Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds from:

Peg’s Crafting Corner

I was excited when I was asked to review the new Imperial Gold Nestabilites Dies by Spellbinders.  These dies add even more fun elements to any of your projects whether they are cards, scrapbook pages or even altered art items.  For $19.49 you get 4 to 12 dies depending on which set you choose.  This is a great price for the amount of things that can be created using them.  These dies will cut, emboss, deboss, stencil and letterpress.  You can do one layer or several.  The dies can be used in most die cut machines, too.  All you need is to follow the stack instructions for your machine that is provided with the instructions.

On this layout, I wanted to create a frame for the pictures.  The top picture I used just one of the dies to create an embossed mat for it and the bottom 2 pictures I made the embossed mats for both of them and then added a die cut and embossed frame over the top of each picture.  See how quickly it is to now create a beautiful frame for all of your pictures?

I experimented with several types and weights of paper to see how well they worked.  On the packaging it is suggested that the paper weight be 65 pounds.  That doesn’t mean that is what you have to use.  Here I tried lighter weight papers and found that most worked.  The foil (the red piece) didn’t cut, but did emboss.  It was too thin using in a regular stack and as I ran it through my die cut machine (Spellbinders Grand Calibur) I could feel the difference as it seemed to easily roll through without pressure.  A shim may have helped with this problem and I will experiment more on this to see if I can get it to work.  It will make a nice mat for a smaller picture, though.

I mentioned earlier about the correct stack to use these dies, but you will also have to purchase the Junior Magnetic Placement Mat to add to the stack or the dies will not work.  I was a little disappointed when I first received the dies and went to use them and couldn’t because I didn’t have this mat.  Nowhere on the packaging does it mention that it is required.  It was only when I opened up the dies and read the instructions was it mentioned. It is the only way to achieve the correct thickness for the stack and helps hold the dies in place when layering them.  Luckily, Create For Less has them and they ship quickly.  You will get 2 mats in a package for $8.49.  The mats are thin so when they are used they become etched as shown in the right picture.  This doesn’t affect the use of them, but after a while they will require replacing.  This was a big con for me is that it is not mentioned on the packaging that it is a required item in order to use these dies.

Overall, I would definitely suggest this product to everyone.  I love the different looks that can be achieved by just a few dies and that the price for them is reasonable.  They are great to use for frames around pictures or for embellishments on cards. There are several different designs to choose from which is a great idea, too.   One drawback is that the Junior Mat is required for use and there is no mention of it on the packaging.  Now head on over to check the dies out for yourself and start a new layer of fun on your projects.

By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds from:

Peg’s Crafting Corner

Q: Why can’t I get a clear stamped image especially with larger stamps?

     A:  Trying inking the stamp with a brayer to make sure all of the area is covered and stand up to do the stamping to get an even pressure on the entire stamp.

 Q: I’d like to make some of my own 3-d embellishments to put on my layout, but don’t know how to do it.  Any help?

     A:  A melting pot can be used to melt Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE) which can be poured into molds and cooled.

 Q: Why would I need an antistatic bag?

     A:  These bags are rubbed onto the project before anything else is applied so it helps to stop ink from smearing and bleeding through.  It, also, removes static when using glitter and embossing powders so they do not stick where they are not wanted and it deactivates the stickiness of stickers so they can be used in other ways on projects.

 Q: I can’t get glitter to stick to the adhesive sheet.

     A:  The best way to get it to stick is to burnish the glittered sheet.  After pouring on the glitter and removing the excess, place a piece of paper over the top and rub over it to push the glitter down into the adhesive.

 Q: What are gelatos?

     A:  They are a pigment stick that can be used with or without water to add color to your projects.  When used with water, they add a watercolored look to the project.   It can be used on wood, paper and more.

By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds from:

Peg’s Crafting Corner

Sometimes I find myself getting into a pattern when I make my cards.  I have the tendency to create the same size often so for this Mother’s Day card I decided to do a 6” x 6” card.  Remember there aren’t specific card sizes.  You can create whatever size you’d like, but if keep in mind that if you will be mailing it, there will be a difference in postage.  One favorite thing of mine to make is rosettes.  I enjoy making larger ones for layouts, but don’t create smaller ones that often.  I wanted to add one to this card so I created a mini rosette for it.  These are fun and really easy to make.

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By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds from:

Peg’s Crafting Corner

Embossing folders are a type of relief printing.  They are a plate with raised surfaces.  Letterpress is a type of relief printing where the design is inked and your paper is pressed onto the ink.  When using embossing folders the depressed area of the design is where the ink is applied.  This is a great technique to add some color and interest to areas of a card or background mat of a photo.  The ink color also adds interest.  If you choose a light colored ink such as pink or yellow, it makes a great spring background; a darker ink such as orange or red makes a great fall background.  The choice of embossing folder designs also adds to the interest.

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By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds

From:  Peg’s Crafting Corner

Waterfall cards are fun interactive cards that can be used for birthdays; get well cards and even invitations.  You decide the theme by the stamps you choose. You can create a card that opens or one that shares the message on just the pull tab.  It all depends on how you create the card base.

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By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds

From:  Peg’s Crafting Corner

This card is designed so that when it’s closed, the back side of center piece is showing.  When the card is pulled open, it swings around to show the front piece of the card; thus the name, flip flop swing card.  I enjoy making this type of card because it can be considered an interactive card.

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By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds

From:  Peg’s Crafting Corner

Triple stamped images are one of my favorite techniques to use.  The graduated sections add depth to a stamped image and create a different look for a stamp that is often used.  It helps keep those images from becoming boring and adds a whole new look and excitement to them.

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