decoration decoration decoration
decoration
leaf leaf leaf leaf leaf
decoration decoration

Prime Day 2021

Prime Day Deals Crafters

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.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!  

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 CutterSee 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.

Scan N Cut DX125EGY

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 Blade

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 Mini

Cricut Easy Press 2  9″x9″ Higher heat options for Cricut Infusion projects

Cricut Easy Press 2   12″x10.  Necessary for larger Cricut Infusion projects.

Cricut Easy Press Mat 

Cricut Cuttlebug

Cricut Bright Pad

Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted

Cricut Infusible Ink Markers

Cricut Heat Resistant Tape

Cricut Coaster Blanks

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

Scor-tape Sheets

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.

Epson Ecotank Printer

Sublimation Ink for Epson WF 2760– Print designs on sublimation paper, and transfer to project blanks

Mug Blanks for Sublimation 

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

Set of 9 Flameless Candles

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.

12 Retractable Bold Pens

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.

Bic 36 colors, permanent pens

Dry Erase Markers

24 Mechanical Pencils

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

Prismacolor colored pencils

Super Doodle 50 Gel Pens Set

48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.

136 colored pencils – Best deal

Acrylic Paint pens set of 18

40 colors Puffy Paints

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

Stamp Pad Set

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks

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 Father’s Day Popup Card

DIY Happy Father's Day Popup Card

Father’s Day Popup Card

You can make this Father’s Day Popup Card even at the last minute for the beloved fathers in your life.  The popup on the inside of the card is simple.  You can decorate inside, outside, and back of the card if you want to get creative.

Download the Cutting Files

You can download the free SVG cutting files from our Resource Library to make a Father’s Day popup card like this one. The cutting files include pieces for the base popup card, backing card, and decorative layer pieces. The completed popup card measures 7″ wide by 5″ high when closed. You can use the same envelope provided in the Motorcycle popup Card template in the Resource Library .

Pin for Happy Father's Day Popup Card

Happy Father’s Day Popup Card

Supplies to Make a Father’s Day Popup 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 receive a small commission. Thanks!

80# white cardstock for the card base.
Medium weight  cardstock for the lettering and clouds.  I used double sided paper from the Wilderness Retreat Collection for the printed layers.
Wilderness Retreat Collection dies for layer embellishments or use scissors to fussy cut shapes of your choice from the paper collection.
Gold metallic cardstock if desired for the Sun
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) or you can use Cricut Explore or Maker  or Cameo 4  or Scan N Cut
Pen holder, pen spacer and pen for cutter.
Art Glitter Glue
Pop Dot Adhesives
Crystal Clear glitter Optional
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library

Cutting Instructions to Make a Father’s Day Popup Card

The cutting files you need to make a popup Father’s Day Card are all included as shown below.

Cutting files to Make Father's Day Popup Card

Image of Cutting files to Make Father’s Day Popup Card

The card back is on the left in blue.  It has a score line at the center. You can cut this piece from green cardstock. Or you can cut a 6″ wide panel from the Wilderness Retreat Collection paper pad from Heartfelt Creations as I did. Since it is double sided paper,  I selected a page that had the blue background that shows up under the cut out pieces on the inside of the popup card. The opposite side of the paper formed the background of the front of the card.

Open Front of Father's Day Popup Card

Open Front of Father’s Day Popup Card

This paper included another design on the bottom half that made a nice backing for the card.Bottom of Father's Day Popup Card

Bottom of Father’s Day Popup Card

In the cutting file, the base card is cut from white cardstock.  80 # cardstock works best to keep the popup strong.  Be sure to score the red lines first, then cut the black lines. Notice that the score lines are all solid red lines. Use a scoring tool for these lines, or retract your blade and reduce cutting pressure to score the surface of the card with your blade.

Father’s Day Popup Card Layers

The green pieces are for the inside layers of the card. There are two sizes of mats you can use. I used only one.  I cut the top portion and the tab layers from a blue printed piece, and the bottom portion from one of the outdoor scenes in the card pack.  In order to make the lettering stand out, I cut them from black cardstock. You can cut the sun from the Lux Gold cardstock, which is quite eye-catching, or you can use yellow cardstock.

Before cutting the white cloud with text, use your pen in the pen holder for your machine to draw the text. Then replace the pen holder with the cutting blade holder to cut out the cloud. You may also cut the 2nd cloud at the same time.

If you would like to add more interest in the card, cut out the flowers, critters, eagle, grass, water, etc. to add to your scene. You may use the cutting dies from the Wilderness Retreat Collection, or simply use scissors to fussy cut them. I added the deer and grass layer and an eagle to the back side of the card.

Cutting Instructions for Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker

If you are using Cricut Design Space, upload the SVG file for the Father’s Day Popup Card into Cricut Design Space. Then right click on the design and select Ungroup. You need to designate each of the red lines as score lines in the Line Quality panel at the top of the screen.  Select the card and its score line, right click, then click on Attach.

Next, select the base card and its score lines (in black). Right click and select Ungroup. Select the score lines from the layers panel, and set them to Score in the line quality panel. Hold the Shift key to select also the card layer. Then right click and select Attach.

Text Sentiment

Select the cloud with text and ungroup. Select the text and set it to Draw in the Line Quality panel. Change the cloud color to White. Select the cloud and text, right click, then select Attach. Now you are ready to Make it. Check each color layer to make sure the pieces look correct in their layers.

Cricut Cutting file image for Fathers Day Popup Card

Fathers Day Popup Card layout for Cricut Design Space

 

Make It

Go to the Make It screen to make sure the score lines show up on the same layer as the corresponding cutting lines.  If you get a separate red mat, then the lines were not attached properly to their cutting shapes. Go back to fix that.

There is a video tutorial showing how to use popup cards with Cricut Design Space here. Cricut Design Space has been updated a bit since the video was made.  The updated software now has a Line type Menu at the top of the screen near the left side. The only difference right now is that instead of clicking on the color box on the Layers menu on the side of the screen to change from a cut to a score line as shown in the video, you will select your line in the layers panel on the side of the screen, then click on the tiny down arrow at the top of the screen under Line type. Select Score. After you have designated a line to be a Score Line, hold the shift key, and select the shape of the card. Then Right click and select Attach.  The color selection box is next to the Cut Menu as well.

Cutting Instructions for Scan N Cut

There is a set of multiple files for Scan N Cut users for this Father’s Day Popup Card, since Brother Canvas Workspace can accept only a single 11.5″”x11.5″” file at a time. Import one file at a time to cut and score. Make sure that the red lines are designated for score or draw.

Assembly Instructions

After you have all of the pieces cut out, it is time to start assembling your popup card.  First remove the loose pieces from the popup card design. This process is called “weeding”.  When these pieces are removed, you will be able to see through some parts of the popup card to the backing.

Next, glue the layers to the top and bottom inside of the card.  Now glue the black lettering over the letters on the popup card.

Folding the Popup Card

First you need to fold your pieces along the score lines.  Fold the backing card in half on the score line and crease it. Next, fold the sides of the white base card, pinching from the back of the card to make valley folds. There are two short fold lines on each side.  Now pinch the score lines at the tops of the tabs from the back to make valley folds. Also, make valley folds by pinching from the back on the score lines at the bottoms of the letters.  Make mountain folds on the score lines at the top of the letters.  Use a bone folder to make crisp fold lines. Gently push the back of the card up.

Then gently fold the card closed all the way, so that it is flat.

Now that the folds are made, check to make sure that the card opens and closes smoothly. Open the card, and glue the remaining decorative pieces to the upper and lower parts of the card background. There are also pieces to glue on the tabs, if you wish to use them.

Once you have all of the decorative pieces in place, fold the card closed.

Final Assembly of the Father’s Day Popup Card

To glue the popup card to its backing card, place the center crease of the folded card in the inside crease of the backing card as shown below. Use quick drying glue around the edges of the white base card, making sure not to get glue on any of the motorcycle parts. If you are using 6″ wide backing card, and 7″ wide popup card base, you will need to center the printed backing to the white base.

Place popup base card inside backing card.

Place popup base card inside backing card.

Close the backing card down over the white base card. Then rub all over the backing to make sure it stays in place until the glue dries.  Once the glue is dry, turn the card over. Glue the other side to the backing card.

Glue the popup card to the back.

Glue the popup card to the back.

With glue on the other side of the white popup card base, close the card again, and hold firmly in place until the glue dries. Then you can open the card.

 

Add Decorative Elements

Now you can decorate the front of the card as you like.  Use pop-dots to add dimension to the various character animals that you want in your scene. You can use pop-dots behind the clouds and sun as well.  Once you have everything in place as you want your scene to be, you can add some glitter if you like. To add glitter, put some thin lines of glue that dries clear in the places where you want some sparkle.  Than sprinkle some glitter over those areas, and pour the excess back into the bottle.  Let the glue dry completely.

Decorate the back of the card in like manner.  Now add a personal note. When your card is complete, place it inside of an envelope. Now it is ready for giving or posting it to a special father in your life!

Get the FREE SVG Cutting File

Happy Father's Day Popup Card Pin

Happy Father’s Day Popup Card

You will find the cutting files for this  Father’s Day Popup Card in the Free Resource Library.  

 

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.

Make a Popup Motorcycle Card

Make A Motorcycle Popup Card

Do you have a motorcycle lover among your friends and loved ones? Do you need a nice popup card to give them? If so, you can make a motorcycle popup card quickly and easily. You can download the free SVG cutting files from our Resource Library to make a motorcycle popup card like this one. The cutting files include pieces for the base popup card, backing card, decorative layer pieces, and an envelope. The completed motorcycle popup card measures 7″ wide x 5″ high when folded.

Supplies to Make a Popup Motorcycle 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 receive a small commission. Thanks!

Heavy Cardstock of your choice.
I used 80# white cardstock for the card base.
Medium weight green cardstock for the card backing.
French Cottage Paper Collection for layer embellishments
Silver metallic cardstock if desired behind the black motorcycle.
12″x 12″ lightweight paper or cardstock for envelope
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) or you can use Cricut Explore or Maker  or Cameo 4  or Scan N Cut
Art Glitter Glue
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library

 

Cutting Instructions to Make a Motorcycle Popup Card

The cutting files you need to make a popup motorcycle card are all included as shown below.

Cutting Files for motorcycle popup card

Cutting Files for motorcycle popup card

The card back is on the left. I cut this piece from green cardstock. Next, notice that the score lines are all solid red lines. Use a scoring tool for these lines, or retract your blade and reduce cutting pressure to score the surface of the card with your blade.

The base card is next to it. Cut this from white cardstock. Be sure to score the red lines first, then cut the black lines.

The next pieces are for layering on the card.  Cut the grey motorcycle pieces from silver cardstock. Then glue it to the back of the black motorcycle piece to provide contrast. Then glue the black piece over the motorcycle on the base card. The light and dark green pieces represent decorative layer pieces for the top and bottom of the card.

The final piece is for the envelope. First score the red lines. Then cut on the black line.

Cutting Instructions for Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker

If you are using Cricut Design Space, upload the SVG file for the Motorcycle Popup Card into Cricut Design Space. Then right click on the design and select Ungroup. Check to make sure that all of the red lines are in their appropriate places, within the corresponding cutting lines, as shown in the diagram. You need to designate each of the red lines as score lines.  Select the card and its score line, right click, then click on Attach. Next, select the base card and its score lines. Then right click and select Attach. Select the envelope and its score lines, right click, and then select Attach.

Go to the Make It screen to make sure the score lines show up on the same layer as the corresponding cutting lines.  If you get a separate red mat, then the lines were not attached properly to their cutting shapes. Go back to fix that.

There is a video tutorial showing how to use popup card with Cricut Design Space here. Cricut Design Space has been updated a bit since the video was made.  The updated software now has a Linetype Menu at the top of the screen near the left side. The only difference right now is that instead of clicking on the color box on the Layers menu on the side of the screen to change from a cut to a score line as shown in the video, you will select your line in the layers panel on the side of the screen, then click on the tiny down arrow at the top of the screen under Line type. Select Score. After you have designated a line to be a Score Line, hold the shift key, and select the shape of the card. Then Right click and select Attach.

Cutting Instructions for Scan N Cut

There is a set of multiple files for Scan N Cut users for this Motorcycle Popup Card, since Brother Canvas Workspace can accept only a single 11.5″”x11.5″” file at a time. Import one file at a time to cut and score. Make sure that the red lines are designated for score or draw.

 

Assembly Instructions

After you have all of the pieces cut out, it is time to start assembling your popup card.  First remove the loose pieces from the motorcycle design. This process is called “weeding”.  When these pieces are removed, you will be able to see through some parts of the motorcycle to the backing as shown below.

Prepare to fold the popup card.

Prepare to fold the popup card.

Next, glue the solid silver motorcycle piece to the back side of the black motorcycle piece. Glue the tiny silver mirror piece over the black mirror on the motorcycle, and the silver seat piece over the black seat on the motorcycle as shown below.

Prepare motorcycle pieces.

Prepare motorcycle pieces.

Now glue the black and silver motorcycle piece over the motorcycle portion of the white popup card as shown below.

Glue black and silver pieces to the card.

Folding the Popup Card

First you need to fold your pieces along the score lines.  Fold the backing card in half on the score line and crease it. Next, fold the sides of the white base card, pinching from the back of the card to make valley folds. There are two short fold lines on each side.  Now pinch the score lines at the tops of the tabs from the back to make valley folds. Also, make valley folds by pinching from the back on the score lines at the bottom of the wheels on the motorcycle.  Make mountain folds on the score lines at the top of the motorcycle.  Use a bone folder to make crisp fold lines. Gently push the back of the card up  as shown below.

Folded Popup Card

Folded Popup Card

Then gently fold the card closed all the way, so that it is flat.

Folded Popup Card

Now that the folds are made, check to make sure that the card opens and closes smoothly. Open the card, and glue the remaining decorative pieces to the upper and lower parts of the card background. There are also pieces to glue on the tabs, if you wish to use them.

Glue on the decorative pieces.

Glue on the decorative pieces.

Once you have all of the decorative pieces in place, fold the card closed.

Final Assembly of the Popup Motorcycle Card

To glue the popup card to its backing card, place the center crease of the folded card in the inside crease of the backing card as shown below. Use quick drying glue around the edges of the white base card, making sure not to get glue on any of the motorcycle parts.

Place popup base card inside backing card.

Place popup base card inside backing card.

Close the backing card down over the white base card. Then rub all over the backing to make sure it stays in place until the glue dries.  Once the glue is dry, turn the card over. Glue the other side to the backing card.

Glue the popup card to the back.

Glue the popup card to the back.

With glue on the other side of the white popup card base, close the card again, and hold firmly in place until the glue dries. Then you can open the card.

Completed Motorcycle Popup Card

Completed Motorcycle Popup Card

Now you can decorate the front of the card as you like, perhaps with a title such as “On the Road Again”, or other phrase that will encourage the card recipient. You can stamp a sentiment on a tag, cut a special sentimental phrase, or even just glue some decorative paper on the front of the card.   Sign your card, and it is ready for your recipient!

Cut and Fold the Envelope

Fold each flap of the envelope on the score lines towards the center.

Fold the Envelope on Score Lines

Fold the Envelope on Score Lines

Place some glue at the bottom of each side flap. Then fold up the bottom flap over the sides. Hold in place until the glue is dry.  Place the card inside of the envelope when you have it ready. To seal the envelope, place some glue around the top edge of the top envelope flap, and hold in place firmly until it is dry.

Assembled Envelope

Assembled Envelope

When your card is complete, place it inside of the envelope. Now it is ready for giving or posting to that motorcyclist in your life!

Get the FREE SVG Cutting File

Motorcycle Popup Card Pin1

Motorcycle Popup Card

You will find the cutting files for this  Popup Motorcycle Card in the Free Resource Library.  

 

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.

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

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!

Heavy Cardstock of your choice. 110# Recollections Cardstock is what I used. You will need 6 sheets per box.
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 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 sides up

Lift the Side Flap

Repeat with the other side flap.

Lift the other flap from its slots.

Lift the other side flap.

Pull the front flap down.

Open the front flap

Open the Front Flap

Now, fold the side flaps back down, inserting their tabs into their original slots.

Close the side flaps.

Replace Side Flaps in their Slots

Prepare the front flap to fold to the Inside

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

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.

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

Make a Drawer

 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.

Drawer to Make Subscription Box Tower

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

Make a Drawer to Make a Subscription Box Tower

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.

Assemble drawer for Subscription Box Tower

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 to Make a Subscription Box Tower

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 for Subscription Box Tower

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 for Subscription Box Tower

Drawer Assembly Step 5

Drawer of Subscription Box Tower

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 of Subscription Box Tower

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 for Subscription Box Tower

Drawer Assembly Step 8

Now you can add the other bottom piece on the inside of the box.

Drawer for Subscription Box Tower

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

Ribbon for Subscription Box Tower Drawer

Drawer for Subscription Box Tower

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

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

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

Clipped Boxes for Subscription Box Tower

Bottom Clipped Boxes of 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

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.

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

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 CutterSee 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 Blade

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

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 Easy Press Mat 

Cricut Cuttlebug Special bundle

Cricut Bright Pad

Cricut Ultimate Fine Point Pen Set Assorted

Cricut Infusible Ink Markers

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 Heat Resistant Tape

Cricut Coaster Blanks

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.

Crafter’s Companion Products

Tools

A4 LED Ultra Thin Light Box Tracer – Not quite as bright as the Cricut Bright Pad, but the price is right and it works well for weeding vinyl.

Crafter’s Companion NEW! Professional Guillotine  Large  13″ long, compact and light weight. Great for trimming! Side arm extends 13″ . Metric and Imperial measurments, scoring stylus, and scoring grid.

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

Self Adhesive Vinyl

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

Mug Blanks for Sublimation 

Sublimation Printer Paper

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

Dell Laptop Computer – Here is a top rated laptop computer for the $199 price, posting on Thanksgiving Day starting at 7:00 AM Pacific Time  online: Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop
You will have to grab it fast at that time as there are limited quantities.

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.

12 Retractable Bold Pens

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.

Bic 36 colors, permanent pens

Dry Erase Markers

24 Mechanical Pencils

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

Prismacolor colored pencils

Super Doodle 50 Gel Pens Set

48 Colored Pencils– less expensive, but less dense pigment than Prismacolor colored Pencils.

136 colored pencils – Best deal

Acrylic Paint pens set of 18

40 colors Puffy Paints

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

Stamp Pad Set

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks

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.

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.

Foiled Easter Sliceform

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.

Low Tack tape

Foiled Easter Sliceform Cutting Files from the Free Resource Library 

.

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.

Foiled Easter Sliceform

Screen shot of drawing and cutting lines.

When you click on the green lines, if all pieces are selected, right click and select Ungroup. Then you should be able to select the green lines and assign them to Draw in your software.  Make sure that your foil quill is heating up while you prepare your paper on your cutting mat. It needs to preheat for at least 5 minutes.

Select the Proper Type of Foil for use with the Foil Quill to make this Foiled Easter Sliceform

If you are not using the foil that came with the Foil Quill set, make sure you are using the correct type of foil.  Not all foil will work with the Foil Quill.  Specifically, avoid foils designed to be used with toner sheets  and laminators. Check this list when in doubt about the foils you have. I have successfully used foil from WRMK, and CraftersCompanion.

Set Up the Foil Quill (or pen) in Your Machine

Select the appropriate adapter for you cutting machine, and screw it onto the Foil Quill. Adapter A is for Silhouette machines such as the Cameo. It also works on the Pazzles Inspiration or Pazzles Vue. Use Adapter B with Scan N Cut machines. The adapter for Cricut machines or Pazzles machines is C.  Adapter D works with Sizzix Eclips machines.  If you are using a Cricut Explore or Maker with two tool slots, you will need to remove the pen holder from the tool slot on the left. To do that, hold the head firmly with one hand, and push up gently from the bottom of the pen holder to pop it out.  Next, place the Foil Quill into the slot.

Foil Quill installed in Cricut Maker

Foil Quill installed in the Cricut Maker.

Plug the Foil Quill into a Power Source

Plug in the cord of the Foil Quill into a USB power source.  You may use a USB power adapter for a phone in a standard power outlet. Or you can plug the cord into a USB port on your computer. I purchased a USB extension cord from Dollar Tree, because the cord was too short to reach to my computer USB Port.  If you are using the Cricut Maker, you can plug the cord into the USB port on the right side of the machine.  Do not plug your Foil Quill cord to the USB port on a Scan N Cut machine. USB data ports on cutters will not provide the necessary power for the Foil Quill.  Use a standard power supply or computer USB port.

Cricut Maker USB Power Port

Cricut Maker USB Power Port

Preheat the Foil Quill

The Foil Quill needs to be plugged into a power source for at least 5 minutes prior to use.  A light at the top of the quill turns on when the Foil Quill is properly plugged in. Make sure that the cord will not be in the way of the moving mat or cutting head on the cutter.  Also, ensure that the tip of the heating foil quill is not touching your mat, or paper, or other flammables while heating.

 

Paper Selection

Heavier paper works better with this file as the completed project needs to stand on its own. Use cardstock that is at least 80#, and preferably 100# or 110# . The paper should be the same on both sides.  Since this design is very intricate, be sure to do test cuts to determine the best blade depth and pressure. Cut with a slow speed.  See this article for more tips on doing test cuts. 

Prepare to Foil and Cut

While the foil quill is preheating you can prepare your paper and foil. Place the cardstock on the cutting mat.  Cut a piece of adhesive foil that is at least one inch larger than the lines to be drawn.  Since  the line portion of my design is 4″ x 4″,  I cut my foil at 5″ square.  Cut strips of low-tack tape such as blue painter’s tape into narrow pieces. You can use  a craft knife and ruler on a mat to cut strips of tape that are about 1/4″ wide and 5″ long.  Place the foil on  the paper at least 1″ down from the top of the mat, and 1″ in from the edge of the mat.

Position of design on mat in the software

Position of the design on the virtual mat

Place a tape strip on one edge of the foil to hold it in place. Then smooth out the foil, and place another narrow strip of tape on the opposite side. Repeat with the other two sides of the foil.

Foil taped to paper with low tack tape

Foil taped to paper on the mat.

 

Foiling or Drawing and Cutting your Project

Import the Easter sliceform design into your cutter software.  Position the design lines in the software in a position corresponding to where you placed the  paper and foil on the cutting mat. Select the green lines . Make sure that these lines are set to Draw.  Send the design to Draw and Cut.  If using Cricut Design Space, click on Make it. Set the media to lightweight chipboard if using 110# cardstock, and select More. If using 80# or 100# cardstock, select heavy cardstock in your media settings, and More.  If your machine has speed options, set it to Slow. Use the blade settings that worked best during your test cuts.

The machine should draw first.  Watch the machine as it works drawing the design lines with the foil quill. When the drawing is complete, pause the machine either in the software or using the Pause button on the machine. Remove the foil and tape without moving the mat or the cutting head.  Then resume cutting by pressing the pause button again.

Remove the Foiled and Cut Design from the Mat

When foiling and cutting are complete, unload the mat. Remove the cut shapes very carefully from the mat. The intricate design might tear if you are not very careful.  Some of the tiny lattice detail may stick to the mat. Use a poker tool to remove any remaining pieces away from the Foiled Easter Sliceform.

Foiled and Cut Easter Sliceform

Detailed cut shape

Assemble the Foiled Easter Sliceform

The yellow design pieces both have notches at the top and bottom. She smaller piece slides inside of the larger piece.  The notch at the top outside of this smaller piece slides into the opening above the cross on the other piece, and into the notch there.   The bottom right edge of the smaller piece slides through the long slot below the bottom of the cross, Slightly curve the open edge of the smaller piece to pass it through the top opening of the S.

Foiled Easter Sliceform assembly

Putting the two sliceform pieces together.

Slide the bottom opening of the smaller piece down to the bottom of the opening of the larger piece.   Unfold the two pieces so that they form a 90 degree angle.  The bottoms of both pieces should line up perfectly so that it will stand on its own.

Sliceform Assembly final.

Sliding the bottoms of the two pieces together.

 

Foiled Easter Sliceform Completed!

Now it is your turn! Share the with your friends on Facebook. I would love to see what you make with the Foiled Easter Sliceform template.

Foiled Easter Sliceform

Foiled Easter Sliceform

 

>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<

This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.

If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.

Julie

 

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

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!

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.

Cricut Maker

Mint Cricut Explore Air 2 

New Cricut Easy Press 2 Now in three different sizes. Heats to 400 degrees quickly.

Cricut Easy Press Mat  

Cuttlebug by Cricut

Cricut Bright Pad

Ultimate Fine Point Pen by Cricut  Set Assorted

Stamp set

Prismacolor pastel color sticks

Prismacolor colored pencils

Sizzix Extended Cutting Plates

Super Doodle 50 Gel Pens Set

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

Cricut Rotary Blade Kit

Dog Tags for engraving Engrave a blank tag for your pet using your engraving tool with your cutter!

Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks

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.

Best Paper for Cutting

What is the Best Paper for cutting with your electronic cutter? The answer to this question depends on what you want to do with the cut paper. Are you wanting to cut very intricate designs? Are you wanting to make popup cards? Do you want to print on the paper before or after cutting? Are you cutting very thin paper or very thick paper? Do you need to emboss your paper? There are many factors to consider in your paper choices.

Best Paper

Best Paper for Cutting

There is some excellent general information about paper called The Ultimate Guide to Card Stock posted here.  And there is excellent information about paper weights here.

No matter which paper you choose to cut, you must do test cuts. Test cuts help you determine the optimal settings on your machine. See this document for test cut suggestions.

Note: Some affiliate links may be used in this post. I am affiliated only with products that I use. When you purchase products using my affiliate links, it does not cost you any more, but I will share some commission. Thanks!

Machine Choice

Not every machine can cut every different type of paper well. For example the Cricut Maker can cut Tissue Paper,  Construction Paper and Crepe Paper very well using its rotary cutting wheel.

Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker

Rotary Blade Kit for Cricut Maker

But other electronic machines may require special stiffening to be cut these thin papers. And most machines will not cut these very thin and very fragile papers at all.

Silhouette machines, such as the Silhouette Cameo can cut lightweight cardstock and text weight papers very well. But these machines are not rated to cut heavier cardstock or heavier media.

Is the Best Paper Made of Hardwood or Softwood?

Every paper mill has its own formula for creating paper. All use hardwood and softwood to make their papers. But the proportions of hard to soft woods used in the papermaking process varies. When you find paper that works extremely well for the projects you like to make, take note of the mill that produces that paper. You might want to consider purchasing your favorite papers in quantities. When you get some papers that do not cut well for the projects you like to make, avoid purchasing papers from the mills that produce them.

For example, I purchase inexpensive paper made by Georgia Pacific for test cutting new designs if they are not too intricate. But when making final project cuts and intricate designs, I prefer to use papers by Neenah or Colormates from Worldwin. These papers seem to be crispier, and cut without shredding. Even very intricate designs cut very cleanly on these papers. Crispy papers have a higher hardwood content that make them cut better on electronic cutting machines.

However, stiff and crispy papers may crack under pressure when using Die Cutter/Embossing machines. In this case, it is important to test small samples for embossing, before you purchase in bulk. You may find that paper that cuts best on the electronic cutter, is not the best paper for using in a pressure embossing machine.

The Best Paper for Light Weight Projects

Tissue Paper

When you want to emboss many, many layers of tissue paper, embossing folders used with Die Cutter/Embossing machines work great. However, tissue paper may rip and tear under a cutting blade in a cutting machine. For this reason, a rotary blade, such as that available for use on the Cricut Maker works best. You can cut some amazing flower petals from tissue paper using the Cricut Maker and rotary blade.

Best Paper

Cricut Maker

Use a light tack mat, or the project may tear when you remove it from the mat. Do not attempt to cut any shape smaller than 3/4″ using the rotary blade. Cut larger simple shapes from tissue paper for best results.

If you are needing straight cuts, a hand-held rotary tool may work for cutting multiple layers at a time. Then you can use scissors to make any necessary curved cuts.

Crepe Paper

Crepe paper comes in a wide variety a weights and attributes. When making crepe paper flowers, getting a quality crepe paper that stretches nicely is important. Crepe paper comes in many weights. You may be able to cut heavy crepe paper, ironed between two layers of freezer paper with a regular blade on your electronic cutter. But I have found that if I want to cut crepe paper on a cutter, Cricut Maker using the Rotary blade is the only machine that will do it well without tearing. Again, do not plan to cut any shapes smaller than 3/4″.

Crepe paper rolls for decorating may not be your best choice for cutting. This type of crepe paper is very thin, and stretches very little.

Construction Paper

Construction paper is very inexpensive. But it is also tears very easily. Its fibers are very loose. Cutting blades rip and tear in the cutting process unless using a rotary cutting blade. Use the rotary blade on the Cricut Maker for simple cuts on construction paper. Otherwise, scissors may cut the best. Construction paper is not always the Best Paper option for use with cutters.

Vellum

Translucent vellum used for crafting is generally a thin, but crispy paper that cuts well with a blade on electronic cutters. It comes in a text weight or as cardstock. The text weight paper is very fragile, so should be handled carefully. Translucent vellum cardstock works extremely well with line embossing on electronic cutters. And it cuts very well, too, without using a special backing or freezer paper.

You can create some lovely parchment type crafts using vellum, an embossing tool, piercing tool and cutting blade on your electronic cutter. If your machine does not have piercing and embossing tools available, it is possible to use hand embossing or piercing tools in a pen holder. The tip of a blade can produce a pierced effect if you don’t have a piercing tool.

Pazzles InVue Cutter

Pierced, embossed, and cut Vellum popup butterfly

 Scrapbook Paper

Decorative scrapbook papers are fun to use on cards and scrapbook layouts. Most cutters can cut scrapbook paper without a problem. But some scrapbook papers cut better than others. Some scrapbook papers made of layers may split, bunch or tear when cut. If you have papers that give you problems, avoid tiny cuts. Use them for cutting larger shapes. Cutting small welded text with sharp angles can result in lots of tearing. It is better to use nice crispy paper without a white core for intricate cuts and tiny text. If you find a brand that cuts well, stick with that brand for cutting with your machine.

Text Weight Paper

Paper that feeds into printers is usually text weight. 20# text is very light weight printer paper. 24# paper is better than 20# for double sided printing. 37# text weight paper is very nice for print and cut projects that do not need to be stiff. You can use shimmer papers for making lovely 3D flowers. This paper is described as 18 GSM (32/80lb Text) , The key word is “text” – this is NOT cardstock. It feels like quality letterhead paper. It has a smooth, Satiny Metallic finish.

Text Weight Papers can also be sold in heavier weights. Even up to weights that are nearly equivalent to medium weight cardstock. Be sure to read the weight specifications. Is it Text Weight or cover stock? Even more importantly, try some test cuts. Does it cut well for your purposes? If you need to print on it, will it feed through your printer smoothly? It is recommended for use in printers? Heavy cardstock may not work well for cutting around printed images.

Be sure to use a light tack mat when cutting light weight papers. Light weight papers may not come off of a brand new, very sticky mat. At least you should condition a new mat, and do test cuts on heavier paper on a new mat before using it with lightweight paper.

Best Paper for Cardstock Projects

Cardstock is available in weights from medium weight 65# up to  very heavy weight 110#. 70#, 80#, 90#, 100# and 105# are also common cardstock weights. You may want to have a variety of weights on hand for different projects.

Medium Weight Cardstock

65# cardstock is the most common medium weight cardstock. It can be used for cards, scrapbook photo mats, stamping embellishments, home decor, gifts and other crafting projects. Some medium weight cardstock cuts well, and others do not cut well on electronic cutters. If you have some medium weight cardstock that does not cut well on your electronic cutter, try using it for embossing on cards and embellishments. It may also be used for making simple shapes or photo mats.

It is easy to assume that your cutter is broken when nothing will cut right. However, “mushy” paper is the culprit for bad cuts more often than not for me. Also, be sure to check the cutter maintenance tips to rule out other causes of poor cuts.

Best Paper

Cuts before and after cutter maintenance

Heavy Cardstock

Any cardstock above 80# is considered to be heavy weight. 100# cardstock is great for coloring, molding, and shaping for 3D flowers. You will love 110# cardstock for creating heavy duty boxes and 3D paper projects. 100# cardstock is great for making popup cards. You will like using 80#-90# cardstock for making cards, intricate frames, borders, corners, etc . If you prefer cutting heavy cardstock, stay away from the cutters that are limited to cutting medium weight cardstock.

Some heavy cardstocks have polyester fibers in them, which make them strong. But these polyester fibers make them much more difficult to cut cleanly, especially on intricate designs. The polyester fibers also are very hard on blades, dulling them quickly. These textured papers make very nice cards and photo mats. However, they may not be the Best Paper for cutting with your electronic cutter.

Watercolor Paper

Watercolor paper can have different weights and densities. These papers are great for watercolor projects. Cutting watercolor paper into simple shapes may not be problematic. But it might be best to cut only simple, basic shapes from it. Because watercolor paper is not crispy, it may tend to bunch and shred by the blade. You may be able to cut shapes around your watercolor designs if you are careful.

Matboard

Professional quality photo mats are made from 4-ply matboard . Matboard is very stiff, and very difficult for most electronic craft cutters to handle. Some of the cutters that can cut with up to 1000 grams or more of pressure can cut 2-ply matboard up to 2mm thick. The cutting blade must also be able to handle the thickness of the Matboard. Some cutters, such as Scan N Cut, have the pressure rating for cutting heavier materials. But they are limited in the thickness that they can handle. Scan N Cut 2 is rated to cut media no thicker than 1.5mm. Read more about cutting matboard with the Knife Blade on the Cricut Maker here.  Pazzles Vue can cut 2 ply matboard up to 2mm thick.

Scan N Cut 2 cuts media only up to 1.5mm thick. The Scan N Cut DX to be released in the Fall of 2018 is boasting a 3mm thickness cutting option. Cricut Maker cuts media up to 2.5mm thick, but would require the optional Knife blade to access the pressure needed for cutting thicker media. Pazzles Vue cuts media up to 2mm thick. Some of the KNK machines will cut Matboard, as does the Silver Bullet line of cutters. Be sure to check your cutter specifications before investing in Matboard to cut.

Chipboard

Chipboard comes in many thicknesses and densities. Some chipboard is made of multiple layers. Some is coated on a single side, while others have a coating on both sides. Most cutters can handle cutting cereal boxes, which is flexible chipboard. Some chipboard is not flexible. That type is most difficult to cut. Some chipboard shreds during multiple cutting passes. There is chipboard available that cuts well without shredding. Here is an excellent article about chipboard. Cricut sells 11″x11″ chipboard made specifically for use with the Cricut Maker. Silhouette sells a chipboard colored cardstock, as regular chipboard cannot be cut on Silhouette machines.

I prefer cutting chipboard that will cut in a single pass. This is because the density of chipboard can cause a cutter to skip steps. If this happens, successive passes would not be in exactly the same location as previous passes. This results in shredding of the chipboard and very poor cuts. If multiple passes are necessary, it is best to start with lower blade extension and cutting pressure, then increase these settings for the next passes. This reduces the possibility of missed cutting steps. If you need thicker chipboard pieces, you might want to try cutting several pieces of .022″ chipboard, and gluing them together to make your project. Do not plan to cut intricate designs from chipboard.

Cricut Maker users may cut chipboard up to 2mm thick with the optional knife blade. The interesting thing about using the chipboard setting in Cricut Design Space, is that chipboard and other thicker, denser materials do not use a cutting pressure any more than 750 grams. The secret to success for this machine is the slow cutting, and many, many passes. The blade needs to have sufficient cutting surface to cut completely through the thickness of the chipboard.

Best Paper Brands for Cutting

I have been using electronic cutting machines since 2004. The brand of paper that I have had consistently excellent cutting results with is Worldwin Papers, I have used most of their papers varying from very light weight to very heavy weight, and all of them cut with excellence on my cutters. Their textured 65# Cutmates line is guaranteed to cut well on any electronic cutter. The selection of colors in the smooth 65# Colormates makes it to be much in demand among cutter users. My personal favorite smooth paper by Worldwin is the 90# Colormates Smooth and Silky. Their colormates line of heavy textured cardstock is also wonderful to cut. I love their metallics as well.

If you cannot find the Worldwin papers you need at Amazon, you can purchase your favorites from The Paper Mill Store.

When I need low cost paper options that I can get quickly locally from Michaels, I purchase Recollections cardstock . Their 65# cardstock generally cuts well, as does their very heavy 110# cardstock. 

Paper Brands to Avoid

I avoid papers from Joann. Their Core dinations  brand does not always cut well. I save this paper for purposes other than cutting on my electronic cutters. Paper sold at Walmart is inconsistent for cutting purposes. One color in a package may cut OK, while then next color will not cut well at all. These may work for simple shapes, but I stay away from their papers when cutting intricate projects.

Best Paper Hints and Tips

Humidity

Nice paper for cutting may not cut nicely if it has been exposed to humidity. Pressure and blade settings may change with the environment. What cut well this morning may not cut so well at the same settings in the afternoon when the air conditioning is running. Always do test cuts when environmental changes occur.

Storage

Store your paper in Zip lock bags after you have opened its original packaging. Two-gallon zipper bags fit 12″x 12″ papers well for storage. Storing them this way will prevent the papers from collecting excess moisture that can hinder cutting quality. Moist papers get “Mushy” and may tear and bunch during cutting.

Emboss the Cut

If you have some paper that is not cutting well, try using an embossing tool or scoring tool in the machine over all of the cut lines a couple of times at very high pressure. Then cut as you normally would. The embossing tool compresses the paper along the cutting lines so that you can get much better cuts.

Drying with Heat

Some have mentioned drying paper that has soaked up moisture in the oven. If you attempt this trick, be sure to keep an eye on the paper, so that it does start burning. Using a low temperature in a dehydrator for a longer period of time might be safer. Check on the paper at regular intervals. Some prefer to dry out paper using an iron.

Chipboard

After removing chipboard from its packaging, it gets thicker overnight. New chipboard straight from the packaging requires different settings than would be required if the paper sits out overnight. Cricut recommends letting its chipboard sit out of the package for a day before cutting for best results. Chipboard is very absorbent, and sensitive to environmental conditions.

Be sure to use a high tack mat and possibly tape the edges of chipboard and other heavy media to the mat to keep it from moving around during cutting .

Best Paper Cutting Settings

Because paper is very environmentally sensitive, the same paper may require very different settings. Those who live in very dry climates will need to use less cutting pressure than those who live in humid environments. For this reason, performing your own test cuts is extremely important. Don’t rely on a published list of settings or presets. Sometimes different colors of paper in the same package can require different settings. What cut well yesterday at certain settings may require different settings today. Be sure to do test cuts at the beginning of each cutting session, and any time you make color changes or environment changes.

Best Paper Conclusion

If you are faithful to do test cuts, you will be more successful cutting any papers you have in your collection. Be sure to keep lots of inexpensive paper that cuts well, on hand for doing project test cuts. Save your expensive paper for the final versions. This will save you lots of frustration.

The paper that is best for you depends on what you like to cut most, and what machine you have. Special tools available for use with your cutter can also make a difference in how they cut.

Here is FREE cutting project that you can use to check how well your paper cuts with each of the tree layers. The hearts layer provides some intricate cutting,  while the white layer provides a simple shape to cut. The Brown layer has some intricate inner detail. You can use this project on a card or scrapbook layout.

Best Paper

Best Paper for Cutting

Best Paper

Love Football Border

 

>> HOW TO ENTER THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY <<

This resource library is open to everyone for free. All you need is the password to get in, which you can get by filling out the form below.

If you already have your password, enter the resource library here.

Love,

Julie, cuttercrafter.com

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

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

Dries Clear Art Glitter Glue: Heartfelt Creations

Pearl Stickers

 

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

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

Make an Oval Accordion Card

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.

Oval Accordion Card

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.

Oval Accordion Card

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.

Oval Accordion Card

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.

Oval Accordion Card

Glue oval tab to neighboring oval.

Fold the ovals in the opposite direction of the folds in the base card. Then burnish creases.

Oval Accordion Card

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.

Oval Accordion Card

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

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.

- PAGE 1 OF 3 -

Next Page ⇀

loading
×

>> 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. Forgot your password? I put the password at the bottom of nearly all of my emails. But if you can’t find one of my emails to you, you can either fill out the form above again or email me at hello@cuttercrafter.com Password Tip: I recommend you copy and paste the password in to avoid any accidental mistakes. If you ever forget your password, please email hello@cuttercrafter.com Not working? If you enter the password and the same page refreshes, without any contents, that means you put in the wrong password. Double-check your email, copy the password, and paste it in to the link above. Still not working? I promise the password works—I haven’t changed it since I opened the library.   Try the copy/paste method again and make sure the URL you are going to has https at the start of it (that’s a secure page and it makes a difference). If that still isn’t working, try a different web browser.
%d bloggers like this: