Prime Day 2021
Prime Day Best Deals for Crafters
Best Prime Day Deals for Crafters to Check Out on Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day 2021 for Crafters
Amazon Prime Day 2021 is Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22, starting at 12 A.M. Pacific 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 2021for Crafters
Machines
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter – See my review here.
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 If you are looking for the latest models, the best price right now may be directly from Cricut. However, 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.
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
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!
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. There is an excellent price on tools this year!
Lighted Magnifying Glass – great for callibration tests on cutters. I use mine almost every day!
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.
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
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 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! 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. Check to see if 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.
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 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.
Make A Subscription Box Tower
Make a Subscription Box Tower from the boxes that you receive each month. Are you running out of room to store your subscription boxes on your shelves? Have you run out of room to add more book cases to your crafting area? Are you re-organizing your supplies so that they take up less space, and wondering what to do with the empty boxes? If you answer to these questions is “Yes!”, then making a subscription box tower may be just the project for you!
Subscription Box Tower
You are not alone, if you have struggles with wondering what to do with your one-to-two year pile of monthly subscription boxes. Some have unpacked the boxes, and reorganized their contents into file folders or zipper envelopes. But then, what do you do with the empty boxes? I hate to throw away the lovely boxes that could be re-purposed to store reorganized supplies, or other crafting supplies.
Make A Subscription Box Tower
Supplies Needed to Make the Subscription Box Tower
Please 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!
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) Cricut Explore or Maker or Cameo 4 or Scan N Cut with Deep Cut Blade will work.
class=”content-box-red”>Red Line Tape
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library</ class=”content-box-red”>9″ Square Subscription Boxes</ class=”content-box-red”>Free SVG cutting file from the FREE Resource Library
1/4 inch Satin Ribbon – about 7″ per box<
Double Sided Foam Tape
Jumbo Paper Clips – about 4 per box. Clips should be about 2 inches long.
Refolding Subscription Boxes to Make a Subscription Box Tower
I have a stack of 19 subscription boxes so far, from Crafter’s Companion. Instead of throwing my boxes away, I decided to refold my subscription boxes and make a subscription box tower. You can do the same by following these simple step-by-step instructions. There is no need to destroy the boxes if you simply refold them. Change them from top opening boxes to front opening boxes. This allows you to stack all of the boxes without having to unstack them to access their contents.
Get Started Refolding the Boxes
First, remove the box contents.
Remove Box Contents
Next, unfold the side flaps of the box. To do this you will need to lift up and out on the side flap to slip the tabs out of their slots.
Lift the Side Flap
Repeat with the other side flap.
Lift the other side flap.
Pull the front flap down.
Open the Front Flap
Now, fold the side flaps back down, inserting their tabs into their original slots.
Replace Side Flaps in their Slots
Prepare the front flap to fold to the Inside
Prepare the front flap to fold to the inside of the box. Use some strong double-sided tape to hold the side flaps down. Then fold the front flap to the inside of the box.
Fold the front flap to the Inside
Fold the front flap to the Inside of the box. Press down firmly on the front flap so that the tape adheres well to the bottom of the box.
Tuck in the Front Flap
The front flap can now tuck back inside of the box to close it. When you make a subscription box tower, you will now be able to open the front flap to remove its contents. You will not have to move the other boxes stacked on top of it to access its contents.
Make Drawers for the Boxes to Make a Subscription Box Tower
Cut the Drawers
You can make a drawer to hold the contents of your box. The drawer will make it easier for you to access the supplies you keep inside of it. Make a drawer for each of your subscription boxes using the free template included in the Free Resource Library. Once you make a subscription box tower with front closing panels, your supplies will be easier to access.
8.25″ Drawer Template Pieces
Pieces included in the Template to Make a Subscription Box Tower Drawer
The Template for the Drawer includes files in several formats. If you will be cutting your drawer pieces using an electronic cutter such as Cricut, Scan N Cut, Silhouette, Pazzles, or Klic N Kut, you will be able to use the included SVG file. On the other hand, if you will be hand cutting the pieces, you may use the PDF template. The drawer measures 8.25″ square by 2.75″ tall.
Each drawer has three side panels, one front panel, two bottom pieces, and two panels for reinforcing the front panel. The red lines in the template represent lines that are to be scored. Cut each side panel from a single sheet of heavy cardstock measuring 8.5″x11″. If you are using the PDF file, you will use that part of the template four times. Notice that the front panel has a slit in the center to allow you to thread a ribbon through it.
Also, there are two pieces for the drawer bottom. One is for the inside of the box, and the other is for the outside of the box. There are two panels with slits in them included to reinforce the front edge of the box. One piece goes on the inside, and one goes on the outside.
Using an Electronic Cutter to cut Drawer Pieces to Make a Subscription Box Tower
The cutting files for this project are zipped together. Download the zipped file to your computer. Double click on the file you downloaded and select Extract All to unzip it. Open your cutter software.
Instructions for use in Cricut Design Space
Cricut Design Space users will upload the SVG file and click on Save. Then select the uploaded file, and click on Insert. Next, right click, and select Ungroup. Now you need to assign the fold lines to score. There are two score lines for each of the four side pieces. Select one from the panel on the right side of the screen. At the top of the screen, change the line type from Cut to Score. The lines will now appear to be dashed on the screen to indicate that these are score lines. Finally, select the shape and score lines, right click, and select Attach. Do this for each of the four side pieces. Select a front panel and its center horizontal cut line. Then right click and Attach. Now do this for each of the front panels.
Instructions for use with other Cutter Software
Scan N Cut users should use the FCM files. Notice that there are three files. The file names indicate how many times each file should be cut for a single box drawer. Load one file at a time into Brother Canvas Workspace. Select the pair of fold lines in each piece, and assign it to be scored. Score them, then cut.
Silhouette Studio users can use the SVG files. Import them into the Designer or Business edition of Silhouette Design Studio.
The SVG files can be used by all other cutter software. Score the red lines, and cut the black lines.
Get the FREE SVG Cutting File for the Drawers for the Subscription Box Tower
To get the free SVG Cutting file for the Drawers for the Subscription Box Tower, go to the resource library and enter the password. I have included the password at the bottom of most of my newsletter emails. If you have subscribed, check your most recent email to find the password. If you have not yet subscribed, I hope you will, so that you can be informed as I add more new projects to the Free resource library! Once you are in the Free Resource library, right click on the file name of the project. Next, select Save Link As or Save Target As.
Now, save the file to your computer. Next you will need to unzip the file. To do that, double click on the file you saved to your computer to open it. Then, click on Extract All. Now, open your cutter software, and import the SVG file. Select the pieces you wish to cut. Load your paper onto the cutting mat. Do a test cut to find the best settings for you machine, and cut the pieces you need. Repeat with the pieces you want to cut from a different color paper.
Assemble the Drawers
Assembly Step 1
Make valley folds on the score lines. With the wide tab on the bottom right, place red line tape on the three edges of the upper flap. Turn this piece over, and apply red line tape to three edges of the wide tab.
Drawer Assembly Step 2
Also add a strip of red line tape along the long bottom edge of the side piece as shown above.
Drawer Assembly Step 3
Fold the wide flap along the score line towards the lower part of the box side to form a corner. Remove the tape liner. Now check to make sure the corner is perfectly square, and press down to secure the flap the side as shown above.
Drawer Assembly Step 4
Prepare all four sides of the box in the same manner as the first. Now you are ready to put the pieces together. Remove the liner from the tape on the end of the box. With the narrow flaps on top, overlap the straight edge of the next side over the corner piece and press together.
Drawer Assembly Step 5
Drawer Assembly Step 6
Remove the tape liner from the flaps before adding another side. Now you are ready to add another side in the same way.
Drawer Assembly Step 7
Adhere the final side of the drawer to complete the shape of a square box, pressing the corners firmly. Be sure to line the corner up squarely. Now remove all tape liner from bottom edge of the box. Square the corners, then press the bottom of the box over the flaps on the outside. Then turn the box over, and press from the inside.
Drawer Assembly Step 8
Now you can add the other bottom piece on the inside of the box.
Drawer Assembly Step 9
Remove the tape liners from the other side pieces. Fold these pieces to the inside and press firmly.
Finish the Front Panel
There are two additional panels for the front of the box. Glue one piece to the inside of the front, and glue the other to the outside of the box front. All front pieces have a slit. Cut a piece of ribbon about 7″ long, and fold it in half. Use a needle or pokie tool to push the folded edge of the ribbon from the inside of the box front to the outside. Then pull the ribbon through the slot about half way. Separate the inside flaps of the ribbon so that one piece goes up, and the other goes down. Tape or glue into place.
Ribbon for Subscription Box Tower Drawer
Drawer Assembly Step 9
Slide the drawer into the front opening of one of the refolded subscription boxes. The ribbon will help you pull the drawer back out. Now you will be able to slide the flaps of the box into their original slots to close it up.
Drawer for Subscription Box Tower
Add contents of your choice into the box, and close the side front panel.
Add Contents and Create Labels
Now, fill your drawers with whatever you want to store in them, then label the boxes. Then make an index for the box contents so you can find what you need. Also, if the boxes have important information on the sides or bottom that will be hidden once the boxes are stacked, take photos or scan the boxes. Print these on regular printer paper, and place inside the boxes or in a binder so that you can refer to them as needed.
Stack Your Boxes into a Tower
Your tower may be a single box wide, or double box wide, as you prefer. Use jumbo paper clips in the tab slots on the underside of the adjacent boxes to keep them together. To do this, unfold the paper clips. Then refold them with a wider curve at the top. One side of the clip will fit into a tab slot on one box. And the other side will fit into the tab slot on the box next to it. If the paper clips do not slide all the way in, you can use a small craft hammer to tap them into position. Also, you can use paper clips on the top side of the boxes if you like.
PaperClips for Subscription Box Tower
These boxes have paper clips on top and bottom to join the two boxes together.
Clipped Boxes for Subscription Box Tower
Bottom of Clipped Boxes of Subscription Box Tower
You may apply adhesive to the box bottoms to keep them together. I have found that with the contents in the boxes, and having two clipped together side by side, the tower is stable.
Subscription Box Tower – Julie Flanagan
Enjoy!
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
>> 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 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
Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Black Friday Deals for Crafters
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 you 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
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter Best deal of the year for this machine! Don’t miss this best buy of the Black Friday Deals for Crafters!
Pazzles Inspiration Vue
Items on this page may contain affiliate links.
More Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Scan N Cut350 Get a great deal on the reliable version of this machine.
Scan N Cut DX This one is the latest Scan N Cut model with the auto blade.
Brother SNC Universal Pen Holder Works with older and newer Scan N Cut models.
Brother HL-L2300D Monochrome Laser Printer with Duplex Printing\
Amazon Basics Thermal Laminator Use for foiling in combination with a Monochrome Laser Printer. Print your design in B&W on a laser printer. Place foil over printed image. Place design and foil between printer paper. Run through preheated laminator. Foil transfers to the printed design.
Scan N Cut Standard Blade For older machines – not for the DX models.
Scan N Cut Standard Mat Fold older machines- not for the DX models.
Online Activation Card for Scan N Cut for WiFi connection DX models do not need this, as WiFi is built in on the DX machines.
Silhouette Cameo 3 Check the Silhouette Online store from your free Silhouette Studio software for the best deals of the year on cutting designs.
New Cricut Easy Press 2 Now in three different sizes. Heats to 400 degrees quickly.
Ultimate Fine Point Pen by Cricut Set Assorted
Prismacolor pastel color sticks
Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates
Arteza Watercolor Premium Artist Paints Set of 24 Colors
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.
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.
Dries Clear Adhesive Everyone needs a good supply of adhesive that dries clear for projects. I use this type of adhesive for my 3D flowers, boxes, cards, luminaries, and other projects.
Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. While there, take a look at their new products and their 50% off sale on Limited Editions.
Spellbinders Tool In 1 Great for brushing the tiny pieces out of intricate cuts. If you cut any intricate designs, you need this tool!
15″x15″ 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.
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
Ultra Fine Micro Line Pens set of 16 I couldn’t resist purchasing another set of these at this low price.
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.
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.
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform I love this for getting perfectly stamped images.
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.
Ultra Fine Glitter This is what I use with the Scor-tape Sheets to make patterned glitter paper.
Scor-tape Sheets I cut these with my electronic die cutters to use with foil to make lovely foiled projects. No heat necessary for this method. Brayer the dull side down over the cut adhesive.
Modeling Clay, 24 colors plus tools
Flameless Candles Great for luminaries and lanterns!
Set of 88 Alcohol Dual Tip Markers with case
Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!
Portable 4T External usb Drive You need a place to store all the files you collect for cutting! Back everything up before you lose it!!!!!!
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! Prime Day price updated at checkout. Take a break from your crafting to enjoy a healthy treat!
See EVERYTHING available during Black Friday here
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.
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
Do you Need the New Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Set?
Do you Need the New Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Set? The new scoring wheels for the Cricut Maker machine have just been posted for sale! You can get yours here. But wait! Do you really need this tool? Read on to determine the answer to this question for YOU.
Cricut Scoring Wheel
The new Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Set is NOT for everyone! The scoring wheels will work only for those who have the Cricut Maker machine. If you think you need to have a tool like this, then you will need to consider purchasing a Cricut Maker if you don’t already have one. There are no other machines that have a tool set like this!
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.
What Scoring Choices do Cutter Users Have?
When you need to create score lines for an SVG cutting project, you have several choices. Depending on the cutter you are using, and the availability of tools for use with it, you may choose to:
Cut dashed lines where you want the folds to be,
Use a scoring tool to indicate the locations of the folds,
Score with an embossing tool,
Engrave score lines with an engraving tool,
Use the blade set to a shallow setting with low cutting pressure,
Create score lines manually after the project is cut, or
Create the score lines with the new Scoring Wheel on the Cricut Maker.
Are you using one or more of the above techniques? Are they working well for you? If not, then you may want to consider the new option of Creating Score lines with the new Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Set with the Cricut Maker.
Cutting Dashed Lines
Cutting dashed lines where you want the folds to be is a simple solution for score lines that won’t get a lot of use. For example, a single score line for a card folded in half can be cut right along with the other cut lines if it is set to cut dashed lines. Using this option, only the cutting blade needs to be used for cutting the project and creating the score lines in a single pass. However, if you are making a 3D project, box, or popup card, dashed lines in your project may weaken it. And the project could tear very easily. Dashed score lines also do not look nearly as nice as smooth, uncut score lines.
Using a Scoring Tool
Cricut Scoring Stylus
Ideally, a dedicated scoring tool applies pressure on the material to compress the fibers along the line where a fold is needed. However, to do this well, the machine has to use a very large amount of pressure to create a nicely scored line. Most entry-level cutters do not boast enough down-pressure to produce a nicely scored line. These tools can create a visual line to show you where the score lines need to be. But you will most likely need to complete the fold by hand, or by manually scoring along the guide lines that your scoring tool made.
Scoring with a Cricut Machine
The Cricut Scoring Stylus creates a lightly scored line on Explore or Maker models. (It will not fit in the Legacy machines.) The Explore machines do not have enough pressure to create much of an impression for score lines. Even the Maker, with its vast amount of pressure, cannot access all of its pressure for use with the Scoring Stylus. The extra pressure is available only with the use of the special tools holder. Cricut has now provided the Scoring Wheel Combo Set to make it possible for you to create excellent score lines in two different styles. These wheels can provide up to 10 times the amount of pressure for creating lovely scored effects, without cutting or tearing your project. You can choose between single score lines or double score lines.
Embossing Score Lines
Some cutter companies offer an optional embossing tool. There are also third parties who sell special embossing tools to fit the pen tool holders on different machines. If the embossing tool is used in conjunction with with an embossing mat with a soft surface, the embossing tool can create a reasonably nice score line. The downside to this option is that you need to emboss and cut on the same mat. Cutting on the embossing mat will ultimately reduce the effectiveness of the soft embossing surface. To emboss well, a machine needs to use very high pressure.
Engraving Score Lines
An engraving tool etches a very fine line onto the media. It does not require a lot of pressure, like an Embossing tool or Scoring Stylus. The effectiveness of engraving score lines varies, depending on the media being engraved, and the design of the engraving tool. I can get a very nicely engraved score line using Pazzles Engraving tool on heavy cardstock. The engraved line works much better than any of the other score line options on the Pazzles Cutters. However, I have tried using engraving tools with other cutters that tear heavy cardstock. I would choose different scoring options with those machines.
Using a Regular Blade set to a Low Pressure and Low Blade Extension for Scoring
Using the blade with low pressure is a viable option for creating effective score lines. This option requires that you cut and score in separate passes, changing the settings between passes. When using this option with heavy media, it is best to cut your project first. Then reset pressure and blade, and cut the score lines. The blade does not cut all the way through the material, and the resulting lines are clean and very easy to fold. The folds remain strong for 3D projects and popup cards. To use this option on Cricut Explore or Maker models, you do not have control over the blade extension. You would need to select a cut setting for lightweight paper to get a score line on heavy paper. However, Cricut Design Space does not allow users to change settings between cutting passes, and perfectly lining up two cutting passes with different settings is not practical.
Creating Score Lines Manually
You will achieve excellent score lines using a hand scoring tool after you have cutting out your project. I sometimes use the We R Memory Keepers Trim and Scoreboard or the Scor-Pal Measuring and Scoring Board. But truth be known, I rarely get them out. When I am cutting, I don’t want to do yet another step with another device. Sometimes it is obvious where the score lines should go. But sometimes, line placement is not so obvious, and score lines may not all be straight. So creating score lines manually is not always practical.
Create the Score Lines with the New Scoring Wheel on the Cricut Maker
If you are using the Cricut Maker for cutting your projects that need score lines, I think you need the new Scoring Wheel Combo Set! If you have multiple machines, the Cricut Maker being one of them, you may even choose to use this machine over the others because of this great new tool. This combo pack includes two professional-quality scoring wheels that give you extra-deep score lines and a flawless finish on everyday and specialty material projects. Your boxes will fold better and look nicer. Your popup cards will fold much more easily after being adequately scored.
Test Your Scoring Options with A FREE SVG Cutting File
Our FREE Resource Library contains a number of FREE SVG cutting files. Download any or all of them, and try some of the scoring techniques discussed here. A very simple project to try is the free 3D DIY Doily Treat Basket. Or try the Flip Fold Card. If you really wish to evaluate the effectiveness of your scoring method, try assembling a complex popup card like the Happy Birthday Popup Card. Use what you have at your disposal. Evaluate the results. The types of projects you do, and the media you use will determine which scoring methods will work best for you.
So what is your conclusion? Do YOU need the new Cricut Scoring Wheel Combo Set?
Love,
Julie
>> 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.
Make an Oval Accordion Card
Make an oval accordion card.
You can make this oval accordion card using the FREE SVG cutting files posted in our Free Resource Library. Make it using as many or as few panels as you like. There are several layers which you can use for the center of each panel, or you can use the base oval for trimming a photo to fit. Add photos and/or sentiments, or journaling to the front and back side of each oval as you prefer. The card’s height is 6″, but you may adjust the size according to your needs. You may even add lots of panels to create a mini album. The card folds flat for mailing, with a complete size of 4.5″ x 6″ . It stands alone for display.
Supplies Needed to Make the Oval Accordion Card
Please 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!
Digital Paper from Pazzles.
Medium Weight white Cardstock for printing digital papers
100#– 110# white cardstock for card base pieces
Colored Cardstock for oval layers
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue)
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library
Pop Dots if desired for layers
Art Glitter Glue Dries Clear Adhesive
Software Requirements
The SVG files are suitable for use with Make The Cut, Sure Cuts A Lot, Pazzles InVue software, Cricut Design Space, Brother Canvas Workspace, Scan N Cut, Inkscape, Silhouette Studio DE, Illustrator, CorelDraw, and any other software that will import SVG files. Also included is a PDF file containing assembly instructions.
Paper Choices
Decide how many panels you want for your card. Then select papers for any layers that you wish to use. Print any digital paper you plan to use for the rectangular frame on each panel. You can use printed papers, or solid. If you are using photos, trim them to the size of the largest oval in the file, or to any size that you prefer. There are several layers to choose from. You can use some of the panels for titles, sentiments or journaling. Select heavy cardstock for the base panels, as they will stand alone better, and be more sturdy for displaying. Use lighter weight cardstock for the oval layers. You do not want these to be too heavy to put unnecessary weight on the upper and lower hinges on the ovals. You may use pop dots to give more dimension to any of the layers.
Cutting Instructions
The cutting files include a single panel for the left side of the base card. The left and center panels are the same. Make multiples of the center shapes for as many extra panels that you need. The panel for the end of the right side of the card is different from the others, as it has no folding tab for the right side of the card. You need only one of these panels. This panel is rotated in the cutting file so that it will fit better on the cardstock for cutting. You will need an extra printed layer for the front of the card, if you plan to close it flat. Also consider cutting extra oval layers if you plan to use the back sides of the ovals.
Score Lines
The score lines for the side tabs are better created as shallow solid lines, as opposed to cut dashed lines. You can use a scoring tool, embossing tool, engraving tool, or the blade set to a low extension, and cut at a low cutting pressure. You do not want the blade to cut through, but rather to just scratch the surface so that the tabs fold more readily.
Basic panels for oval Accordion Card
Oval Accordion Card Assembly
It is easiest to decorate the base card pieces before folding. Use glue around the edges of the back side of each layer. Next glue the layers onto the base card. Make sure the rectanglular layer does not overlap the score lines.
Decorated Panels
After you have decorated the panels, fold the flaps. The panel on the left has the flap folded up with a valley fold. The center panel has the flap folded back with a mountain fold. If you have more panels, the folds will alternate. The panel on the right does not have a flap. Next glue the left edge of the center panel over the flap of the panel to its left. If you have additional panels, repeat this process. Glue the final panel over the flap of the panel to its left.
Panels Glued Together
Folding the Card
Use a bone folder to crease the panels in the direction of their folds. Between the first two panels there is a valley fold. Between the last two panels there is a mountain fold. Now, place glue on the tiny square tabs between the ovals and the outer frame. The oval on the left comes over the valley fold to meet the the oval to its right. Glue the tab to the back of the neighboring oval, and fold the tab with a mountain fold. The tab on the center oval goes behind the mountain fold of the base card to connect to the back side of the oval to its right. Make a valley fold on this tab. The ovals should end up touching each other. Hold the tabs in place until the glue dries.
Glue oval tab to neighboring oval.
Fold the ovals in the opposite direction of the folds in the base card. Then burnish creases.
Connecting Oval Tabs
Fold the card flat. The tabs at the top and bottom of each panel should fold naturally as you help the base card and ovals fold correctly.
Card Folded Flat
Burnish the folds so that they are creased well. Now you may decorate your card with additional embellishments if you would like to do so. I might add a 3D flower from my collection, depending on who I plan to give it to.
Oval Accordion Card completed
Love,
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
>> 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.
Why You Might Need a Brother Scan N Cut
Brother Scan N Cut
Unique Features of the Scan N Cut
Here are some reasons why you might need a Scan N Cut electronic cutter. It has a built in wide format scanner. The scanner allows it to cut around stamped or printed images. No computer or Internet connection is necessary. Scraps can be used efficiently. It can fill fonts with solid or patterned fills to be drawn or embossed. Free design software is available for download to your computer. You can use your SVG file collection with this machine.
Wide Format Scanner Built into the Scan N Cut
Do you need a wide format scanner? If you do, then the Brother Scan N Cut 2 might be for you. With it you can scan a full 12″x12″ image, save to a USB thumb drive in JPG format in up to 300 DPI resolution. Wide format scanners can be extremely expensive. This wide format scanning feature alone makes the purchase of a Brother Scan N Cut a worthy investment. The built in scanner in the Brother Scan N Cut machine allows you to scan a design into the machine, and then have the machine cut around the printed design. The machine knows exactly where your images are on the mat to create a perfect cut. This is a great option for scrapbookers who create layouts in up to 12″x 12″ size, as they can scan their completed pages and share them with others online or even have copies printed.
Cutting Scraps with the Background Scans
The background scanning feature is genius. You can put your different colored scraps down on the mat. Then do a background scan . Finally, place your cutting designs exactly where you want them to cut. There is no guessing about where the shapes will be cut. You can make use of even the tiniest of scraps without worrying about where to place the designs on the screen.
Cut Around Stamped or Printed Images
You can stamp an image with a rubber stamp, scan it into your Brother Scan N Cut, and the machine will cut around the stamped image. No additional software is necessary. This is a great option if you want to select the Direct Cut method on the machine to cut around the outside of the stamped shape. Quick and easy. You will need to play a bit more to master the machine’s more advanced Scan to Date option.
No Computer or Internet Necessary for Using the Scan N Cut
The Brother Scan N Cut can operate fully independent of a computer. There is with no need of expensive cartridges. With the addition of the optional wireless card, you can connect from the free Canvas software on your computer to your Brother Scan N Cut. This machine is an excellent option for those who do not have ready access to high speed Internet service. It can be operated without a computer, and without Internet service.
There are hundreds of cutting designs built in to the machine, ready to edit and cut. There are also hundreds of free cutting projects posted online at the Brother site that can be saved to a thumb drive. Then you can cut them on this machine. My grandchildren preferred this machine over all the others in my studio. I worked on my computer and cut to my Pazzles or Cricut Maker, and they were very content to cut their projects on my Scan N Cut without help. By the way, they are ages 11, 9, and 7.
Free Design Software
Canvas Workspace
The Brother Scan N Cut can use SVG files created in the free Canvas Workspace software, or any other software that provides an SVG file export. SVG files can be opened in the Canvas Workspace software and saved in FCM format, or it can be sent directly to the Brother Scan N Cut machine to cut, via the wireless connection. Or you can save your SVG and FCM cutting files on a USB thumb drive, and plug it directly into the machine’s USB port. The built in software allows you to load the design, edit it to the perfect size, and cut the design.
Drawing with Pens and Fills
Another unique feature of the Brother Scan N Cut is the option to draw text or a shape with a pen or embossing tool and fill it automatically with a solid fill or design. This can be done with software on other cutters, but this feature is actually built in to the Brother Scan N Cut machine.
SVG File Compatibility
The Brother Scan N Cut is compatible with third party software. Vector art programs such as Illustrator, CorelDraw, Inkscape, Sure Cuts A Lot, Make The Cut, Pazzles InVue, Silhouette Studio, Funtime Scrapbooking, and others that can be used to create SVG files that can be cut on this machine.
Amazing Cutting Pressure for Heavy Media
In addition to its unique features, the Brother Scan N Cut boasts cutting specifications that rival top-of-the-line cutters in the home crafting market place. At the same time, its price is comparable to entry level cutters. Its 1250 grams of cutting pressure is exceeded only by a couple of other more expensive cutters in the home crafting cutter marketplace. With this pressure, it can cut through most any media up to 1.5mm in thickness.
Hints to Get Started with the Scan N Cut
Protect your Mat
Since the Scan N Cut is a heavy duty cutter, it can cut straight through your cutting mat. The mats are expensive. So spare yourself some agony and expense by setting your cutting pressure to -1, and don’t change it. Change the blade depth instead.
After you order
Check this document while you wait for your machine to arrive. Find a home for it.
Go to the Brother site. Download all of the documents pertinent to the Scan N Cut. There is one chart in the manual that I referred to constantly. It includes suggested blade settings for a variety of different media. I printed a copy of it and attached it to my machine for quick reference.
Browse through the hundreds of free cutting projects at the Canvas Workspace site. Download the ones you like. There are new free projects posted there regularly.
Once your machine arrives, do some test cuts.
Go for it!
If you need a wide format scanner, an electronic cutter that does not require the use of a computer or the Internet, or a powerful craft cutting machine at an affordable price, the Brother Scan N Cut may be for you! Once you get your Scan N Cut, be sure to try cutting some of the projects included in our Free Resource Library.
Would you like to have some FREE SVG cutting files for a variety of 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.
Thanks!
Julie, cuttercrafter.com
PRIME DAY DEALS FOR CRAFT LOVERS
Prime Day Best Deals for Crafters
Best Prime Day Deals for Crafters to Check Out on Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day is Monday, July 11-12, and 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 — like, 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 They also have a special deals for students.
- 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 for Crafters
Machines
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 II – the latest model of the wonderful Gemini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine
Sizzix Switch Electronic Die Cutter
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 Online Activation Card for WiFi connection This is not needed for the newer DX SNC models.
Cricut
Cricut Maker 3 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 Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted
Cricut Rotary Blade Kit– See my review here.
Nicapa Mats for Cricut– Set of Three
Crafter’s Companion 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.
Flower Shaping Tools I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. See my blog tutorial and my video tutorial for shaping paper roses.
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.
Bearly Art Precision Glue Dries clear, but less quickly than Dries Clear Adhesive. Fine tip nozzles does not clog as much. Be sure to get the refill as well if you really like this glue. You don’t want to run out in the middle of a project. I use this for making mini-album spines and pages.
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
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#
12″ x 12″ Recollections Assorted color cardstock 100 sheets 60#
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, assorted colors, 24 pieces, 9.8″ square.
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.
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.
Foil Bundles – For use with Foil Press, NOT for laminator.
Electronics
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 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!
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
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
180 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, 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
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 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.
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