Got. To. Have. It. All.
This is why I won't count my ink pads...I don't want to know how many I have. In fact, I bought seven new ink pads today, and since they fit in my storage, it's all good. No guilt, no regret.
But there has to be a limit to the limitless accumulation of craft supplies. Right?
My friend Eva had different ideas. Today, we had coffee and went to Marco's, where she kept talking about dies, which made me wonder if she remembered I don't have a die-cut machine.
Oh, she remembered.
And gave me a Cuttlebug.
See the pigs flying all over the place? Aren't they adorable? Of course they are. The woman who said she'd never have a die-cut machine is eating her words...and they taste AMAZING.
Thank you, Eva. THANK YOU!!!!!
Of course I came straight home and started playing with the embossing folders and dies Eva kindly included with her over-the-top generous gift.
And made this.
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| Mostly white cards are hard to photograph. This card isn't gray in real life. |
The fun banner die is from StampinUp, and the Hello was created using Papertrey's Simple Alphabet. I stippled Archival magenta hue on the edge of the card base and glued the embossed panel directly to the card. The banner is (obviously) popped up on dimensionals. The pink bling carries the pink from the edge of the card into the design and emphasizes the curve of the banner.
So thanks to Eva, I now have to go shopping to make sure the Cuttlebug gets used to the fullest extent possible. Let's see if I can exercise restraint.
What are the odds?
Not good, I imagine.
What are your recommendations?
Mercy, grace, peace, love, gratitude, and an attempt at restraint,
Susan
Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Simple Alphabet
ink: Archival magenta hue
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: stipple brush, rhinestones, StampinUp Framelits Bitty Banners, Darice Butterfly Flower, dimensionals
Ahhhh, Pandora's box has been opened! Fun times ahead. When looking at the dies, remember that you can emboss with them as well as cut and glue. You just need to make one more purchase...a rubber-like embossing pad. They can be found at JoAnn's, WalMart, Amazon, Michael's, etc. :) Look forward to seeing what you do with your new toy.
ReplyDeleteLu C
beautiful card. my only advice is to try and put your non stamped folded card through the plates (use typing paper as a shim to avoid cut marks) and voila you will have a very flat card. I prefer that look, although the card will not stand up to be photographed! Enjoy
ReplyDeleteI predict you will have loads if fun and look forward to seeing what you make. A lot if crafters are buying dies from Aliexpress.com. They are very inexpensive and ship from China. I don't own any, but have used some bought by friends. They work great. Some crafters, however, object to ordering direct from China so there's controversy in some circles. How wonderful that your friend has blessed you. Your card is very pretty.
ReplyDeletestep away! Step away now!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the dark side........MWAH HA HA!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan, Thin dies (framelits or thinlits) are great because they take very little space to store. When buying these make sure the cutting edge is right next to hole which allows you to cut a stamped image well aligned because you can see exactly where where the cut will be. Spellbinder dies do not have the cutting edge along the edge of the hole. Makes aligning images more difficult. Any recent dies should be fine. Sizzix, Taylor Expression are of recent technology. Thick dies may be available for a good price because people are getting rid of them because they take a lot of space to store and you cannot align with stamped images. Enjoy! Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteYay, that's so great. Opens up a lot of possibilities. You are so talented at making cards without dies, I can't wait to see what you do with your new machine.
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled you have a die machine now! You will love it! I can't wait to see what all you do with it! Papertrey has great prices on dies!
ReplyDeleteI can't even wait for your whole new world because you always share your toys! If you are feeling weak, I suggest you DO NOT look at Papertrey dies to match their stamp sets. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteMy only advise, is good luck on the lottery win. There are so many beautiful dies and folders. Try to buy pieces that can be used for multiple occasions( ie not event specific) Truthfully I seldom emboss much anymore but dies.....oh my!
ReplyDeleteYou with a die cut machine??? Will wonders never cease?? Welcome to this century, Susan. Haven't we all been trying to convince you - for years?? Have a fun time!
ReplyDeleteRun with abandon. Dance with joy. Jump in the river. A new world is before you. I love the thought---Simplicity with layers and bling!!
ReplyDeleteHooray for your new toy! It's a slippery slope once you start having fun with dies. I suggest some of the matting dies -- squares or rectangles-- with decorative edges, from MFT or Simon. And as another post says, beware PTI's matching dies for their stamps -- overwhelming choice! Enjoy!
ReplyDelete2 words Ali Express for dies! We're talking I would have BIG $$$ had I found this site sooner! Well worth the (about) 3 weeks to receive them. What a fabulous friend. A whole dimension (lierally) for your creating 😀
ReplyDeletePlease support our USA companies and not China! Our crafting community is not that large and needs us.
DeleteBear in mind that the crafting community is international.
DeleteI totally agree that diving into die cutting is like opening Pandora's box, but oh how a wonderful and creative world opens up! Welcome to the maelstrom, you are going to love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, Susan A. here from Idaho. I do most of my shopping online. I will now look for that folder, I love your card, it is beautiful!! Thank so much for the hard work you put into your posts. You are a blessing to my soul & spirit.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun you will have!! Enjoy...enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Welcome to a whole new world!!! I wish I had advice for you, but I, too have GTHIA syndrome! On the bright side for you, you don't like coloring that much so that will keep you from buying dies that cut out those stamped shapes. Word dies add a lot to a card and can be relatively inexpensive, especially if you wait for a sale with 20% off. Welcome to the die side of crafting! You're going to have a blast! I can't wait to see what you create!
ReplyDeleteOh dear oh dear oh dear. Previous commenters are correct; this is indeed a Pandora's Box. A FUN one, but still.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first bought my Big Shot I was far more interested in embossing folders than die cuts. That, of course, has changed. I still love embossing folders but Imhave accumulated my fair share of dies as well.
I started out buying nested sets of circles and ovals ( I can easily CUT a square...). I did not use them as much as I thought I would. I DO like a few nested sets I've recently acquired that create a stitched edge, or alternate a straight edge and a scalloped edge. That makes a layer more interesting.
I've come to discover I really like having the dies that match a stamp set. Being able to easily cut out an element or two can step up the appearance of a card so much.
And Papertrey does have some of the best dies to go with their sets.
Also Lawn Fawn and My Favorite Things are worth checking out. Stampin' Up too.
Poppystamps is....remarkable. Go check out their die selection too.
You will have so much fun with the CB. I have both a CB and a Spellbinders Grand Caliber. The CB works great for embossing folders and dies that aren't intricate cuts, but I had issues cutting the more intricate and fine detailed dies, which is why I purchased the Grand Caliber it has a wider cutting surface so you can turn the dies at angles to get a better cut.
ReplyDeleteI have TONS of dies, and love them. I have been finding some amazing dies and prices on Amazon. They do come from overseas and take a while to arrive, but they are great prices and well worth the wait. And I love my Lawn Fawn stitched edges dies-circles, ovals, squares and rectangles. They just add that finished edge to your panels that kicks it up a notch. I know you like the multi-step stamps, and Altenew, stampendous and My Favorite Things have some amazing stamp and die sets.
I have tried many different die storage systems, and my 2 favorite are WE-R-Memory Keepers 6"x 12" 3 ring die storage albums (comes with 3 ziplock pouches and magnet sheets-you can buy more-JoAnn's has them online), and second is My Favorite things Magnet sheets and clear pocket storage (Large for both). I just checked out that AliExpress mentioned above, and OH MY-try them:)
I could go on and on; word dies, frames, mats, oh, my! Have fun. Hugs
Welcome to a whole new world of crafting that dovetails nicely with stamping! I do take offense with the current rush to buy cheap dies directly from China. In today's world, we need to support the USA and buy from our companies (and yes I know some are made offshore). That being said, tiptoe into this fun arena...I bought too much in the beginning, not even knowing what I like/didn't like. Found I LOVE big numbers for birthday's and a good set of large alphabet dies are great!
ReplyDeleteI remember buying my cuttlebug, coming home, using it and thinking why did I wait so long. A couple of sets of nested shape dies, an alphabet and a number set are what I use most. Have fun, you have entered a whole new realm of creating!
ReplyDeletePigs DO fly!
ReplyDeleteWord dies and stitched frames are my favorite and most used dies. As for matching dies with stamp sets, I find the open dies easier to use since I can stamp first. Most of the newer dies are open, but some older dies are solid inside.
Susan...your desk is awfully neat. Does this mean you have a cluttered mind?
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have SO much fun with your Cuttlebug and the flying pigs!
I'm happy for you.
Yay! Congrats! You're going to love designing with the bug. Peruse Frantic Stamper for dies (& ink). There are many European sites with exquisite dies that are fun to look at also. Have fun shopping for lighter cardstock that you can easily die cut! As someone else said, welcome to the dark side!!! Bahaha!
ReplyDeleteSusan-give me your addy and I will send you dies for that adorable cuttlebug. I love mine too!!!! I'm having to sell my house and move into a small apartment after 34 years of marriage-I married a cheater. Lol anyway I'm selling stuff on eBay (erikascupboard) but I'd love to send you a nice stash of my dies. We cuttlebug girls gotta take care of our own!! My email addy is erika.t.crawford@outlook.com.
ReplyDeleteMwahahahaha, welcome to the club. There are great deals to be had on Aliexpress. Just search for metal dies, great prices, but takes a long time to arrive as they come from China. I don't know if you are familiar with Loll Thompson's work, but she uses lots of aliexpress dies. Check for the inside out stitched squares, circles, rectangles and ovals. Yummy
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the wonderful world of die-cutting. Note: Restraint and die-cutting do not go together. At all.
ReplyDeleteFirst Congrats and yippie. There's a raging battle going on in my mind as to whether or not to use Ali Express of Singapore and/or China for dies. Their prices are indeed ridiculously and quality 98%, but we are more than short-changing our beloved USA companies. They are entitled to some profit. I just wish I knew if the margin is considered exorbitant. I suppose the standard for that would be open to comment. Since I'm 1. not a businesswoman, 2. cheap, and 3. close to becoming a hoarder..but I know where everything is, I will continue to buy from A.E., until someone takes on the challenge of convincing me that I'm not being price-gouged. BTW, apparently A.E. has been around for years as I was told by my college student grandson who is a business major.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new toy! The products I use the most are the Dotted Swiss embossing folder, and the largest Stitched rectangle die which allows me to cut gelli plate designs or watercolor backgrounds to a perfect size for an A2 card with a border. But there's lots more to try!
ReplyDeletehahaha - you had better start saving - you,ll be broke forever - CB was my first machine now have a BSplus - there are so many lovely things to buy - try restraint ......well maybe not .Enjoy
ReplyDeleteThis made me chuckle. Enjoy your new toy...love the cardvx
ReplyDeleteWatch out from above - make sure you don't have your mouth open when you look up. Can't wait to see what wonderful cards you'll make with the addition of dies and embossing folders. Have lots of fun playing and experimenting. Your first card is already giving me ideas.....
ReplyDeleteHide your wallet now! Lol!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love it! Hopefully it will bring you renewed inspiration. As for recommendations, the item I probably use the most are the stitched rectangles from Lil Inkers. I also love any floral set from PTI that come with matching dies. So fun to cut a whack of pieces, and stamp them in a variety of inks, and them lay them out and see what happens!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy! I am excited to see what you create!
ReplyDeleteI also love the stitched rectangles from Lil Inkers. The largest die in that set doesn't cut; it impresses a stitched line on the edges of an A2 panel. I love PTI's word dies, but the quality of their dies has gone downhill in the past few months. They say they are working with the manufacturer on a coating to make the dies release the paper easier. I say that's a bunch of malarkey because their dies are open now, rather than solid, and it's no problem to get your diecut out of the die. I believe they are trying to cut corners. I KNOW if this keeps up they will lose a very faithful customer.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Hero Arts dies, their Infinity dies in particular. I love the dies from Memory Box and Poppystamps, My Favorite Things, Altenew, WPlus9, Concord & 9th. There's more, but I'm tired and too lazy to go look in my craft room. Have fun!
A gift that will keep on giving to one who richly deserves it. Enjoy!I'd advise getting open dies- that helps tremendously with alignment & basic shapes are so very versatile. And I love many of the word dies too.
ReplyDeleteI predict that we will all benefit from this generous gift! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI echo the comment re buying from Aliexpress. Get a metric ruler to check the sizes I am in Australia so with exchange rates and postage I cannot have it all....lol. I also have that disease. But I have built a great collection with Aliexpress and although I also have known brands unless I keep labels I cannot tell the difference. Have fun. I love my big shot
ReplyDeleteI had somehow missed this post, and went hunting for this when I saw your cardinal die cut 😁😁
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new toy, and I'm looking forward to seeing you use this beautifully💓