still more cards made with new Cuttlebug folders

I found some time to play with a few more of these new Cuttlebug embossing folders.

This card was made using the Harlequin folder. This is one of the folders that is only sold as part of the complete bundle of new folders, at least for right now. The stamped images and sentiment are by Hero Arts. The scores were made using the Scor-It. The doodling was mine.

I used the Diamond Plate folder on some polished stone for this card. The image of the boy and the 'dream' sentiment are from Cornish Heritage Farms. Again, the scoring was made using my Scor-It.

For this last card I essentially used the double Cuttle technique that I've described here before. I first embossed with the Herringbone folder then with the Flourished Frame folder. I stamped the images by Basic Grey using Memento dye inks, cut them out, and then popped them off the front of the card. The embellishments are Kaisercraft colored pearls.

I think that brings my total to 10 of the 11 new folders used on cards in the last three or so days. Just like with the last release, it's fun to have new designs to play with. A few things to note though:

• I already mentioned that Moroccan Screen debosses if placed in the folder as you normally would. It's easy enough to flip over, but if you're planning to emboss decorated card stock or a card front, it's something to keep in mind.
• These folders still do not emboss an A2 size card front from edge to edge. They still leave a bit of an unembossed border around the edges. That has not changed.
• For a number of these new folders, ProvoCraft has gone back to doing something that was kind of bothersome in the past. They start the embossed design very close to the folded edge of the embossing folder. That means that when you place a card front or piece of card stock inside the folder, you're limited as to where you can place it. Sometimes I wonder if the folks who come up with the designs ever actually use the folders. Yes, the embossing is very crisp and clean and the designs are lovely, but if I put a piece of A2 size card stock in the folder and roll it through my machine, the design will start very near the top edge and leave a large unembossed border at the bottom. That's a shortsighted way of making these. To be most useful, the design should have been cheated toward the open edge of the folder, if anything. That would leave a lot more options as far as placing the design on a card front or piece of card stock. I was disappointed to see that.

All in all though, these Cuttlebug embossing folders are still a lot of fun. I've used them alone and a few in combination. One of these days I'll have to pull out some of the older folders and try more techniques since there are now even more possibilities as far as combinations. And maybe I'll come up with a good way to use the Journal Card folder that I haven't used yet. :-)

selective double embossing

I'm not sure why it never occurred to me to do this before, but I decided that I'd try combining creative Cuttling with double Cuttling. This is not to be confused, however, with creative double Cuttling (LOL!)--this was where I used one folder design, left an unembossed area, then embossed that area with a different design. This time I selectively embossed the same area twice, leaving an area of my card front completely unembossed. I hope you followed that. :-)

Now since I didn't use any Cuttlebug embossing folders, I thought I'd better not call it Cuttling, but rather just "embossing". And instead of having that fun alliterative term, creative Cuttling, I went with the more boring but perhaps more accurate description of "selective" embossing. I added the "double" since I embossed twice.

Here are the cards that resulted from my playing around with these techniques....


I embossed the above card using two A2 size Sizzix embossing folders and left the oval opening by using a wooden die cut frame to selectively emboss my card front. The flower image and sentiment are by H and M stamps and were stamped using Memento dye ink.

For this card, I again embossed the card front by using two A2 size Sizzix embossing folders. This time I used a wooden frame die cut with a rectangular opening to leave the space for the flower design and sentiment which are both by Studio G. Again, these were stamped using Memento dye inks.

My original plan had been to further embellish these two cards. I may still add a little something. But I think that the embossing already adds quite a bit of visual interest, which is also the reason why I left the embossing unaccented. I think it stands out rather nicely on its own.

So, that's my latest twist on using these embossing folders. It's fun to double emboss, but if you do this directly on a card front, I'd recommend using a heavier weight card stock that will hold up nicely even through a couple of embossings.

One more thing, you might have noticed that I've lost, hopefully temporarily, my usual blog background and any photos and files on this blog that are hosted by or linked to my personal web site. For some reason my site is down, so those things are unavailable at the moment. I've sent up an SOS to my provider's customer service department, so hopefully things will be fixed up soon.

double 'bossed cards, almost like double Cuttling

I was playing around with embossing folders a few days ago, using them in various ways. I know. Big surprise, eh? LOL!

Here's a twist on a technique that you've seen described here and elsewhere. It's what I called double Cuttling when I first described it. In my version you run your card front or card stock through your die machine inside one embossing folder, accent the embossing, then run it through again inside a folder of a different design and accent that embossing in a complementary color. This was originally done with the Cuttlebug embossing folders. Now you can do this using the Sizzix textured impressions folders, too.

So, my twist on this technique? I use just one folder; the other steps are essentially the same.


This was made using one of the A2 size folders from a Sizzix textured impressions folder set, the spring flowers and paisley. First I de-bossed the card front. I then went over that with my Pear Tart Memento dye dew drop inkpad. I placed the card front back into the folder, this time em-bossing it. I went over the embossing with Dandelion Memento dye ink. The stamped images and sentiment are by Hero Arts. The borders were made using the Lattice Arch Martha Stewart edge punch.


For this card I followed the steps that I outlined above, this time using the D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug folder, Bahama Blue and Grape Jelly Memento inks. The stamped images are again Hero Arts. The border was made using the double scallop edge punch by Martha Stewart.


For this last card I used the same technique. This folder is from the Sizzix Argyle and Lines & Circles textured impressions set. The inks used were Angel Pink and Lulu Lavender by Memento. The die cuts were made using Spellbinders scalloped oval Nestabilities. The stamps are by Hero Arts.

I like this twist on double Cuttling. Double 'bossing can give a more subtle and less busy look, plus the images are all essentially the same design and look very cohesive as a background. I've found that it's best to use a fairly heavy card stock because of all of the 'bossing. I like to deboss first and use a lighter accent color to bring out the white of the debossed areas. I then emboss and accent with the darker color, so you get that neat combo of images in light and dark. I haven't experimented with this technique using colored card stocks yet, but that might be an interesting look, too. Core'dinations card stock might be a lot of fun. Lots of possibilities! Good thing we have another snow day here. :-)

more with Cuttlebug holiday embossing folders

I've had these Cuttlebug holiday embossing folders for quite a while. Since I managed to carve out some time for card-making, I was determined to use some of them.

This is a card that I made the other day....


For this card I used the Christmas ornament folder for the background. The sentiment is part of the Joy & Cheer folder that was double Cuttled with the familiar Swiss Dots folder. The poinsettia is by Prima and the wreath was made from a combination of red Brides flowers and branches punched using the Martha Stewart branch punch. I accented the sentiment with Memento dye ink.

Big Catch-All Post including Cuttlebug/Sizzix Info

I want to address a few things that have come up in comments and make some observations.

One question had to do with the Double Cuttle and how I get the different colors between the designs of the two folders. I run my cardstock through inside the first folder, usually the busier pattern. I accent that embossing either direct to paper using Cats-eye inkpads or a dauber. I then put that through my second embossing folder. The new image is embossed and the "background" embossing is flattened somewhat, but not lost entirely. I then accent that second, more prominent embossing by inking it in a different color or colors. That's it!

Another comment had to do with Bigz dies and the Cuttlebug. I know there's an renewed interest in Sizzix dies, particularly the bigger dies, because of the recently announced association between Stampin' Up and Sizzix. There's a misconception out there about which Sizzix dies can be used in the Cuttlebug. They ALL can. They all fit through the machine. It's the Sizzix plates that won't fit through the slot of the Cuttlebug. They're too wide. You can put the dies through between the C'bug plates though. Need proof? I took pics, 'cuz why should you believe me over someone else who says that they won't fit, eh? But hey, if you trusted me already, then cool. :-)


Here's my Cuttlebug. The opening is 6" wide.


This is a Bigz die, which measures 5 1/2" by 6". It'll definitely fit through...


even sideways, though it's a tight fit. Hey, you never know when someone might need to put the die through sideways, eh? But it'd work.


This is one of the XL dies. Though according to the Sizzix site info it's 6" wide, it isn't quite, and as you may have seen in some of my other posts, these dies will easily fit through the Cuttlebug. The issue is not having plates long enough to cut these dies in one pass. I showed how the B plates can be used with the scalloped card die without getting a crease where the plate ends. You can cut the XL card dies that use the Movers & Shapers, too.


Here's the horizontal card die with the opening for the Movers & Shapers dies. I'm pointing out the scoring bar in the blurry photo above. Sorry 'bout that.


Put the folded edge of a piece of 4 1/2"by 12" piece of cardstock that's been scored and folded in half next to that scoring bar. You're just going to use this half of the die to cut out your card. Half of the die fits nicely between the B plates.


That's how it looks after you've made the first pass. And now as I look at this, it looks like you could maybe get away with using an 11" length of cardstock.... Nifty!


This is the other end of the die, the side where the metal "floor" holds the magnetic Mover & Shaper in place to cut out windows in your card. This is the end you'll use this time.


Place the open card so that it's aligned inside the cutting blades and over the Mover & Shaper die and run this half of the die through between your B plates. In the photo above I wanted to point out that you'll want to align the card's fold with the edge of the top plate so that it won't leave a noticeable crease in your card as it passes through the machine.

But wait! Even if you don't have one of these card dies, you can still use the Sizzix Movers & Shapers dies. I've posted about this before, but I'd like to repeat myself here since Amy made a comment that reminded me about magnetic paper as a useful tool.


Pictured above are 2 B plates, a sheet of magnetic paper and a Movers & Shapers die. The die tends to slip without metal to grab onto, so to make using this die more foolproof and less frustrating, use a sheet of magnetic paper to help hold it in place. You can see how I've marked mine so that I can place my dies fairly accurately. That's just the outline of an A2 card. The dotted lines help me with placement and making sure the die is straight or centered etc.


This is my sheet of magnetic paper. It doesn't add much thickness to the sandwich at all.


This is that same stack with the card and another cutting plate on top. If you have an extra B plate you can use that. This is one from my Sizzix supplies because I don't have a spare B plate.


This stack worked fine for me, but you may need to shim.


And this is the card with the window cut out--all done with the Cuttlebug.

While we're on the subject of magnetic paper (Thanks so much for the reminder, Amy!), I thought I'd show how I sometimes use this with my Nestabilities dies.


Here you see plate A, plate C, sheet of magnetic paper, card open and face down on top of die with cutting side up, plate B. Again, I have some lines drawn to help me make sure that I can place the die right where I want it. There's just enough pull to the magnet to hold the die in place. I prefer this to using tape to keep things from moving.


Here I've run that stack through the machine.

This is the way the card looks from the front once it's been folded. It's a nice easy way to add a window to a card front.

Sorry about the length of this post and the number of photos. I try to keep things short and not have too many pics to load at once, but so much of this was inter-related that I hated to break things up. Hopefully there was enough useful info up there to make the loading time worthwhile. :-)

Double Cuttle with new folders

I described the double Cuttle quite a while back when the last set of embossing folders was released and I was trying to think of new and fun ways to use them. Here are some new cards using this technique.


For this card I used the new With Gratitude A2 embossing folder for the background, inked the embossing, ran it through again but inside the new Everyday Greetings A2 folder this time, and inked that again. The die cut flowers are from the With Gratitude set. The sentiment is from the Everyday Greetings set.


I did the same thing with this card, but I used the old standby Swiss Dots and then the new Bird Call A2 embossing folders. The sentiment die cut is from the With Gratitude set.


I really like the more understated look of an uninked double Cuttle, too. For this card I used the D'vine Swirls and then the new Birthday Wishes A2 embossing folder. The die cuts are from that same Birthday Wishes cut and emboss set.

All of the inks used were Memento dye inks. All of the die cut sentiments were cut twice in different colors and then layered a bit offset to add dimension and a bit more color and interest--think of it as adding a die cut drop shadow.

It's fun to have new embossing folders and dies to use for these techniques. :-)

creative double Cuttling

You know, double Cuttling is fun, but I don't do it often. Sometimes the designs can look a little too busy for my taste and overwhelm the stamping. But what if there was a way to combine two designs without it looking too busy? Say, for example, like in this card....


My apologies in advance. I'll be posting this card again for a challenge, but it's also my example for this tutorial. The die cuts are by Spellbinders. The sentiment is by Inkadinkado. But it's kind of nice to be able to leave the embossing to speak for itself rather than having to accent it like I did with my original double Cuttle post.

Here are some step-by-step instructions for creative double Cuttling. Get it? It's a combo of double Cuttling and creative Cuttling. Gee, I'm so-o-o-o creative! Hahahaha!


You can see the supplies above: my Big Shot, a clear plate, a wood frame with an oval cut out (I like this frame because it's bigger than the embossing folders.), an oval wood die cut that is conveniently similar in size to the oval cut out of the frame, an A2 size card, two Cuttlebug A2 embossing folders, and a transparency.


Now I'm letting you benefit from my trial and error. Usually I can eyeball stuff and get it close. I wasn't having much luck this morning though. So, as usual, I went for something more foolproof, yet easy. LOL! I took the piece of transparency and traced around the outside of the oval die cut with a Sharpie. Oops. I forgot to mention the Sharpie earlier, didn't I. Sorry. Do the same with the inside of the oval of the frame. You'll want these tracings to be close to the edge of the transparency, but don't cut off the rest just yet. See how I ended up using them and then decide how much you want to trim off, okay?


So, I placed the card front so that it's inside the folder and tucked the back behind it, as usual. Now, using the transparency, I decided where I wanted the opening of the frame. and positioned it on top of the card.


Here I've closed the folder on top of the transparency. This is why I said to trace near the edge. You want to be able to close the folder. And hooray, now you can see where the frame's opening should go without having to guess.


Line up the frame over the tracing as I've shown above.


Now the transparency doesn't need to be embossed, so holding the frame in place, I slipped that right out. It's easy. Really! Way easier than pulling a tablecloth out from under plates and glasses, but similar. ;-) This is also why I said not to trim the transparency yet. It's nice to have some extra to use as a handle of sorts.


Okay, I've put the clear plate on top and I'm ready to run it through my Big Shot.


And here is how that turned out. It's cool just the way it is, but why stop there? Besides, that would just be a repeat of creative Cuttling, eh? I wanted more!


It's time to put some Swiss Dots inside the Textile Texture design.


Sorry about the blurry photo. You can make out enough though. :-) Same deal as before--I put the Cuttled card front inside the Swiss Dots folder and tucked the back part behind. Before closing, I used the transparency to line up where the oval die should go.


I've closed up the folder, positioned the wood die cut, and slipped that transparency outta there. I put my clear plate on top of the folder and die cut and ran it through my Big Shot.


Here is the end result. I have Swiss Dots inside a Textile Texture frame. It's all set to be turned into the card that I showed at the beginning of this post. Just kind of a neat and subtle way to draw the attention to something at the center of the card, plus it's all done on the card front so the card isn't bulky with multiple layers just making a background. Now you have room to add other things to your card before having to pay extra postage to mail it. :-)

And again, I think this could be adapted to the Cuttlebug and not be limited to the Big Shot, though I have to say that the multipurpose platform is really super for getting things embossed just right. You could also use things other than a wood frame and die cut. I thought they were a fun example of what you can do if you look around and consider the potential of every day things that could be used to selectively apply pressure to different areas of an embossing folder to produce neat effects.

Happy Happenstance

Ahhh, sometimes it's so much better to be lucky than good. LOL!

I was experimenting with my Cuttlebug A2 embossing folders. Yes, again. ;-) I was trying them in combination, similar to the double Cuttling that I described a while back, but also taking from my more recent creative Cuttling experience. I hadn't been going for this look specifically, but I like the way these two folders came together.


I used the D'vine Swirls and Birds & Swirls embossing folders to get this look for my card front. I accented with just a bit of ink to bring out the design, added my sentiment from Outlines Rubber Stamp Co and embellished with a Brides flower and some ribbon. I intentionally left this card very simple to show how these two folder designs look together.

I'll be describing how I did this a little later. Stay tuned! :-)

Valentine's Day Double Cuttle

I don't usually make many cards for Valentine's Day, but I made one earlier using by combining folders and "double cuttling", as I did the other day. This time I used the Cuttlebug Script embossing folder then the Stylized Flowers to make the background, and I left the embossings untouched. The heart die cut is a Sizzix embosslit die. The sentiment is by Hero Arts. I added that small heart with a Copic Spica glitter pen. The embossed lines accenting the sentiment were made using my Scor-It.


Happy Valentine's Day! :-)

Double Cuttle

Yes, I'm still playing around with these Cuttlebug embossing folders. They're just so much fun! I tried something a little different today though. I've always liked the look of embossed patterned paper, so what about taking this notion a little further. I embossed cardstock with two different folders, or what I've been calling "double cuttle" in my head. Yep, I embossed my embossed cardstock.


This first card was embossed first with Allegro then with Birds and Swirls. I used my chalk ink cats eyes to accent the embossing. The sentiment is by Hero Arts.


For this card I embossed with the Distressed Stripes then the Birds and Swirls, again inking in different colors to give the embossing more "pop". Bird stamp by Hero Arts.


And just to prove that I could use a folder other than Birds and Swirls ;-), I did this card using the Perfectly Paisley and Diamonds in the Rough embossing folders. The stamps used here were Studio G clear stamps.

A couple of tips from my experiments of the morning: emboss with the busier design first, and don't be afraid to have the embossing from each folder overlap--it can add an interesting textural effect to the original embossing. I just thought this was another fun way to use these folders.