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!
Happy crafting!
Christmas Popcorn Gift Box
Created by OMC Designer Lindsey
Supplies Used:
Sizzix : Bigz Die - Tree, Christmas & Snowflakes
Sizzix : Textured Impressions Embossing folder 2pk - Christmas & Thin Ice Set
We R Memories Keepers : Peppermint Twist 12" x 12" Scrapbook Pad
Bazzill Basics : 12" x 12" Cardstock - Walnut (Brown), Emerald City (Green), Raspberry Parfait (Red), Blank Check (Tan)
Tim Holtz : Distress Ink Pad - Brushed Corduroy
Clearsnap : Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Dye Inkpad - Spearmint
My Mind’s Eye : Everyday Fun Twine
Martha Stewart : Punch All Over the Page - Flourish Square
Echo Park : Holly Jolly Clear Stamps
Red Chunky Glitter
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!
Happy crafting!
Holiday Tissue Boxes
Created by OMC Designer Sandy
Supplies Used:
Tissue box 5 x 5½ inch size, remove protective cardboard from center of box
OMC Vinyl : Silver Flake, Sky Blue Flake and White, Transfer Tape
Sizzix : eclips Seasonal Cartridge (any holiday cartridge will work)
Martha Stewart : Utility Bone folder or Tonic Studios: Retractable Knife
We R Memory Keepers : Magnetic Mat and Ruler
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.
Happy crafting!
