Here are a few questions to start you off:
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
- What to you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
- And, of course, any other information you would like to share about die cutting.
All comments will be entered for the giveaway, unless you specifically say that you don't want to be included. This month I'm giving away a Clearly Besotted 'Rockin' Robin' stamp set and coordinating dies.
Kath x
15 comments:
Morning, I love my Bigshot, never felt the need for an electronic machine. I use mine to cut felt as well as card and paper. I love so many makes but MFT and Lawn Fawn are particular faves. I also love matching stamp and die sets and MFT do some great ones. I use a metal shim to cut the more intricate dies and find that works well. The Bigshot is also easy for my cardmaking class to use. In fact I have two as one started to get a bit worn and I didn’t know at the time about metal shims so bought another. However with my monthly class now that is handy. Thanks for the chance to win this cute prize.
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
I usually use a manual machine. I also have Cricut Expression, which I used a lot when I was teaching to die cut things for the classroom. (Thanks for reminding me that a ought to use it more for making cards!) I don't have a computerised die cutting machine, although I've been tempted to get the Silhouete Cameo. I'm not sure if I'd use it enough to justify the cost.
- What to you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
My Big Shot is easy to use and sits by my craft desk and I use it most days. I also have an A4 machine which I occasionally use for larger dies and embossing folders. I have no room to leave it out, so if I need to use it I have to get it out from the box.
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
Occasionally felt and thin cork sheets.
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
A have quite a few favourites: Sue Wilson, Memory Box, Poppystamps, MFT, Sizzix, etc. I usually buy dies for the design, rather than the manufacturer.
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
Yes, as I don't particularly like fussy cutting.
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
I especially like dies which cut a fancy fold base card, e.g. stepper cards. Much easier than cutting by hand with a craft knife. I also love cross stitching dies so I can add cross stitching patterns to my cards.
- And, of course, any other information you would like to share about die cutting.
I use up some of my snippets by die cutting shapes and storing them by theme, e.g. flowers, animals, Christmas etc., in case I need to make a quick card.
I have a cuttlebug manual machine. I like that it is small, and was inexpensive. I do wish for a Gemini cutter as the cuttlebug doesn’t do a good enough job on intricate dies, and the cuttlebug was discontinues, so it will be harder to get replacement plates. I do not cut anything but paper and sometimes felt. No favorite vendor for dies. For the most part, they are all great.
I definitely do like stamp/die combos! I resisted them for a while, and don’t buy the dies if I can’t afford them, but they are handy!
I really just do basic die cutting, no fancy techniques.
Hi Kath,
I have 2 Bigshot machines. One normal and one to take A4 size for larger cards. I bought the larger Bigshot because I found my first one so easy to use.
I don't cut anything else besides card and paper.
No, I don't have a favourite manufacturer of dies. Like Liz I tend to go for the design rather than the make.
I don't like fussy cutting much and I do like co-ordinating stamp and die sets, but I tend not to buy the dies as they can be expensive.
No favourite techniques, apart from making a shaped card base.
Thank you for the chance to win this cute set x
I have a manual die cutting machine. After my favorite QuicKutz Revolution croaked, after many years, I switched to my Cuttlebug. The Cuttlebug was purchased just for use with embossing folders really, but I was needing a machine to cut the dies I had and the Revolution had worn out! I have since gotten a Spellbinders Platinum6.
The Platinum 6 is great! It's sturdy and cuts well. My only dislike about it s that the plates really seem prone to warping. I do flip it over regularly but wish it would stay flatter! I also have some trouble finding the replacement plates since Michaels stopped carrying them. But I was able to order some through Joann's online.
I just cut paper and cardstock.
Lots of favorites for dies... Poppystamps, Memory Box, LaLaLand, MFT, Spellbinders and Simon Says Stamp.
Love stamp and die sets! Such a convenience!
Favorite technique with dies.... I am loving the inlaid technique but do find it a bit tedious with detailed designs. Love the look though!
Other info... I confess to saving scraps of cardstock that are probably too small to bother with! But I always think of small die cut pieces or punches I might be able to use them for!
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
I use a cuttlebug mainly, for embossing and die-cutting.
- What to you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
I like that it is small enough to leave out ready to use. There is nothing I don't like
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
No, I don't
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
No, I don't have a favourite
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
I have never had the chance to use them, so can't comment here
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
I use fabric softener dryer sheets to help release intricate dies
Not die cutting, but a storage hint. I purchased a sturdy photo album and adhered stick-on magnetic sheets to every second page. It is so easy to flip through and find the die I need.
Hi again. Just come over from your WOYWW post to answer your questions.
I use an electronic machine these days - used to have a Bigshot, hand machine - but now have a Gemini which takes A4 size bits.
I like the way it cuts - the way it saves my poor elderly arms from turning the handle... but I'm not so keen on the way the plates bend so easily, or the cost of replacing them.
Thus far I have only cut card and paper.
I love the Cathie Shuttleworth (Papercutz) dies, the detail is great without being over fussy.
I do enjoy using the coordinating die and stamp sets that I have. I don't have many though.
I like using dies that cut out a design down the card so I can then place a piece of fancy card behind them - a simple and very effective card when making a lot.
Hope that's of some help.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret - glitterandglue
Hello, Kath! Great questions this month! (BTW, please don't include me in your draw as I just won last month.)
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
I have a manual (Cuttlebug) and electric (Gemini).
- What do you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
I love both of these machines! Sadly the Cuttlebug has been discontinued so, to my knowledge, you can no longer buy the cutting plates. I have a few on hand but after that, I'm not sure what I'll do. Hoping another crafter will have some ideas on that. The Cuttlebug isn't that great with intricate dies so that's where the Gemini excels. I use my Cuttlebug with embossing folders, which I still use regularly. As mentioned, I love both of these machines!
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
I have cut felt but generally I only cut cardstock, glitter paper, vellum, and patterned paper.
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
I have no favourite manufacturer - I love all dies!
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
Yes, I do! I used to buy them regularly but now the cost is too high so I tend not to buy them any more and end up fussy-cutting the stamped images.
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
I can't think of any techniques at the moment, other than paper-piecing.
- And, of course, any other information you would like to share about die cutting.
I love die-cutting! I store my dies on magnetic sheets and I have them organized by subject. I store coordinating dies along with the stamp set. Like others have said, I use only my scraps/snippets for die-cutting.
Thanks for the fun questions! I'll check back later to finish reading what everyone writes after me.
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
A manual one, I've never tried any of the others
- What to you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
I have a Grand Calibur and I love the fact that it can handle bigger dies than some other manual machines while still having a reasonably small footprint, as storage is an issue for me. I do wish it cut evenly across the full width of the rollers, though, the pressure in the middle is sometimes not enough for intricate dies
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
No
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
Not really, although I probably have more Spellbinders than any other
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
It took me a long time to get around to trying them, as I enjoy fussy cutting, but now i love them
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
I like using them to create bespoke apertures
- And, of course, any other information you would like to share about die cutting.
I'd love to read what others do for die storage. I use Artbins with magnetic sheets in them
I use manual machines. I have the quickutz squeeze hand tool as I like a lot of the dies, and a big shot foldaway. I like both machines, just wish I had more space so they didn't have to be put away every time they are used. I have only tried cutting card and I am still getting used to what cuts well and what doesn't. I don't have a favourite die cut manufacturer. I am hopeless at rubber stamping, so I have never tried the stamp and die sets. I use a self healing cutting pad in the big shot in place of the bottom plate as I find it more durable and I get less marks on the card I am cutting. I bought the quickcutz tool second hand, and most of the dies for it have also been purchased used. I am still pretty new to die cutting, so still finding out what works for me.
I hope you're going to write a paper crafting book next Kath - lots of material and idea in your Q & A's
Here's my answere about die cutting:
- Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
Manual, although I've wondered about an electronic one at times. For now my Cuttlebug does the trick fine.
- What do you like (or not like) about the machine you use?
It's neat, has a small footprint and isn't too heavy to lift around.
- As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else? Mostly card and paper, although I have die cut felt at times. Have also die cut the thick clear packaging from some dies (heatable acetate is also available), coloured the flower shapes with Pro markers and then heated them using the heat gun so they curled and became like coloured glass
- Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them? MFT have a lovely variety of, as well as decent quality, dies and I generally go for them. But will also buy Lawn Fawn, The Works and others. Loving that Penny Black have brought out a few dies which coordinate with some of my favourite wood mounted PB stamps.
- Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!) Yes, I do like coordinating stamp and die sets - after being initially hesitant. I do have this one you're offering already!
- Do you have any favourite techniques with dies? Inlaying is a very satisfying technique - given the time.
- And, of course, any other information you would like to share about die cutting. I sometimes use wax paper between dies and card to help with releasing them. One of my best investments is a thin metal sheet which goes underneath the cutting plate (B) before adding the card, die and then the top (B) plate - really useful for the odd 'hard to cut' die such as my much loved MFT cross stitch labels die. Not to be used against the die itself apparently - ask me how I know, from a while ago!
Di xx
I have a Big Kick (Sizzix) machine. I like to crank it. I like everything about it. It cuts well. I usually use just paper, but have done balsa wood, cork, fabric....I especially like Pinkfresh Studio dies--they work really well, and are detailed. But I buy MANY different die companies' dies!!! I love coordinated stamp/dies. When I try to cut out freehand, I don't do a very good job. I like perfection!!!!!!!My favorite technique with dies is cutting little bits out of different papers/colors, and adding them as layers. I LOVE dies, and love to learn more techniques!!!!
Hi Kath
Here eventually!!
~ Do you use a manual, electronic or computerised die cutting machine?
I have only ever used manual machines. I am on my second Cuttlebug machine and also bought the Big Shot Pro with my last pay packet as I left work to craft full-time. Love how neatly the Cuttlebug folds up .. .. I can pack it into a bag and take it to Mum's for a crafting session really easily. I love my Big Shot Pro because I can put extra large dies in it .. .. or lots and lots of small ones .. .. and it is so sturdy it never moves an inch when turning the handle.
~ As well as card and paper - do you cut anything else?
I cut lots of things. Paper, card, fabric, lace, acetate (though I often have to finish this off with scissors), mountboard (with the thick Sizzix dies).
~ Do you have a favourite manufacturer of dies? If so, what do you like about them?
No, I don't have a favourite .. .. in fact some of my best and most used dies have come from Ebay and have cost next to nothing.
~ Do you like coordinating stamp and die sets? (If so, you may like this month's prize!)
Love stamps with co-ordinating dies but I only invest if the design is something I know I will use over and over again because it is often so expensive to buy the two together.
~ Do you have any favourite techniques with dies?
I love the in-lay technique very much, partial die cutting and also layering up die-cut sentiments.
~ Hints and tips. To release stubborn pieces of card that stick in dies I rub the back of the die with a stiff toothbrush. The bristles do a quick job as they easily make their way into the holes and gaps and release the card.
Thanks for another interesting Q&A session Kath. We can all learn so much from each other this way.
Love Jules xx
Manual/electronic/computerised machine?
I did have a Grand Caliber but when that died I decided to go for an electronic one and chose the Gemini because I needed a new one in a hurry and there was a good deal on it.
Likes and dislikes of the machine I use?
I like it well enough. I have only a table to work on and it sits on the edge so that when the plates run through they go over the edge of the table so not impinging on my limited work space. In a way I would rather have had a Big Shot, but it does take up more space with the platform so this really works better from that point of view. I haven't done a tremendous amount of die cutting lately but if I did a lot more I would probably be having to replace the plates as they do seem to warp quite a bit even though I do try to turn them frequently, it does however cut very well and I don't think there would be much that it would struggle with.
Do I cut anything else other than card and paper? Just acetate or vellum maybe.
Favourite Die Manufacturer?
No not really. I was lucky enough to win one of the challenge prizes from Simon Says Stamp about four years ago and I have to say at that time, and maybe this doesn't apply now, their dies were held together with such a touch piece of steel that I had to use pliers to break them apart and it did leave some rather jagged edges which I tried carefully to smooth off, but I haven't come across this with other dies I have used as the bridging material usually breaks away quite easily, but as I say this may well be better on their more recent dies. I do have quite a few Sue Wilson dies and obviously going back Spellbinders, also Nellie Snellen and Marianne, and I do love the Memory Box ones, but I have lots of other different ones, so no firm favourites.
Do I like coordinating die and stamp sets?
To be honest I have very few and those I have are mainly freebie sets and one or two which I have won. The only time I would personally be tempted to buy the dies to go with the stamps is for a large more complex design which would be impossible to cut by hand. I still am not entirely happy with the white edge you get when you die cut a stamped image. I think that sometimes it works as against a darker colour the images stand out better, and so many people use them now and it looks fine on other people's cards, but on my own I still am not sure... sounds a bit silly really...lol but I am quite a precise personality so that probably explains it.
Favourite techniques with dies? Not really but inlaying the pieces looks good if a trifle fiddly, and also having an image inset flush with the card looks lovely too. I think you can extend the use of them by dry embossing with them and I have even tried the technique of inking the raised edge of the die to impress and leave colour at the same time which looks good too.
I don't have much else to say about it except that using dies is a great way of adding that extra something to a card, and they are now so intricate and the designs so varied and generally speaking the quality of even fairly cheap dies is excellent. I can't see them going out of fashion any time soon.
Thanks for the stamp and die set which you have on offer Kath but please leave me out of the draw this time, it is great to hear what others have to say about their die cutting experiences and I look forward to next month's topic. x
Hi Kath. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a fab prize!
I used to have a manual Big Shot which got sold when I took a four year break from crafting due to illness. I'm well again now and have just invested in a Big Shot Foldaway which I love because it takes up far less room without compromising on performance.
I haven't really explored die-cutting as much as I'd like to this time around, but when I crafted before, I cut all sorts of materials - fabric, cork, alluminium (from cans), sandpaper - as well as card stock, paper, vellum acetate etc. But I think now, novelty isn't as important to me and I haven't replaced any of my Bigz dies, preferring the thin ones.
My limited budget dictates what craft items I buy so I don't have a favourite die manufacturer - well not yet at any rate! Stamps are my main priority and I spend most of my budget on those. I tend not to buy coordinating dies because I can save money by fussy cutting. I don't think I'd be tempted unless there was some clever device in the die which enhanced the stamps.
The kind of dies I like are the ones where you get an effect it would be very difficult or time-consuming to create by hand, for example, stitched shape dies or curved shapes. Alphabet dies and sentiment dies are also very useful.
I haven't been very adventurous with die-cutting so far, but I've used my dies for apertures, decorative edges, labels, tags, frames and toppers. I like that the cutting accuracy means you can stack die cuts to make a thicker shape too and they're also useful for making masks/stencils. I've spotted beautiful in-laid techniques online and would also like to try embossing with dies (need to invest in a special pad I think!)
This has been such a useful Q&A and I've loved reading everyone's responses - thank you x
Post a Comment