Important Notice: Using Creative Expressions Embossing Folders with the Grand Calibur

I picked  this info up on the Creative Expresions website and thought I would pass it on: 

"Important Notice: Using Creative Expressions Embossing Folders with the Grand Calibur


In order to achieve the outstanding depth of impression that they offer, our Embossing Folders are slightly thicker than competitor products. As a result the Folders cannot be put through your Spellbinders Grand Calibur using the standard sandwich combination. Attempting to put them through using the standard sandwich may result in damage to your Grand Calibur machine.

Spellbinders plan to release a new plate for the Grand Calibur early in the New Year to improve its compatibility with our Embossing Folders. However, in the meantime, to use the Folders with your Grand Calibur machine please use the sandwich combination below:

Grand Calibur Cutting Plate (C)
CE Embossing Folder and paper/card
Grand Calibur Tan Embossing Mat
Wizard S5 Die Spacer Plate (Part code: WIZW -017)

All other die cutting and embossing machines remain unaffected and are completely compatible with our Embossing Folders.

(published: 17/12/2010) by Creative Expressions"

I will post the sandwich in the Glossary, so it doesn't get lost.

 Please also note the sandwich for die cutting with the Provocraft/Cuttlebug dies (like those that are supplied with your machine), also need a different sandwich than the Spellbinder, Joy Craft, Miranne dies.

Tippy Thursday - How the Labels will work

Hi, Thanks for all your comments.  I have made a start on helping you to find posts, but first of all I have removed the "Search" feature, because for some reason it doesn't want to work with me!

What I have decided to do is to recatalogue my posts starting with Nestabilities.  Instead of grouping all under the one heading, now if you look under "labels" you will find:  Squares, Circles, Ovals, Rectangles, Labels 1, 2 etc.,  plus headings such as Borders, Altering die shapes and so on.  This should simplify findng articles of interest.  You will (eventually) be able to check out info on sizes, sandwiches, problems solving, but most importantly what you can do with a certain die.

I'm also in the process of listing availability and size information on all of the different dies.  The very fact that there are so many different shapes and sizes available to buy will make this a useful feature in the Cupboard. For new owners of any die cutting machine, or if you are interested in buying new dies, you would need to look under the labels " Dies - Info and Sizes" or "Squares - Info and Sizes".


In the post below I have itemised all the different Nestabilities Squares - I was amazed at the result!
I had no idea that there were so many!!  "Wonky Squares" never heard of them before - I will probably find this is the case when I look into the other shapes!!! 

Hope you'll find this useful, I found it interesting in the fact that the label list shown which dies I favour most and also those I have not used much! 

I'll be back tomorrow with a new idea from Julie that you will not want to miss.  Hope you'll have time to drop by, in the meantime have a great day in this lovely September weather.
                     
                                                                   

The Cupboard - Past, present and future!

When you have been doing something for awhile, you can easily reach a stage where boredom, lack of ideas, stalemate sets in.  Earlier this year I was beginning to feel this way and began looking for other directions in which to take my crafting and renew my enthusiasm - was I a lucky girl because what should come along was being invited to join the Elusive Images design team.   However, from the beginning, my aim was to make a blog that illustrated, shared ideas and news of how to get the best use from the Bug, so whatever other elements of crafting appear in the Cupboard, I will always include some an idea, technique on die cutting or embossing.  So what to do  next???? 

When I started this blog in Feb 2009, I had no idea where it would take me, nor just how popular and helpful it would be to so many!    I have covered many, many subjects and have tried to catalogue them as I went along, but  now feel with so many, that many are getting lost as they get pushed further and further back in the Cupboard archives.  Since I now have a very extensive guide to die cutting and embossing that is hard to find elsewhere in one place, I feel something needs to be done to simplify finding information, techniques, ideas, and hopefully inspiration!

Over the coming weeks I will be re-organized the Cupboard, it will take me some time and with my EIDT commitment my time is limited.  I thought about setting up a challenge, but this would take even more of my time and stop me bringing you new ideas and after all there are challenges out there anyway.  What I will continue is my Friday Followers Gallery, and I'll be pleased to exhibit your cards - I know I'm not the only cuttler coming up with new ideas!    What I will do  is improve my labelling system.  Until then you can continue to use the label search facility on the sidebar - not perfect but hopefully it soon will be.  I've made a start on grouping together dies by shapes, sizes and manufacturers. I will follow this up by cataloguing any cards, tutorials, or general info that relates to the subject.  My idea is that if you have a particular die, and/or you are looking for inspiration, techniques or  news - this labelling system will take you there!  Since today is my 304th post you will understand the task I have set myself!  I know I can rely on your support until I get there - I need you to visit often, comment often on how you are finding things, and of course spread the news of the Cupboard.  By just by being there even though my posts may not be as regular as usual will help me make the Cupboard an even better treasure trove of goodies that will help you and new owners of die cutting machines find what that "something"!  I can assure you that "something" is there!!


If you feel you have any other ideas, or suggestions that I can use to help and improve the Cupboard, please, please, leave me a comment.

In the meantime,  my thanks to you all for your continued support without which I think the Cupboard would not only be a lonely place, but the shelves would be empty!   Your enthusiasm keeps me going, so you have my thanks for visiting so often and for all your supportive comments and encouragement. 

Now what was I doing?   Oh, yes....back to labelling!

Tippy Thursday

My TT post has gone pear shaped!!

I have my laptop with me in Edinburgh, but unfortunately I've not got the same info on this as on my PC.  So my intentions have been shelved - drat, not as clever as I thought I was - so it will have to be another day!   BUT, I have some news to share with you that I'm very excited about.

A few weeks ago I met a lady who designs and makes her own stamps.  I was really impressed with the designs, quality and clarity of her polymer stamps and she has agreed to sponser the Cupboard.

I'm looking forward to working with Gail and showing you some of her collection of stamps.   So, if you would like a chance to win a stamp.....watch this space.

Alcohol Inks and New Spellbinder Dies

Some interesting News.

If like me you love Alcohol Inks you would probably like to have a look at the new colours available on this link - they are soooo tempting, but you don't have to buy - just take a look.   Liz also has in stock some of the new release dies at a good price. 

Tippy Thursday

Thursday again, now what's new?

Well Spellbinders are doing their best to get us to spend, and spend, and spend. I have lost count of all the new dies being released or due for delivery any day. They are now giving us punches as well - round, square, corner, border, and alphabet (???)   If you would like to see the details of these dies - check out this link.  I've counted up to 13 of the labels, and that not counting the labels without numbers.  It's becoming difficult to decide what you do want!

Recently I have taken a liking to the Ranger Distress inks - and here again new colours are due out.
Barn Door /Stormy Sky/Crushed Olive/Victorian Velvet /Wild Honey/ Forest Moss /Bundled Sage/Chipped Sapphire/Tumbled Glass/Spun Sugar/Pumice Stone/Rusty Hinge.  What fab names - hope the colours are equally fab!

If you're a puncher - EK are also bringing out new designs.  These are great - Watch this space for more details. 

So, if you have any pennies to spare -  you will have plenty of new goodies on which to spend them!

Liz from Make a Lasting Impression sent me this card along with my Distress Inks - it's one of the embossing folders from Crafts-Too-You and I thought you would like to see it. These folders are slightly bigger than the Provocraft folders, and they emboss well.

The Stitch and Craft Show starts tomorrow in Manchester and runs until Sunday, there are bound to be some interesting demos and hopefully some bargains about (fingers crossed).  I'm going this year with some crafting friends, so I'm really looking forward to a day out - if you're there I don't think you will recognize me because I've change my hair style - but if you do - please say hello.

Tomorrow I will be showing you a pop-up card I have made for a challenge over at
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge. Hope you'll have time to drop by. Seeya.

Spellbinder's latest released dies

Hi, Thought I would let you know that Spellbinders are revealing a new die each day for a week

Day 1
S4-241 Jumbo Scalloped Petite Borderabilities®

Dimensions:
5-1/2" x 1-1/8"
5-1/2" x 3/4"

Day 2

SKU: S4-264 Nested Eggs Die Limited Edition

Die Dimensions:
Die One 3/4 x 1/2″
Die Two 1 7/16 x x1″
Die Three 2 1/8 x 1 1/2″
Die Four 2 13/16 x 2″
Die Five 3 1/2 x 2 1/2″
Die Six 4 1/4 x 3″

Easter Borderabilities™ Petite Die SKU: S4-237 Limited Edition
Die Dimensions:
Die One 5 1/2 x 1 5/16″

Die Two 5 1/2 x 1 5/16″

                                                 
Day 3

S4-270 Fair Isle Pendants

Dimensions:

Pendant: 3-1/2 x 3-1/2''
Center: 1-3/4 x 1-3/4''
Accent 1: 7/8 x 7/8''
Accent 2: 1-1/4 x 13/16''

S4-244 Fair Isle Borderabilities® Petites
Dimensions:
Border 1: 5-1/2 x 1-1/4''

Border 2: 5-1/2 x 3/4''

Day 4

S5-020 Nursery Time Frameabilities
Large Frame 6 x 41/16”,S

Small Frame 3 3/16 x 2 5/16”, Bear 1 11/16” x 1 3/8”, Duck 1 x 1”

S5-020 Nursery Time, S4-236 Baby Borderabilities® Petites, S4-169 Small Labels

Day 5

S4-266 Assorted Fresh Fruit (Limited Edition Dies)

Die Dimensions:
Jar 1 7/8 x 1 3/8”
Apple 1 5/8 x 1 3/8”
Cherries 1 5/8 x 1 1/5”
Grapes 2 ½ x 1 5/16"
Strawberry 1 ¼ x 1"
Pear 1 ¾ x 1 1/8”

Day 6

S4-275 Nested Ice Cream Cone

This is a Limited Edition, Summer Collection die template, only available through May 30, 2010.
Cone SM 1 5/16 x 1”
Cone MD 2 x 1 9/16”
Cone LG 2 7/8 x 2 3/16”
Ice Cream SM 1 3/16 x 1 5/16”
Ice Cream MD 1 13/16 x 2 1/16”
Ice Cream LG 2 9/16 x 2 15/16”

Day 7
Cherry Pickin’S5-021    Limited Edition
Dimensions:
Cherry 11/16 x 11/16”
Leaf 11/16 x ½”
Small Frame 2 3/16 x 2 3/16”
Large Frame 4 1/16 x 4 1/16”

The last one is a great die, it may be a cherry pattern, but check out this beautiful example of how it can be used to make it look entirely different: Kazan Clark.  Great work Kazan

Nice one Spellbinders! ikki

Great Cuttlebug News

There is great news today regarding the Cuttlebug which it has been rumoured will be going out of production.

This new was posted on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog today.

"Is it true Cuttlebug and the folders and dies are going to be discontinued?

Provo Craft is aware of the strong following of Cuttlebug enthusiasts and supporters. As a result of this the only changes to expect in the future for this wonderful product are changes that would like to be seen by users such as yourselves. Provo Craft looks forward to continuing to bring the best Cuttlebug product we can so everyone can continue to make wonderful projects for years to come."

To read the full article pop over to CC now