Day one - Cuttlebug and why i bought one!!!

Hi and welcome to my week on the blog. This weeks is about all different things, some that you asked for in the comments section on last months week and others that i have had email questions about.

Todays post is about the 'Cuttlebug'.

I know there are many different cutting machines out there ( and believe me i have many of them) and there are always new ones coming out, but my favourite by far has got to be the Cuttlebug.

Reasons why :

1. It is so small, portable and not that heavy. And one of the best things it does have is a handle for carrying, which when you are going to crops these good attributes make a big difference.

2. It needs no electricity!!! Again, good for crops and also for my scrapbooking room, which has limited plugs!!!!!

3. The handle to push the dies through is big and easy. I love this part of the Cuttlebug. I suffer from Carpel Tunnel, so my hands are sometimes not the best, so this handle is easy for me to use.

4. One of the main reasons that i bought the Cuttlebug was because you dont just have to limit yourself to the Cuttlebug dies. Most other dies can fit into the Cuttlebug with the help of the different plates that come with it.
You can go here to see which plates you need to use with which dies.

5. The embossing folders are the best thing ever invented!!!!!!! They are perfect for adding texture to something plain.

One of the best things that i have found to do with the embossing folders is this......



Seriously cool!!!!!!!!!!! i have tried it and the effect is stunning.

Also embossing on acetate...




TOP TIP

I know this sounds silly, but it is something that comes up time and time again in messages boards. When you have a letter that you want to have cut out, cut out a square of card/pattern paper and place that over the desired letter. This is instead of covering the whole letter die

Now to cost. This is one of the reasons that i chose the Cuttlebug. The embossing folders are only £3.75. I love that, it means you can build up your collection very fast ( too fast for me!!!! lol).
The individual dies range from £4 - £7 which again are not that expensive.

Oh and dont even get me started on the new dies that emboss and cut at the same time!!! seriously GORGEOUS!!!!


Using the Cuttlebug i made this card.

I used a card size 14cm by10.5cm. I then used this pattern paper from the new Basic Grey Eva line. I cut out out to the size 10cm by 13.5cm. I inked the edges and then outlined with faux stitching. This is the base of your card, but dont stick it down yet as you need to attach something behind it.

I then ran it though the cuttlebug in this embossing folder.

Next using the 'French Lace' paper from Basic Grey i cut out a rectangle size 11cm by10cm. Before sticking it down i cut some scallops on on the edges.

Then using a threading water punch ( these are out of stock at the moment, but some more are due in, in the next week or so) Scallop the edge of a piece of white cardstock and adhere to the page.


I then cut out a strip of brown cardstock, the size 2.5cm by10cm. I used a white pen to add faux stitching lines along the edges. And adhered it to the card.

I then cut 3 small bits of thin string ( i bought mine from a garden centre) making sure that i left enough to go round the edge of the pink paper so i could secure it with tape.

I then cut out a small heart out of acetate or transparencies. I then used a script stamp with black ink and ink all the way over the heart. and secured it to the page.

I then punched a white scalloped circle and cut out a smaller size circle out of this pattern paper and adhered it to the top of the white circle.

I then cut out a series of layered flowers...

I cut out several at a time, makes it quicker..

The dies used are these ones. They are fab, because you can use them on there own or all together. All layered one of top of the other has a stunning effect.

I then added a Heidi Swapp ghost heart to the front of the flowers. To adhere this i put it though the Xyron 'create a sticker ' machine ( best thing ever invented in my opinion) and then added a few gems.
As usual i dont ever add a greeting to my cards until i need them, that way i have always got a card for every occasion.

Come back tomorrow for another post. At the end of the week there is going to be a competition so pop back soon!!!