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Scrapbooking Tools: Die-Cut Machines

TOC_COV.indd 1 3/24/11 10:38:45 AM

Die-Cut Machines ...........................................................PAGE 1

2 Die-Cut / Embossing Machine .....................................PAGE 8

3 Electronic Die-Cut Machine .........................................PAGE 10

4 Die-Cut / Letterpress Machine ...................................PAGE 12

5 More Die-Cut Machines ................................................PAGE 14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOC_COV.indd 2 3/24/11 10:38:52 AM

Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 1DieDieDieDie-Cu-CuCuCC-Cut Mt Mt MMMt MMachachachachachacchhineineineineineinenenenes sss ss ss •••• CRECRECRECRECRERECRECRECREATIATIATIATIATIATATIATIATIAT NGNG NG NG NGNGNGNGNG KEEKEEKEEKEEKEEKEEKEEKEEEPSAPSAPSASPSAPSAPSAPSAPS KESKESKESKESKES 111

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f you’ve ever tried to hand cut a word or shape with a craft knife

or precision scissors, you know the time and patience it takes to

create that one perfect accent. There’s an easier way! Consider

investing in a personal die-cutting machine. These handy gadgets

make cutting out special shapes or phrases much faster and a lot

more fun. With the roll of a handle or the push of a button, you

can produce beautiful die-cut accents that will fi t any layout style

and match any color scheme.

We know from experience that these machines can be hefty

investments, so it’s important that you choose one that fi ts your

space and your cutting needs. Lucky for you, there’s something

out there for everyone! Some machines are portable; others are

meant to stay put. Some are hand-operated; others, electronic.

In the end, they all make producing that perfect accent much

simpler. To help you make this momentous die-cutting decision,

we asked six scrapbookers to test-drive popular models and share

their thoughts. Read on to fi nd out what they discovered.

6 crafty machines to fulfi ll your wildest die-cutting dreams

by Rachel Gainer

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2 creatingkeepsakes.com

Cuttlebug by Provo Craft | provocraft.com | $89.99

For a long time, Lisa assumed

that a die-cutter would take up

too much room in her limited

workspace. When she saw the

Cuttlebug, she was pleasantly

surprised by its compact design,

which features a fold-up cutting

platform for easier storage. She

was also impressed by how simple

it was to operate—she didn’t even

need the manual to get started.

For this page, she simply cut three

identical silhouettes from white

cardstock and layered them over

a piece of red cardstock to make

a festive backdrop for her photos.

m a t e r i a l s Cuttlebug, holiday die (Provo Craft) • patterned paper (BasicGrey) • chipboard letters (Scenic Route) • letter stickers (Doodlebug) • rhinestones (Heidi Swapp) • brads (Making Memories) • stamping ink • Hootie! font • 12 x 12 page by Lisa Dickinson, Erie, CO

More to Love about the Cuttlebug

• It produces crisp, clean cuts for even the most delicate details—just check out Minnie’s

lovely lashes!

• It can cut through a wide variety of materials (up to 1⁄8 inch thick), including cardstock,

chipboard, fabric, metal, fun foam, and cork.

• Its alphabetical cutting mat system makes it simple to select the right mat for the job.

• Its base suctions to the work surface to prevent shifting during use.

• Its pop-up handle makes transportation quick and easy.

Watch Out For

Size Limitations—The Cuttlebug is designed for a compact workspace, which means

its dies are also fairly small. If you’re interested in oversize shapes or letters, this machine

may not be right for you.

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Revolution

by QuicKutz | quickutz.com | $99.99

Even though Mi’Chelle owns an

electronic die-cutter, she still

fi nds plenty of reasons to pull out

her hand-operated Revolution.

The stylish, portable machine is

perfect for quick projects, like

layouts and cards. Its standard

platform is compatible with all of

QuicKutz’s 2-inch and 4-inch dies

and most of its Cookie Cutters,

providing plenty of design options.

Mi’Chelle created the scalloped

border on this layout with the help

of a cool accessory: the 12-inch

platform (sold separately).

m a t e r i a l s Revolution, scallop die (QuicKutz) • patterned papers (October Afternoon, Scrapworks, Anna Griffin) • letter stickers, letter rub-ons (American Crafts) • machine stitching • 12 x 12 page by Mi’Chelle Larsen, Bountiful, UT

More to Love about the Revolution

• Its dies are durable, lightweight, and thinner than a credit card, making them easy to store.

• Its magnetic platform ensures that dies stay put during cutting, which is especially useful

when working with multiple small dies.

• It comes in a sturdy storage case that can hold the tool, its cutting mats, and two Library

Storage Binders (sold separately).

• It is pretty enough to leave on display, even in a multipurpose workspace.

• It is supported online by helpful video tutorials and a robust idea gallery.

Watch Out For

Alphabet Prices—In the new QuicKutz Cookie Cutter alphabet sets, individual

letters are trimmed right to the edge to minimize paper waste and maximize fl exibility.

Some sets cost up to twice as much as the machine, but others are less expensive.

Even though Mi’Chel

BREAKING NEWS!

QuicKutz has a new, motorized

version of this tool called

Revolution Love. It has a 9 x 13

platform and can accommodate

even competitors’ dies.

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More to Love about the Big Shot

• It is sturdy and durable, designed to last through thousands of cuts.

• Its handle turns so smoothly that even a child can do it (proven here by Elisha’s 2-year-old).

• It cuts quickly and cleanly through nontraditional materials like chipboard, fabric, and more.

• Its stackable cutting mats and multipurpose platform make it compatible with the entire

Sizzix library and many dies by other brands.

• It can also be used to produce embossed die cuts or to add texture to a paper element.

Watch Out For

Storage Demands—Sizzix dies can be up to an inch thick, so they demand a fair amount

of storage space. Before you buy a Big Shot, make sure you have the space to support a

good-size die collection.

Other Hand-Operated Options

Baby GrandMARK by AccuCut | accucut.com

Wizard by Spellbinders | spellbinders.us

Big Shot by Ellison | sizzix.com | $99.99

What Elisha appreciates

most about the Big Shot is

its fl exibility: its multipurpose

platform makes it compatible

with all Sizzix dies, including Bigz,

Sizzlits, Emosslits, and Texturz.

When used with larger dies,

this power-packed tool can cut

cleanly through a wide range of

materials—even chipboard. Elisha

capitalized on this feature by

cutting out two chipboard fl owers

and covering them with patterned

paper fl owers cut with the same

dies. No more fussing with a craft

knife or sandpaper to get the

perfect fi t!

Wh t Eli h i t

m a t e r i a l s Big Shot, flower dies (Ellison) • patterned paper, brads (KaiserCraft) • letter stickers (American Crafts) • Century Gothic font • 8½ x 11 page by Elisha Snow, Farmington, UT

BREAKING NEWS!

The Big Shot now comes in an

electronic version that allows you

to move a die with the push of a

button—no cranking necessary.

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More to Love about the Slice

• It is small, lightweight, and cordless (when charged), making it a perfect cropping companion.

• Its user interface uses simple prompts and basic images to guide the cutting process.

• Its design collections are stored on tiny SD cards, similar to the ones used in digital cameras.

• It cuts designs in ½-inch increments from 1 to 4 inches tall.

• It can be positioned anywhere on a page, allowing for precision cutting in the center of a layout.

Watch Out For

Adhesive Application—The Slice works in conjunction with a glass mat coated in tacky adhesive.

This adhesive must be reapplied every so often with a foam brush; it takes practice to get it right.

Slice

by Making Memories | makingmemories.com | $149.99

Smaller than 5 inches square, the Slice is the fi rst handheld electronic die-cutter on the market.

Because it can be positioned anywhere on a page, it’s ideal for cutting around a specifi c design or squeezing

lots of cuts out of one little scrap. Using the rulers around the base as a guide, I was able to precisely

position the Slice and cut my journaling block into a perfect scalloped square. I also cut six 1-inch fl owers

from a 4 x 4 scrap of patterned paper and layered them together to create dimensional embellishments.

m a t e r i a l s Slice, design cartridge (Making Memories) • patterned papers (Fancy Pants) • brads • Garamond and LaurenScript Regular fonts • 11 x 8½ page by Rachel Gainer, Saratoga Springs, UT

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More to Love about the Cricut

• Its full-size cartridges include over 250 designs but demand very little storage space.

• Its cartridges come with unique keyboard overlays that make selecting the right image a snap.

• It offers several blade settings to accommodate papers of various widths, from vellum to cardstock.

• Its Paper Saver Mode automatically orients multiple designs to fi t effi ciently on a 6 x 12 sheet of paper.

• It folds up when not in use, saving space and protecting working parts from dust.

Watch Out For

Paper Waste—This version of the Cricut doesn’t accept 12 x 12 sheets of paper, so you’ll need

to trim your cardstock or patterned paper to 6 x 12 (or smaller) before use. (To avoid this step,

try the larger Cricut Expression.)

Cricutby Provo Craft | cricut.com | $299.99

The Cricut runs independent

of a computer, relying instead

on cartridges that store

predesigned fonts and shapes.

Margaret was amazed at how

much each cartridge had to offer:

depending on the cartridge,

each basic design could also be

cut out in several bonus styles

(such as a shadow, blackout, or

layered version), as well as in sizes

ranging from 1 to 5½ inches tall

and up to 11½ inches long. This

gave Margaret the freedom to

test trees and garlands in different

sizes before settling on the right

look for her holiday layout.

m a t e r i a l s Cricut, design cartridge (Provo Craft) • patterned paper, chipboard letters (American Crafts) • photo corners (3L) • rhinestones (KaiserCraft) • dimensional adhesive (All Night Media) • Courier font • 8½ x 11 page by Margaret Scarbrough, Butte Valley, CA

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Other Electronic Options

Gazelle by Boss Kut | bosskut.com

Silhouette by QuicKutz | quickutz.com

Wishblade by Xyron | xyron.com

Creative Cutter Inspirationby Pazzles | pazzles.com | $599

The Creative Cutter Inspiration

works in conjunction with a

personal computer. Its software

allows the user to create cuts

using TrueType fonts, dingbats,

and other downloadable digital

elements. Tina loved the freedom

this setup afforded. For this page,

she cut her title from a 12 x 12

sheet of blue cardstock; then she

popped the letters out of the

background and backed the cut-

out word with orange patterned

paper. She created her large

scalloped borders using a digital

scrapbooking design downloaded

from twopeasinabucket.com.

m a t e r i a l s Creative Cutter Inspiration (Pazzles) • scalloped border (twopeasinabucket.com) • patterned paper (Making Memories) • label stickers (7gypsies) • scalloped stickers (KI Memories) • 12 x 12 page by Tina Cockburn, San Diego, CA

More to Love about the Creative Cutter Inspiration

• It cuts designs in sizes ranging from ½ inch to just under 12 inches.

• Its easy-to-use computer software comes with 300 preinstalled images and

allows the user to download or create an unlimited number of other designs.

• It comes with a small font library and works with any TrueType font.

• It accommodates 12 x 12 sheets of patterned paper or cardstock, as well as

Pazzles’ specialty materials like vinyl sticker sheets, iron-on transfers, stamping

rubber, and stencil plastic.

• It is compatible with Pazzles’ accessories that draw, distress, emboss, and engrave.

Watch Out For

Price—The Creative Cutter Inspiration is a high-end cutting machine designed to do

much more than die cut paper. If you’re not interested in the additional features, this

machine may not be right for you.

Th C ti C tt I i ti

UFEA ND08.indd 7 3/24/11 11:29:10 AM

5 QUICK CREATOPIA TIPS

The Creatopia is a crafter’s delight. Make it even more so

with these quick tips from Julie Conyers, Education Manager

at Xyron:

Q Use the Creatopia’s fabric adhesive cartridge to adhere

ribbon quickly and permanently.

W Create a cool distressed look by embossing, then

sanding, white-core paper. (See Kimber McGray’s “Fairy

Houses” layout on the next page.)

E Planning to cut a shape from fabric? First apply adhesive

to the material.

R Always use the white guide wheel with the Cutz blade

cartridges. Listen for a click to signal that the machine’s

guide wheel and cartridge are engaged.

T For a lovely, glitzy look, emboss strips of paper, sand them,

and cut different patterns with the Cutz rotary cutting

component. Run your entire page or project background

through the Creatopia to apply adhesive and lay the paper

strips on top of your page or project. Fill in the exposed

adhesive areas between strips with glitter.

Say the name “Xyron,” and most scrapbookers think “adhesive.” It’s time to expand on that! Xyron has rolled out an über-versatile machine, Creatopia, and with its modular components, you can experience a brave new crafting world. Check out the machine’s capabilities:

• Apply adhesive to—or laminate—items up to 12" wide, 40' long, and ½" thick. Choose from permanent or repositionable adhesive. Or apply fabric adhesive in wide, long swaths as well.

• Emboss areas large and small with 12" wide pattern rollers or 3" wide border rollers. Keep on going—length is unlimited.

• Cut paper strips and finish edges using interchangeable blade cartridges in different styles: straight, perforated, scallop, wave, deckle, postage stamp, and scoring (card lovers, rejoice!). Create rectangles, squares, and strips up to 12" wide in unlimited lengths.

• Use a 6" wide universal die press to cut and emboss. Relish how simple it is to use dies and embossing folders from leading manufacturers.

Creatopia pulls out the creative stops

e name “Xyron,” and mostt okers think “adhesive.” It’s time to on that! Xyron has rolled out an

Creatopia ulls out theeative stops


CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 8 3/29/11 1:46:32 PM

Die-Cut Machines • CREATING KEEPSAKES 9

Fairy Houses by Kimber McGray. Supplies: Cardstock: Core’dinations; Patterned paper: Jillibean Soup; Letter stickers: American Crafts and Making Memories; Blade cartridge and embossing roller: Xyron; Punch: We R Memory Keepers; Die cuts: Jenni Bowlin Studio and Making Memories; Embroidery fl oss: DMC; Other: Pen and sandpaper.

10 FUN USES FOR THIS TOOL

Q Design a custom 12” wide placemat.

W Emboss paper and die cuts to add dimension.

E Make your own fancy-edge background paper.

R Dress up a quilt, garment, or craft with appliqués.

T Create repositionable decorations for school lockers.

Y Add glitter and other embellishments to a wooden frame.

U Make stickers for children and grown-ups.

I Apply adhesive to cork, foam, chipboard, vellum, and transparencies.

O Laminate bookmarks, luggage tags, recipe cards, and notebook covers.

P Stencil away—the repositionable adhesive is safe for windows, painted

walls, and doors.

See the Creatopia in action at creatingeeepsakes.com/issues/may_june_2010 and pick up bonus tips!

Q Cut 2" strips of colored-core

cardstock with scallop blade.

W Run strips through machine’s

dot-pattern embossing roller.

E Gently sand tops of

embossed dots to let color

show through.

TO CUT SCALLOPED

STRIPS AND EMBOSS:

CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 9 3/29/11 1:46:34 PM

4 QUICK READER SECRETS

Want to get even more from the Cricut Expression’s cartridges

and cutting mats? Here’s the inside scoop from avid users:

Q Swap cartridges and share them during informal gatherings.

Amber Buzick notes, “I love to swap cartridges with friends for

two weeks or host a girls’ night (complete with treats!) and cut

out titles with friends.”

W Clean your cutting mat with a baby wipe. “It works perfectly,”

Kristie Coleman says. “The wipe removes all the leftover bits

of paper and fuzz, and it actually helps the mat stay sticky.”

E Extend the life of your cutting mat. “I spray my Cricut mats

with a quilt basting spray when the stickiness starts to go

away,” Amber admits. “You have to be careful not to spray

too much, however, or [your] paper might rip a little. Also, the

spray can leave a little residue on the tabletop, so keep the

spray away from anything important.”

A twist from reader Amber O’Malley, “When my cutting mat

starts to lose its stickiness, I lightly brush my Zig 2-Way glue

pen (jumbo felt tip) over the surface. I let the adhesive dry

completely. Its repositionable quality is perfect for temporarily

mounting cardstock or other paper on my cutting mat.”

R Recycle your cutting mat. “I hate to throw away items that

can be used in other ways,” Heather Carpenter confides. “If a

cutting mat loses its stickiness, I save the mat and use it for

projects where I need to catch excess glitter or embossing

powders. Or, I use the mat to mount another project on.”

Scrapbookers rejoiced when Provo Craft rolled out its Cricut Personal Electronic Cutter. If they didn’t have the right die-cut shape, style, or size on hand, no worries—the machine could cut what they needed in seconds at the touch of a button, no computer required.

Since then, the company has introduced a larger machine with more muscle, the Cricut Expression. Consider how these powerhouse features could make your scrapbooking life easier:

• Cut custom letters, shapes, and phrases from most paper types, vinyl, and thin plastic.

• Create larger cuts—up to 23 ½"—in portrait or landscape mode.

• Feast on the flexibility of six cutting modes, including Fit to Length.

• Preview via an LCD screen the exact pattern or shape being created.

• Choose from hundreds of cutting dies in each Cricut cartridge.

• Use any Cricut cartridge, blade, or blade housing.

• Select a mat size of either 12" x 12" or 12" x 24".

• Save time with an all-new center point function.

• Mix or match creative features in the same cut.

• Cut mirror images.

Cricut Expression rises to every occasion

4 QUICK READER SECRETS

Want to get even more from the Cricut Expression’s cartridges

and cutting mats? Here’s the inside scoop from avid users:

d when Provo Craft donal Electronic Cutter.ght die-cut shape, style,ies—the machine could

sion very


CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 10 3/29/11 1:46:39 PM


10 FRESH USES FOR THIS TOOL

Q Create a mega-sized letter or shape to use as an accent or backdrop.

W Wow with a negative silhouette on a page or project. (See Sue Neal’s

house accent.)

E Personalize a cap—such pizzazz!—with custom letters and shapes.

R Make your own promotional signs or banners and save money.

T Cut custom letters, shapes, and phrases for vinyl wall décor.

Y Create a letter collage for an elementary-school layout.

U Monogram a nightshirt, handkerchief, or napkin.

I Make templates to deep-etch drinking glasses to give as gifts.

O Make letter flashcards for a child.

P Design a T-shirt iron-on.

See how a negative silhouette comes together at creatingkeepsakes.com/issues/may_june_2010. Plus, sneak a peek at other fun Expression creations!

Q Die cut shape

from cardstock.

W Trim ¾" around negative

image. Sew inside image,

taping threads down in back.

E Attach foam squares to back,

and adhere to patterned

paper. Mat.

TO CREATE A

NEGATIVE SILHOUETTE:

Q

TO

NE

House Card by Sue Neal. Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: Die Cuts With a View; Cartridge: Provo Craft; Font: Century Gothic; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Other: Thread and crochet thread.

CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 11 3/29/11 1:46:42 PM

8 EXPERT TIPS FOR THE EPIC SIX COMBO

While the Epic Six and its L Letterpress option impress with their creative

power, step up their use with reader Amber Packer’s recommendations:

Q To blind emboss, follow the letterpress steps but do not ink. To

create cool debossed circles like those on the same page, apply

ink. Note: Debossing indents the top of paper but the bottom

remains flat.

W The letterpress kit paper comes in white and cream. To add a

whisper of color, spritz the paper with spray ink.

E Stick with the 20 colors of specialty ink offered by Lifestyle

Crafts. The “stickier” ink is specially formulated for the letterpress

technique and dries in seconds.

R Mix the specialty inks to create custom colors and get more

bang for your buck.

T For the best results, deboss thick paper (Lifestyle Crafts paper,

watercolor, and 80# work well). To get a deeper impression, add

paper sheets below the clear packing mat on the letterpress base.

Y Coat your brayer lightly and evenly with ink. If you apply too

much, wipe off any excess with a cleaning cloth.

U Use the packing sheet only for plates not created by Lifestyle

Crafts. Otherwise, you’re good to go!

I Don’t let the guides distress you. They flatten during the process

and won’t affect printing.

The Epic Six cutting tool by QuicKutz may weigh a mere 6.6 pounds, but it’s a heavyweight on function. Constructed of quality metal parts, the tabletop machine is portable and backed by a lifetime service commitment. Picture yourself completing more scrapbook pages and cards with these sensible yet stylish features:

• Cut and emboss paper up to 6" wide and 12" long with ease.

• Use dies or embossing folders from QuicKutz or other leading brands.

• Create a quick stream of impressive die cuts in a small space in record time.

• Add a classic, distinctive touch with the L Letterpress option from Lifestyle Crafts. The combo kit contains everything needed to elegantly deboss lettering and other images.

Epic Six cuts with ease and wows with L Letterpress

8 EXPERT TIPS FOR THE EPIC SIX COMBO

While the Epic Six and its L Letterpress option impress with their creative

power step up their use with reader Amber Packer’s recommendations:

Epic Six cutting tool by QuicKutz xweigh a mere 6.6 pounds, but it’s a yweight on function. Constructed of

with ease and wows with LLetterpress


CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 12 3/29/11 1:46:47 PM


Father by Amber Packer. Supplies: Cardstock, inks, and printing plates: Lifestyle Crafts; Dies: QuicKutz; Patterned paper: My Mind’s Eye; Trim: Fancy Pants Designs; Clear strips: Glitz Design; Brads: BasicGrey; Font: Inspiration; Adhesive: 3M; Other: Thread.

10 NEW TWISTS WITH THIS TOOL

Q Punch super-fun shapes from fabric for a funky headband.

W Design your own letterpress plate (up to 6" x 8"). Visit lifestylecrafts.com for details.

E Create a stylish storyboard from a wood strip, photos, paper, and die cuts.

R Whip up elegant business cards and stationery with letterpress monograms.

T Print an eye-catching design on canvas. Even without debossing, it will be cool.

Y Cut a variety of shapes to use in a playful pop-up card or create a diorama

with your child.

U Die cut shrink plastic, then color and heat it to make charming accents.

I Create a themed bouquet of die cuts to celebrate a milestone.

O Cut foam shapes to adorn summertime visors and sandals.

P Emboss a book cover, then letterpress your initials on the back.

Learn to letterpress at creatingkeepsakes.com/issues/may_june_2010. Elegance comes easy!

Q Apply adhesive to back of

printing plate. Position it on

clear lid.

W Ink printing plate lightly and

evenly with brayer.

E Position paper, close lid, and

roll printing plate through

cutting tool.

TO CREATE A

LETTERPRESS LOOK:

Visit the companies online• provocraft.com• quickutz.com• wermemorykeepers.com• xyron.com ck

CRKP-100500-TLr3.indd 13 3/29/11 1:46:50 PM

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CHECK OUT THE MANY MATERIALS

YOUR DIE-CUTTING MACHINE WILL CUT.

B Y K I M J A C K S O N

Incorporating unique looks and textures into your layouts and

trying new ways to do it is one of the draws of scrapbooking.

From the earthiness of cork to the crisp, clean look of acetate

sheets, pulling in an eye-catching texture can take a layout

from “nice” to “wow!” Now, there are tons of amazing pre-made

stickers and other accents that can enable you to add that

pièce de résistance to your layout in a snap. But sometimes

you want to customize your look. To take a texture and give

it a shape that will make it yours. The solution? Die cutting.

Not all die-cutting machines cut every material you could

possibly want for your page. There are a lot of variables to

consider. So we put loads of materials to the test. Will your

material make the cut? Let’s find out!


CRKP-1008-WC.indd 14 3/24/11 11:36:48 AM


MANUAL DIE-CUTTING MACHINES

COORDINATINGLICENSED BRANDS

ELECTRONIC, HANDS-FREE VERSION AVAILABLE?

RETAIL PRICE

MATERIAL

Acetate

Cork

Magnetic sheets

Sticker paper

Cardstock

Iron-on transfer paper

Fabric

Metal sheets

Vinyl

Adhesive sheets

Cotton batting

Mesh

Vellum

Chipboard

Leather

Shrink plastic

Foam

Felt

Paper

Wood veneer paper

$99.99

YES

THIN

THIN

THIN

THIN

THIN

THIN

THIN

WITH 2 PASSES

THIN

THIN

THIN

THIN

STAMPIN’ UP!TIM HOLTZ

NO NONO

$99.99$89.99 $69.99

These four manual die-cutting machines are versatile powerhouses! Just a

few quick turns of a crank or a satisfying squeeze of the tool, and you’ve got

customized pieces for your layouts. Take a look at all the materials these machines

can cut. Just find your machine and select your material, keeping in mind that

with manual machines, a die can make all the difference (see opposite page).

EPIC 6QUICKUTZ

quickutz.com

SQUEEZEQUICKUTZ

quickutz.com

BIG SHOTELLISON

sizzix.com

WIZARDSPELLBINDERS

spellbinderspaperarts.com

CRKP-1008-WC.indd 15 3/24/11 11:36:59 AM


With manual machines, a lot of the cutting power comes from the type of dies that are

compatible with each machine: either steel rule or chemically etched.

Steel rule dies work by pushing a cutting blade through your material. Because these

dies use steel blades, they will cut a greater variety of materials than chemically etched

dies. But chemically etched dies typically provide greater design detail when you’re working

with paper. It all depends on what you want for your layout.

Don’t feel you have to limit yourself to working with the dies created by the

manufacturer of your machine. As Wendy Sue Anderson discovered, if you own a manual

die-cutting machine, other manufacturers’ dies may work quite well to help you achieve the

look you want. Wendy used her Provo Craft Cuttlebug machine and steel

rule Tim Holtz Alterations die from Ellison to create her cool line of

foam gears. Be sure to check your machine’s owner’s manual and

the manufacturer’s website to make sure the die you love works

with your machine.

Go by Wendy Sue Anderson. Supplies: Cardstock, letter stickers, and pen: American Crafts; Chipboard, patterned paper, and journaling spots: Cosmo Cricket; Foam: Making Memories; Die-cutting machine: Provo Craft; Die: Ellison; Punch: EK Success; Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

DIE-CUTTING USINGMANUAL MACHINES

CRKP-1008-WC.indd 16 3/24/11 11:38:14 AM


ELECTRONIC DIE-CUTTING MACHINES

Electronic die-cutting machines make creating customized looks for your pages

as easy as hitting a button or two. Here, we looked at four of these creative

time-savers and the materials that they can cut.

MATERIAL

Acetate

Cork

Magnetic sheets

Sticker paper

Cardstock

Iron-on transfer paper

Fabric

Metal sheets, thin

Vinyl

Adhesive sheets

Cotton batting

Mesh

Vellum

Chipboard

Leather

Shrink plastic

Foam

Felt

Paper

Wood veneer paper

THIN

ADJUSTABLE SPEED& PRESSURE?

COORDINATINGLICENSED BRANDS

MAXIMUM THICKNESS

CARTRIDGES REQUIRED?

CORD REQUIRED?

RETAIL PRICE $179.99

YES

YES*

YES

1.5mm

$499.99

YES

YES

YES

$149.99

NO

YES

NO

.4mm

ECLIPSELLISON

sizzix.com

CRICUTPERSONAL

ELECTRONIC CUTTER

PROVO CRAFT

cricut.com

*Third party software required in order to use your Cricut with your computer.**Requires special settings.

SLICEMAKING MEMORIES

whyslice.com

**

$299.00

YES

NO

YES

COSMO CRICKET, HERO ARTS, HOUSE OF THREE,

SCRAP FONTS, SEI,DONNA DOWNEY

.3mm

SILHOUETTE SDSILHOUETTE AMERICA

silhouettemachine.com

CRKP-1008-WC.indd 17 3/24/11 11:38:20 AM


DIE-CUTTING USINGELECTRONIC MACHINES

You Make Me Smile Every Day by Laina

Lamb. Supplies: Cardstock: Archivers

and Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned

paper and chipboard: Cosmo Cricket; Vinyl:

Contact Brand; Brads: Karen Foster Design

and Jo-Ann Stores; Metal accents: Oriental Trading Company; Pen:

American Crafts; Die: QuicKutz; Die-cutting

machines: QuicKutz and Provo Craft;

Software: Craft Edge; Adhesive: 3M and Plaid

Enterprises. ck

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF OUR “WILL IT CUT?” CHARTS FOR

YOURSELF. CHECK OUT “DIE-CUTTING MACHINE REFERENCE

CHARTS” AT creatingkeepsakes.com/clubck.

Electronic machines can’t do quite the heavy lifting that a manual machine with a steel rule

die can do, but they make up for it in their speed and versatility. With electronic machines,

you can easily resize your images using the machine’s digital display or your computer,

depending on the machine. Imagine being able to create perfectly layered flowers—it’s easy

when each layer is simply a resized version of the same flower.

Another advantage that comes with most of these electronic machines is the ability to

set the pressure and speed at which the machine cuts. This can enable you to easily create

some spectacular embellishments and titles for your pages. Just take a look at Laina Lamb’s

adorable layout. To create her title, she set the pressure and speed on her

Cricut to cut through only the top layer of her wood-grain contact

paper, making it easy to remove the title from the backing.

CRKP-1008-WC.indd 18 3/29/11 1:55:17 PM

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