Well, it took me two days to get these pics on my memory card…but here they are…Let’s see how to use the W-026 Grand Cut Mat Kit to cut/emboss one of our Grand Borderabilities®. I chose to work with the S7-001 Rose Border Grand. This is an accessory kit to the Wizardâ„¢ that can be purchased for use with the our 12″ Borderabilities® die templates. Here is a quick pic. of the kit with two master mats, the magnetic spacer plate and the embossing pad.

Use this set just like the regular mat set that comes with the Wizardâ„¢. Choose a die template and some paper for a project. Trim down the paper so it is not wider than the platform and let’s begin:

1. Layer the following elements: White master mat, magnetic spacer plate with the magnet facing up, Borderabilities® die template with ridge facing up, paper and the other white master mat.
2. Place the Wizard in front of you with the long “leg” facing away from you and the handle towards you.
3. Using your left hand, feed the stack into the rollers from the far side of the machine, so they advance towards you. With you right hand, give the rollers a little “skootch” by pushing down and forward on them. This will help the mats engage in the rollers and will assist with advancing them through.

   

4. Be sure to hold the mats loosely (see how the far end of the mats is opened a bit). It is another way to help the mats engage in the rollers.



5. After skootching the mats to engage them. Push the handle up and over to the front, all the way to the table. Continue pumping the handle to vertical and back to the table top to ratchet the mats through towards you. When nearing the end, move your left hand to grab the mats for the exit.



6. Open your sandwich, and see your cut Borderabilities® die template.



7. Remove the die/paper from the magnetic mat and place the die/paper back onto the white master mat. Add the embossing pad and the white master mat on top. Run the sandwich through again. Open the sandwich and check out the beautifully embossed image.



8. Now turn the die/paper over and use some inks, chalks, colored pencils, metallic rub-ons…or whatever suits your fancy to use the die template as a stencil.



9. Use your beautifully decorated border in a wonderful scrapbook page.

If you don’t have the Grand Mat Cut Kit, check out Beth’s tutorial on how to cut the Grand Borderabilities® using the White Master mats.

Have a fabulously creative day, Eli

I’m with Beth!! I am tired of Old Man Winter, who, in Denver, stayed away most of the late winter and just arrived a couple of weeks ago with snow and cold.

I loved Beth’s idea for creating a fabulous, colorful card with some perky peonies (S4-193) on them. I decided to take the idea and use it for an altered project: pencils with peonies. A selection of green, blue and purple from my scraps bin filled the bill. I grabbed my Peony die template and got creating.

After some experimentation, I found the following instructions to work the best.

1. Cut the peony die templates #1, #2 and #4 (1 is the smallest with higher getting larger). I did not emboss. Distribute the colors and patterns for creating the flowers by placing them in stacks of graduated trios.



2. Place a stack of three die templates on your palm and press with a small dowel, flat end of a pencil or end of a paintbrush, giving the flowers dimension. Now they are ready to be stacked.



3. Using mini glue dots, attach the #2 to #4 and then #1 to #2. For me, layers kept their dimension better this way than going from smallest to largest.
4. Set aside in pairs.
5. Wrap 2 large Glue Dots around the end of the pencil just below the metal housing for the eraser.
6. Secure the pair of peonies to opposite sides of the pencil.



7. Sharpen pencils and give away to the delight of all.

This would be a fantastic favor for a bridal or a baby shower. Use colored pencils for even more fun. (and by the way…we don’t have many peonies here in Colorado…I’m jealous of those of you who do!)

Happy Spring! Eli

Behold! A gorgeous card! Must take hours! Looks complicated!

Actually…It’s not difficult at all. Gather your supplies and let’s do it!

Set up your cutting sandwich like usual:

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate (white for the Purple Wizardâ„¢ and magnetic for the Raspberry Wizardâ„¢)
• S4-191 Dahlia die template with cut edges facing up. Place all the dies inside one another. (If using the Purple Wizardâ„¢, tape the die templates down with removable tape as I did below. The magnetic spacer plate will hold the dies securely.)
• Paper
• White Master Mat

Run the sandwich through to cut.

Emboss the image by removing the spacer plate and adding the tan embossing mat on top of the paper.

Now the fun begins: By adhering the flower frames, alternating the points, you’ll achieve the amazing, intricate, flower medallion.

For extra pizazz use dimensional adhesive. Finish up the project however you wish. Show it off and your friends will wonder, “How long did that take?” You’ll grin as you think, “Oh, about 5 minutes”

Give it a try with other die template such as Stars 5, Blossom or even Nested Flowers.

Cheers for another great week, Eli

Just a little reminder to be sure to visit our designers’ blogs beginning Monday, January 5th, 2009 (I can’t believe it is already 2009). We are celebrating our Fifth Anniversary at Spellbindersâ„¢ and the party is coming. Consider this your “formal” invitation. Please be sure to READ ALL THE RULES in the official post to make sure you meet all the contest requirements to be entered into the grand prize drawing.

Here are a few things you won’t want to miss in order to be entered!

• You have 48 hours to send an email from the link in each blog (12:00 am on the day of post through 11:59 pm on the day after the post).
• You must send your daily email entry from the same e-mail address, no exceptions, to be entered into the grand prize. (If you can’t access your work e-mail address every day, for example, you’ll want to use another choice that you can access for 16 days.)
• When you send in your entry email, please use the die name in the subject line.

If you do these three things, you’ll be on your way…but be sure to read through and follow all the rules.

Here is a BIG SURPRISE

This is a PROGRESSIVE blog frenzy give away!

We can’t wait to see how many thousands of you visit this year. It just keeps getting better…

PS: Here is another tiny peek:

Last sneaky peak ...art: Holly Craft

See you Monday! Eli and Beth

The Wizard is a universal craft tool, and will cut all of the consumer dies on the market. Today’s lesson is on the Low Profile Dies, with brand names such as Sizzlits, Thin Cuts, Cuttlebug, Clearlits and Embosslits. These dies have a plastic back and foam covering the cutting edge.

To use this type of die in the Wizard Die Cutting and Embossing System, use this sandwich:

White Master Mat
Low Profile Die, foam side up
Material to cut
White Master Mat

Feed this sandwich into the Wizard.

Happy Die Cutting!

We hope you are having a wonderful Holiday season!

Beth

I watched my third grade daughter create a Christmas ornament for a classmate several days ago, I thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

It was a classic snowflake cut out. You know, fold the paper, cut out little parts from the inside, open it up and there it is, an incredible, one-of-a-kind snowflake.

It occurred to me. “Why can’t I do that technique using my Wizardâ„¢. Use the dies to cut out the intricate shapes that are so lovely in a snowflake.”

Well, it worked. But it was not easy. I know, you all are used to whipping out your Wizardâ„¢, throwing a few dies down, having them cut on the first go around and moving on. Well, that was not how this process worked. But I really felt that sharing it with you was a MUST. So…gather your Wizardâ„¢, some dies (preferrably Shapeabilities® dies, not the ones in the plate form), some vellum or light-weight paper, your best little pair of scissors and your patience and let’s get started.

First, the result called “Wicked Beauty”

It features a storm we had several years ago that left 3 feet of snow around town and closed it down for several days.

Now, the challenge, to create the snowflakes. Do you have your supplies ready:

As you can see, here are some of the Die Templates I chose to use for this project: Doodle Parts, Stars 5, Butterflies 2 and the tiniest Paisley. There are lots of choices, just remember to really look at the shape that is being produced by the Die Template and don’t think about what it actually is.

To begin, fold a 7 inch vellum square:

Begin with the outer shape of the snowflake which will help define the overall look. I chose to cut the first with the points of the largest nested star:

Here is where the patience begins. After the first cutting pass on the Wizard, you’ll get just 3, maybe four layers cut…there are 8, yikes. remove the flaps that are cut from the snowflake:

Now replace the die on the snowflake and run it through to cut again. It will get more challenging for the tamplate to cut through the layers. That’s when you’ll rely on the trusty old scissors to finish the job.

The straight cuts are not so hard but but let’s get to the really interesting shapes. Note how I placed part of the star shape above the Die Template. That part will not be cut:

Again, remove as much of the vellum layers as you can. Repeat the cutting process in the Wizardâ„¢ and then working back and forth between Wizardâ„¢ and scissors, remove all 8 layers of the paper. Wow. It is beginning to take shape.

Now you get the gist. Keep adding shapes and being very careful. The Shapeabilities® Die Templates tend to want to slip off the vellum. I know this because I was challenged by slipping that cut out the entire center of my first big snowflake. So using a bit of low-tac transparent tape can help.

Now get to it. Create your own snowflake projects. Just take along some patience, scissors and your Wizardâ„¢.

Cheers to all, Eli

A day filled with running the kids to and from school, meeting a fellow volunteer for coffee to go over the next steps in the big project, getting the snow tires put on the car, paying a few bills, shopping online for Christmas gifts, making sure is enough wrapping paper for the approaching holiday, writing out a few end of the year greetings…and the list goes on…a jam-packed schedule can sometimes take the joy out of celebrating a season of giving, of peace and of miracles.

Today, I am sharing with you four cards announcing that simple state of being that runs deep: JOY!

Three members of our Design Team created cards that express this simple word. Through the loveliness and grace of these projects, may we all be inspired to live into and pass on the sentiment that it brings.

Jennifer Ellefson begins our fashion show today with a vintage take on the subject. Featuring our Christmas Stocking, she gave it a well-loved look by using metallic rub-ons. The ruched paper by WorldWin also adds to the age-old appeal.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S3-142 Festive Stockings, S3-147 Labels Trio, S4-145 Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles (S4-145)

Other Supplies: Ruched papers (WorldWin), Patterned paper, lace, sentiments stamp, metallic rub-ons

Joy Stocking by Jennifer Ellefson

Joy Placeard by Beth Pingry

Next: Beth Pingry (our other blogger, extraordinaire) created this place card for a friend but it seems to translate well into a great card for the season too.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies:
S3-141 Stars, S4-139 Double Ended Tags (smallest), S3-142 Long Classic Rectangles, Large (2 largest dies), L1-01 Caesar Font (retired), F-005 Gold Premium Craft Foil

Other Supplies: ColorMates Bright Heritage White and Deep Heritage Black paper (WorldWin), Fabri-tac adhesive (Beacon), Clearsnap ColorBox Chianti ink, Brads (Creative Impressions), red patterned paper, sticker maker

Layered Joy by Beth Pingry

Third in line is another of Beth’s cards. I love the subtle print on the coordinating papers and the repeated image of the Labels 2 Die Template. Sublime.

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S4-162 Labels 2, S3-138 Ribbons & Bells (retired), L2-09 Julius Font

Other Supplies: ColorMates Medium Outdoor Olive and Mirri Cast Gold papers (WorldWin), ColorBox Creamy Brown fluid chalk ink (Clearsnap), Pop-up Glue Dots, patterned papers, memory glue

And Finally: Cathy Chlebana offers us an elegant window card. By cutting out a window from the card front, Cathy’s sentiment is actually adhered to the inside of the card and so it remains visible when the card is opened. This is a nice surprise for the recipient.

Holly Joy card Cathy Chlebana

Spellbindersâ„¢ Supplies: S4-142 Long Classic Rectangles, Large, S4-144 Long Classic Rectangles, Small, S3-139 Holly & Lights, L1-01 Caesar Font retired), F-002 Gold Premium Craft Foil

Other Supplies: Glue Dots, green and red velvet ribbons, 1/8″ hole punch, Sticker maker adhesive

Cheers for your holiday preparations: Eli

The Wizard Embossing and Die Cutting System is universal,  that is, it will cut dies from other manufacturers.  The Wizard comes with all the mats you will need to cut Spellbinder’s Die Templates and dies from other manufacturers.  The Universal Adaptor Mat is our focus.  It is a semi transparent mat measuring 5 3/4 inches square, and 1/8 inch thick.

Today’s post is on cutting steel rule dies, which include Sizzix Originals, Sizzix Alphabars, Bigz, and Thick Cutz, ZipESlim wood mounted and Cross-Cuts.

The sandwich is easy, place the Universal Adaptor Mat, the material to cut, the die with cut side down.  This sandwich feeds with the back side of the die making contact with the rollers.

A few pointers on the Universal Adaptor Mat:

• It is a semi transparent square mat that measures 5 ¾ inches by 5 ¾ inches, 1/8 inch thick.
• Flip the mat over, you can cut on both sides.
• Rotate the mat each time you cut with it, so the mat will wear evenly.
• It will curve and bow with use, but that won’t affect the results of the cut.
• It is a durable mat and will last a long time, even if it looks quite cut up.
• It should not be used as a Spacer Plate with the Master Mats in the Wizard

Thanks for stopping by, and happy die cutting!

Beth

We made a cake the other day, today lets make a sandwich!

Whether you own the Purple or Raspberry Wizard, the White or Magnetic Spacer Plates, this tutorial applies to you. Have you seen the videos Stacey made?

When you start with your machine, have the short end of the Wizard facing you, the long end with the Spellbinders logo facing away from you. On the Purple Wizards, you have 1 of 2 handles, a button or switch. For the button handle, when the handle is toward you, the button should be down.

Otherwise you have a purple or raspberry Wizard with the black switch on the handle. That little switch on the handle should be pointing to the long part of the Wizard.

The mats you use will be the 2 white master mats. Excuse the dirt and cut marks, mine get a lot of lovin’. You will use 1 of 2 Spacer Plates. Either the White Spacer Plate or the Magnetic Spacer Plate will be used, with the White Master Mats as the top and bottom of the sandwich. You cannot use both spacer plates at once, your sandwich will be too thick.

Place the die template on top of the spacer plate, with the cutting ridges facing up, add your paper, then the top mat and proceed to your Wizard. The sandwich is the same whether you use a white Spacer Plate or Magnetic one. Do you see the spacer is in the center of the Master Mat? That’s where you want it. Do not put the Spacer Plate at the very edge of the sandwich!

Place the handle so it’s on the short side of the Wizard, facing you. Bring the sandwich to the far side of the rollers and push it in with your left hand. Your right hand can roll the rollers so the sandwich engages in between the rollers.

The mats will go in between the rollers.

Bring the handle up and over the machine to the table, then up 90 degrees and push it back down to the table. You will hear the ratchet noise, it sounds like a ratchet wrench. Relax and let the Wizard exert the 3,000 pounds of pressure.

Continue this up and down movement. Once the mats are halfway through the rollers, bring your left hand to the front of the Wizard and hold the mats to control the exit. As the mats exit the machine you might hear a ‘pop’ sound, which is caused by the pressure of the machine. As you continue to use the machine you will get a feel for the exit. I slow  the up and down handle movement when the mats are almost out, this reduces the speed they exit with and reduces the ‘pop’.

Now you have a die cut. To emboss that die cut, leave the paper in the die, remove the Spacer Plate from your sandwich, lay the Tan Embossing Mat on top of the die with the cutting ridge facing up, replace the top Master Mat, and feed the Wizard exactly the same way as before.

That’s how to cut and emboss with a Spellbinder’s Wizard and Die Templates.

All of us at Spellbinders wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!