Prime Day 2021
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.
Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019
Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019
Here are some Black Friday Deals for Crafters 2019. Black Friday is a great time to stock up on crafting supplies. Look for great deals on the high-priced items that help you to be more productive. Do you need a better cutter? Is there a Foil Press on your wish list? Or perhaps you need a more efficient die cutter/embosser to handle those very intricate dies. Maybe you need a new computer or external hard drive. Do you need a new printer?
If you do not need a new machine, perhaps you need to stock up on consumable supplies for your crafting projects. Is your stash of paper or vinyl, or HTV dwindling? Do you have plenty of adhesives? Be sure to check your supply of blades and mats for your machines! There are lots of Black Friday Deals for Crafters that could save you money on your craft supplies.

Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Items on this page may contain affiliate links. You don’t pay any more for your purchase, but I do get a credit for it.
More Black Friday Deals for Crafters
Machines
Pazzles Inspiration Vue Cutter – See my review here. Best deal of the year for this machine! Don’t miss this best buy of the Black Friday Deals for Crafters! Grab this excellent electronic cutting machine for up to $300 OFF on Nov. 29 through December 2. Plus if you order by Cyber Monday you’ll get a free mat pack and spatula too! $239 + 6 months FREE to the Craft Room or an Inspiration Vue for $169 with a 1 year Craft Room commitment! Or go here to pay only $99 with a two year commitment to the Pazzles Craft Room.
Silhouette Cameo 3 – Look for low prices with newer model coming out.
Silhouette Cameo 4 Get a great deal on a bundle. Check out the Pre Black Friday Sale Nov. 20-22 for a great bundle special.
Gemini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine Great price for a power machine! I ordered one, plus the plates for the Gemini Jr to use with this. Get this machine or the Gemini Jr. to use with the new Gemini Foilpress. Gemini Jr is only slightly less than the full size Gemini. So unless you really need the smaller size of the Jr. 6-inch width, I recommend the full size Gemini. You will need an extended plate for the Foilpress to work in the full size Gemini. See my review here.
Gemini Mini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine I really like this new little machine. Use a folder to cut or emboss with no need to fret about a stack of cutting plates. This is a hand crank machine, with a 3″ cutting or embossing width.
Empress Mini Die Cutting/Embossing Machine This is a quiet electronic die cutting/embossing machine with a 4.25″ cutting or embossing width. Light weight, but will handle dies and folders for a full A2 size card.
Spellbinders Blowout Sale Lots of goodies. They have a great buy on their Prizm Die Cutting/Embossing machine if you are in the market for a mini hand-powered machine. Also great prices on some amazing dies, and card kits as well.
Scan N Cut
Scan N Cut2 – Great Clearance options.
Scan N Cut DX-Latest cutter from Brother. See my SNC review here.
Brother SNC Universal Pen Holder Allows you to use standard pens in your new or older model Scan N Cut machine.
Scan N Cut Standard Mat for CM models or SNC2
Scan N Cut Online Activation Card for WiFi connection This is not needed for the newer DX SNC models.
Cricut
Cricut Maker New LOWEST price ever! Cricut Explore vs Cricut Maker-Review.
Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle new low price.
Cricut Cutting Mats – Standard Grip
Cricut Cutting Mats – Variety Pack
Cricut Easy Press 2 9″x9″ Higher heat options for Cricut Infusion projects
Cricut Easy Press 2 12″x10. Necessary for larger Cricut Infusion projects.
Cricut Easy Press Mini for those smaller projects.
Cricut Cuttlebug Special bundle
Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted
Cricut Infusible Ink Markers Set of 30 Great deal on a bundle of markers to give you a large selection of colors for your infusible projects.
Cricut Rotary Blade Kit– See my review here.
Nicapa Mats for Cricut– Set of Three. These work just as well for me as the original Cricut mats.
Tools
A4 LED Ultra Thin Light Box Tracer – Not quite as bright as the Cricut Bright Pad, but the price is right and it works well for weeding vinyl.
Crafter’s Companion NEW! Professional Guillotine Large 13″ long, compact and light weight. Great for trimming! Side arm extends 13″ . Metric and Imperial measurments, scoring stylus, and scoring grid.
Temperature Gun – check the actual heat of your iron, heat press, heated project, etc.
Heartfelt Creations Deluxe Flower Shaping Kit I use this kit for shaping my 3D flowers. See my blog tutorial and my video tutorial for shaping paper roses.
Spellbinders Tool In 1 Great for brushing the tiny pieces out of intricate cuts.
Tim Holtz Stamp Platform I love this for getting perfectly stamped images.
Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates
Candle Warmer – for shaping thin foam into flowers
Hand Engraving Tool – Insert in cutter pen holder. You may need to wrap tape around it to fit in the pen holder.
Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!
Three Hole Punch – great low price. I use this regularly for organizing craft items in binders.
Pink Tool Set– Every crafter needs their own set of tools handy for everyday use. I got these. My hubby doesn’t like pink, so I might be able to keep them around for awhile.
Lighted Magnifying Glass – great for callibration tests on cutters.
Adhesives
Dries Clear Adhesive – My favorite craft glue that dries quickly, and dries clear. Love the fine tip applicator.
Bulk Dries Clear Adhesive Refill – Use this to refill your smaller glue bottle with fine tip applicator.
Alenes Tack It Over and Over – Mix 1 part glue to 2 parts water, and apply to cutting mats using a foam paint brush for the least expensive way to make them sticky again.
Zig 2-Way Glue – Most convenient way to restick cutting mats, and very effective.
Mini Hot Glue Gun – Great for making 3D paper or foam flowers
Mini Glue Sticks – Refills for Mini Hot Glue Gun
Scor-tape Sheets love this for making boxes and other 3D projects
Paper and Cardstock
See my Blog Post on the Best Paper for Crafting here.
80# white cardstock Excellent cardstock for print and cut projects. The printer can handle it, and it cuts well.
100# white cardstock Great for cutting popup cards and stamped flowers for coloring and shaping into 3D flowers.
110# White cardstock Great for 3D projects
12″x 12″ Assorted Color cardstock 150 sheets Variety of weights, most between 65# and 80#
8.5″x11″ Recollections 65# cardstock Variety color pack
Laser Color Copy paper – for use with Infusible Ink products from Cricut
Translucent Vellum 36# Cardstock – great for embossing
Recollections Cardstock 12″x12″ 8.5″x11″ Several shades of each color make this a great package for multi-layered projects. These are less expensive if you purchase using a coupon or 40-50% off sale in store or online.
Foam
Thin Foam Sheets for Flower Making – 1mm thick, assorted colors, 24 pieces, 9.8″ square.
See the foam flowers I made using these here and here and here and here.
White Flower Making Foam .8mm thick, 30 sheets
Thin White Foam Paper for Flower Making
HTV and Sublimation
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)
15″x 15″ Heat Press If you do a lot of Heat transfer vinyl on garments, you need a heat press. The size is right on this one, and the best price I could find.
15″x 12″ 8 in 1 Heat Press combo – This allows you to create your Heat Transfer vinyl projects, Cricut Infusion Projects, as well Sublimation projects, including attachments for mugs, hats, dishes, etc. This is the one I have. Check out this bundle that has all you need to get started with Sublimation, or purchase items separately.
5 in one Heat Press combo 15″x12″ Nice sale price on this for Black Friday.
Mug Heat Press You can get this if you do not want to do shirts or plates or hats that the 5 in 1 or 8 and 1 presses do.
Epson WF 2760 Printer – Use with sublimation ink.
Sublimation Ink for Epson WF 2760– Print designs on sublimation paper, and transfer to project blanks
Foiling
Brother Monochromatic Laser Printer – for printing toner sheets to foil with deco foils and laminator.
13″ wide Thermal Laminator – For general laminating and for use with toner sheets and deco foil
12″ Deco Foil – for use with laminator
Gemini Foil Press – For use with Gemini Jr. ( or full size Gemini with Extender plate) and Hot foil – See my tutorial for foiling.
Gemini Foil Bundles – For use with Foil Press, NOT for laminator.
Foil Quill Starter Kit Great tool for use with your electronic cutter to add lovely foiled designs to your projects. Let the machine do your drawing and writing for you!
Foil Quill Freestyle Pen Starter Kit Add elegance to your hand-drawn or traced sentiment and signature.
Foil Quill Magnetic Mat Magnets hold your foil in place to simplify foiling with machine or by hand.
Electronics
HP Laptop Computer –Hp Pavilion Gamin 15-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-8300H Processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, 8 GB RAM 1 TB hard drive and 128 GB SSD, Windows 10 Home (15-cx–30nr, Black)
SanDisk 54Gb Flash Drive This will work to transfer SVG files to the Scan N Cut. I keep a dedicated thumb drive for that purpose.
Portable 4TB External usb Drive – Great for storing backups of all of your printables, cutting files, and fonts collections
6TB External Hard Drive- back up your entire computer. It would be a shame to lose it all!
Instant Pot Duo 6 qt. – I love my Instant Pot. I can do a lot of crafting while it does the cooking!
Blendtec Blender – My favorite Smoothie Maker at a great price!
Flameless Candles for those lantern projects
Set of 9 Flameless Candles Great for use with your holiday luminary projects.
Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser – Create a relaxing and healthy crafting environment
Echo Input – Alexa sent to your computer speakers to add Instant music for your crafting environment.
Pens, Markers, Pencils
Ultra Fine Micro Line Pens set of 16 I couldn’t resist purchasing another set of these at this low price.
Sharpie Fine Point pen set of 24 colors Can you even have enough Sharpies? These fit in my pen holders to draw with my machines.
Derwent Watercolor Pencils set of 24 now at a reduced price. I love these for coloring my 3D flower creations.
Artists Choice Watercolor Pencils set of 72 More colors in this set, but the colors are not as intense as those in the Derwent set.
Set of 88 Alcohol Dual Tip Markers with case.
Prismacolor pastel color sticks
48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.
136 colored pencils – Best deal
Arteza Real Brush Pens set of 96 with case.
Art Media
Prills – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Stamens – Use to embellish centers of 3D flowers
Ultra Fine Glitter This is what I use with the Scor-tape Sheets to make patterned glitter paper. See my tutorial here.
Modeling Clay, 24 colors plus tools – Tools can be used to shape clay, fondant, and/or 3D flowers.
Arteza Watercolor Premium Artist Paints Set of 24 Colors
Art Supplies for Children – Great kit, including crayons, colored pencils, watercolor paints, pastels, tools, etc in a wood case when children want to craft with you.
Stamp set-nice for children
Tim Holtz Distress Inks – Excellent for adding color to foam flowers!
Stencil Brushes – Great for “Hot Mess Canvas” painting.
Learn to Use Your New Crafting Machines
Check back here, at Cuttercrafter.com for tutorials and cutting files to use with your new crafty purchases. You will find some FREE projects to try in our Free Resource Library.
Would you like to see some of my FREE SVG projects? Check them out in my FREE Resource Library.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
How to Emboss Vellum with the Cricut
Many have asked how to emboss vellum with the Cricut. You can also create flowers that pop out from the embossed background. Then you can add some lovely petals for a 3D effect to make a gorgeous card. In this tutorial I will share how to make this lovely card using your electronic cutter.
Embossed Popout Daisy Card
Using Electronic Cutters to Emboss Vellum
You don’t have to have a Cricut in order to make this card. The SVG, PVGC, and FCM cutting files for this project are available that can be used in most electronic cutting machines. You can find them in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select “Save Link As” or “Save Target As”. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting file. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. If you are using a Scan N Cut machine, use the FCM file. Those using Pazzles InVue software will use the PVGC file. All others should use the SVG file.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Emboss the Vellum Popout Card
Heavy Translucent Vellum Cardstock
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, Silhouette Cameo, or other cutter that uses SVG files.
If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. I used the We R Memory Makers Foil Quill and silver foil but you may use a metallic pen instead if you don’t have the foil quill. I used the bold tip for this project.
Embossing Mat- Pazzles,or Scan N Cut Embossing Kit, or SNC Embossing Mat
Embossing Stylus –Pazzles Embossing Tool
or Hand Embossing Stylus or Scan N Cut Embossing tool
Dries Clear Adhesive
Low Tack tape
Pearl Stickers
Embossed Vellum Popout Card cutting files from the Free Resource Library
Pop Dots
Limitations to Emboss Vellum With Cricut
Embossing vellum with the Cricut Maker is not as straight forward as it is with other electronic cutters. This is due primarily to the fact that Cricut does not allow any options for adjusting the pressure of tools using the A slot on the Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore cutting head. Cricut Explore does allow use of a special pen holder in the blade holder slot. With that holder in the B slot, the pressure can be adjusted up to the maximum under Custom Settings to 340-350.
While the Cricut Maker boasts of up to 4000 grams of cutting pressure, this pressure is only available in the B slot on the cutting head. And a hand-held embossing stylus is not recognized in the B slot. Maximum pressure is needed to get an excellent embossed effect on vellum cardstock.
The only pressure options on the Cricut Maker head A are the automatic settings for either drawing or scoring. Pressure for drawing on the Cricut Maker is inadequate for embossing. The pressure for scoring is adequate, given the right embossing stylus and mat. The Cricut Scoring tool tip is not broad enough for embossing. It has a tendency to tear through delicate vellum cardstock.
Paper to Use to Emboss
Selecting to best paper to use for embossing with your cutter is very important. Lighter weight papers will emboss more readily on cutters, than cardstock. It can take massive amounts of down pressure to form nicely embossed shapes on cardstock.
What is Translucent Vellum Cardstock?
Vellum is a type of coating that is used on some papers. The type and weight of vellum is very important for this project. While our cutters cannot make a very good embossed impression on most cardstock, one exception is to use translucent vellum cardstock to emboss with your cutter. The cardstock should be translucent enough to be able to see through it. When using translucent vellum cardstock, an embossing tool will create white lines on the Vellum.
Best Weight of Transparent Vellum Cardstock to Use
For the Embossed Popout Daisy Card, you need to use Transparent Vellum Cardstock that is neither too heavy nor too light. The popouts will work better with Vellum that is still. But if the cardstock is too thick, the embossed design will not be the pretty white color you are wanting. If the cardstock is too thin, the design may tear during cutting or removing from the cutting mat. I found that 36# translucent vellum cardstock works best for this project.
Embossing on Legacy Cricut machines
Those using any of the legacy Cricut machines (Original Cricut Personal, original Cricut Expression, Cricut Cake, Create, Cricut Cake Mini) will find that the Pazzles Embossing tool fits perfectly in the blade holder of these older machines. You can emboss on these machines if you have an embossing mat and embossing tool. Unfortunately, the Pazzles Embossing tool is too large to fit in the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker.
Cricut has simplified the cutting process by providing automatic settings wherever possible. But this is an example of how automatic settings can limit creativity. Perhaps one day Cricut will add full embossing functionality. Until then, you can use the techniques I have used to make this card.
Embossing Stylus
To emboss, you need to be able to use an embossing stylus. The stylus needs to fit the pen tool holder. In addition, the stylus tip needs to be long enough to extend deep enough through the pen holder to reach the mat.
Testing Hand-Held Embossing Tools
I have tested a number of different hand-held stylus tools. Unfortunately, most of the ones I have collected through the years will not work in the Cricut machines. The length of the tips of most were too short.
I did find one that works in the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. This one has a metal tip that is a full 1″ long.
I still have to wrap 5 inches of blue painter’s tape around the center of the handle to make it a bit thicker to fit snugly in the pen holder. Place the tool with the larger ball tip down into the A tool holder of the Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. Other cutters than have pen holders may also use a tool like this for embossing.
The tip of the embossing stylus needs to be quite close to the mat surface, as shown in my photo below.
Embossing Mat
In order for an electronic cutter to effectively create embossing designs on vellum, it is essential to have a cushion under the paper on the mat. Too much of a cushion may result in tears in the delicate vellum. And not enough cushion may result in unsatisfactory embossing.
Some cutter companies provide embossing mats that work with their brand of cutters. Other companies do not. Thin craft foam that is .8mm to 1mm thick may serve as an embossing mat in some cutters. Others have found that using faux leather provides an adequate surface for embossing.
With the foam or faux leather options, you will need to apply some adhesive to the top in order for the vellum to adhere to it during embossing and cutting. Too much adhesive may cause the popout petals on the card to tear when removing it from the mat. Too little adhesive may allow the vellum to shift during embossing and cutting. Taping edges of the vellum down without adhesive on the mat does not work due to the intricate detail of this project.
Embossing Mat Testing Results
Pazzles Embossing mat works well with the Pazzles machine. It is a bit too wide to fit Cricut machines. However, the Pazzles embossing mat may be trimmed down to work with Cricut machines.
Bosskut Gazelle made an excellent embossing mat that works with a number of different cutters. It will work with Cricut machines as well, but Bosskut is no longer in business.
I found the Scan N Cut Embossing mat to be a workable solution for How to emboss vellum with Cricut machines. A sticky Cricut mat holds the embossing mat in place. And the top surface of the embossing mat is sticky, and able to hold the vellum in place while the cutter is embossing and cutting.
When combined with a hand embossing tool, the Scan N Cut mat worked well to emboss vellum with the Cricut machines.
Silhouette users who would like to emboss vellum will need to use the Silhouette Curio cutter. This is because the Cameo and other Silhouette machines do not have adequate pressure for embossing. They also do not have enough clearance between the mat and roller bars to fit an embossing surface between the mat and vellum.
Foiling in Lieu of Embossing
In the event that you do not have an embossing tool and embossing mat that work to Embossing Vellum with your Cricut machine, you may elect to use the Embossed Popout Daisy Card design with a foil quill and foil. The background design of this card foils nicely. This is an option for those using Silhouette cutters as well.
How to Emboss and Cut the Embossed Popout Daisy Card
If you are using a Pazzles or Scan N Cut machine to emboss and cut the popout daisy card, you will find that all lines in the cutting files are designated as either draw or cut. Choose the Draw lines first and emboss the Draw lines using your embossing tool and mat. Use maximum pressure when embossing. Do test cuts to determine the best settings for cutting.
Do not remove the mat or move the cutting head after the “drawing” is complete. Simply replace the embossing tool with the cutting tool, and select “Cut” to use with the cutting lines. Cutting on the embossing mat will not ruin it it you have set the blade depth appropriately.
How to cut and emboss with the Cricut
The process is a bit different when using Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker. First, import the SVG file into Cricut Design Space. To do that, open Cricut Design Space. Click on Upload, the bottom icon on the left toolbar. Next, click on Upload Image. Browse to the place where you saved the Embossed Vellum Popout Card file on your computer. Click on Save. The design you just uploaded will be visible now. Click on it to select it, and click on Insert Image.
Get the Design Ready in Design Space
Ungroup the design pieces by right clicking on the design, and selecting Ungroup. Next, click on the white emboss portion of the the design, and designate it as “Score” at the top of the page. Select both the score and white cut layers, right click and select Attach. Click on the top score layer and the next group layer on the right toolbar. Right click, and select Attach.
Now click on Make It. Move the entire design in and down 1″ from top and left sides of the virtual mat. This will reduce tearing along the edges of the vellum. Select Continue, and select your machine. Set materials to Vellum. Next, Set tools. Select the Scoring Stylus for the embossing.
Place your vellum on the embossing mat, and load the hand embossing tool in the A tool holder. Load the mat into the Cricut, and press the Go button on the machine when it starts blinking. It will take about 30 minutes to do all of the embossing and cutting on the vellum. Get the paper for the mat and card base ready. Be very careful when lifting the cut design from the mat to prevent the petals from tearing. Finally, you can cut the remaining card pieces.
How to Assemble the Embossed Vellum Popout Card
The side that is facing up on the mat is the Debossed side, as the embossing tool has pressed the design down into the vellum. The opposite side is the embossed design. You may use the side that you prefer on your card.
Fold the base card in half. Next, glue the mat to the center of the card front, or use pop dots to raise the mat a bit off of the card base. Add small dots of Dries Clear Adhesive on the back side of the vellum, only on places that are white from the embossing. Let it dry. Gently lift the cut petals up, away from the card, to give dimension.
Add the 3D Daisies
If you wish to add 3D daisies to the card, place a daisy piece on a foam mat, and press down firmly in the middle of the daisy to lift the petals. Repeat with the next daisy piece of the same size. Place a dot of glue on the back of one of the daisy layers, and center it over the other daisy layer of the same size. Make sure the petals are opposite the first layer. Add a drop of glue on the center back of each 3D Daisy layer and adhere to the center of one of the popout daisies on the card, again, keeping the petals opposite the bottom layer.
Repeat with all three flowers. Glue a pearl sticker to the center of each of the 3D Daisies on the card. You card is now complete! Add a sentiment of your choice to the inside of the card, and give it to someone special!
Be sure to go to the Resource Library to grab the free cutting file for the Embossed Vellum Popup Daisy Card cutting files. If you like this project, please comment, share, and pin!
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
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Foiled Easter Sliceform
Make a DIY Foiled Easter Sliceform centerpiece with the free cutting template. Use your electronic cutter and a Foil Quill (or metallic pen) to create this lovely design.
You will find the SVG, PVGC, FCM and PDF cutting files for this project in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select Save Link As or Save Target As. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting file. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. If you are using a Scan N Cut machine, use the FCM file. If you are cutting by hand, use the PDF file. Those using Pazzles InVue software will use the PVGC file. All others should use the SVG file.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Foiled Easter Sliceform
Yellow 110# cardstock
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, Silhouette Cameo, or other cutter that uses SVG files. If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. I used the We R Memory Makers Foil Quill and copper foil but you may use a metallic pen instead if you don’t have the foil quill. I used the bold tip for this project.
Foiled Easter Sliceform Cutting Files from the Free Resource Library
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Import the Design into Your Cutter Software
This design contain two cutting pieces and a grouped set of lines for foiling or drawing. You will use the draw function of your software to foil or draw the lines on your cardstock. Then you will cut out the two pieces for the sliceform. The green lines are for foiling or drawing, and the yellow lines are for cutting.
When you click on the green lines, if all pieces are selected, right click and select Ungroup. Then you should be able to select the green lines and assign them to Draw in your software. Make sure that your foil quill is heating up while you prepare your paper on your cutting mat. It needs to preheat for at least 5 minutes.
Select the Proper Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill to make this Foiled Easter Sliceform
If you are not using the foil that came with the Foil Quill set, make sure you are using the correct type of foil. Not all foil will work with the Foil Quill. Specifically, avoid foils designed to be used with toner sheets and laminators. Check this list when in doubt about the foils you have. I have successfully used foil from WRMK, and CraftersCompanion.
Set Up the Foil Quill (or pen) in Your Machine
Select the appropriate adapter for you cutting machine, and screw it onto the Foil Quill. Adapter A is for Silhouette machines such as the Cameo. It also works on the Pazzles Inspiration or Pazzles Vue. Use Adapter B with Scan N Cut machines. The adapter for Cricut machines or Pazzles machines is C. Adapter D works with Sizzix Eclips machines. If you are using a Cricut Explore or Maker with two tool slots, you will need to remove the pen holder from the tool slot on the left. To do that, hold the head firmly with one hand, and push up gently from the bottom of the pen holder to pop it out. Next, place the Foil Quill into the slot.
Plug the Foil Quill into a Power Source
Plug in the cord of the Foil Quill into a USB power source. You may use a USB power adapter for a phone in a standard power outlet. Or you can plug the cord into a USB port on your computer. I purchased a USB extension cord from Dollar Tree, because the cord was too short to reach to my computer USB Port. If you are using the Cricut Maker, you can plug the cord into the USB port on the right side of the machine. Do not plug your Foil Quill cord to the USB port on a Scan N Cut machine. USB data ports on cutters will not provide the necessary power for the Foil Quill. Use a standard power supply or computer USB port.
Preheat the Foil Quill
The Foil Quill needs to be plugged into a power source for at least 5 minutes prior to use. A light at the top of the quill turns on when the Foil Quill is properly plugged in. Make sure that the cord will not be in the way of the moving mat or cutting head on the cutter. Also, ensure that the tip of the heating foil quill is not touching your mat, or paper, or other flammables while heating.
Paper Selection
Heavier paper works better with this file as the completed project needs to stand on its own. Use cardstock that is at least 80#, and preferably 100# or 110# . The paper should be the same on both sides. Since this design is very intricate, be sure to do test cuts to determine the best blade depth and pressure. Cut with a slow speed. See this article for more tips on doing test cuts.
Prepare to Foil and Cut
While the foil quill is preheating you can prepare your paper and foil. Place the cardstock on the cutting mat. Cut a piece of adhesive foil that is at least one inch larger than the lines to be drawn. Since the line portion of my design is 4″ x 4″, I cut my foil at 5″ square. Cut strips of low-tack tape such as blue painter’s tape into narrow pieces. You can use a craft knife and ruler on a mat to cut strips of tape that are about 1/4″ wide and 5″ long. Place the foil on the paper at least 1″ down from the top of the mat, and 1″ in from the edge of the mat.
Place a tape strip on one edge of the foil to hold it in place. Then smooth out the foil, and place another narrow strip of tape on the opposite side. Repeat with the other two sides of the foil.
Foiling or Drawing and Cutting your Project
Import the Easter sliceform design into your cutter software. Position the design lines in the software in a position corresponding to where you placed the paper and foil on the cutting mat. Select the green lines . Make sure that these lines are set to Draw. Send the design to Draw and Cut. If using Cricut Design Space, click on Make it. Set the media to lightweight chipboard if using 110# cardstock, and select More. If using 80# or 100# cardstock, select heavy cardstock in your media settings, and More. If your machine has speed options, set it to Slow. Use the blade settings that worked best during your test cuts.
The machine should draw first. Watch the machine as it works drawing the design lines with the foil quill. When the drawing is complete, pause the machine either in the software or using the Pause button on the machine. Remove the foil and tape without moving the mat or the cutting head. Then resume cutting by pressing the pause button again.
Remove the Foiled and Cut Design from the Mat
When foiling and cutting are complete, unload the mat. Remove the cut shapes very carefully from the mat. The intricate design might tear if you are not very careful. Some of the tiny lattice detail may stick to the mat. Use a poker tool to remove any remaining pieces away from the Foiled Easter Sliceform.
Assemble the Foiled Easter Sliceform
The yellow design pieces both have notches at the top and bottom. She smaller piece slides inside of the larger piece. The notch at the top outside of this smaller piece slides into the opening above the cross on the other piece, and into the notch there. The bottom right edge of the smaller piece slides through the long slot below the bottom of the cross, Slightly curve the open edge of the smaller piece to pass it through the top opening of the S.
Slide the bottom opening of the smaller piece down to the bottom of the opening of the larger piece. Unfold the two pieces so that they form a 90 degree angle. The bottoms of both pieces should line up perfectly so that it will stand on its own.
Foiled Easter Sliceform Completed!
Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the Foiled Easter Sliceform template.
Foiled Easter Sliceform
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
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If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
How to Make a Foiled Slider Popup Card
Learn how to make a foiled slider popup card with the free SVG template from the Resource Library. While making this project, learn how to use the Foil Quill tool by We R Memory Makers, and the Gemini Foilpress by CraftersCompanion.
You will find the SVG, PVGC and FCM cutting files for this project in the FREE Resource Library. Download the free cutting files. You can right click on the file link, and select Save Link As or Save Target As. Save it to your computer. When the download is complete, double click on the downloaded file and select Extract All. Then open your preferred cutting software, and import the cutting files. There is one file that contains all the design pieces. Because there are lots of design pieces with intricate detail, I have broken down the file into three smaller pieces. You can use the basic popup slider design to embellish in many different ways.
Note: this post may contain affiliate links.
Supplies Needed to Make the Irish Blessings Slider Popup Card
White 80# cardstock
One sheet printed cardstock for base card
Coordinating pastel cardstock.
Glue that dries quickly.
Strong, double sided adhesive
Electronic Cutter – Pazzles Vue, Scan N Cut, Cricut Explore or Maker, or other cutter that uses SVG files.
If you wish to add foiling to your design, you will need foiling tools. These are the ones I used for this project.
Gemini Jr.
Gemini Foilpress
Crafter’s Companion Gemini FoilPress Foil Roll for Papercraft- HollyFoil
We R Memory Makers Foil Quill
Cutting Files from the Free Resource Library
Cut your Card Pieces
Score the red lines. Foil the small dark green pieces and text using the Foil Quill. I cut the larger shamrock from heavy white cardstock and foiled it using my Gemini Foilpress. You can use plain green cardstock, or green mirror or glitter cardstock if you have some. I didn’t have the exact shade of paper I wanted, so I decided to use my Holly Green Foil.
The large pink piece is the base card. I think it looks best if you use some designer paper that is double sided. I chose a sheet of paper from the Peony paper pad from Crafters Companion. You may use the light green frames around the foiled designs if you like. I used one cut from the patterned paper and placed it around the foiled design on the tag.
The tag is the piece that forms the inside slider. The smaller pink piece forms the hidden message inside of the card.
Fold Your Slider Card
Fold the base card in half on the center score line. The cut window on the front of the card has several fold line. Make a valley fold at the top of the window. Make a mountain fold at the center of the window. Finally make a valley fold for the tab at the bottom of the window. Burnish the folds with a bone folder or similar tool to make nice, crisp fold lines.
Prepare the Designs for the Inside of the Foiled Slider Popup Card
You do not have to foil these designs. You can alternately use a metallic pen to draw the designs with your cutter. I created the very delicate small shamrock designs and the textured text so that I could play with my new Foil Quill.
Introducing the Foil Quill to Make a Foiled Slider Popup Card
Drawing with the Foil Quill using a cutter is not much more complicated than drawing with a pen in your cutter. Instead of placing a pen in the cradle, select the adapter that is appropriate for your machine. Hold the quilling tool in one hand, and rotate the adapter around the threads at the top of the Foil Quill.
The pink tool has an ultra fine tip, the blue one has a standard tip, and the black one has a bold tip. I used the blue Foil Quill for my project. Select the adapter for the cutter you are using. Adapter A is for use with Silhouette machines such as the Cameo, Craft Robo, Wishblade, etc. T B Adapter is for use with Brother Scan N Cut machines. Adapter C is for use with all Cricut machines, as well as Pazzles machines. And Adapter D is for use with Sizzix Eclips, and any machines that can use the Sizzix Blade holder, such as KNK Zing, Zing Orbit, and other machines.
If a machine can use a pen, you should be able to use the Foil Quill either with one of these adapters or without an adapter. Hold the Foil Quill in one hand and turn the adapter around the threads near the top of the tool.
Select the Correct Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill
Not all foils will work with the Foil Quill. Heat reactive foils for use with toner sheets and laminators and machines like the Minc will not work with the Foil Quill. In addition to the foils designed to work with the Foil Quill, the foils made for use with the Gemini Foilpress will work. There are several small rolls of foil included with the purchase of the Foil Quill Kit. There is only a small sample of foil in the kit, so if you plan to use your Foil Quill a lot, you may wish to order more. Here is the foil I used for my foiled slider popup card.
Power up the Foil Quill
The USB cable on the Foil Quill is designed to plug into a powered USB port. You can plug it in to a USB port on your computer. If you have a Cricut Maker, you can plug it into the USB port provided for charging your tablet. Do not plug it into a data port on your cutter, such as the ones on Scan N Cut machines. You can use a power supply made for charging your cell phone. The cable was not long enough for me, so I purchased a USB extension cord at Dollar Tree to help the cable reach to a USB port on my computer.
The Foil Quill needs to heat up for 5 minutes before you use it. So plug it in before you start assembling your Foiled Slider Popup Card. When the Foil Quill is plugged in, the top of the quill lights up.
Prepare Your Mat, Paper, and Foil
Place your paper on your cutter mat. Cut a piece of foil about 1″ larger than your design. Place the dull side of the foil down on the paper. Tape around the edges of the foil using the low tack tape included with the Foil Quill package. If you cut out your tag and backing piece for the inside of the card first, you don’t need to use the low tack tape. You can place the cut foil over the cut cardstock, and tack the excess foil to the adhesive on your mat. However, this may result in some foil residue on your cutting mat. If you do not want foil on your cutting mat, do the foiling first.
Foiling the Designs using the Foil Quill
Select the portion of the design you wish to foil. Select “Draw” in your cutting panel. Set the pressure appropriate for drawing with a pen. I set mine a bit higher. Do some small tests to see how your pressure, speed and choice of tip work with your foil. Once your cutter has completed “drawing”, remove the Foil Quill from your cutter, and replace the blade assembly in the holder. Without moving the mat or cutting head, cut out the shapes on which you foiled.
Foil the large Shamrock
Cut the large shamrock from your preferred media. If you plan to use the Gemini Foilpress foil, turn on the Gemini Foil press, and insert the heating plate. Set the temperature to medium. Cut the large shamrock from white cardstock.
When the Gemini Foilpress beeps and a green light shows next to the Medium heat setting, place the foil, shiny side down on the Foilpress plate. On top of that, place the right side of the large shamrock down over the foil. Place a half sheet of heavy white cardstock over the large shamrock. Place a black magnetic shim from the Gemini Junior over the paper shim, and place the foilpress carbon plate over the top. Set the heat for 45 seconds. When the machine beeps, remove the stack from the foilpress and place into the Gemini Junior for the necessary pressure.
If you will be foiling with a toner sheet and laminator using heat reactive foil, cut the large shamrock from a black toner sheet. You can make a toner sheet by printing a black page using a monochromatic black laser printer. Or you can go to an office supply store and make photo copies of a black sheet of paper. Cut the large shamrock from this toner paper. Fold a piece of printer paper in half. Place the dull side of a heat reactive sheet of foil down on top of the shamrock, and place both inside of the folded printer paper. Set the laminator to heat up. Once heated, place the folded edge of the printer paper with its contents into the laminator.
You now have a large foiled shamrock for your foiled slider popup card.
Slider Assembly for Foiled Slider Popup Card
Here is how to make a foiled slider popup card with the pieces you have prepared. Close the card base on the center fold line. Lift the window flap to expose the inside bottom of the card. Glue the piece that says Irish Blessings to the inside bottom of the opening using quick drying glue on the back of the foiled piece. Next, glue the foiled Irish Charm piece to the top of the tag. Glue the frame over the top of this piece.
Open the card to the inside. Place a strip of double sided tape along the bottom edge of the window flap. Also add strips of double sided tape along the outside edges and bottom of the inside front of the base card as shown below.
Remove the covering of the tape, and adhere the bottom edge of the tag, design side down, to the bottom edge of the window flap. Next, close the card, so that the back of the card is permanently stuck to the front, forming a pocket. Now when you pull the tag up at the top of the pocket, it pull the flap up with it.
Now the popup flap has formed, and it will serve as a platform for your large Shamrock.
The designs on the inside of the card and on the tag are revealed when the tag is pulled up.
Decorating the Slider Popup Card Front
Now that the popup mechanism is formed, you can decorate it with the large foiled shamrock. Add quick drying glue to the back side arms and lower stems of the large shamrock. Do not get glue on any part of the shamrock that overlaps the window of the base card. Also do not add any glue to any part of the shamrock that hangs above the window fold.
Now that the large shamrock is glued to the popup mechanism, assembly of the foiled slider popup card is complete. When open, you can see the foiled sentiment on the tag, and the foiled sentiment on the front of the card.
Slider Popup Card front when open
When the card is closed, the inside sentiments and foiling are hidden. The large shamrock is displayed proudly on the front of the Slider Popup Card. You can add a ribbon to the tag to make it easier for the recipient to know to pull on it.
Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the basic slider popup template.
Special credits: The lovely fret pattern I used to create the shamrock design was shared by Diana Tunnicliff. She has shared thousands of her lovely designs with cutter users. She shares the links for her creations in a number of Facebook groups, including the Cutter Software Facebook Group. If you would like to see the process I used to create the Shamrock design, you can watch a couple of my YouTube Tutorials: Make A Lacy Shape and Create a Lacy Shamrock.
>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<
This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.
If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.
Julie
