took the opportunity to use these gorgeous stamps to create a layout of her wedding day! I used Bella Rose Wedding, Wedding Sentiments and Bella Rose Heart. I cut the scalloped piece from the DCWV Linen Closet Paper Stack using my Sizzix Big Shot Pro Machine and the Bigz Pro Die Square Scallop.  The background piece is from DCWV Shimmer Paper Stack. To complete the ensemble, I used K & Company stickers, Want2Scrap Silver Baby Bling, heart rhinestones, paper doilies and a heart corner punch.

Now I can’t wait to use the other sets in the Wedding Collection! These really make fabulous embellishments for layouts as well as amazing bridal or wedding cards! Now is the perfect time to get yours, as summertime is the busiest time for weddings!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Many customers who have purchased the Sizzix Big 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!

The embossing formula is also the same for Sizzix, Provocraft or Quickutz embossing folders!

The following sandwich formulas are listed from the bottom up:

Cutting  Sandwich

Sizzix Solo Platform-657155 (sold as a pair with the Sizzix Solo Shim)**

Sizzix Solo Shim**

Sizzix Solo Wafer Thin Die Adapter-657160**

Cutting Pad Big Shot Pro Standard-656253

Die

Paper/Cardstock

Cutting Pad Big Shot Pro Standard-656253

**You will need two of these laying side by side, especially for the Spellbinders Grand Dies

Embossing Sandwich

Sizzix Solo Platform

Sizzix Solo Shim

Impressions Pad-655120

Die or embossing folder with paper or cardstock

Silicone Rubber-655121

Cutting Pad Big Shot Pro Standard-656253

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!

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

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 QuicKutz Roses 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!

I used Spellbinders Lacey Ovals to cut a copper frame from the Precious Metals Premium Craft Foils, then topped with Classic Ovals Small stamped with a saying from Just Rite Stampers The Greatest Joy Borders & Centers Set! I finished it off with flowers from Petaloo Canterbury Collection Rose & Berries Branch and some ribbon!

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!

Have fun making your Mother’s Day projects!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

WhooHoo! We have reduced the prices on all QuicKutz 4×4 dies! This is a fantastic savings!

We have also put some of these dies on clearance, so you will want to make sure to get the ones that you want now before they sell out! Once the clearance items are gone, they are gone!

These dies will work in the Sizzix Big Shot, Big Shot Pro and Vagabond, Quickutz Epic Six, Provo Craft Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Grand Calibur and Wizard Machines! They are wonderful for scrapbook layouts!

Check them out! I’m sure that there will be something for you!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie

Just arrived from Provo Craft are more beautiful Cuttlebug A2 Emossing Plus Folders! We have added 4 more to our inventory, which are the popular Carly, Whimsy, Cogs & Wheels and the Deco Burst! These folders are absolutely wonderful for making spectacular embossed cards on the fly! They cut and emboss all in one pass of your machine!

We have also brought on several 2″ x 6″ Cuttlebug Combo Dies! You receive 2 coordinating dies in one package. These dies have several images on one plate! We have included From the Sea, Fruit & Tags, Hearts & Stamps, Nature and Texture Blocks, Ornamental, and Poppies & Honeycomb! These dies will work with most die cutting machines!

I really enjoy using either of these products, but for a really quick and pretty A2 card, I highly recommend the Embossing Plus Folders! They are awesome!

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

Okay, so you already know that I am a paper junkie, but I would say my next scrapbooking addiction is alphabets! This week I tried my first couple of Boss Kut Alphabets! Love them!They work just like my QuicKutz Alphabets in my Cuttlebug Machine!

Some of them are 2×2″ chipboard backing, like the Hobby Horse that I used on my layout for yesterday’s BLOG, and some are on 2×2″ metal plates, as with the Adore that I used for today’s layout. They work exactly the same!

My kids can’t believe how many I have. My accountant son thinks he has to add up the cost of each one and let me know how much I have spent, but I keep insisting that I almost always buy them on sale,  so his calculations are over estimated! Of coarse my daughter doesn’t mind that I spend on alphabets, because she can borrow them for free!

I have been using QuicKutz Alphabets for years and thoroughly enjoy them! I won’t say how many I have, but I’m sure that some of you are in the same boat! Both QuicKutz and Boss Kut have foam over the letters to keep paper or card stock from sticking in the die. QuicKutz dies are all made of metal and have expanded some of their alphabets from 2×2 to 4×8.

Boss Kuts has some metal and  some chipboard in the 2×2 plates. Both work great in most of the die cutting machines such as Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Grand Calibur, Epic Six and Wizard!

Like I said, I used the Adore Alphabet in this layout of my children.  I used Bazzill card stock, and  My Mind’s Eye Simply Delightful 12×12 stack. I cut one Spellbinder’s Grand Big Scalloped Ovals in half to place over the pattern paper and cut the flower embellishments from the same paper. The leaves are from the new Spellbinder’s Foliage set!

If you have never tried the Boss Kut alphabets, you should just give them a try! As the saying goes; Try it, you might like it!

I really believe it!

Thanks and Happy Scrappin’!

Carrie