Have you ever wondered about the benefits of manual verses electronic die-cutting? Or perhaps you're considering treating yourself to a Sizzix machine and just can't decide which one is right for you? Never fear! We've got lots of tips for both machines to help you make up your mind!
Big Shot The Big Shot is a hand-operated roller machine that enables you to die-cut and emboss shapes in a variety of different designs. The Big Shot is really simple to use and is perfect for loads of different crafts including paper crafting, home decor, jewelry making, and much more!
Works with every Sizzix die and embossing technology, so lots of designs to choose from!*
Can cut everything from paper and cardstock to chipboard and leather so the possibilities are endless!
Perfect for use in paper crafting jewelry making, home decor, clothing embellishment, card making, scrapbooking, and much more.
Lightweight and compact design makes storage or transport really easy.
Easy to use die-sandwich system means that cutting with everything from Framelits wafer thin dies to Bigz steel rule is simple.
Can layer up thinner materials when using steel rule dies to cut several copies at once. You can also use folding techniques to use die shapes in different ways e.g. to create concertina folds or an entirely new shape!
Sleek black and pink design with built in handle so it's perfect for crafting on the move.
* excludes Bigz Pro dies
The eclips The eclips is an electronic shape-cutting machine that uses image cartridges and comes with a handheld remote. This machine allows you to electronically manipulate and cut the shapes on the image cartridges without the need for a computer. It is perfect for detailed shapes and personalized designs.
Ability to customize all shapes.
Image cartridges come in 25, 50, and 100 shape format, and each one can be manipulated in many different ways.
Blade can be manually positioned and shapes can be rotated for less paper waste!
Perfect for use in personalized stationary and paper craft projects, intricate patterns, and cuttin gthe same shape in large or small sizes. You can create shapes up to 12" x 12" and borders up to 12" x 24", or cut designs to the nearest 1/100 of an inch!
Can use the fill function to cut the same shape repeatedly until all the paper is used.
Once you've programmed in your needs, just press cut and the machine does all the rest!
Cool white and blue design with built in handle - plus no need to connect to a computer!
Instructions: House 1. Die cut two houses out of light brown cardstock. 2. Die cut the door and roof trims out of white glitter paper and adhere them to a house. 3. Tie the two houses together with ribbon and adhere a strip of ribbon right above the door.
Lollipops 4. Punch 16 1” circles out of green (2), red (10), and white (4) glitter paper. 5. Fold all the red and white circles in half and 2 green circles. 6. Adhere four of the folded circles together to create dimensional semi-circle. Repeat to create 4 semi-circles. 7. Cut out four 1/8”x 1” strips of white glitter cardstock and adhere next to the door. 8. Adhere the dimensional semi-circles on top of the thin strips of white glitter cardstock. Now you have your lollipops.
Wreath 9. Punch 8 1” circles out of green glitter paper. 10. Pinch the corners of the green circles and adhere them to the top of the house in the shape of a wreath. 11. Tie a red ribbon into a bow and adhere that to the bottom of the wreath.
Inside of Card 12. Adhere a 4”x3” cream colored cardstock on the inside of card for writing on. 13. To create a pocket for a gift card: a. Cut 4”x2” brown cardstock and adhere to the left side of card on only the left, bottom, and right edges. Leave the top edge open to slide the gift card in. b. Add embellishments such as ribbon.
Instructions: 1. Create Background Create a collage with holiday paper and adhere to board with decoupage glue. Add a coat of decoupage glue on top of paper and let dry.
2. Apply Vinyl Template Using an electronic cutting machine, cut “Believe” out of vinyl. Weed “Believe” off of liner. Use transfer tape to apply the vinyl template to the board.
3. Paint Dab paint on the board and let dry. Peel off vinyl template and add embellishments.
Lifestyle Crafts : Nesting Eyelet Rectangles Instructions: 1. Use template to trace, cut and fold onto patterned paper. a. Cut on solid lines b. Score and fold on dotted 2. Adhere box together with a strong adhesive. 3. Create backboard by cutting cardstock 3” by desired height (depends on the lotion you’re gift wrapping). The backboard should be slightly taller than the lotion. Attach it to the back of the lotion box. 4. Embellish: Use Sizzix dies or layered chipboard to add dimension.
Here is the template for the lotion holder box.
To open, click on the image and it should enlarge. Print the template on white cardstock. If the template does not enlarge or does not print to the correct size, you can email contest@ohmycrafts.com with "Lotion Box Request" as your subject line to request a PDF version of the template. CLICK HERE to see all the products used in this project!
NOTE: The box that the Sizzix die comes in is not labeled as food safe. To make sure your food is handled with care, add a clear plastic bag around your treats, or use pre-packaged treats.
Instructions: 1. Take the box the Sizzix Christmas Tree came in and wash it out with dish safe soap. Once the box is dry, cut the Emerald City cardstock to fit inside box. 2. Cut two strips of cardstock to wrap around box. Cut the Raspberry Parfait strip 2¼" wide, and the Blank Check strip 1¾" wide. Emboss the Blank Check strip using the embossing folder that says "Merry Christmas", and ink the raised areas and edges with the Brushed Corduroy ink pad. Layer the strips with the Blank Check strip on top of the Raspberry Parfait and glue together. Wrap the layered cardstock around the box and glue together. 3. Cut out the Sizzix Christmas Tree die, once with Walnut cardstock, then with the dot paper from the Peppermint Twist scrapbook pad. Ink the dot paper branch edges with the Spearmint ink pad. Cut out the trunk from the Walnut cardstock tree and adhere it to the center of the dot paper. Punch out a Martha Stewart Flourish Square out of the Blank Check cardstock, ink the edges with the Spearmint ink pad, and stamp "to:" and "from:" using the Echo Park Holly Jolly clear stamps. Punch a hole in the top right corner of the Flourish Square. 4. Take the Christmas Tree and wrap a piece of twine around the center of the trunk, then string the twine through the hole in the Flourish Square tag and tie. Adhere the Christmas Tree to the layered cardstock in the center of the box. 5. Fill your box with popcorn or other Christmas treats!
CLICK HERE to view all the products used in this project!
Instructions: 1. Trim a 12" x 24" sheet of silver vinyl to 18 inches using We R Memory Keepers Magnetic mat and ruler. Then trim a 18" x 5½" strip of silver vinyl. Next, trim a 5" x 5" square from the first vinyl remnant piece. 2. Remove liner from vinyl from 5" x 5" square and center the over the top of the box and smooth out. Fold excess vinyl over the edge tucking in the corners. 3. Carefully remove about 10 inches of liner from vinyl and center over side of box (lay box on its side) and continue smoothing vinyl in place as you work around the side of the box (there should be enough vinyl that if it gets a little crooked it won’t matter. Because of the sparkling glitter the seam will not show so just let it wrap all the way around the box. 4. Fold bottom overhang of vinyl to bottom of box and smooth out. 5. With a craft knife, carefully trim away excess vinyl from the top so the sides and the top are flush. 6. Cut words and icons according to chart:
Cartridge
Theme/Color
Icon
Feature
Size
Qty
Seasonal
Winter/White
Let it Snow
Shadow
3.0
1
Winter/ Sky Blue
Let it Snow
Original
3.0
1
Winter/White
Snowflake
Shadow
3.0
3
Winter/ Sky Blue
Snowflake
Original
3.0
3
7. Cut a box around icon with craft knife. Weed around and remove excess vinyl from icon. Pick out any centers. Apply transfer tape to top piece of vinyl and burnish. Lift transfer tape and icon from liner and lay over top of shadow and center. Once the position is correct, press firmly down on shadow and burnish. Lift edge of transfer tape and remove from liner (both pieces should be stuck to the transfer tape) then center on each side of box. Repeat process for all four sides. 8. Make sure to position the words on the front of the box and not where there is a seam. CLICK HERE to see all the products used in this project.
Instructions: 1. Take your DVD and measure the length and width of the paper that will wrap around the DVD. Use a pencil to mark where the paper should fold around the DVD. This will allow the paper to act as a “book cover” that wraps around the DVD. Cut the paper out to size and use a corner rounder to round the cover edges. 2. Using the Martha Stewart scoring board, score along the lines to create the center folds. 3. Cut two strips of paper 2" x 9" and ink the edges. Next, like you did with the cover, fold around your DVD and mark where the fold lines are. Score the lines, fold, and align the strips to the center of the DVD case cover and adhere together on the back of the cover. 4. Using basic pocket folds, create two pockets to attach to the front and back (this step is optional and pocket sizes can be found online depending on the size of the treat you include!) 5. Embellish each pocket with tags or Christmas sayings. 6. Pick treats to go inside the pockets! CLICK HERE to see all the products used in this project!
Instructions: 1. Mix the Capulet Olive and Phantom Black acrylic paint until you get a forest green. Paint the Twelve Timbers frame and let it dry. 2. Using the K&Company Glad Tidings Cardmaking Pad, cover the frame with paper. Cover the paper with Mod Podge and allow to dry. 3. Using the “Vivjaya font” on the Silhouette machine, cut "Christmas Memories" out of the Ebony vinyl. Cut "Christmas" 5.1” wide and 1.8" tall. Cut "Memories" 4.5” wide and 1.8” tall. Pick and weed around the letters, then use transfer tape to apply the vinyl to the frame. 4. Rub around the outside and inside of the frame with the Wicked Black ink pad. 5. Find the sheet of paper with the bird and cut the bird out. Attach foam squares behind the bird and apply to the bottom right hand side of the frame. 6. Add the small pieces of poinsettia from the Prima Holiday Celebrations Collection.
Instructions: 1. Cut the black cardstock 2½” x 6” and then punch edge with EKSuccess Bubbles Edger Punch. Then attach to the front as shown. 2. Cut a sheet of BoBunny paper 2” x 6” and ink the edges. Attach the sheet to the black cardstock. 3. Cut a piece of black cardstock 1” x 2¼” and attach to the bottom corner of the BoBunny Paper. 4. Cut "Thanks" out of the Cloud White vinyl in size 1” x 2” using the Invitation Font. After cutting, weed around vinyl and then use transfer tape to attach the phrase to the black cardstock. 5. Attach Prima crystals as desired. Tie a ribbon around the top of card. CLICK HERE to see all the products used in this project!
Instructions: Step 1: Create a stencil with vinyl and apply it to fabric. Use transfer tape to help apply the vinyl if needed. For the Santa’s suit, cut two 1”x 24” strips of black vinyl and apply them across the bottom of the towel about 2” apart. Also cut three 1” circles out of black vinyl and apply the “negative” to the center of the towel as if they were Santa’s buttons. For the belt, cut a square inside a square and set this aside. Step 2: Use a foam brush to dab ink onto fabric. Be aware that the paint might seep through the fabric, so add paper behind the project to stop the extra ink. Step 3: Allow ink to dry completely, remove vinyl stencil, and iron to set the ink. Step 4: When layering colors, repeat steps. Now is when you can layer Santa’s belt. For his belt, I mixed a little black with white to get the gray belt. CLICK HERE to see all the products used in this project!