Tippy Thursday - using Nestabilities to emboss a frame

First of all I want to thank you all for your lovely supportive comments that I have received over the last few weeks.  That you  find the Cupboard interesting and informative was my objective and to think that it is makes my work very satisfying and also rewarding.  So, my thanks everyone as I've said many times - the Cupboard would be a lonely place without you!

I also have PeeJay to thank for letting me know that I have lost a day! No wonder the draw for the Spellbinders Bunny Hop was closed on Tuesday - I have lost this plot completely - but I have been able to leave comments today on nunutoolies.blogspot.com/ and embellished-dreams.blogspot.com/.but don't leave it too long!

On Tippy Thursday I try to answer any questions I have received over the week.  Yesterday I received a comment from Rita asking how I had done something - it also baffled me for awhile until I realised that the post referred to a tutorial way back in April last year.  I called  the tutorial Double Embossing......

and the effect was achieved with a magnetic mat and a tan embossing mat.  The link to the tutorial is here.

As it happens, I have just completed a Chocolate Baroque DT sample with the same type of double embossing only on the JT machine WITHOUT a magnetic mat.  As yet it's under wraps, but I will try to do a post tomorrow if possible to show you how you can do this should you not have a magnetic mat.

Nestabilities and your Cuttlebug - Make a frame

Since I'm travelling home today I'll not be able to post as usual, so thought instead that I'd bring forward an old post that new followers of the Cupboard might have missed.  Hope you like this idea....

 Nestablities shaped dies are great for matting with your stamped images, but why not take them a stage further? and make a frame!

In this tutorial I'm using two dies from the Labels One set - here you will see them placed on the black magnetic mat which holds them secure. This does make the job a little easier, but you can complete the task without it if you take care with placing the dies. You could use a low tack tape to hold them, but again be careful not to place it where is might stick to your frame.

You can now cut your frame - I have the die with the cutting face up with the card on top.
Sandwich: A, B,Black Mat, Dies, Card, B. You will notice the sandwich is different than that usually used for cutting - this is because of the Black Magnet Mat. Without the Black Mat just cut as usual. Next with the largest of the frames, I have cut an acetate shape. Because this is a bit like the 'King's new clothes', I have cut this from an old patterned offcut so you can see it.

Next I have stamped my image onto patterned paper and again using the largest die have cut another label.

Here you will see the stamped label, together with the acetate label adhered to the frame . Now you can complete your embellishment by either just glueing the frame and image together, or you could use foam pads on the back of the frame to make a window.You will now need something on which to mount your embellishment. I have used a basil cardstock and pattern paper that matches the paper used for the stamped image.
Assembled with a flower and gems, my finished card

Cuttlehugs to all.

Cuttlebug and Magnetic Mats

Using a magnetic mat in your die cutting machine can be a useful way of making frames and apertures in your cards. Since I'm frequestly asked if they are needed; about the sandwich; and just how to do this .... today's card will show you the method I use.

Making an aperture card
I started by making a 4" x 4" card, which I scored round four sides.

Any make of die will make your aperture.  Tape the die to the inside of the card - cut side down - use a low tack tape to secure.

Place the magnetic mat inside the card

and fold the front card over securing the die on the magnetic mat.  Run through the Bug....

Sandwich:  A plate/card encasing the dies and mat/Shim/2 B plates  (I have to use 2 shims, BUT your machine might need less or more..TRY a test run...NEVER force....BEST to start with a thin sandwich).

and you have your aperture card.

You could achieve this result without a magnetic mat, but without the mat you get an impression on the back inside of the card.

Making a frame using a magetic mat

The mat is really useful for making frames

Place the dies on the magnetic mat - place your paper or card over the dies and run through the Bug.

The sandwich is slightly different than usual

A plate/magnetic mat with dies cut side up/paper/ 2 B plates

 (dependent on your machine possibly a shim on top).

In the picture you will see the frame fixed to the aperture card. 

To finish my card I only had to cut a piece of matching paper and add to the inside of the card.

  I also added a a silver thread and  beads. 

The remaining piece of the cut-out can then  be added  to the inside of the card.

It was my intention to use the cut-out from the aperture also on the inside, but after stamping with care and putting on one side to dry....it disappeared....yet to be found!

As you can see magnetic mats to have their uses.

Another such use is to emboss a frame on the front of your card, you can check this out here.
I have used a very quick and easy way of decorating the aperture - the choice is yours!

I have not added a sentiment - this type of card could be used for any occasion, but I thought with Christmas nearly upon us - it would make a very nice Thank You card, should I received a present!


PS: From a query received from Merry: You can buy magnetic mats from many suppliers, the link on the side bar is my supplier. The mats Liz supplies are her own NOT a Spellbinder product and so are much cheaper. They are very magnetic so that the dies hold firm - some mats are much thinner and are only suitable for storing dies. Also the dies do not cut the mats because the cut side is face up. Hope this makes sense and answers some of the points I omitted. ikki

PPS:  Question from Kim:  Can you use the tan mat instead?  NO.  The tan mat does a completely different job - Embossing.