Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action! If you've seen the new Occasions Mini Catalog, you know there are some fabulous new dies for your Big Shot now available. Two of them are the Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, available as a set with a Ruffled Scallop Border and an elegant Curved Border. Inspired by a tip that I saw on Deb Valdar's blog, I took her idea a few steps further and created another way to store and use these fabulous new dies that works great for me.
I took a brand new, out of the package, Extended Cutting Pad (this is the large one that is usually used with Bigz XL dies) and adhered both of the edgelet dies to the pad. Before doing that, however, I transferred 1/4" cutting lines to the pad and also marked it with a center line, 4" card lines and 5 1/4" card lines (the most often used card widths). Click on the photo to view it larger.
Before attaching the dies, center your new cutting plate over some Stampin' Up! Grid Paper. I used a couple of swipes of Dotto temporary adhesive to be sure the plate wouldn't move while I was putting my lines on it. Using a SHARP permanent marker and a metal straight edge ruler, trace your lines carefully and slowly onto the cutting plate. Take your time and go slow -- remember the time that you spend doing this will save you TONS of time as you use your new dies. Once you have the 1/4" lines applied, carefully mark the center point going the entire length of the cutting plate. Then you add lines that are 2" and 2 5/8" either side of center. Once your lines are applied, it's a simple and easy step to apply Sticky Strip at the point where you want to position your dies (I left 1" on the outside of each die to add to the versatility of each die). One die goes on each end of the Cutting Pad. Remove the red backing from the Sticky Strip and carefully attach your dies (cutting side up), making sure they are straight and plumb. Next, take your Embossing Buddy and pounce it over the exposed Sticky Strip adhesive to that your cardstock won't stick to it (actually they will still be a little sticky which is a good thing, it helps to keep the cardstock from moving as you are cutting your shapes). Now, give your new invention a try! You can line up two layers of cardstock or DSP and cut them all at once so that they perfectly match up when you create your project. To make it easier to read the grid lines that you've placed on the Cutting Pad, I turned over my Multi-purpose platform to the side that doesn't have the instructions printed on it. The Big Shot sandwich used in the photo above, from bottom to top, includes: The Multi-purpose platform, your adapted Cutting Plate with the Edgelets attached, two sheets of cardstock and the top Cutting plate.
This is the card that I made with the two layers of cardstock positioned on the Cutting Pad above. Once I cut them with the Edgelet die, I trimmed the sides of the Very Vanilla layer 1/8" on each side. I embossed the edge of the Poppy Parade layer using the coordinating Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and adhered the two layers together -- PERFECTION!
Other supplies used for this card include: Everyday Expressions Designer Series Paper, Elegant Bouquet Impressions Folder, Fashionable Hearts Embosslet, Full Heart Punch, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslet, Sale-a-Bration Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals! and the Word Play Stamp Set.
Here's another card that I made using the Ruffled Scalloped Edgelet. The process was exactly the same, cutting both the Baja Breeze Cardstock and the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper at the same time then embossing the Scalloped edge with the Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.
Supplies for this card include: Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Victoria Crochet Trim, Labels Collection Framelets Die, Little Leaves Sizzlet Die, Basic Pearls, Tiny Flower Punch (from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack), Stampin' Dimensionals and the Word Play Stamp Set.
I hope this gives you an idea of an easier way for you to use your new Stampin' Up! Adorning Accents Edglet Dies! I know it's working well for me and cutting down on the frustration of dies and paper slipping and moving as they pass through the amazing Big Shot.
If you don't already have the dies, or the Big Shot, or the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, or any of the supplies that I've used today, I would love to assist you in getting these for yourself. Remember, it's Sale-a-Bration time which means that for every $50 in product that you purchase, you get some amazing FREE goodies! Just let me know if I can help you in placing an order or answering any questions you may have about Stampin' Up! products!
In the meantime, thanks so much for stopping by today and I do hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!
Fabulous! Thank you Gretchen!!
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bennett | February 01, 2012 at 06:47 PM
Wow--what a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing. My dies arrive tomorrow. Can't wait to play.
Posted by: Darlene L | February 01, 2012 at 07:40 PM
This is pure genius!!! I'm going to do this, too. I love those Edgelits and the extra fancy cards we can make from them. Your bright colors are just gorgeous!
Posted by: Celia Cawthon | February 01, 2012 at 10:01 PM
I would never have thought of this...you are so clever! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Terry Duncan | February 01, 2012 at 10:40 PM
What a great idea! I have been struggling a little with these dies and now you have shared a wonderful way
to use and store them. Thanks
Posted by: Karen Kavanagh | February 02, 2012 at 02:24 PM
This is one wonderful work of art.You must have give so much time to dedicated this passion on those habit.It is always good to know that their are blogs so dedicated to providing information that is seriously concerned with the reader’s needs.Thanks for sharing your insights with us through your blog.
Posted by: Sample Letters | February 03, 2012 at 02:40 PM