You will see a die cut reindeer image. All of that white image is a single die. I bought it for a song in the Sizzix sale. Top left is a finished card, die cut is blue and the background is glitter white. I've made five. And that's my limit. The die is a bit blunt in specific areas, so I have to move it to different angles in the Big Shot's sandwich and roll it through at least 3 times to cut all the parts. And then I have to spend minutes, yes, MINUTES poking out all the cut details. And then, as if that's not inducing a mild case of Bah Humbug.....glueing it on, ohemgeee..what was I thinking. It looks pants stuck flat, the white glitter paper wont allow for normal sticking, so it's been stinky silicone and tiny blobs. So that's yer lot for this year. It's meant to be fun. I love the result and will play a few times each Christmas. But this die is about to take a short course in death - being filed for 11 months!
Show me and them what you're currently working on will you? Perhaps be inspiring and possible a lot less whiney? Put WOYWW in your post title and link here. We love that.
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47 comments:
Ha! your die cutting tales strike here too, some of them are more trouble than they're worth - although, as you say, the finished card is (eventually) fabulous!! Have fun playing just for playing's sake.. hope to do some of that soon too. xx
It's seems to be a love hate for some dies we love them when we get em but hate them for being fussy to use I have a few that I rarely use just for that reason alone. But your card is pretty for sure and love that huge present stamp up top there that doily make a quick card hugs Nikki 5
I love how you share your love of your paper crafting Julia ;-) The end results were rather nice but I hope the rest of your cards are made with more enjoyment lol.
Hugs,
Annie x
Oh I do love that die! So cute. And lovely it is all one piece. I can see cutting to use just the reindeer or just the surround or just the words...I love things of multi-use! But the poking out, I agree, a huge pain. Maybe one of those little rolling hairbrush thingies that are meant to remove the tiny bits? worth a try....
not late, for a change!
Happy WOYWW!
Mary Anne (2)
Yay for playing nicely with no particular agenda...that's the best fun, I think. Love the funky reindeer image :-)
Hugs, LLJ 7 xx
Anyone who does diecutting has my utmost admiration, it is definitely a great skill.
Have a good week Julia
Lynn x
Fab die - yuou need to try the fabric softener sheet trick. Just place a new sheet on your dir before the paper - run it though and no more "bits" to pick out .Theres a video about somewhere - i'll try to find it a bit later xxx Have a great week Soojay x10
I like the sound of crafting for fun of it! Mine at moment isn't and I'm fed up with it. Love the reindeer - I like poking the little bits out :-) I'm odd I know. :-) However only so many cards you can do like that! Have a good day. Anne x #10
Oh don't talk to me about the trials and tribulations of die-cutting! 150 bloomin' Christmas trees later and I have Big Shot Shoulder - and, like you, had to wind the handle at least three times per tree ... although I do have two dies for the trees so was, at least, able to cut two at once!!!! Am happy to learn Crafting Should Be Fun ... I do tend to forget sometimes! So, to be "inspiring and less whiney" ... will be spritzing and squirting on canvasses today - nervewracking but such good fun especially if someone happens to be here at the time ('twill probably be daddy today!) and the expressions on their faces change with each squirt ... range from OMG to Oh Ok to what on earth were you thinking (the last one being mine as I always want to bin everything after that final squirt and take up golf instead of crafting!!!) Happy WOYWW'ing dear leader!! Love Debbie #15 xXx
The joys of fiddly dies. I have a bauble garland that I fell in love with and fully intended to use on loads of cards this year - I've cut one and that hasn't even been used yet as it didn't fit where I wanted to put it.
Enjoy your crafting for the fun of it Julia.
Toni xx
Silicon is so stinky, but definitely effective. Great desk shot Julia! Lyns #19
Don't mention poking b its out from a diet image - I know what you mean. One thing, make a list of who you send those particular cards to if you are using it again next year - how do I know to do this????
As you say, it looks good but if it takes a lot of messing then perhaps ....
Reading my post will possibly make you not feel as bad when you think I have cut 27 of those "darned" churches over the past week or so.
Sorry, I too have been whining!
Hugs, Neet 24 xx
I feel quite out of it without a die cutter and only my craft knife and dinky scissors - although I can do without Big Shot Shoulder coz I only have one good shoulder. But I do love the reindeer. Have a productive week. Jackie #21
Hi Julia, spathise with the die. I bought a lovely daisy one, makes a gorgeous flower when done, especially out of vellum. But it's a nightmare to cut, 5 layers, and I have to do each one individually to get them to cut out properly. Needless to say, it rarely sees daylight. Have a good week, love & hugs, Shaz #9xxx
Hi Julia, spathise with the die. I bought a lovely daisy one, makes a gorgeous flower when done, especially out of vellum. But it's a nightmare to cut, 5 layers, and I have to do each one individually to get them to cut out properly. Needless to say, it rarely sees daylight. Have a good week, love & hugs, Shaz #9xxx
Shame about the die as it is lovely, but I have a couple like that and I just don't use them now.
Happy WOYWW
Sue
While reading I was thinking about how difficult it would be to peel the die off, I would have no patience for that and it would be ripped.
Whine on my friend! Tis the season!! All kidding aside, I do love Christmas and sometimes have my tree up and decorated before Thanksgiving. This year it hasn't happened but I have given it much thought already. I love the die but sometimes they can be a lot of work!
Glenda #28
I think we can all relate to struggling with tools. I have a love/hate relationship with some of mine.
Ha ha you do make me smile Julia. There are many times when I'm doing a bit of bah humbug (and not just at christmas) because it really doesn't seem worth the effort. And there are some dies that don't get used more than once!! You've done well to do five. Like the scandi look though, it's on the agenda for some cards after i've finished decorating the candles that have been in the cupboard for three years!! Hugs, Cindyxx
That card looks so cute, but I already have enough dies that require the use of the pokey thingy (yes, that is the technical term LOL).
Hugs,
Michelle
The card looks fab, Julia, pity about the badly behaved die. I'd have tossed it after the first cut! Not reached the bah humbug stage yet but I will, just as soon as I realise that I hit the 'running out of time and why did I leave it so late' stage ... happens every year :( Have a great week. Hugs, Elizabeth xx
Hi, Julia, and Happy WOYWW. I gave up on dies many years ago - it was cheaper to move onto a Silhouette Cameo (which I also sold when I had a big vets bill - and regret that sale every day) and the fiddly poking out used to drive me mad too. However, I do admire some of the lovely designs that are available now. Thinking of treating myself to one of the new Silhouette machines next year - and using the literally over a thousand designs in my library. Well done at getting five cards made - I am onto my third later (and will be ordering cards from Phoenix Trading this year, as I know that I will not be getting them all handmade in time). Ali x #36
After over a year of non-blogging, I decided to restart - and WOYWW seemed the perfect day to blog again :) As always, Julia, your work space is a hive of activity - love getting dies for a cheap price :)
Hmmm..the die is adorable and looks fab on the blue. Sizzix has a metal plate, um, precision base that is supposed to make for perfect cuts on intricate dies, might be worth a peek. It replaces that bottom plastic cutting plate. For adhesive, I'd be using a zig adhesive pen for sure! I was in whiny omgeeee mode too stupide electronic die cutter eating expensive paper and being as temperamental as a two year old! Sometimes you just have to walk away and reach for the wine, or whiskey lol!
Happy Wednesday!
Angie
I know that frustration! Takes me back to the mammoth bias binding session I had to do with ben's busy book. So fiddly and frustrating it takes some of the joy out of it! It does look effective though. Happy crafting, Max #29 :-)
off to visit surgeon to see if finger ok plan to visit while waiting as they have WiFi.
monica 41
for the fun of it sounds like a very good deal to me :) that is a cool die too! :)
~Stacy #42
Oh I do so recognize your moan! The die is really lovely though.
I'm not posting today. I haven't had time, besides, there's nothing on my desk. I'm busy making a digital photobook for my mum of her first great-grandchild. Albelli are doing a special offer, but has to be finished by the 23rd to get the discount. So, CU next week, God willing,
Lisca
I am still alive! Life has gotten in the way of blogging recently... well, for a few weeks now to be honest. I will be back desking as soon as I am able. I just thought I would show my face and say HI!
An amazing card but sounds like a lot of hard work. Good luck with the rest of your card making and have a wonderful week of crafting.
I love this reindeer card! Too bad it was so difficult to make. Could you use the die cut as a stencil, and brayer over it? Or use it on a gelli plate? That might look awesome too! Lindart #42
Love, love, love that die...but knowing it's a little bit of a pain made me just a wee bit less jealous. Wee bit though. It's gorgeous. I avoided the Sizzix sale because I would have wanted so many things! Now I regret that. sigh Love your desk today though. I have a Sizzix alphabet thinlet die set, and the letters have stars on them. So gorgeous! But what a pain after it's cut! Sandy Leigh
Hi Julia, bit late posting though I had linked in this morning when my lap top had a fit but back to normal now. It's a stinker when cards take so long, I've been looking to try and make some quick cards but still not many finished. Happy woyww, Angela x 26
No worries about the whiney. . .we all have those moments. It's been a while since I've linked up here. I hope my beady craft table is okay in this list of serious paper crafters! Have a fab day! :)
It may be a lot of work but the result will be fabulous!
Greetings, Sofie #17
http://sofies-succulent-beads.blogspot.be
That die is fabulous, so sad it is a dud though. It makes a great card but I can relate to your sticky woes with glitter paper. That way lies madness. It looks like you are up to great things. I'm not.
Love the die cut! I think it would make a fabulous stamp cut out of fun foam. : D. Especially nice when you can get it for a song!Happy WOYWW
Hello!
I love the blue and white reindeer card! So pretty! Lots of work but well worth it! :<) Wishing you a happy day!
Hugs,
Barbara Diane
We always think something will be simpler than it turns out! LOL Wish I had a penny for everytime I thought that! I hope you remember me and that I did this right, it has been so long! :)
Oh wow. I was thinking what a great die that was, until reading all the trials involved!!!
At least it looks wonderful!
:)trisha
#53 this week with
a Dr. Who wedding card
Love the die cut - it is worth the hassle! Thanks for visiting Ali #4
I've really missed posting here! Thanks for hosting these awesome people :)
I enjoyed reading your post today, personally I am ready to throw my dies off the third floor and see how far they fly!!
I always enjoy reading your posts and thank you for your kind words on my desk top today!! !Have a great week, Ginny # 12
I hate dies like that! I've found that a folded piece of paper or manila folder placed under the plate is enough of a shim to get the finicky dies to cut; which in turn make them much easier to poke out. I do like the look of it though. Good luck!
-K #49
That's a beautiful die cut but I guess you need some elves to help you poke out the details! I hope whoever receives it appreciates the challenge of making it! Happy WOYWW!
Love the reindeer. That's the problem with fine dies, they can take a while to get the actual cut out. I love my dies and you can get great cards from them but must admit I prefer stamping.
Lizzie J #57
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