Prime Day 2022
Prime Day Best Deals for Crafters
Best Prime Day Deals for Crafters to Check Out on Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day 2022 for Crafters
Amazon Prime Day 2022 Starts Tuesday, July 12 at 12:01 A.M. and ends on July 13, 2022 at 11:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Savings time. Prime Day is a great event for getting the best Amazon prices available all year. If you haven’t heard about Prime Day before, it’s a once-a-year HUGE sale at Amazon — about 100,000 items get put on sale. It’s bigger than Black Friday, but it is just for Amazon. I’m a Prime member (and you have to be to get these deals) and I’ve been shopping Prime Day for a while now. It is possible to find out in advance what things are going to go on sale. I looked and I found some really interesting DIY & CRAFT deals. I’ll be adding to my shopping list for myself and my family — and I thought you might like to know about these deals, too.
While your other family members are finding lots of important tools and gadgets, this is a great time to anticipate major crafting needs for the coming year. I have posted links to crafting tools that I use the most. Some of the items I use regularly are already marked down, and I found a few that are even at half price! Be sure to check out the items that you use most to get some great bargains.
What to Expect, How to shop, and Get Ready
- Check out the amazon.com/primeday page every day to stay up to date on Amazon’s best deals and offers of the year.
- Don’t forget to sign up for Prime, as Prime Day deals are exclusively available to members!
- You can try it for FREE for 30 days! amazon.com/tryprimefree
- Download and install the Amazon App. In the top left app menu, tap “Today’s Deals”, then the “UPCOMING” tab. Find a deal that you want and tap “Watch this deal” to get notified when it starts.
- Make a Wish List and watch for email notifications when items go up for sale. You can use my list as a starting point. Wouldn’t this make a great crafter’s Christmas in July shopping list?
Links to Prime Day Deals 2022 for Crafters
Machines
Silhouette Cameo 4- Look for low prices on bundles. Here are some additional Silhouette items to check.
Gemini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine Great price for a power machine! I ordered one, plus the plates for the Gemini Jr to use with this. See my review here. Gemini Junior.
Here are some Additional items from Crafter’s Companion
Scan N Cut
Scan N Cut DX85-Latest cutter from Brother. See my SNC review here. A lot of Scan N Cut items have low prices this year.
Brother SNC Universal Pen Holder Allows you to use standard pens in your new or older model Scan N Cut machine.
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for CM models or SNC2
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for DX models
Scan N Cut Online Activation Card for WiFi connection This is not needed for the newer DX SNC models.
Cricut
Cricut Maker 3 – The latest and greatest Cricut machine is on sale at a special price.
Cricut Autopress – Easy to use heat press. Get this from Cricut.com for a better price.
Cricut Mug Press – Custom decorate mugs for gifts.
Cricut Hat Press – Custom decorate hats for gifts.
Cricut Maker Amazon has some very good prices on some of the older Cricut machines and bundles. Check out all things Cricut here. See my Cricut Explore vs Cricut Maker-Review.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle new low price.
Cricut Joy Newest Cricut machine, compact size. Amazing low price for this sale!
Cricut Cutting Mats – Standard Grip
Cricut Cutting Mats – Variety Pack. I cannot believe this amazing LOW price!
Cricut Easy Press Mini Check out the amazing low price on this. If you have been wanting a tiny heat press, now is the time to get it for this limited time special price.
Cricut Easy Press 2 9″x9″ Higher heat options for Cricut Infusion projects
Cricut Easy Press 2 12″x10. Necessary for larger Cricut Infusion projects.
Cricut Easy Press Mat Excellent price on this right now.
Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted
Cricut Rotary Blade Kit– See my review here.
Nicapa Mats for Cricut– Set of Three These work well for me.
Xinart Standard Grip Gutting Mats for Cricut – Set of Three . I ordered these to try. The price is right!
Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets Jewel Sampler
Cricut Joy Cutaway Cards – Excellent price reduction
My favorite Embossing and Die cutting machines and products.
Crafter’s Companion Products – Lots of their products are for sale at a discount for Prime Day! I use their products regularly!
Heartfelt Creations Products Lots of their products are for sale at a discount for Prime Day! I LOVE these products!
Tools
A4 LED Ultra Thin Light Box Tracer – Not quite as bright as the Cricut Bright Pad, but the price is right and it works well for weeding vinyl.
Crafter’s Companion NEW! Professional Guillotine Large 13″ long, compact and light weight. Great for trimming! Side arm extends 13″ . Metric and Imperial measurments, scoring stylus, and scoring grid. Awesome price reduction for a short time.
Temperature Gun – check the actual heat of your iron, heat press, heated project, etc.
Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. See my blog tutorial and my video tutorial for shaping paper roses.
Spellbinders Tool In 1 Great for brushing the tiny pieces out of intricate cuts.
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform I love this for getting perfectly stamped images.
Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates
Candle Warmer – for shaping thin foam into flowers
Hand Engraving Tool – Insert in cutter pen holder. You may need to wrap tape around it to fit in the pen holder.
Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!
Three Hole Punch – great low price. I use this regularly for organizing craft items in binders.
Pink Tool Set– Every crafter needs their own set of tools handy for everyday use. I got these. My hubby doesn’t like pink, so I might be able to keep them around for awhile. Actually, he borrows mine when he cannot find his, since mine is easy for me to find. There is an excellent price on tools this year!
Lighted Magnifying Glass – great for callibration tests on cutters. I use mine almost every day! Nice price this year.
Hands Free Lighted Magnifier – This has been a great help in my crafting, by magnifying and lighting, while leaving my hands free.
Adhesives
Dries Clear Adhesive – My favorite craft glue that dries quickly, and dries clear. Love the fine tip applicator.
Bulk Dries Clear Adhesive Refill – Use this to refill your smaller glue bottle with fine tip applicator. I have been using this for several years to refill my smaller glue bottles with fine tip applicators. If you use a lot of glue for your crafting projects, this is for you.
Alenes Tack It Over and Over – Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water, and apply to cutting mats using a foam paint brush for the least expensive way to make them sticky again.
Zig 2-Way Glue – Most convenient way to restick cutting mats, and very effective.
Duo Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun – Great for making 3D paper or foam flowers
Mini Glue Sticks – Refills for Mini Hot Glue Gun
Self Adhesive Vinyl I love having this collection of many colors of adhesive vinyl, especially for last minute projects.
Paper and Cardstock
See my Blog Post on the Best Paper for Crafting here.
80# white cardstock Excellent cardstock for print and cut projects. The printer can handle it, and it cuts well.
100# white cardstock Great for cutting popup cards and stamped flowers for coloring and shaping into 3D flowers.
110# White cardstock Great for 3D projects. Excellent price reduction for Prime Day.
12″x 12″ Assorted Color cardstock 150 sheets Variety of weights, most between 65# and 80#
Laser Color Copy paper – for use with Infusible Ink products from Cricut
Translucent Vellum 36# Cardstock – great for embossing
Foam
Thin Foam Sheets for Flower Making – 1mm thick
HTV and Sublimation
15″x 15″ 8 in one Heat Press If you do a lot of Heat transfer vinyl on garments, you need a heat press. The size is right on this one, and the best price I could find.
15″x 12″ 8 in 1 Heat Press combo – This allows you to create your Heat Transfer vinyl projects, Cricut Infusion Projects, as well Sublimation projects, including attachments for mugs, hats, dishes, etc. This is the one I have.
11 in 1 heat press options– Check out them all to find the one that best suits your needs.
Epson WF 2760 Printer – Use with sublimation ink. Order soon as stock is limited.
Sublimation Ink for Epson WF 2760– Print designs on sublimation paper, and transfer to project blanks
Sublimation Printer Paper I recently learned that you do not need special sublimation printer paper. Just use your standard printer paper with your printer’s sublimation ink. You do need proper blanks for sublimation projects, such as white or light colored polyester fabric. Mugs, coasters, plates, caps, etc. need to have a special coating to accept sublimation ink.
Sublimation Supplies – There are so many sublimation supplies on the Prime Day Deals. Check them out to get more ideas.
Foiling
Brother Monochromatic Laser Printer – for printing toner sheets to foil with deco foils and laminator.
9″ wide Thermal Laminator – For general laminating and for use with toner sheets and deco foil
12″ Deco Foil – for use with laminator
Gemini Foil Press – For use with Gemini Jr. ( or full size Gemini with Extender plate) and Hot foil – See my tutorial for foiling.
Gemini Foil Bundles – For use with Foil Press, NOT for laminator.
Electronics
SanDisk 64Gb Flash Drive The price on this has dropped significantly. It is such a handy device for storing lots of files for craft projects. This will work to transfer SVG files to the Scan N Cut. I keep a dedicated thumb drive for that purpose.
Portable 4T External usb Drive – Great for storing backups of all of your printables, cutting files, and fonts collections
Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. – I love my Instant Pot. I can do a lot of crafting while it does the cooking! This one is a great price! I have the 8-Quart model. But if you don’t yet have an air fryer, and want one, check out this Instant Pot with Air Fryer lid! Great savings on this one.
Instant Pot Max – This has been a wonderful addition to my kitchen! I can safely can my leftovers now. They don’t spoil in the frig, and they don’t take up valuable freezer space. I am now canning bulk purchases weekly, with little effort or time investment. It leaves me lots of time for crafting!
Blendtec Blender – My favorite Smoothie Maker. There is a special price on Prime Day.
Flameless Candles for those lantern projects
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser – Create a relaxing and healthy crafting environment, especially during the current pandemic.
Echo Dot – Smart speaker with Alexa – charcoal to add Instant music for your crafting environment. Great price on this!
Pens, Markers, Pencils
Ultra Fine Micro Line Pens set of 16 I couldn’t resist purchasing another set of these at this low price.
Sharpie Fine Point pen set of 24 colors Can you even have enough Sharpies? These fit in my pen holders to draw with my machines.
Derwent Watercolor Pencils set of 24 now at a reduced price. I love these for coloring my 3D flower creations.
Set of 88 Alcohol Dual Tip Markers with case. Excellent price.
Prismacolor pastel color sticks
48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.
136 colored pencils – Best deal
Arteza Real Brush Pens set of 96 with case.
Children’s Washable Markers – When young ones want to craft along, these work great since they are washable and inexpensive.
Art Media
Prills – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Stamens – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Ultra Fine Glitter This is what I use with the Scor-tape Sheets to make patterned glitter paper. See my tutorial here.
Modeling Clay, 50 colors plus tools – Tools can be used to shape clay, fondant, and/or 3D flowers.
Arteza Watercolor Premium Artist Paints Set of 24 Colors
Stamp set-nice for children
Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Excellent for adding color to foam flowers!
Stencil Brushes – Great for “Hot Mess Canvas” painting.
See EVERYTHING available during Prime Day 2021 here
Note that you need to be a Prime member to take advantage of these deals. But the good news is that Amazon Prime offers a free 30-day trial to those curious about trying the service. To access it simply click this link and follow the on-screen prompts. This is how I ended up with Prime — I signed up for a free trial and stuck around because of the free 2-day shipping and free movies. Tip: Anyone with a valid .edu email address can sign up for a 6-month free trial for Amazon Prime Student here.
Tip: I recommend you click “Watch Deal” for anything that interests you. Then you can monitor your deals on this page.
I will add to this list as I find more deals I think could help you. Set your alarms and have fun shopping! Let me know what you scored.
Learn to Use Your New Crafting Machines
Check back here, at Cuttercrafter.com for tutorials and cutting files to use with your new crafty purchases. You will find some FREE projects to try in our Free Resource Library.
Would you like to see some of my FREE SVG projects? Check them out in my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Prime Day 2020 for Crafters
Prime Day Best Deals for Crafters
Best Prime Day Deals for Crafters to Check Out on Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day 2020 for Crafters
Amazon Prime Day 2020 is Tuesday, October 13, 2020 starting at 12 A.M. Pacific time, and continuing through the next day. Prime Day is a great event for getting the best prices available all year. If you haven’t heard about Prime Day before, it’s a once-a-year HUGE sale at Amazon — about 100,000 items get put on sale. It’s bigger than Black Friday, but it is just for Amazon. I’m a Prime member (and you have to be to get these deals) and I’ve been shopping Prime Day for a while now. But I recently learned that it is possible to find out in advance what things are going to go on sale. I looked and I found some really interesting DIY & CRAFT deals. I’ll be adding to my shopping list for myself and my family — and I thought you might like to know about these deals, too. But be warned — it’s addicting.
While your other family members are finding lots of important tools and gadgets, this is a great time to anticipate major crafting needs for the coming year. I have posted links to crafting tools that I use the most.
What to Expect, How to shop, and Get Ready
- Check out the amazon.com/primeday page every day to stay up to date on Amazon’s best deals and offers of the year.
- Don’t forget to sign up for Prime, as Prime Day deals are exclusively available to members!
- You can try it for FREE for 30 days! amazon.com/tryprimefree
- Download and install the Amazon App. In the top left app menu, tap “Today’s Deals”, then the “UPCOMING” tab. Find a deal that you want and tap “Watch this deal” to get notified when it starts.
- Make a Wish List and watch for email notifications when items go up for sale. You can use my list as a starting point. Wouldn’t this make a great crafter’s Christmas in July shopping list?
Links to Prime Day Deals 2020 for Crafters
Machines
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter – See my review here.
Silhouette Cameo 4- Look for low prices on bundles.
Gemini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine Great price for a power machine! I ordered one, plus the plates for the Gemini Jr to use with this. See my review here. Gemini Junior.
Scan N Cut
Scan N Cut DX85-Latest cutter from Brother. See my SNC review here.
Brother SNC Universal Pen Holder Allows you to use standard pens in your new or older model Scan N Cut machine.
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for CM models or SNC2
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for DX models
Scan N Cut Online Activation Card for WiFi connection This is not needed for the newer DX SNC models.
Cricut
Cricut Maker The best price right now is directly from Cricut. See my Cricut Explore vs Cricut Maker-Review.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle new low price.
Cricut Joy Newest Cricut machine, compact size.
Cricut Cutting Mats – Standard Grip
Cricut Cutting Mats – Variety Pack
Cricut Easy Press 2 9″x9″ Higher heat options for Cricut Infusion projects
Cricut Easy Press 2 12″x10. Necessary for larger Cricut Infusion projects.
Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted
Cricut Rotary Blade Kit– See my review here.
Nicapa Mats for Cricut– Set of Three These work well for me.
Xinart Standard Grip Gutting Mats for Cricut – Set of Three . I ordered these to try. The price is right!
Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets Jewel Sampler
Crafter’s Companion Products – Lots of their products are for sale at a discount for Prime Day!
Heartfelt Creations Products Lots of their products are for sale at a discount for Prime Day!
Tools
A4 LED Ultra Thin Light Box Tracer – Not quite as bright as the Cricut Bright Pad, but the price is right and it works well for weeding vinyl.
Crafter’s Companion NEW! Professional Guillotine Large 13″ long, compact and light weight. Great for trimming! Side arm extends 13″ . Metric and Imperial measurments, scoring stylus, and scoring grid.
Temperature Gun – check the actual heat of your iron, heat press, heated project, etc.
Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. See my blog tutorial and my video tutorial for shaping paper roses.
Spellbinders Tool In 1 Great for brushing the tiny pieces out of intricate cuts.
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform I love this for getting perfectly stamped images.
Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates
Candle Warmer – for shaping thin foam into flowers
Hand Engraving Tool – Insert in cutter pen holder. You may need to wrap tape around it to fit in the pen holder.
Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!
Three Hole Punch – great low price. I use this regularly for organizing craft items in binders.
Pink Tool Set– Every crafter needs their own set of tools handy for everyday use. I got these. My hubby doesn’t like pink, so I might be able to keep them around for awhile.
Lighted Magnifying Glass – great for callibration tests on cutters.
Adhesives
Dries Clear Adhesive – My favorite craft glue that dries quickly, and dries clear. Love the fine tip applicator.
Bulk Dries Clear Adhesive Refill – Use this to refill your smaller glue bottle with fine tip applicator. I have been using this for several years to refill my smaller glue bottles with fine tip applicators.
Alenes Tack It Over and Over – Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water, and apply to cutting mats using a foam paint brush for the least expensive way to make them sticky again.
Zig 2-Way Glue – Most convenient way to restick cutting mats, and very effective.
Mini Hot Glue Gun – Great for making 3D paper or foam flowers
Mini Glue Sticks – Refills for Mini Hot Glue Gun
Self Adhesive Vinyl I love having this collection of many colors of adhesive vinyl, especially for last minute projects.
Paper and Cardstock
See my Blog Post on the Best Paper for Crafting here.
80# white cardstock Excellent cardstock for print and cut projects. The printer can handle it, and it cuts well.
100# white cardstock Great for cutting popup cards and stamped flowers for coloring and shaping into 3D flowers.
110# White cardstock Great for 3D projects
12″x 12″ Assorted Color cardstock 150 sheets Variety of weights, most between 65# and 80#
Laser Color Copy paper – for use with Infusible Ink products from Cricut
Translucent Vellum 36# Cardstock – great for embossing
Foam
Thin Foam Sheets for Flower Making – 1mm thick
HTV and Sublimation
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) I love this quality collection of multi-colored HTV to have on hand for last minute projects. It works very well.
15″x 15″ Heat Press If you do a lot of Heat transfer vinyl on garments, you need a heat press. The size is right on this one, and the best price I could find.
15″x 12″ 8 in 1 Heat Press combo – This allows you to create your Heat Transfer vinyl projects, Cricut Infusion Projects, as well Sublimation projects, including attachments for mugs, hats, dishes, etc. This is the one I have.
Epson WF 2760 Printer – Use with sublimation ink.
Sublimation Ink for Epson WF 2760– Print designs on sublimation paper, and transfer to project blanks
Sublimation Printer Paper I recently learned that you do not need special sublimation printer paper. Just use your standard printer paper with your printer’s sublimation ink. You do need proper blanks for sublimation projects, such as white or light colored polyester fabric. Mugs, coasters, plates, caps, etc. need to have a special coating to accept sublimation ink.
Foiling
Brother Monochromatic Laser Printer – for printing toner sheets to foil with deco foils and laminator.
9″ wide Thermal Laminator – For general laminating and for use with toner sheets and deco foil
12″ Deco Foil – for use with laminator
Gemini Foil Press – For use with Gemini Jr. ( or full size Gemini with Extender plate) and Hot foil – See my tutorial for foiling.
Gemini Foil Bundles – For use with Foil Press, NOT for laminator.
Electronics
SanDisk 54Gb Flash Drive The price on this has dropped significantly. It is such a handy device for storing lots of files for craft projects. This will work to transfer SVG files to the Scan N Cut. I keep a dedicated thumb drive for that purpose.
Portable 4T External usb Drive – Great for storing backups of all of your printables, cutting files, and fonts collections
Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. – I love my Instant Pot. I can do a lot of crafting while it does the cooking! I have the 8-Quart model. But if you don’t yet have an air fryer, and want one, check out this Instant Pot with Air Fryer lid! Instant Pot 10 Qt Wow what a deal!
Blendtec Blender – My favorite Smoothie Maker at a great price! Prime Day price updated at checkout.
Flameless Candles for those lantern projects
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser – Create a relaxing and healthy crafting environment, especially during the current pandemic.
Echo Dot – Smart speaker with Alexa – charcoal to add Instant music for your crafting environment.
Pens, Markers, Pencils
Ultra Fine Micro Line Pens set of 16 I couldn’t resist purchasing another set of these at this low price.
Sharpie Fine Point pen set of 24 colors Can you even have enough Sharpies? These fit in my pen holders to draw with my machines.
Derwent Watercolor Pencils set of 24 now at a reduced price. I love these for coloring my 3D flower creations.
Artists Choice Watercolor Pencils set of 72 More colors in this set, but the colors are not as intense as those in the Derwent set.
Set of 88 Alcohol Dual Tip Markers with case.
Prismacolor pastel color sticks
48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.
136 colored pencils – Best deal
Arteza Real Brush Pens set of 96 with case.
Art Media
Prills – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Stamens – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Ultra Fine Glitter This is what I use with the Scor-tape Sheets to make patterned glitter paper. See my tutorial here.
Modeling Clay, 24 colors plus tools – Tools can be used to shape clay, fondant, and/or 3D flowers.
Arteza Watercolor Premium Artist Paints Set of 24 Colors
Art Supplies for Children – Great kit, including crayons, colored pencils, watercolor paints, pastels, tools, etc in a wood case when children want to craft with you.
Stamp set-nice for children
Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Excellent for adding color to foam flowers!
Stencil Brushes – Great for “Hot Mess Canvas” painting.
See EVERYTHING available during Prime Day 2020 here
Note that you need to be a Prime member to take advantage of these deals. But the good news is that Amazon Prime offers a free 30-day trial to those curious about trying the service. To access it simply click this link and follow the on-screen prompts. This is how I ended up with Prime — I signed up for a free trial and stuck around because of the free 2-day shipping and free movies. Tip: Anyone with a valid .edu email address can sign up for a 6-month free trial for Amazon Prime Student here.
Tip: I recommend you click “Watch Deal” for anything that interests you. Then you can monitor your deals on this page.
I will add to this list as I find more deals I think could help you. Set your alarms and have fun shopping! Let me know what you scored.
Learn to Use Your New Crafting Machines
Check back here, at Cuttercrafter.com for tutorials and cutting files to use with your new crafty purchases. You will find some FREE projects to try in our Free Resource Library.
Would you like to see some of my FREE SVG projects? Check them out in my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019
Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019
Here are some Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019. Black Friday is a great time to stock up on crafting supplies. Look for great deals on the high-priced items that help you to be more productive. Do you need a better cutter? Is there a Foil Press on your wish list? Or perhaps you need a more efficient die cutter/embosser to handle those very intricate dies. Maybe you need a new computer or external hard drive. Do you need a new printer?
If you do not need a new machine, perhaps you need to stock up on consumable supplies for your crafting projects. Is your stash of paper or vinyl, or HTV dwindling? Do you have plenty of adhesives? Be sure to check your supply of blades and mats for your machines! There are lots of Black Friday Deals for Crafters that could save you money on your craft supplies.
Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Items on this page may contain affiliate links. You don’t pay any more for your purchase, but I do get a credit for it.
More Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Machines
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter – See my review here. Best deal of the year for this machine! Don’t miss this best buy of the Black Friday Deals for Crafters! Grab this excellent electronic cutting machine for up to $300 OFF on Nov. 29 through December 2. Plus if you order by Cyber Monday you’ll get a free mat pack and spatula too! $239 + 6 months FREE to the Craft Room or an Inspiration Vue for $169 with a 1 year Craft Room commitment! Or go here to pay only $99 with a two year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room.
Silhouette Cameo 3 – Look for low prices with newer model coming out.
Silhouette Cameo 4 Get a great deal on a bundle. Check out the Pre Black Friday Sale Nov. 20-22 for a great bundle special.
Gemini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine Great price for a power machine! I ordered one, plus the plates for the Gemini Jr to use with this. Get this machine or the Gemini Jr. to use with the new Gemini Foilpress. Gemini Jr is only slightly less than the full size Gemini. So unless you really need the smaller size of the Jr. 6-inch width, I recommend the full size Gemini. You will need an extended plate for the Foilpress to work in the full size Gemini. See my review here.
Gemini Mini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine I really like this new little machine. Use a folder to cut or emboss with no need to fret about a stack of cutting plates. This is a hand crank machine, with a 3″ cutting or embossing width.
Empress Mini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine This is a quiet electronic die cutting/embossing machine with a 4.25″ cutting or embossing width. Light weight, but will handle dies and folders for a full A2 size card.
Spellbinders Blowout Sale Lots of goodies. They have a great buy on their Prizm Die Cutting/Embossing machine if you are in the market for a mini hand-powered machine. Also great prices on some amazing dies, and card kits as well.
Scan N Cut
Scan N Cut2 – Great Clearance options.
Scan N Cut DX-Latest cutter from Brother. See my SNC review here.
Brother SNC Universal Pen Holder Allows you to use standard pens in your new or older model Scan N Cut machine.
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for CM models or SNC2
Scan N Cut Online Activation Card for WiFi connection This is not needed for the newer DX SNC models.
Cricut
Cricut Maker New LOWEST price ever! Cricut Explore vs Cricut Maker-Review.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle new low price.
Cricut Cutting Mats – Standard Grip
Cricut Cutting Mats – Variety Pack
Cricut Easy Press 2 9″x9″ Higher heat options for Cricut Infusion projects
Cricut Easy Press 2 12″x10. Necessary for larger Cricut Infusion projects.
Cricut Easy Press Mini for those smaller projects.
Cricut Cuttlebug Special bundle
Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted
Cricut Infusible Ink Markers Set of 30 Great deal on a bundle of markers to give you a large selection of colors for your infusible projects.
Cricut Rotary Blade Kit– See my review here.
Nicapa Mats for Cricut– Set of Three. These work just as well for me as the original Cricut mats.
Tools
A4 LED Ultra Thin Light Box Tracer – Not quite as bright as the Cricut Bright Pad, but the price is right and it works well for weeding vinyl.
Crafter’s Companion NEW! Professional Guillotine Large 13″ long, compact and light weight. Great for trimming! Side arm extends 13″ . Metric and Imperial measurments, scoring stylus, and scoring grid.
Temperature Gun – check the actual heat of your iron, heat press, heated project, etc.
Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. See my blog tutorial and my video tutorial for shaping paper roses.
Spellbinders Tool In 1 Great for brushing the tiny pieces out of intricate cuts.
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform I love this for getting perfectly stamped images.
Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates
Candle Warmer – for shaping thin foam into flowers
Hand Engraving Tool – Insert in cutter pen holder. You may need to wrap tape around it to fit in the pen holder.
Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!
Three Hole Punch – great low price. I use this regularly for organizing craft items in binders.
Pink Tool Set– Every crafter needs their own set of tools handy for everyday use. I got these. My hubby doesn’t like pink, so I might be able to keep them around for awhile.
Lighted Magnifying Glass – great for callibration tests on cutters.
Adhesives
Dries Clear Adhesive – My favorite craft glue that dries quickly, and dries clear. Love the fine tip applicator.
Bulk Dries Clear Adhesive Refill – Use this to refill your smaller glue bottle with fine tip applicator.
Alenes Tack It Over and Over – Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water, and apply to cutting mats using a foam paint brush for the least expensive way to make them sticky again.
Zig 2-Way Glue – Most convenient way to restick cutting mats, and very effective.
Mini Hot Glue Gun – Great for making 3D paper or foam flowers
Mini Glue Sticks – Refills for Mini Hot Glue Gun
Scor-tape Sheets love this for making boxes and other 3D projects
Paper and Cardstock
See my Blog Post on the Best Paper for Crafting here.
80# white cardstock Excellent cardstock for print and cut projects. The printer can handle it, and it cuts well.
100# white cardstock Great for cutting popup cards and stamped flowers for coloring and shaping into 3D flowers.
110# White cardstock Great for 3D projects
12″x 12″ Assorted Color cardstock 150 sheets Variety of weights, most between 65# and 80#
8.5″x11″ Recollections 65# cardstock Variety color pack
Laser Color Copy paper – for use with Infusible Ink products from Cricut
Translucent Vellum 36# Cardstock – great for embossing
Recollections Cardstock 12″x12″ 8.5″x11″ Several shades of each color make this a great package for multi-layered projects. These are less expensive if you purchase using a coupon or 40-50% off sale in store or online.
Foam
Thin Foam Sheets for Flower Making – 1mm thick, assorted colors, 24 pieces, 9.8″ square.
See the foam flowers I made using these here and here and here and here.
White Flower Making Foam .8mm thick, 30 sheets
Thin White Foam Paper for Flower Making
HTV and Sublimation
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
15″x 15″ Heat Press If you do a lot of Heat transfer vinyl on garments, you need a heat press. The size is right on this one, and the best price I could find.
15″x 12″ 8 in 1 Heat Press combo – This allows you to create your Heat Transfer vinyl projects, Cricut Infusion Projects, as well Sublimation projects, including attachments for mugs, hats, dishes, etc. This is the one I have. Check out this bundle that has all you need to get started with Sublimation, or purchase items separately.
5 in one Heat Press combo 15″x12″ Nice sale price on this for Black Friday.
Mug Heat Press You can get this if you do not want to do shirts or plates or hats that the 5 in 1 or 8 and 1 presses do.
Epson WF 2760 Printer – Use with sublimation ink.
Sublimation Ink for Epson WF 2760– Print designs on sublimation paper, and transfer to project blanks
Foiling
Brother Monochromatic Laser Printer – for printing toner sheets to foil with deco foils and laminator.
13″ wide Thermal Laminator – For general laminating and for use with toner sheets and deco foil
12″ Deco Foil – for use with laminator
Gemini Foil Press – For use with Gemini Jr. ( or full size Gemini with Extender plate) and Hot foil – See my tutorial for foiling.
Gemini Foil Bundles – For use with Foil Press, NOT for laminator.
Foil Quill Starter Kit Great tool for use with your electronic cutter to add lovely foiled designs to your projects. Let the machine do your drawing and writing for you!
Foil Quill Freestyle Pen Starter Kit Add elegance to your hand-drawn or traced sentiment and signature.
Foil Quill Magnetic Mat Magnets hold your foil in place to simplify foiling with machine or by hand.
Electronics
HP Laptop Computer –Hp Pavilion Gamin 15-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-8300H Processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 8 GB RAM 1 TB hard drive and 128 GB SSD, Windows 10 Home (15-cx–30nr, Black)
SanDisk 54Gb Flash Drive This will work to transfer SVG files to the Scan N Cut. I keep a dedicated thumb drive for that purpose.
Portable 4TB External usb Drive – Great for storing backups of all of your printables, cutting files, and fonts collections
6TB External Hard Drive- back up your entire computer. It would be a shame to lose it all!
Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. – I love my Instant Pot. I can do a lot of crafting while it does the cooking!
Blendtec Blender – My favorite Smoothie Maker at a great price!
Flameless Candles for those lantern projects
Set of 9 Flameless Candles Great for use with your holiday luminary projects.
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser – Create a relaxing and healthy crafting environment
Echo Input – Alexa sent to your computer speakers to add Instant music for your crafting environment.
Pens, Markers, Pencils
Ultra Fine Micro Line Pens set of 16 I couldn’t resist purchasing another set of these at this low price.
Sharpie Fine Point pen set of 24 colors Can you even have enough Sharpies? These fit in my pen holders to draw with my machines.
Derwent Watercolor Pencils set of 24 now at a reduced price. I love these for coloring my 3D flower creations.
Artists Choice Watercolor Pencils set of 72 More colors in this set, but the colors are not as intense as those in the Derwent set.
Set of 88 Alcohol Dual Tip Markers with case.
Prismacolor pastel color sticks
48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.
136 colored pencils – Best deal
Arteza Real Brush Pens set of 96 with case.
Art Media
Prills – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Stamens – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Ultra Fine Glitter This is what I use with the Scor-tape Sheets to make patterned glitter paper. See my tutorial here.
Modeling Clay, 24 colors plus tools – Tools can be used to shape clay, fondant, and/or 3D flowers.
Arteza Watercolor Premium Artist Paints Set of 24 Colors
Art Supplies for Children – Great kit, including crayons, colored pencils, watercolor paints, pastels, tools, etc in a wood case when children want to craft with you.
Stamp set-nice for children
Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Excellent for adding color to foam flowers!
Stencil Brushes – Great for “Hot Mess Canvas” painting.
Learn to Use Your New Crafting Machines
Check back here, at Cuttercrafter.com for tutorials and cutting files to use with your new crafty purchases. You will find some FREE projects to try in our Free Resource Library.
Would you like to see some of my FREE SVG projects? Check them out in my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
How to Emboss Vellum with the Cricut
Many have asked how to emboss vellum with the Cricut. You can also create flowers that pop out from the embossed background. Then you can add some lovely petals for a 3D effect to make a gorgeous card. In this tutorial I will share how to make this lovely card using your electronic cutter.
Embossed Popout Daisy Card
Using Electronic Cutters to Emboss Vellum
You don’t have to have a Cricut in order to make this card. The SVG, PVGC, and FCM cutting files for this project are available that can be used in most electronic cutting machines. You can find them in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As”. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting file. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. If you are using a Scan N Cut machine, use the FCM file. Those using Pazzles InVue software will use the PVGC file. All others should use the SVG file.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Emboss the Vellum Popout Card
Heavy Translucent Vellum Cardstock
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, Silhouette Cameo, or other cutter that uses SVG files.
If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. I used the We R Memory Makers Foil Quill and silver foil but you may use a metallic pen instead if you don’t have the foil quill. I used the bold tip for this project.
Embossing Mat- Pazzles,or Scan N Cut Embossing Kit, or SNC Embossing Mat
Embossing Stylus –Pazzles Embossing Tool
or Hand Embossing Stylus or Scan N Cut Embossing tool
Dries Clear Adhesive
Low Tack tape
Pearl Stickers
Embossed Vellum Popout Card cutting files from the Free Resource Library
Pop Dots
Limitations to Emboss Vellum With Cricut
Embossing vellum with the Cricut Maker is not as straight forward as it is with other electronic cutters. This is due primarily to the fact that Cricut does not allow any options for adjusting the pressure of tools using the A slot on the Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore cutting head. Cricut Explore does allow use of a special pen holder in the blade holder slot. With that holder in the B slot, the pressure can be adjusted up to the maximum under Custom Settings to 340-350.
Pen Holder for Cricut Explore
While the Cricut Maker boasts of up to 4000 grams of cutting pressure, this pressure is only available in the B slot on the cutting head. And a hand-held embossing stylus is not recognized in the B slot. Maximum pressure is needed to get an excellent embossed effect on vellum cardstock.
The only pressure options on the Cricut Maker head A are the automatic settings for either drawing or scoring. Pressure for drawing on the Cricut Maker is inadequate for embossing. The pressure for scoring is adequate, given the right embossing stylus and mat. The Cricut Scoring tool tip is not broad enough for embossing. It has a tendency to tear through delicate vellum cardstock.
Paper to Use to Emboss
Selecting to best paper to use for embossing with your cutter is very important. Lighter weight papers will emboss more readily on cutters, than cardstock. It can take massive amounts of down pressure to form nicely embossed shapes on cardstock.
What is Translucent Vellum Cardstock?
Vellum is a type of coating that is used on some papers. The type and weight of vellum is very important for this project. While our cutters cannot make a very good embossed impression on most cardstock, one exception is to use translucent vellum cardstock to emboss with your cutter. The cardstock should be translucent enough to be able to see through it. When using translucent vellum cardstock, an embossing tool will create white lines on the Vellum.
Best Weight of Transparent Vellum Cardstock to Use
For the Embossed Popout Daisy Card, you need to use Transparent Vellum Cardstock that is neither too heavy nor too light. The popouts will work better with Vellum that is still. But if the cardstock is too thick, the embossed design will not be the pretty white color you are wanting. If the cardstock is too thin, the design may tear during cutting or removing from the cutting mat. I found that 36# translucent vellum cardstock works best for this project.
Embossing on Legacy Cricut machines
Those using any of the legacy Cricut machines (Original Cricut Personal, original Cricut Expression, Cricut Cake, Create, Cricut Cake Mini) will find that the Pazzles Embossing tool fits perfectly in the blade holder of these older machines. You can emboss on these machines if you have an embossing mat and embossing tool. Unfortunately, the Pazzles Embossing tool is too large to fit in the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker.
Pazzles Embossing Tool
Cricut has simplified the cutting process by providing automatic settings wherever possible. But this is an example of how automatic settings can limit creativity. Perhaps one day Cricut will add full embossing functionality. Until then, you can use the techniques I have used to make this card.
Embossing Stylus
To emboss, you need to be able to use an embossing stylus. The stylus needs to fit the pen tool holder. In addition, the stylus tip needs to be long enough to extend deep enough through the pen holder to reach the mat.
Testing Hand-Held Embossing Tools
I have tested a number of different hand-held stylus tools. Unfortunately, most of the ones I have collected through the years will not work in the Cricut machines. The length of the tips of most were too short.
I did find one that works in the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. This one has a metal tip that is a full 1″ long.
Hand Embossing Tool
I still have to wrap 5 inches of blue painter’s tape around the center of the handle to make it a bit thicker to fit snugly in the pen holder. Place the tool with the larger ball tip down into the A tool holder of the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. Other cutters than have pen holders may also use a tool like this for embossing.
Hand Embossing Tool With Tape
The tip of the embossing stylus needs to be quite close to the mat surface, as shown in my photo below.
Embossing Stylus In Cricut Maker
Embossing Mat
In order for an electronic cutter to effectively create embossing designs on vellum, it is essential to have a cushion under the paper on the mat. Too much of a cushion may result in tears in the delicate vellum. And not enough cushion may result in unsatisfactory embossing.
Some cutter companies provide embossing mats that work with their brand of cutters. Other companies do not. Thin craft foam that is .8mm to 1mm thick may serve as an embossing mat in some cutters. Others have found that using faux leather provides an adequate surface for embossing.
With the foam or faux leather options, you will need to apply some adhesive to the top in order for the vellum to adhere to it during embossing and cutting. Too much adhesive may cause the popout petals on the card to tear when removing it from the mat. Too little adhesive may allow the vellum to shift during embossing and cutting. Taping edges of the vellum down without adhesive on the mat does not work due to the intricate detail of this project.
Embossing Mat Testing Results
Pazzles Embossing mat works well with the Pazzles machine. It is a bit too wide to fit Cricut machines. However, the Pazzles embossing mat may be trimmed down to work with Cricut machines.
Bosskut Gazelle made an excellent embossing mat that works with a number of different cutters. It will work with Cricut machines as well, but Bosskut is no longer in business.
I found the Scan N Cut Embossing mat to be a workable solution for How to emboss vellum with Cricut machines. A sticky Cricut mat holds the embossing mat in place. And the top surface of the embossing mat is sticky, and able to hold the vellum in place while the cutter is embossing and cutting.
Scan N Cut embossing mat on a Cricut mat.
When combined with a hand embossing tool, the Scan N Cut mat worked well to emboss vellum with the Cricut machines.
Silhouette users who would like to emboss vellum will need to use the Silhouette Curio cutter. This is because the Cameo and other Silhouette machines do not have adequate pressure for embossing. They also do not have enough clearance between the mat and roller bars to fit an embossing surface between the mat and vellum.
Foiling in Lieu of Embossing
In the event that you do not have an embossing tool and embossing mat that work to Embossing Vellum with your Cricut machine, you may elect to use the Embossed Popout Daisy Card design with a foil quill and foil. The background design of this card foils nicely. This is an option for those using Silhouette cutters as well.
Foiled Cricut Popout with Daisy Card
How to Emboss and Cut the Embossed Popout Daisy Card
If you are using a Pazzles or Scan N Cut machine to emboss and cut the popout daisy card, you will find that all lines in the cutting files are designated as either draw or cut. Choose the Draw lines first and emboss the Draw lines using your embossing tool and mat. Use maximum pressure when embossing. Do test cuts to determine the best settings for cutting.
Do not remove the mat or move the cutting head after the “drawing” is complete. Simply replace the embossing tool with the cutting tool, and select “Cut” to use with the cutting lines. Cutting on the embossing mat will not ruin it it you have set the blade depth appropriately.
How to cut and emboss with the Cricut
The process is a bit different when using Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. First, import the SVG file into Cricut Design Space. To do that, open Cricut Design Space. Click on Upload, the bottom icon on the left toolbar. Next, click on Upload Image. Browse to the place where you saved the Embossed Vellum Popout Card file on your computer. Click on Save. The design you just uploaded will be visible now. Click on it to select it, and click on Insert Image.
Get the Design Ready in Design Space
Ungroup the design pieces by right clicking on the design, and selecting Ungroup. Next, click on the white emboss portion of the the design, and designate it as “Score” at the top of the page. Select both the score and white cut layers, right click and select Attach. Click on the top score layer and the next group layer on the right toolbar. Right click, and select Attach.
Now click on Make It. Move the entire design in and down 1″ from top and left sides of the virtual mat. This will reduce tearing along the edges of the vellum. Select Continue, and select your machine. Set materials to Vellum. Next, Set tools. Select the Scoring Stylus for the embossing.
Place your vellum on the embossing mat, and load the hand embossing tool in the A tool holder. Load the mat into the Cricut, and press the Go button on the machine when it starts blinking. It will take about 30 minutes to do all of the embossing and cutting on the vellum. Get the paper for the mat and card base ready. Be very careful when lifting the cut design from the mat to prevent the petals from tearing. Finally, you can cut the remaining card pieces.
How to Assemble the Embossed Vellum Popout Card
Embossed Popout Daisy Card
The side that is facing up on the mat is the Debossed side, as the embossing tool has pressed the design down into the vellum. The opposite side is the embossed design. You may use the side that you prefer on your card.
Fold the base card in half. Next, glue the mat to the center of the card front, or use pop dots to raise the mat a bit off of the card base. Add small dots of Dries Clear Adhesive on the back side of the vellum, only on places that are white from the embossing. Let it dry. Gently lift the cut petals up, away from the card, to give dimension.
Add the 3D Daisies
Embossed Popout Daisy Card
If you wish to add 3D daisies to the card, place a daisy piece on a foam mat, and press down firmly in the middle of the daisy to lift the petals. Repeat with the next daisy piece of the same size. Place a dot of glue on the back of one of the daisy layers, and center it over the other daisy layer of the same size. Make sure the petals are opposite the first layer. Add a drop of glue on the center back of each 3D Daisy layer and adhere to the center of one of the popout daisies on the card, again, keeping the petals opposite the bottom layer.
Repeat with all three flowers. Glue a pearl sticker to the center of each of the 3D Daisies on the card. You card is now complete! Add a sentiment of your choice to the inside of the card, and give it to someone special!
How To Emboss Vellum with the Cricut
Be sure to go to the Resource Library to grab the free cutting file for the Embossed Vellum Popup Daisy Card cutting files. If you like this project, please comment, share, and pin!
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
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Foiled Easter Sliceform
Make a DIY Foiled Easter Sliceform centerpiece with the free cutting template. Use your electronic cutter and a Foil Quill (or metallic pen) to create this lovely design.
You will find the SVG, PVGC, FCM and PDF cutting files for this project in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select Save Link As or Save Target As. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting file. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. If you are using a Scan N Cut machine, use the FCM file. If you are cutting by hand, use the PDF file. Those using Pazzles InVue software will use the PVGC file. All others should use the SVG file.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Foiled Easter Sliceform
Yellow 110# cardstock
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, Silhouette Cameo, or other cutter that uses SVG files. If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. I used the We R Memory Makers Foil Quill and copper foil but you may use a metallic pen instead if you don’t have the foil quill. I used the bold tip for this project.
Foiled Easter Sliceform Cutting Files from the Free Resource Library
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Import the Design into Your Cutter Software
This design contain two cutting pieces and a grouped set of lines for foiling or drawing. You will use the draw function of your software to foil or draw the lines on your cardstock. Then you will cut out the two pieces for the sliceform. The green lines are for foiling or drawing, and the yellow lines are for cutting.
Screen shot of drawing and cutting lines.
When you click on the green lines, if all pieces are selected, right click and select Ungroup. Then you should be able to select the green lines and assign them to Draw in your software. Make sure that your foil quill is heating up while you prepare your paper on your cutting mat. It needs to preheat for at least 5 minutes.
Select the Proper Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill to make this Foiled Easter Sliceform
If you are not using the foil that came with the Foil Quill set, make sure you are using the correct type of foil. Not all foil will work with the Foil Quill. Specifically, avoid foils designed to be used with toner sheets and laminators. Check this list when in doubt about the foils you have. I have successfully used foil from WRMK, and CraftersCompanion.
Set Up the Foil Quill (or pen) in Your Machine
Select the appropriate adapter for you cutting machine, and screw it onto the Foil Quill. Adapter A is for Silhouette machines such as the Cameo. It also works on the Pazzles Inspiration or Pazzles Vue. Use Adapter B with Scan N Cut machines. The adapter for Cricut machines or Pazzles machines is C. Adapter D works with Sizzix Eclips machines. If you are using a Cricut Explore or Maker with two tool slots, you will need to remove the pen holder from the tool slot on the left. To do that, hold the head firmly with one hand, and push up gently from the bottom of the pen holder to pop it out. Next, place the Foil Quill into the slot.
Foil Quill installed in the Cricut Maker.
Plug the Foil Quill into a Power Source
Plug in the cord of the Foil Quill into a USB power source. You may use a USB power adapter for a phone in a standard power outlet. Or you can plug the cord into a USB port on your computer. I purchased a USB extension cord from Dollar Tree, because the cord was too short to reach to my computer USB Port. If you are using the Cricut Maker, you can plug the cord into the USB port on the right side of the machine. Do not plug your Foil Quill cord to the USB port on a Scan N Cut machine. USB data ports on cutters will not provide the necessary power for the Foil Quill. Use a standard power supply or computer USB port.
Cricut Maker USB Power Port
Preheat the Foil Quill
The Foil Quill needs to be plugged into a power source for at least 5 minutes prior to use. A light at the top of the quill turns on when the Foil Quill is properly plugged in. Make sure that the cord will not be in the way of the moving mat or cutting head on the cutter. Also, ensure that the tip of the heating foil quill is not touching your mat, or paper, or other flammables while heating.
Paper Selection
Heavier paper works better with this file as the completed project needs to stand on its own. Use cardstock that is at least 80#, and preferably 100# or 110# . The paper should be the same on both sides. Since this design is very intricate, be sure to do test cuts to determine the best blade depth and pressure. Cut with a slow speed. See this article for more tips on doing test cuts.
Prepare to Foil and Cut
While the foil quill is preheating you can prepare your paper and foil. Place the cardstock on the cutting mat. Cut a piece of adhesive foil that is at least one inch larger than the lines to be drawn. Since the line portion of my design is 4″ x 4″, I cut my foil at 5″ square. Cut strips of low-tack tape such as blue painter’s tape into narrow pieces. You can use a craft knife and ruler on a mat to cut strips of tape that are about 1/4″ wide and 5″ long. Place the foil on the paper at least 1″ down from the top of the mat, and 1″ in from the edge of the mat.
Position of the design on the virtual mat
Place a tape strip on one edge of the foil to hold it in place. Then smooth out the foil, and place another narrow strip of tape on the opposite side. Repeat with the other two sides of the foil.
Foil taped to paper on the mat.
Foiling or Drawing and Cutting your Project
Import the Easter sliceform design into your cutter software. Position the design lines in the software in a position corresponding to where you placed the paper and foil on the cutting mat. Select the green lines . Make sure that these lines are set to Draw. Send the design to Draw and Cut. If using Cricut Design Space, click on Make it. Set the media to lightweight chipboard if using 110# cardstock, and select More. If using 80# or 100# cardstock, select heavy cardstock in your media settings, and More. If your machine has speed options, set it to Slow. Use the blade settings that worked best during your test cuts.
The machine should draw first. Watch the machine as it works drawing the design lines with the foil quill. When the drawing is complete, pause the machine either in the software or using the Pause button on the machine. Remove the foil and tape without moving the mat or the cutting head. Then resume cutting by pressing the pause button again.
Remove the Foiled and Cut Design from the Mat
When foiling and cutting are complete, unload the mat. Remove the cut shapes very carefully from the mat. The intricate design might tear if you are not very careful. Some of the tiny lattice detail may stick to the mat. Use a poker tool to remove any remaining pieces away from the Foiled Easter Sliceform.
Detailed cut shape
Assemble the Foiled Easter Sliceform
The yellow design pieces both have notches at the top and bottom. She smaller piece slides inside of the larger piece. The notch at the top outside of this smaller piece slides into the opening above the cross on the other piece, and into the notch there. The bottom right edge of the smaller piece slides through the long slot below the bottom of the cross, Slightly curve the open edge of the smaller piece to pass it through the top opening of the S.
Putting the two sliceform pieces together.
Slide the bottom opening of the smaller piece down to the bottom of the opening of the larger piece. Unfold the two pieces so that they form a 90 degree angle. The bottoms of both pieces should line up perfectly so that it will stand on its own.
Sliding the bottoms of the two pieces together.
Foiled Easter Sliceform Completed!
Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the Foiled Easter Sliceform template.
Foiled Easter Sliceform
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
How to Make a Foiled Slider Popup Card
Learn how to make a foiled slider popup card with the free SVG template from the Resource Library. While making this project, learn how to use the Foil Quill tool by We R Memory Makers, and the Gemini Foilpress by CraftersCompanion.
Foiled Popup Slider Card Pin for Pinterest
You will find the SVG, PVGC and FCM cutting files for this project in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select Save Link As or Save Target As. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting files. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. Because there are lots of design pieces with intricate detail, I have broken down the file into three smaller pieces. You can use the basic popup slider design to embellish in many different ways.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Irish Blessings Slider Popup Card
White 80# cardstock
One sheet printed cardstock for base card
Coordinating pastel cardstock.
Glue that dries quickly.
Strong, double sided adhesive
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, or other cutter that uses SVG files.
If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. These are the ones I used for this project.
Gemini Jr.
Gemini Foilpress
Crafter’s Companion Gemini FoilPress Foil Roll for Papercraft- HollyFoil
We R Memory Makers Foil Quill
Cutting Files from the Free Resource Library
Cut your Card Pieces
Card Pieces
Score the red lines. Foil the small dark green pieces and text using the Foil Quill. I cut the larger shamrock from heavy white cardstock and foiled it using my Gemini Foilpress. You can use plain green cardstock, or green mirror or glitter cardstock if you have some. I didn’t have the exact shade of paper I wanted, so I decided to use my Holly Green Foil.
The large pink piece is the base card. I think it looks best if you use some designer paper that is double sided. I chose a sheet of paper from the Peony paper pad from Crafters Companion. You may use the light green frames around the foiled designs if you like. I used one cut from the patterned paper and placed it around the foiled design on the tag.
The tag is the piece that forms the inside slider. The smaller pink piece forms the hidden message inside of the card.
Fold Your Slider Card
Fold the base card in half on the center score line. The cut window on the front of the card has several fold line. Make a valley fold at the top of the window. Make a mountain fold at the center of the window. Finally make a valley fold for the tab at the bottom of the window. Burnish the folds with a bone folder or similar tool to make nice, crisp fold lines.
Base Card Folds
Prepare the Designs for the Inside of the Foiled Slider Popup Card
You do not have to foil these designs. You can alternately use a metallic pen to draw the designs with your cutter. I created the very delicate small shamrock designs and the textured text so that I could play with my new Foil Quill.
Foil Quilled inside Pieces
Introducing the Foil Quill to Make a Foiled Slider Popup Card
Drawing with the Foil Quill using a cutter is not much more complicated than drawing with a pen in your cutter. Instead of placing a pen in the cradle, select the adapter that is appropriate for your machine. Hold the quilling tool in one hand, and rotate the adapter around the threads at the top of the Foil Quill.
Foil Quill tool Pieces
The pink tool has an ultra fine tip, the blue one has a standard tip, and the black one has a bold tip. I used the blue Foil Quill for my project. Select the adapter for the cutter you are using. Adapter A is for use with Silhouette machines such as the Cameo, Craft Robo, Wishblade, etc. T B Adapter is for use with Brother Scan N Cut machines. Adapter C is for use with all Cricut machines, as well as Pazzles machines. And Adapter D is for use with Sizzix Eclips, and any machines that can use the Sizzix Blade holder, such as KNK Zing, Zing Orbit, and other machines.
If a machine can use a pen, you should be able to use the Foil Quill either with one of these adapters or without an adapter. Hold the Foil Quill in one hand and turn the adapter around the threads near the top of the tool.
Select the Correct Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill
Not all foils will work with the Foil Quill. Heat reactive foils for use with toner sheets and laminators and machines like the Minc will not work with the Foil Quill. In addition to the foils designed to work with the Foil Quill, the foils made for use with the Gemini Foilpress will work. There are several small rolls of foil included with the purchase of the Foil Quill Kit. There is only a small sample of foil in the kit, so if you plan to use your Foil Quill a lot, you may wish to order more. Here is the foil I used for my foiled slider popup card.
Gemini FoilPress Foil
Power up the Foil Quill
The USB cable on the Foil Quill is designed to plug into a powered USB port. You can plug it in to a USB port on your computer. If you have a Cricut Maker, you can plug it into the USB port provided for charging your tablet. Do not plug it into a data port on your cutter, such as the ones on Scan N Cut machines. You can use a power supply made for charging your cell phone. The cable was not long enough for me, so I purchased a USB extension cord at Dollar Tree to help the cable reach to a USB port on my computer.
USB Extension Cord
The Foil Quill needs to heat up for 5 minutes before you use it. So plug it in before you start assembling your Foiled Slider Popup Card. When the Foil Quill is plugged in, the top of the quill lights up.
Prepare Your Mat, Paper, and Foil
Place your paper on your cutter mat. Cut a piece of foil about 1″ larger than your design. Place the dull side of the foil down on the paper. Tape around the edges of the foil using the low tack tape included with the Foil Quill package. If you cut out your tag and backing piece for the inside of the card first, you don’t need to use the low tack tape. You can place the cut foil over the cut cardstock, and tack the excess foil to the adhesive on your mat. However, this may result in some foil residue on your cutting mat. If you do not want foil on your cutting mat, do the foiling first.
Foiling the Designs using the Foil Quill
Select the portion of the design you wish to foil. Select “Draw” in your cutting panel. Set the pressure appropriate for drawing with a pen. I set mine a bit higher. Do some small tests to see how your pressure, speed and choice of tip work with your foil. Once your cutter has completed “drawing”, remove the Foil Quill from your cutter, and replace the blade assembly in the holder. Without moving the mat or cutting head, cut out the shapes on which you foiled.
Foil the large Shamrock
Cut the large shamrock from your preferred media. If you plan to use the Gemini Foilpress foil, turn on the Gemini Foil press, and insert the heating plate. Set the temperature to medium. Cut the large shamrock from white cardstock.
Large White Shamrock
When the Gemini Foilpress beeps and a green light shows next to the Medium heat setting, place the foil, shiny side down on the Foilpress plate. On top of that, place the right side of the large shamrock down over the foil. Place a half sheet of heavy white cardstock over the large shamrock. Place a black magnetic shim from the Gemini Junior over the paper shim, and place the foilpress carbon plate over the top. Set the heat for 45 seconds. When the machine beeps, remove the stack from the foilpress and place into the Gemini Junior for the necessary pressure.
Stack for the Gemini Foilpress
If you will be foiling with a toner sheet and laminator using heat reactive foil, cut the large shamrock from a black toner sheet. You can make a toner sheet by printing a black page using a monochromatic black laser printer. Or you can go to an office supply store and make photo copies of a black sheet of paper. Cut the large shamrock from this toner paper. Fold a piece of printer paper in half. Place the dull side of a heat reactive sheet of foil down on top of the shamrock, and place both inside of the folded printer paper. Set the laminator to heat up. Once heated, place the folded edge of the printer paper with its contents into the laminator.
You now have a large foiled shamrock for your foiled slider popup card.
Foiled Shamrock
Slider Assembly for Foiled Slider Popup Card
Here is how to make a foiled slider popup card with the pieces you have prepared. Close the card base on the center fold line. Lift the window flap to expose the inside bottom of the card. Glue the piece that says Irish Blessings to the inside bottom of the opening using quick drying glue on the back of the foiled piece. Next, glue the foiled Irish Charm piece to the top of the tag. Glue the frame over the top of this piece.
Open the card to the inside. Place a strip of double sided tape along the bottom edge of the window flap. Also add strips of double sided tape along the outside edges and bottom of the inside front of the base card as shown below.
Double sided adhesive strips added to the inside of the card.
Remove the covering of the tape, and adhere the bottom edge of the tag, design side down, to the bottom edge of the window flap. Next, close the card, so that the back of the card is permanently stuck to the front, forming a pocket. Now when you pull the tag up at the top of the pocket, it pull the flap up with it.
Tag Top
Now the popup flap has formed, and it will serve as a platform for your large Shamrock.
The front window opens when the tag is pulled up.
The designs on the inside of the card and on the tag are revealed when the tag is pulled up.
Decorating the Slider Popup Card Front
Now that the popup mechanism is formed, you can decorate it with the large foiled shamrock. Add quick drying glue to the back side arms and lower stems of the large shamrock. Do not get glue on any part of the shamrock that overlaps the window of the base card. Also do not add any glue to any part of the shamrock that hangs above the window fold.
Now that the large shamrock is glued to the popup mechanism, assembly of the foiled slider popup card is complete. When open, you can see the foiled sentiment on the tag, and the foiled sentiment on the front of the card.
Slider Popup Card front when open
When the card is closed, the inside sentiments and foiling are hidden. The large shamrock is displayed proudly on the front of the Slider Popup Card. You can add a ribbon to the tag to make it easier for the recipient to know to pull on it.
Slider Popup Card Closed
Foiled Popup Slider Card Pin for Facebook
Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the basic slider popup template.
Special credits: The lovely fret pattern I used to create the shamrock design was shared by Diana Tunnicliff. She has shared thousands of her lovely designs with cutter users. She shares the links for her creations in a number of Facebook groups, including the Cutter Software Facebook Group. If you would like to see the process I used to create the Shamrock design, you can watch a couple of my YouTube Tutorials: Make A Lacy Shape and Create a Lacy Shamrock.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
How to Prepare Cutting Files with Intricate Detail for use with Cricut Design Space and Scan N Cut
You may love cutting lovely projects with lots of intricate detail as I do. But sometimes the cutting files for those projects load very slowly, if at all, into your cutter software! In this post you will find some tips for making your SVG cutting files easier to use. Learn to prepare SVG cutting files that are optimized to load quickly and cut more efficiently in Cricut Design Space and Scan N Cut Canvas Workspace.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Valentine Popup Card
One sheets white 80# cardstock
One sheet colored cardstock for card backing
Glue that dries quickly.
Cutting File from the Free Resource Library
Here is a cutting file for a popup card with intricate detail that could be problematic for use with some cutters, if it were not properly prepared. You can find the free cutting file for this project in the Free Resource Library. Before you go any further, download the zipped files to your computer, double click on the downloaded file, and select Extract All. Then you can follow along with this tutorial.
Valentine Popup Card by Julie Flanagan
What can you do if the cutting files won’t work correctly or require lots of tedious editing? This can be very frustrating. Sometimes details do not load properly into the software. Lines or shapes may be missing, or they show up in very odd places on the screen. What can you do to prepare your cutting files so that they load easily into your favorite cutting software?
You may wish to learn more about third party software that can be used for creating your SVG cutting files on this blog post.
What do Good Cutting Files look Like in Cricut Design Space?
Upload an SVG cutting file into Cricut Design Space
Now that you have downloaded and unzipped the cutting files for the Valentine Popup Card, upload the SVG cutting file for CDS to Cricut Design Space . Cricut Design Space is a free program that you can use, even if you don’t own a Cricut. Open a New page in Cricut Design Space.
Click on the Upload icon at the bottom of the left toolbar. A window will open allowing you to search your computer for the file you wish to use.
Click on the Upload Image button. Then click on Browse, to search for the file named ValentinePopupCard2-CDS-JulieFlanagan.svg that you saved to your computer. Double click on the file name, and it should open in the next window you see in Cricut Design Space.
Add as many tags as you might like to use when searching for this design once it has been loaded into Design Space. I use popup, card, valentine, heart, scallop, lattice, JulieFlanagan. I can search using these tags later. Now, click on the green Save button in the lower right corner of the screen. Another screen opens allowing you to select the image you wish to use. Click on the image you just uploaded, and you will see a green outline around the image.
Click
Select the green Insert Images button in the lower right corner of the screen. The design will now appear on the Cricut Design Space Canvas. Your cutting file is now open in Cricut Design Space. But it is not quite ready to use.
Preparing to Cut a Design in Cricut Design Space
Before doing anything else to this design, notice the Layers on the right side of the screen. There are four layers, two with score lines, and two with the card shapes. You first need to click on the score line layer at the top of the panel. This highlights the score lines on the popup portion of the card. Currently these lines are designated as cutting lines. You need to change them to score lines. Under Linetype at the top of the screen, select Score. Now these lines will not be cut. You will be directed to use the scoring tool with these lines when you go to Make the project.
Repeat this process with the second score line layer for the card back. Select Score from the Linetype drop down menu. Now all score lines will be scored rather than cut when you send the file to cut.
Attaching Score Lines to their Cards
Before you can cut your project, you still need to Attach the score lines to their cards. You cannot do that yet, because all design pieces are grouped. Right click on the shapes on the Canvas and select Ungroup. Now on the Layer panel on the right side of the screen, hold down your Shift key, and click on both of the layers, Score and Cut for the popup portion of the card (light pink in this case. These two layers will now be highlighted, and you will notice that both layers on the Canvas are now selected.
Now select just the backing card (Burgundy) and its score layer from the Layers panel on the right side of the screen while holding down the Shift key. Right click your mouse, and select Attach.
Ready to Make It
Click on the green Make It button in the upper right corner of the screen. You should now see only two mats ready for scoring and cutting.
Other Files Not so Ready for Use in Cricut Design Space
You may have experienced SVG cutting files with Intricate details that need a whole lot more preparation for use in Cricut Design Space. If you are making your own SVG files in third party software, you may have run into some frustrating issues in preparing them for cutting in Cricut Design Space. Are your files very slow to load? Do you get error messages indicating that the design is too large to load? Are each of the tiny shapes in the design on its own layer?
Are each of the many tiny score lines of a popup card on its own layer, and needing to be changed to score in the Linetype window? These tiny lines are very hard to select either from the Canvas or from the layers. Changing each tiny line from cut to score takes way too much time!
How to Prepare Cutting Files with Intricate Detail for use with Cricut Design Space
There is a solution for this issue. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of our multi-layered, intricate projects would import into Cricut Design Space in just a few simple layers, instead of hundreds of layers? The solution lies in the preparation of your files in your design software. Not all cutter software includes the necessary editing features to achieve this. What is the secret?
Design
Layers or Line Colors.
Create your designs with score lines on different layers from the cutting lines. An alternative is to assign one line color to score lines, and use another color for the cut lines. If you need to cut pieces out of different colors, keep the score lines for each colored piece separate from score lines on other colored pieces.
Select by Layers or by Line Colors
Once you have arranged your design pieces by layers or assigned line colors, you need to be able to select all the same linetypes by layer or by line color in your software. Not all software can do this. For example, The Valentine Popup Card has blue lines for mountain folds, red lines for valley folds, and black lines for cut lines. However, the score lines need to be on different layers or different line colors from those used for the backing card. For my design, I needed four layers or line colors; two cards, and two sets of score lines.
For example, you can select by line or fill color using Illustrator, Inkscape, and Silhouette Studio. You can select by line color in Pazzles software. You can select by layer in Make The Cut and Sure Cuts A Lot.
Make Compound Paths from Selections
Once you select everything that has the same line color (stroke) or the same layer, you need to make a compound path (Illustrator and Silhouette Studio), or use Combine (Inkscape), or Group with Transparency (Pazzles) or Join (Make The Cut) or Merge (Sure Cuts A Lot). Most cutter software includes a simple group or ungroup feature, but Cricut Design Space does not recognize all groups in imported SVG files. Properly designed Compound Paths should import into Cricut Design Space in fewer layers, making it easier to select the layers that need to be assigned a different line type. Cricut Design Space does appear to recognize compound paths. Those compound paths may not be broken in Cricut Design Space, so keep that in mind.
DPI sizing for SVG Files in Cricut Design Space
If sizing of your project is important, then the SVG file needs to be exported with a DPI of 72 for it to import into Cricut Design Space at the correct size. This is the standard DPI exported by Adobe Illustrator, Pazzles InVue software, and Silhouette Studio Business Edition.
Sure Cuts A Lots has the option to export SVG for Cricut Design Space, which automatically exports at 72 DPI.
If you want your SVG export from Inkscape or Make The Cut to import at the correct size into Cricut Design Space, you will first need to Select All (Ctrl+A) in your software, and reduce the size by 80%. To do this in Make the Cut, lock the aspect ratio for the Height and Width fields at the top of the screen. Type in 80% in either the W or H field and press Enter. Now export SVG (Ctrl+Shift+S) and import SVG into Cricut Design Space. It will import at the correct size.
Additional Tips
For tips on how to cut and fold popup cards, see this blog post.
To learn more about importing and using cutting files for a popup card in Cricut Design Space, see this blog post.
Learn how to prepare cutting files with intricate detail for use with Scan N Cut
The built in software on Scan N Cut machines is limited in the number of shapes or layers that it can use. It may not recognize all of the tiny details, and tell you that the file cannot be used. Brother Canvas Workspace software, a free software download, may also give you a message that tiny details may be lost when a design with intricate detail is imported. As a side note, my CM350 would not load some detailed files, while the newer SDX225 loaded it fine.
Avoid overloading Scan N Cut memory by using the same suggestions listed above for making compound paths in your design software, before trying to import into Brother Canvas Workspace or before trying to import your cutting file designs directly into the machine. By making compound paths in your design, you should have much less difficulty getting your Scan N Cut machine to handle your designs with intricate detail.
Page Size Limitations for Scan N Cut Machines
When creating cutting files for use with Scan N Cut, it is very important that all design details fit on a single canvas, either 11.5″ wide and 11.5″ long, or 11.5″ wide by 23″ long. Any design pieces outside of this workspace will cause the design to be automatically resized to fit the workspace. All design pieces in the cutting file will be reduced in size so that all of them fit within the cutting boundaries of the virtual mat.
While many cutter software programs allow designers to move pieces off of the virtual mat so that all of the pieces of a huge project are in the same file, this practice will be problematic for Scan N Cut users.
Larger designs need to be broken up into several separate files. Select all design pieces that will fit on one virtual mat, and export as SVG as a page, such as PopupCardPage1. Then select the next set of pieces and export with the same file name, but with Page2, such as PopupCardPage2. Then you can place all of the necessary files for a single project together in a single folder on your computer.
DPI sizing for SVG Cutting Files for Scan N Cut
If sizing is extremely important for your designs, make sure your SVG files are exported with a DPI of 96 for use with Scan N Cut. If the DPI is set to the Illustrator standard of 72 DPI, then the design pieces imported into either Canvas Workspace or directly to the Scan N Cut machine will be too small.
Inkscape SVG exports are automatically sized to 96 DPI. SVG cutting files exported from Make The Cut follow Inkscape parameters, so those files import into Canvas Workspace and Scan N Cut at the correct sizes.
Sure Cuts A Lot has an option to save your designs in the native FCM format for use with Scan N Cut. FCM export is better for use with Scan N Cut. The DPI sizing will automatically be correct, and FCM files will often load more quickly and efficiently to the Scan N Cut.
Converting Files from SVG to FCM
Using Brother Canvas Workspace, import your prepared SVG file by going to the File menu in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Import.
Now you need to assign the score lines layer to draw instead of cut. To do that, click on the Layers icon, third icon down on the toolbar on the right side of the screen in Canvas Workspace. To do that, click on the blade icon on a layer that appears to be black, You will have a cut or draw option. Select Draw for those layers which you want to score rather than cut.
Your Layers panel should now show a pen icon on each layer that you want to score rather then cut, and a blade icon on each layer that you wish to cut.
Now, you can go to the File menu, and select the option to Export FCM file. You may get a Warning: “Tiny objects are automatically removed when converting to FCM because it is too small to cut.” Ignore this warning if you have prepared your SVG file with compound paths. Click on OK. You will not lose Intricate or tiny details in your cutting file, if you have properly optimized it in your design software.
A window will open, allowing you to type in a File name and to select a location where you would like to save the FCM file. Click on the Save Button.
You can now share this FCM file, or add it to a thumb drive you plug into the USB port on your Scan N Cut. Then you can load the file from the USB thumb drive to your Scan N Cut.
Sending your prepared file to the Scan N Cut Wirelessly
You do not have to export your design in FCM format if your Scan N Cut has wireless capability. All SDX models have wireless capability. Older Scan N Cut models may require the purchase of a wireless card in order to send files wirelessly from Canvas workspace directly to the machine. To send wirelessly, go to the File menu at the upper left corner of your screen and select Transfer FCM via Internet. You will get a message indicating the the file is ready to use on your Registered Machine.
Turn on your machine, place your media on the mat, and load the mat. Select the option to Retrieve Data either from USB thumb drive, Machine, internet wifi or USB cable.
After you load thedesing into your machine, edit the design. Next, select the portion of the file you plan to cut this pass. Indicate whether you will be drawing or cutting. You may use an embossing tool in the universal pen holder. Or you may use the Brother embossing tool for your score lines. Select Draw for the score line portion of the design. Then select Cut to cut the cutting lines.
Assemble Your Popup Card
When you have finished cutting and scoring the popup card, you repeat the process to select the card backing. Then cut and score it. Fold it and assemble it.
Additional Tips for using SVG files with Scan N Cut
See this blog post for more tips for using SVG files with Scan N Cut. See also this blog post for more help with folding popup cards.
Make a Valentine Popup Card
Cut and assemble this card. Create and use a topper, sentiment, or image of your choice on the front of the card. I would love to see a picture of your creation! You can send me a picture in the CutterCrafter Facebook book, so others can see it. If you have any further questions, please let me know! If you enjoyed this post, please share on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Be sure to follow my blog for more great tutorials and free cutting projects!
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
Best Paper for Cutting
What is the Best Paper for cutting with your electronic cutter? The answer to this question depends on what you want to do with the cut paper. Are you wanting to cut very intricate designs? Are you wanting to make popup cards? Do you want to print on the paper before or after cutting? Are you cutting very thin paper or very thick paper? Do you need to emboss your paper? There are many factors to consider in your paper choices.
Best Paper for Cutting
There is some excellent general information about paper called The Ultimate Guide to Card Stock posted here. And there is excellent information about paper weights here.
No matter which paper you choose to cut, you must do test cuts. Test cuts help you determine the optimal settings on your machine. See this document for test cut suggestions.
Note: Some affiliate links may be used in this post. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will share some commission. Thanks!
Machine Choice
Not every machine can cut every different type of paper well. For example the Cricut Maker can cut Tissue Paper, Construction Paper and Crepe Paper very well using its rotary cutting wheel.
Rotary Blade Kit for Cricut Maker
But other electronic machines may require special stiffening to be cut these thin papers. And most machines will not cut these very thin and very fragile papers at all.
Silhouette machines, such as the Silhouette Cameo can cut lightweight cardstock and text weight papers very well. But these machines are not rated to cut heavier cardstock or heavier media.
Is the Best Paper Made of Hardwood or Softwood?
Every paper mill has its own formula for creating paper. All use hardwood and softwood to make their papers. But the proportions of hard to soft woods used in the papermaking process varies. When you find paper that works extremely well for the projects you like to make, take note of the mill that produces that paper. You might want to consider purchasing your favorite papers in quantities. When you get some papers that do not cut well for the projects you like to make, avoid purchasing papers from the mills that produce them.
For example, I purchase inexpensive paper made by Georgia Pacific for test cutting new designs if they are not too intricate. But when making final project cuts and intricate designs, I prefer to use papers by Neenah or Colormates from Worldwin. These papers seem to be crispier, and cut without shredding. Even very intricate designs cut very cleanly on these papers. Crispy papers have a higher hardwood content that make them cut better on electronic cutting machines.
However, stiff and crispy papers may crack under pressure when using Die Cutter/Embossing machines. In this case, it is important to test small samples for embossing, before you purchase in bulk. You may find that paper that cuts best on the electronic cutter, is not the best paper for using in a pressure embossing machine.
The Best Paper for Light Weight Projects
Tissue Paper
When you want to emboss many, many layers of tissue paper, embossing folders used with Die Cutter/Embossing machines work great. However, tissue paper may rip and tear under a cutting blade in a cutting machine. For this reason, a rotary blade, such as that available for use on the Cricut Maker works best. You can cut some amazing flower petals from tissue paper using the Cricut Maker and rotary blade.
Cricut Maker
Use a light tack mat, or the project may tear when you remove it from the mat. Do not attempt to cut any shape smaller than 3/4″ using the rotary blade. Cut larger simple shapes from tissue paper for best results.
If you are needing straight cuts, a hand-held rotary tool may work for cutting multiple layers at a time. Then you can use scissors to make any necessary curved cuts.
Crepe Paper
Crepe paper comes in a wide variety a weights and attributes. When making crepe paper flowers, getting a quality crepe paper that stretches nicely is important. Crepe paper comes in many weights. You may be able to cut heavy crepe paper, ironed between two layers of freezer paper with a regular blade on your electronic cutter. But I have found that if I want to cut crepe paper on a cutter, Cricut Maker using the Rotary blade is the only machine that will do it well without tearing. Again, do not plan to cut any shapes smaller than 3/4″.
Crepe paper rolls for decorating may not be your best choice for cutting. This type of crepe paper is very thin, and stretches very little.
Construction Paper
Construction paper is very inexpensive. But it is also tears very easily. Its fibers are very loose. Cutting blades rip and tear in the cutting process unless using a rotary cutting blade. Use the rotary blade on the Cricut Maker for simple cuts on construction paper. Otherwise, scissors may cut the best. Construction paper is not always the Best Paper option for use with cutters.
Vellum
Translucent vellum used for crafting is generally a thin, but crispy paper that cuts well with a blade on electronic cutters. It comes in a text weight or as cardstock. The text weight paper is very fragile, so should be handled carefully. Translucent vellum cardstock works extremely well with line embossing on electronic cutters. And it cuts very well, too, without using a special backing or freezer paper.
You can create some lovely parchment type crafts using vellum, an embossing tool, piercing tool and cutting blade on your electronic cutter. If your machine does not have piercing and embossing tools available, it is possible to use hand embossing or piercing tools in a pen holder. The tip of a blade can produce a pierced effect if you don’t have a piercing tool.
Pierced, embossed, and cut Vellum popup butterfly
Scrapbook Paper
Decorative scrapbook papers are fun to use on cards and scrapbook layouts. Most cutters can cut scrapbook paper without a problem. But some scrapbook papers cut better than others. Some scrapbook papers made of layers may split, bunch or tear when cut. If you have papers that give you problems, avoid tiny cuts. Use them for cutting larger shapes. Cutting small welded text with sharp angles can result in lots of tearing. It is better to use nice crispy paper without a white core for intricate cuts and tiny text. If you find a brand that cuts well, stick with that brand for cutting with your machine.
Text Weight Paper
Paper that feeds into printers is usually text weight. 20# text is very light weight printer paper. 24# paper is better than 20# for double sided printing. 37# text weight paper is very nice for print and cut projects that do not need to be stiff. You can use shimmer papers for making lovely 3D flowers. This paper is described as 18 GSM (32/80lb Text) , The key word is “text” – this is NOT cardstock. It feels like quality letterhead paper. It has a smooth, Satiny Metallic finish.
Text Weight Papers can also be sold in heavier weights. Even up to weights that are nearly equivalent to medium weight cardstock. Be sure to read the weight specifications. Is it Text Weight or cover stock? Even more importantly, try some test cuts. Does it cut well for your purposes? If you need to print on it, will it feed through your printer smoothly? It is recommended for use in printers? Heavy cardstock may not work well for cutting around printed images.
Be sure to use a light tack mat when cutting light weight papers. Light weight papers may not come off of a brand new, very sticky mat. At least you should condition a new mat, and do test cuts on heavier paper on a new mat before using it with lightweight paper.
Best Paper for Cardstock Projects
Cardstock is available in weights from medium weight 65# up to very heavy weight 110#. 70#, 80#, 90#, 100# and 105# are also common cardstock weights. You may want to have a variety of weights on hand for different projects.
Medium Weight Cardstock
65# cardstock is the most common medium weight cardstock. It can be used for cards, scrapbook photo mats, stamping embellishments, home decor, gifts and other crafting projects. Some medium weight cardstock cuts well, and others do not cut well on electronic cutters. If you have some medium weight cardstock that does not cut well on your electronic cutter, try using it for embossing on cards and embellishments. It may also be used for making simple shapes or photo mats.
It is easy to assume that your cutter is broken when nothing will cut right. However, “mushy” paper is the culprit for bad cuts more often than not for me. Also, be sure to check the cutter maintenance tips to rule out other causes of poor cuts.
Cuts before and after cutter maintenance
Heavy Cardstock
Any cardstock above 80# is considered to be heavy weight. 100# cardstock is great for coloring, molding, and shaping for 3D flowers. You will love 110# cardstock for creating heavy duty boxes and 3D paper projects. 100# cardstock is great for making popup cards. You will like using 80#-90# cardstock for making cards, intricate frames, borders, corners, etc . If you prefer cutting heavy cardstock, stay away from the cutters that are limited to cutting medium weight cardstock.
Some heavy cardstocks have polyester fibers in them, which make them strong. But these polyester fibers make them much more difficult to cut cleanly, especially on intricate designs. The polyester fibers also are very hard on blades, dulling them quickly. These textured papers make very nice cards and photo mats. However, they may not be the Best Paper for cutting with your electronic cutter.
Watercolor Paper
Watercolor paper can have different weights and densities. These papers are great for watercolor projects. Cutting watercolor paper into simple shapes may not be problematic. But it might be best to cut only simple, basic shapes from it. Because watercolor paper is not crispy, it may tend to bunch and shred by the blade. You may be able to cut shapes around your watercolor designs if you are careful.
Matboard
Professional quality photo mats are made from 4-ply matboard . Matboard is very stiff, and very difficult for most electronic craft cutters to handle. Some of the cutters that can cut with up to 1000 grams or more of pressure can cut 2-ply matboard up to 2mm thick. The cutting blade must also be able to handle the thickness of the Matboard. Some cutters, such as Scan N Cut, have the pressure rating for cutting heavier materials. But they are limited in the thickness that they can handle. Scan N Cut 2 is rated to cut media no thicker than 1.5mm. Read more about cutting matboard with the Knife Blade on the Cricut Maker here. Pazzles Vue can cut 2 ply matboard up to 2mm thick.
Scan N Cut 2 cuts media only up to 1.5mm thick. The Scan N Cut DX to be released in the Fall of 2018 is boasting a 3mm thickness cutting option. Cricut Maker cuts media up to 2.5mm thick, but would require the optional Knife blade to access the pressure needed for cutting thicker media. Pazzles Vue cuts media up to 2mm thick. Some of the KNK machines will cut Matboard, as does the Silver Bullet line of cutters. Be sure to check your cutter specifications before investing in Matboard to cut.
Chipboard
Chipboard comes in many thicknesses and densities. Some chipboard is made of multiple layers. Some is coated on a single side, while others have a coating on both sides. Most cutters can handle cutting cereal boxes, which is flexible chipboard. Some chipboard is not flexible. That type is most difficult to cut. Some chipboard shreds during multiple cutting passes. There is chipboard available that cuts well without shredding. Here is an excellent article about chipboard. Cricut sells 11″x11″ chipboard made specifically for use with the Cricut Maker. Silhouette sells a chipboard colored cardstock, as regular chipboard cannot be cut on Silhouette machines.
I prefer cutting chipboard that will cut in a single pass. This is because the density of chipboard can cause a cutter to skip steps. If this happens, successive passes would not be in exactly the same location as previous passes. This results in shredding of the chipboard and very poor cuts. If multiple passes are necessary, it is best to start with lower blade extension and cutting pressure, then increase these settings for the next passes. This reduces the possibility of missed cutting steps. If you need thicker chipboard pieces, you might want to try cutting several pieces of .022″ chipboard, and gluing them together to make your project. Do not plan to cut intricate designs from chipboard.
Cricut Maker users may cut chipboard up to 2mm thick with the optional knife blade. The interesting thing about using the chipboard setting in Cricut Design Space, is that chipboard and other thicker, denser materials do not use a cutting pressure any more than 750 grams. The secret to success for this machine is the slow cutting, and many, many passes. The blade needs to have sufficient cutting surface to cut completely through the thickness of the chipboard.
Best Paper Brands for Cutting
I have been using electronic cutting machines since 2004. The brand of paper that I have had consistently excellent cutting results with is Worldwin Papers, I have used most of their papers varying from very light weight to very heavy weight, and all of them cut with excellence on my cutters. Their textured 65# Cutmates line is guaranteed to cut well on any electronic cutter. The selection of colors in the smooth 65# Colormates makes it to be much in demand among cutter users. My personal favorite smooth paper by Worldwin is the 90# Colormates Smooth and Silky. Their colormates line of heavy textured cardstock is also wonderful to cut. I love their metallics as well.
If you cannot find the Worldwin papers you need at Amazon, you can purchase your favorites from The Paper Mill Store.
When I need low cost paper options that I can get quickly locally from Michaels, I purchase Recollections cardstock . Their 65# cardstock generally cuts well, as does their very heavy 110# cardstock.
Paper Brands to Avoid
I avoid papers from Joann. Their Core dinations brand does not always cut well. I save this paper for purposes other than cutting on my electronic cutters. Paper sold at Walmart is inconsistent for cutting purposes. One color in a package may cut OK, while then next color will not cut well at all. These may work for simple shapes, but I stay away from their papers when cutting intricate projects.
Best Paper Hints and Tips
Humidity
Nice paper for cutting may not cut nicely if it has been exposed to humidity. Pressure and blade settings may change with the environment. What cut well this morning may not cut so well at the same settings in the afternoon when the air conditioning is running. Always do test cuts when environmental changes occur.
Storage
Store your paper in Zip lock bags after you have opened its original packaging. Two-gallon zipper bags fit 12″x 12″ papers well for storage. Storing them this way will prevent the papers from collecting excess moisture that can hinder cutting quality. Moist papers get “Mushy” and may tear and bunch during cutting.
Emboss the Cut
If you have some paper that is not cutting well, try using an embossing tool or scoring tool in the machine over all of the cut lines a couple of times at very high pressure. Then cut as you normally would. The embossing tool compresses the paper along the cutting lines so that you can get much better cuts.
Drying with Heat
Some have mentioned drying paper that has soaked up moisture in the oven. If you attempt this trick, be sure to keep an eye on the paper, so that it does start burning. Using a low temperature in a dehydrator for a longer period of time might be safer. Check on the paper at regular intervals. Some prefer to dry out paper using an iron.
Chipboard
After removing chipboard from its packaging, it gets thicker overnight. New chipboard straight from the packaging requires different settings than would be required if the paper sits out overnight. Cricut recommends letting its chipboard sit out of the package for a day before cutting for best results. Chipboard is very absorbent, and sensitive to environmental conditions.
Be sure to use a high tack mat and possibly tape the edges of chipboard and other heavy media to the mat to keep it from moving around during cutting .
Best Paper Cutting Settings
Because paper is very environmentally sensitive, the same paper may require very different settings. Those who live in very dry climates will need to use less cutting pressure than those who live in humid environments. For this reason, performing your own test cuts is extremely important. Don’t rely on a published list of settings or presets. Sometimes different colors of paper in the same package can require different settings. What cut well yesterday at certain settings may require different settings today. Be sure to do test cuts at the beginning of each cutting session, and any time you make color changes or environment changes.
Best Paper Conclusion
If you are faithful to do test cuts, you will be more successful cutting any papers you have in your collection. Be sure to keep lots of inexpensive paper that cuts well, on hand for doing project test cuts. Save your expensive paper for the final versions. This will save you lots of frustration.
The paper that is best for you depends on what you like to cut most, and what machine you have. Special tools available for use with your cutter can also make a difference in how they cut.
Here is FREE cutting project that you can use to check how well your paper cuts with each of the tree layers. The hearts layer provides some intricate cutting, while the white layer provides a simple shape to cut. The Brown layer has some intricate inner detail. You can use this project on a card or scrapbook layout.
Best Paper for Cutting
Love Football Border
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter Review
Pazzles Inspiration Vue may be the electronic cutter you need. It ranks among the top electronic cutters. The Vue is a powerful, but simple to use machine. You can cut many different types of materials with it. And with optional accessories, you can also use the Pazzles Inspiration Vue to cut, draw, engrave, emboss, pierce, and distress many media types. The Pazzles Inspiration Vue is the choice of beginner and well as professional crafters. This article reviews the features of this amazing machine to help you decide if this is a good choice for your crafting needs.
Note: I may have used some affiliate links in this review. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, and the tiny commission that I get contributes towards the costs for maintaining my blog. Thanks for your support!
What Do You Want to Cut?
Cutting Vinyl with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
The Pazzles Inspiration Vue cuts vinyl of all types, whether the vinyl is repositionable wall vinyl, permanent outdoor vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, vinyl window cling, Stencil Vinyl, Glitter or Flocked vinyl or other types. It is recommended that you cut your vinyl on either the 12″ mat or the 24″ mat. Reserving a standard cutting blade for cutting vinyl ensures that you will always get smooth cuts with for your vinyl projects.
Split Regal Monogram on a Ceramic Tile
You can make wonderful gift items such as the customized tile above using your Pazzles Inspiration Vue electronic cutter. The design for the shirt below was a special request from my husband. The Pazzles InVue software that ships with the machine, allowed me to create the cutting design from an actual photo of my husband fishing.
Glittered Heat Transfer Vinly project
Cutting Heavy Cardstock with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Entry level cutters do not have sufficient cutting pressure to allow users to cut heavy media. The Pazzles Inspiration Vue boasts of up to 1000 grams of down pressure, making it rank among the top home crafting cutters. It can cut media that is up to 2mm thick. So it can cut even tough chipboard. If you love to cut 3D projects from heavier media, you will need a more powerful machine. This machine boasts of three times the cutting pressure of the legacy Cricut machines as well as the Cricut Explore models. And it has about 4 times the cutting pressure of Silhouette and Craft Robo machines. The print and cut embellishments used on this card were all created using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue and its InVue software.
Fall pop-up Card
3D boxes such as the Trailer Gift Box below are much more stable when cut from heavy cardstock.
3D cutting projects
Here is another project that required heavy cardstock. If you love making sturdy 3D projects, you will be happy if you have a cutter that can handle cutting the required heavy media.
Flower Mailbox
Projects like this Snow Globe Box Card last a lot longer on display when its pieces are cut from heavier cardstock. Pazzles Inspiration Vue cuts these so efficiently! The intricate snowflake detail cut beautifully on this machine.
Snow Globe Box Card
Engraving Metal with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can use Pazzles optional Diamond Tip engraving tool to engrave on metal. I recently engraved on a dog tag for our puppy. The tallest letter was .057″ and the smallest letter was .06″ tall. The entire tag was only 1.5″ wide. I was able to fit four rows of text on the back of the tag with our puppy’s name, address and phone number. Here is the front of the tag. (I blurred the phone number.) You can cut thin aluminum metal with the blade.
Engraving On Metal
Cutting and Piercing Delicate Designs in Vellum with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can also cut very fine and delicate media such as vellum. I used Pazzles optional Piercing and Embossing tools on vellum to create this popup butterfly anniversary card.
Pierced, embossed, and cut Vellum popup butterfly
Cutting Fabric with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Cutting fabric with this machine is great. I was amazed at how nicely my Vue cut the doily and the flowers out of fabric for this Easter Bonnet. It is good to reserve a blade dedicated to cutting fabric, since paper can dull blades quite quickly.
Fabric Doily Easter Bonnet with Fabric flowers
Cutting Wood with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Yes! This machine cuts thin balsa wood or basswood up to 2mm thick. Here is a Captain’s Wheel design that I cut. Covering the back of the piece of wood with blue painter’s tape before cutting keeps the thin wood from splitting during the cut and while lifting from a very sticky mat.
Captain’s Wheel cut from thin wood, with pen writing.
Making 3D Flowers with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
If you love making 3D paper flowers as I do, you will be happy to know that this machine cuts lots of different types of paper petals for making beautiful flowers. This bouquet includes some vellum flowers, some made from printed scrapbook paper, some from medium weight cardstock, and some from heavy cardstock.
Musical Paper Flowers
Cutting Rubber Stamps
You can create your own custom rubber stamp designs using the Pazzles InVue software that ships with the Pazzles inspiration Vue. Then you can cut the rubber using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue. I had an idea for a musical stamp, so I created the design, and let my Pazzles Inspiration Vue machine cut it out for me.
Homemade rubber stamp design.
Cutting Clay, Fondant, Gum Paste and Frosting Papers using the Pazzles Inspiration Vue
You can use Pazzles optional Cake Accessories Kit for cutting clay, fondant, gum paste, and frosting papers. Here is a project I made using thinly rolled Sculpey clay.
Clay Cornucopia Fall Decor
Cutting Scrapbook Page Overlays
Scrapbook pages are fun to make using the Pazzles InVue software and cutting with Pazzles Inspiration Vue. This machine will cut a full 12″ wide border or scrapbook page. It is not limited to an 11.5″ cutting width as some cutters are. Here is a scrapbook calendar page that I created. Notice the detail of the embellishments.
December Calendar page with fancy embellishments and 3D snowflake flower.
Rhinestone Templates
Designing templates for use with rhinestone designs can be done using the Pazzles InVue software that ships with the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter. You can turn any design or test into a rhinestone template design. Then you can cut your template out of rubber designed for cutting rhinestone templates using your Vue. Here is my first rhinestone project.
Cutting Around Printed Images
Before I received my Pazzles Inspiration Vue, I was never happy with the cutting around printed images with my other machines. You will love how the Pazzles Inspiration Vue automatically finds the registration marks, and cuts perfectly around printed images that are up to 8.5″ wide. This project would have been extremely difficult to cut and assemble if I had cut each tiny element separately. Instead, I chose a number of appropriate designs from the generous Image library available in the Pazzles Craft Room, and printed the shapes. Then I had my Vue cut around the printed images. It did a great job!
Teacher’s Cascade Card with print and cut Embellishments
You can see more of my Pazzles creations here .
What is your Cutting Skill Level?
If you are a novice cutter user, you will appreciate how easy the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter is to learn to use. With the great support offered by Pazzles to its customers through the Pazzles Craft Room, you can learn to start using your Vue to make amazing projects right away. The Pazzles Craft Room has hundreds of projects like the above, ready for you to download, cut, and assemble. The downloaded projects are yours to keep, even after your membership expires. And their Angel policy allows you to use the designs commercially. You can get almost all of the above projects for free as a member of the Pazzles Craft Room.
Ease of Use
The click style blade holder in the Pazzles Inspiration Vue makes setting blade depths easy. The software tells you where to set the blade for the media type that you have selected to cut. The blade holder and blade are the same ones that the Deep Cut blade holder and blades that legacy Cricut machines used. The blades are easy to insert and remove.
The machine automatically loads your mat. The optical reader sets the starting point at the same place every time. The optical reader also makes cutting around printed images so much easier!
More Advanced Users
You will love the flexibility you have in using the Pazzles InVue software. It has all of the basic functions with which you are familiar from other cutting software. But it also has lots of advanced design and editing functions. Some of these advanced features are not available even in the most expensive professional design software programs. Pazzles developed their InVue software with all the advanced design features that its staff and professional users were familiar with, and used to using.
The amazing thing about this software is that it is provided for FREE with the purchase the the Pazzles Inspiration Vue. And it is available for a VERY low price for those who wish to purchase it separately and use as third party software with other cutters. This software, combined with the advanced cutting technology in the machines, means that you most likely will not outgrow its functioning for your crafting purposes.
What is your Price Point?
Some people like to start their cutting adventure with a very inexpensive machine. Then they start saving their money, and plan to purchase a better machine when they outgrow the features of that machine. Others prefer to get the best machine they can get, so that they won’t be outgrowing its features any time soon. Pazzles Inspiration Vue is one of those machines that meets your growing cutting needs, without a need to upgrade to bigger and better machines later on.
Purchase options
There are several shopping options, making your purchase of the Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter affordable. You can check out those options here. If you wish to purchase the machine outright, you will get the best price by first joining the Pazzles Craft Room for one month. While a member, you will receive a 15% discount on all Pazzles purchases. So you can get a 15% discount on your machine, and all the optional accessories you need. I save on shipping by purchasing all that I think I might need for a year. I like to keep three good mats and three extra blades on hand at all times.
With your outright purchase, you will receive several months of free membership in the Pazzles Craft Room. Be sure to take advantage of that time to view all of the training videos in the video library. These will help you get a great start in using your new machine. Also, be sure to download all of the cutting files and projects that you can get while you are a member. You can download up to 400 files per month, if you are diligent to download 40 files every 70 hours. These are yours to keep. While you are a Pazzles Craft Room Member, all downloads are FREE!
If you find that you love all the new projects that are regularly posted, you may decide that you want to maintain your Pazzles Craft Room membership. I really like all of the wonderful projects that they offer so much that I decided to keep my membership going. The best price for me turned out to be purchasing a machine for $99 with a two year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room. Another similar option is to purchase a machine for $199 with a one year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room.
System Requirements
Pazzles Inspiration Vue works on both Windows 7, 8, and 10, and on Mac: OS X 10.9.X & 10.10.X.. It needs a USB2 connection directly to your computer. The InVue software also works on these machines. You will need software to cut to the Vue. You can use Pazzles InVue software or you may use Sure Cuts A Lot. If you have Pazzles Inspiration Studio Pro 1014, you can use it to cut to the Vue. However, that software is no longer available for sale.
You do Not need high speed internet in order to use your Pazzles Inspiration Vue. Connect to the Internet to update your firmware and software one time after receiving your Vue. You can disconnect your Vue from your computer after making a cut. Then you can repeat that exact same cut with the same settings as many times as you like by pressing the Repeat button on the machine. When you need to make a lot of the same project, this is a real handy feature to have.
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Specifications
This cutter ships with the machine, USB cable, power cord, and converter box, blade, blade holder, and a print and cut mat. The machine will cut up to 1000 grams of pressure using settings of 1-50. You have 5 speeds from which to choose. The click blade holder has 11 different blade depth settings. Maximum cutting width is 12″. Cutting length is 12″ with the standard mat, and 24″ with the 24″ mat. The machine weighs 11.2 pounds, is 22″ wide x 6.5″ tall x 11″ deep. Its roller bar has two permanent pressure rollers, and four more rollers that are removable when cutting thicker media.
There is an accessory tray on top of the machine as well as three slots for additional tools. A support tray for the mat is built in to the front of the machine. You slide it out when using the machine. Then push it in when done.
Pazzles InVue Software Overvue
Pazzles InVue Software
The InVue software ships without additional cost to you with your purchase of the machine. It has many outstanding features. For that reason, we will touch only on the highlights. The software has special features not only for cutting, but also for drawing, piercing, embossing, engraving, distressing, and converting to rhinestone designs. My favorite tools are the replace with a line, and replace with an arc.
The software will import and export SVG files. It will also import and export WPC files. The image gallery connects to your online account with Pazzles. This allows you to download all new files easily. The software automatically stores these downloaded files in the correct topical file folders on your computer. Downloading files from the online library requires an Internet connection. But once they are saved to your computer, no internet connection is necessary for using them.
Software Pros
There are a variety of welding options in the software. One that is unusual to see is the WYSIWYG weld function. This allows you to arrange design pieces as you wish to see them. Then you use WYSIWYG Weld to get rid of all overlapping lines instantly. It has a nice inline/outline feature. It also has a nice Duplicate feature that lets you fill your page with the selected images.
The software will also convert images to cutting lines. There is a nice Fit text to path feature, which allows you to select any path for the text to follow. I love the Vertical/Horizontal tool, and the corner rounder features as well.
Text
The software will access any fonts installed in your computer’s system fonts folder. It will also access single stroke fonts that you have installed. The software has a very nice text preview window. This allows you to type in text and preview how it looks with any of your installed fonts. I love being able to see the text in different fonts in a large size before I select one. Once you have added your text to the layout, you have many options for spacing and kerning. Thickening fonts is easy in this software. Creating mats for text is also easy. So you can make some lovely word art quickly and easily with this software.
Software Cons
Features that I miss in the Pazzles InVue software are freehand draw, fit object to path, and blackout shape. I miss the scissors cuts we had in Inspiration Studio Pro 2010, and the Create a Font option. This software is missing the word envelopes, simplify paths, and smooth small angle tools.
I go back to Make The Cut to use its better tracing options, its Conical Warp, and Texture Snapshot features. The MTC measuring tool and Lattice functions are some tools that I miss as well. Thin paths, Fuse and Weld and the Tiler functions are also features that I still go back to Make The Cut to use.
I go to Sure Cuts A Lot to make instant Knockout Text. We can do this using InVue software, but it takes a few more steps. Viewing and using alternate glyphs in the private use area of fonts is another feature of Sure Cuts A Lot that I use on occasion. I go to CorelDraw to use the envelope for fitting text to a shape and for creating True Type fonts. CorelDraw and Illustrator have useful batch conversion utilities that come in handy from time to time. Sure Cuts A Lot does a batch convert for Brother FCM files. Pazzles InVue software does not have any batch conversion features.
The nice thing about the Pazzles InVue software is that even if you go to other software to use certain features, you simply export the files as SVG, import into InVue, and you are ready to cut. You get the best of all of the software choices this way.
Conclusion
Now you have an idea of some of the great things that the Pazzles Inspiration Vue can do for you. You need to figure out what your specific needs are. I have 14 different cutters in my collection. Each one has its own special purpose. I select the one that will work the best for the project on which I am working . You need to determine if the Pazzles Inspiration Vue or another machine meets those needs better. Study your options. What do you like to do the most? Get the best machine that you are able to afford that will work the best for your purposes. So the most important thing is for you to use what you have until you can get something better. You won’t really know exactly what you need until you start using what you have!
Free Thankful For You Tag SVG Cutting File
I have created a new cutting file for you using my Pazzles InVue Software, and I cut it on my Pazzles Inspiration Vue cutter. But you can use the FREE SVG cutting file with your own software and cutter. You can get the FREE Thankful For You Tag SVG cutting file in my FREE Resource Library. See the link at the bottom of the page.
Thankful For You Tag
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
Baby Crib Popup Card FREE SVG
A Baby Crib Popup Card FREE SVG file is available for download now in the free Resource Library.
Do you need a nice card for a baby shower or gift? This lovely card is decorated for a girl, but it could just as easily be decorated suitably for a baby boy. The card folds flat for delivery. When it is opened, the crib pops out. There is plenty of room inside for you to write a message and sign the card. You can put a gift card inside as well. The card measures 5.25″ wide by 7″ tall. You can resize the card according to your needs.
Baby Crib Popup Card
Supplies Needed for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Please note: Some supplies may include my affiliate links. I am an affiliate only for products that I use. Your purchase from my links will not cost you any more, but they will help support my blog. Thanks!
Free SVG file for Baby Crib Popup Card
Recollections 110# cardstock for popup card backing
81# text weight Stardream Quartz metallic paper for small Magnolia Flower
81lb Text Green Metallics paper for card mats and Pink Metallics paper for the front sentiment and the crib skirting.
80# white cardstock for Crib
12″ 1/8″ wide white satin ribbon
80lb Text Botanic Green Curious Metallics paper for Small Magnolia Flower leaves.
Small dogwood Flowers – Free SVG cutting files from CutterCrafter.com
Assembly Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Cutting Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card:
Cut out all pieces in your choice of colors. If you wish to resize the card, select all, and resize proportionally so that all pieces fit together well. When importing the SVG file into your cutting software, check the sizing, and resize as necessary. The outside card measures 10.625″ wide by 6.875″ tall. The crib pieces together measure 10.5999″ wide by 3.791″ tall. The sentiment pieces measure 4.973″ wide by 3.182″ tall. The crib skirting piece measures 10″ wide by 1.579″ tall.
The red lines are score lines, set to cut with tiny dashes. If you are importing the design into Cricut Design Space, ungroup all first. If you prefer to use a scoring tool rather cutting dashes, you can import the score line from Shapes, and place those over the dashes. You can then delete the dashes, or hide them on the Layers toolbar. Next, select each piece with its score lines, right click, and select Attach.
In case you need to change the sentiment, or add more cutting text, the font used was GE Curviture.
Folding Instructions for the Baby Crib Popup Card
Make valley folds for the score lines on the outer and inner cards. Make mountain folds on the white crib pieces and the skirting piece. Crease the scored lines using a bone folder or other folding tool.
Shaping and Assembling the Magnolia Flower
See the instructions for shaping and assembling the small Magnolia flower included in the Tips for Cutting Basswood on the Cricut Maker blog post. Scroll down to the paragraph on Decorate Your Cut Basswood Tree. The cutting design for the flower is available in the Free Resource Library.
Glue Crib Pieces
There is a tab on one end of each of the crib piece. Glue the end without the tab over the tabbed end of the other piece. When dry, glue the plain end of the crib over the tabbed end. This will form a 3D box. Press the box flat from side to side to make sure it folds and unfolds easily. The skirting, the piece with the scalloped edge, is next. Glue the plain end over the tabbed end. Place the skirting inside of the crib piece so that the scalloped edge show below the crib rails. The straight edge of the skirting is visible through the crib rails. Glue the skirting at each of the corners formed by the legs. Also, put a dab of glue in a few other places along the bottom crib rail to hold the skirt in position.
Putting the Baby Crib Popup Card Together
Glue the inside mat piece to the inside of the card. Be sure to line up the score lines. Make sure that the card opens and closes easily. Glue the sentiment for the front of the card on to its mat. Glue the mat to the front of the card. Put glue on the back side of the crib. Line up the feet of the crib just inside the bottom of the card. Glue the back side of the crib, with the back left corner snugly in the center fold of the card. Add glue to the left end of the crib piece. Next, close the card, and hold firmly in place. When dry, check to make sure the card opens and closes properly.
Decorate the front of the Card
Add pearl stickers to the ribbon strips. Now glue the ribbon to the top and bottom of the front of the card. Fold three of the butterflies that were cut out of the inner mat piece, and glue just their centers over the butterfly shapes connecting the sentiment on the card front. Next, add a row of 4 pearl stickers to the center of each butterfly. Now, assemble a small magnolia flower, and glue it over the ribbon on the bottom front of the card.
Add Pearl Stickers to the butterflies on the Inside of the Baby Crib Popup card.
Place the pearl stickers across the centers of each of the cut out butterfly shapes on the inside card mat. If desired, use more butterflies with folded wings and pearl centers on the front side of the crib. Add any additional greeting on the inside. Now your card is ready to bless its recipient.
Baby Crib Popup Card
Get the FREE CUT FILES FOR the Baby Crib Popup Card and the Small Magnolia Flower
You can get the SVG cut files for the Baby Crib Popup Card and the Small Magnolia Flower as well as some of my other FREE SVG projects from my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
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