AccuCut Craft Blog

Christmas in October

Posted by Tara Smithberg

I know right now many of you, including me, are gearing up for a busy Halloween weekend and have costumes, candy, black cats and spiders on the brain. But we all know that Christmas is going to sneak up on us before you know it. I had to show you a few more projects using the new Tree Album from Cheryl Mezzetti. This album has been a big hit among retailers. It makes such a great project for a class or kit.

Here's an album that Traci Armbrust made decorated with snowflake buttons accented in red and white. I love the contrast of the white and red against the green color of the tree.

Here's an inside spread. So adorable. I like how Traci used the Ribbon Border die to create a cool pattern that almost looks like garland on a tree. Other dies used here include Snowflakes #2 and Coasters #1.  

And don't forget! You don't always have to use this tree as an album. Layer the graduated pieces and use it on a wintry scrapbook page like this one. You could also use it to make banners to hang on a mantle or other decorations. The possibilities are endless. 

Other dies used to make this scrapbook page include Nameplates #12, Photo Corners #1 and Layering Stars.

  
 
  

Just one more Halloween idea!

Posted by Traci Armbrust

Halloween is approaching fast! We might be running out of time, but we are definitely not running out of ideas!

We can't forget the invitation for your next ghoulish event. Add sophistication to your Halloween bash using the A7 Cards Pinnovations™, A7 Cards-Frame Pinnovations™, Flourishes #4 (Small) and Flowers #6 (Long Cut) dies.

The paper and accent in the middle of the flower came from The Paper Company™. And, who can forget the spider brads from Eyelet Outlet.  I used a wire cutter to cut the legs from the back of the brad and adhere to the invitation with Red Liner Double-Stick Adhesive tape.

 
 Hope you are inspired by this last-minute idea! Have a wonderful Halloween! 

Last minute Halloween idea!

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Need a quick, yet creepy treat to hand out at a Halloween party? Turn a funky french fry box into a spooky spider!

Simply cut spider legs using Interlocking Border #2 and attach them to boxes cut using the French Fry Box die. Add some extra large wiggle eyes and fill with candy. Your guests will get the eerie feeling that someone is watching them! 

Use this cute French Fry Box for other occasions too. Kids will love receiving these boxes filled with treats at a birthday party or other holiday party.

Techniques with Traci: Ready-to-go Boxes

Posted by Traci Armbrust

Last May AccuCut came out with ready-to-go Pillow, Tuck Top, and Gable boxes. My favorite ready-go-go boxes, though, are the Stationery Boxes that allow you to package up your handmade cards. The clear, pre-assembled boxes come in A2 and A7 sizes. The A2 box holds approximately eight cards and eight envelopes, and the A7 holds approximately ten cards and ten envelopes. They are perfect for gifts or if you are selling your own cards and stationery. Plus, they have a great top surface to decorate as simply or lavishly as you like.

There is nothing like a hand made Christmas card or thank you card to warm the heart.  In this project I decorated the outside of the A2 clear box with Holiday Trees and the word Wish and made simple thank you cards to go inside.

To seal this box shut, I placed tiny strips of Red Liner Double-Stick Adhesive Tape along the inside long edges of the box.   

Here is another idea! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, which inspired me to use Awareness Ribbon #2 and the mini Ribbon. On this box, I choose to seal it shut by tying a ribbon around it and attaching the Awareness Ribbon die cut to that ribbon. 

 
 Here's another example of the A2 ready-to-go box. I used Borders #1 to seal the box closed and that adorable card inside is A2 card-Scalloped #1 and the flower on the outside is Flowers #27.

This A7 box is one of my favorites. The Dress was created using is a Pinnovation™ die. I dolled it up and adhered it to the front of the box. The cards on the inside are simple, yet add to the over all appeal of the design.

Here are some other ready-to-go boxes that have been decorated for various occasions. 

Pillow Box
 

Tuck Top Box 
 
  
 
 Gable Box-Kraft

So if you don't have time to cut out boxes, you just need a few for a special event or you need a creative and unique way to package your handmade cards. Try AccuCut's selection of ready-to-go boxes. Don't forget the dies to decorate them!

NEW DIE ALERT! Introducing the Tree Album by Cheryl Mezzetti

Posted by Tara Smithberg

If you haven't started thinking about Christmas yet, it's time! I know I've been hitting you with holiday projects one after the other lately, but Christmas will be sneaking up on us before you know it. To get you in the holiday mood, we're introducing a BRAND NEW album just in time for your holiday projects.

We are pleased to present the new Tree Album by Cheryl Mezzetti!

This amazing album is a two-die set and comes with five shapes to create a layered, dimensional look. Here are the shapes and how they fit together.

Here are some shots of the inside. The largest shape is 8"w x 8 1/2"h, giving you plenty of room for photos, journaling and super cute embellishments. Dies shown here include Antique Accents, Photo Corners #1, Ribbon Slides and Layering Stars. The bird on the cover was made using the Birds #1 die.

Other dies shown here include Frames #2 and the mini Buttons #2.

The best thing about this album is the price! Only $115, you'll be able to get so much use out of this album for years and years to come. Retailers, this album would make such a great kit or class and would help you sell related Christmas products, like paper, ribbon, rub-ons, stickers and much more. Plus this die can be used in so many ways. Use it on scrapbook pages. Layer different colors of paper or use each shape as its own page in an album. Create banners, wall hangings and tree ornaments. Ah, the list goes on and on!

So, let the holiday fun begin! For more great album ideas, visit our website. 
 

Let's Talk Turkey

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Anybody hungry? It won't be long until we are thinking about getting ready for mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce... and of course TURKEY!

To spice up your holiday table, why not create cute place settings for your guests? These little turkeys created by the Creative Cafe Design Team are super cute and may just turn you into a vegetarian.

To create the turkey face and body, they actually used the Owls die! So clever. They just cut the pointy ears off and added a little red piece for the turkey waddle.

The placemant was made using the jumbo size Owls, the 11 1/2" Mini Scalloped Circle and the 11 3/4" Eyelet Square dies. Here's a close-up of the little place card that uses the scalloped circle from Coasters #1 and Nameplates #11.

I hope these fun projects inspire you to think outside of the box when using your dies. Who knew an owl could double as a turkey?
  

Eye of newt and toe of frog...

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Halloween is coming soon, so it's time to get your tricks and treats ready to go! Decorate a cute clear pail with handle to use as your Halloween treat container.

 

These little Provo Craft clear pails are really popular right now and come in all sizes. Designer Traci Armbrust decorated this one with a variety of dies, including Border #2 to trim the bottom, Nameplates #13 for the label and the Poison Symbol for a cool skull and crossbones.

I love the bling on the skeleton head and the ribbon tied around the handle makes it extra festive. Fill with creepy candy and that's all there is to it!

Retailers, this would be a cool project to display in your store to help you use AccuCut dies to sell related products.

Store Spotlight: The Paperie

Posted by Tara Smithberg

I love seeing retailers using their AccuCut dies to make fabulous projects and to inspire their customers. With that being said, we have to give props where props are due! The Paperie in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada has been creating dozens of wonderful projects using their AccuCut machine and dies. Take a peek at some of these cool projects they've been posting on their website.

This little portfolio is perfect to give as a gift to a mom-to-be. They used the Portfolio #1 die to hold the note cards and accented with the largest inside shape from the Antique Accents die. I love the paper pattern combination and the stamp from A Muse is simply adorable.

Meghan from the Paperie had some very nice things to say about how AccuCut has helped grow their business.

"The AccuCut Blog and website have both provided endless inspiration and ideas for the dies we own. It is more than just a die-cutting system to us, AccuCut is an essential part of our business. Our collection of dies has expanded and we've even added a second GrandeMARK machine to our workshop to meet the growing needs of our customers."

Here's a cute birthday ensemble using several AccuCut dies, including the Tree #1, Black Tie Alphabet, A7 Convertibles Pocket &  Card, Box #4, Bag #1 and Gift Tag #2.

  
We're also glad to hear that The Paperie is embracing the popularity of creating custom wedding invitations. Here is a beautiful wedding invitation they shared with us last spring that uses a variety of AccuCut dies. We just had to show it again.

 
Meghan said, "Another major component of our business these days is Custom Wedding Invitations and supplies for DIY brides. With the aid of our AccuCut machines, we can show brides how easy and affordable it is to make their own invitations themselves. We also have several AccuCut templates for favour boxes, menus, place cards, seating charts, or table numbers if they wish to coordinate all the paper elements of their wedding. We would strongly recommend the AccuCut System to other stores for this same purpose because Weddings will never go out of fashion!" 

Be sure to visit The Paperie's blog as they feature an AccuCut project weekly! Thanks so much to The Paperie! We look forward to many more fabulous projects and endless inspiration!

Techniques with Traci: Gotta have the vinyl... and I'm not talking records!

Posted by Traci Armbrust

So this holiday season I didn't want anyone to forget about the many different materials that AccuCut dies can cut. One of my favorite materials, and one that is very popular right now, is cling vinyl. 

You can decorate glass windows at home, in your car or at your store. It also sticks to mirrors and some slick surfaces like refrigerators, bath tubs and tiles. Since we are in the haunting season, I thought I would show you a few examples of just how simple it is to create your own spook-tacular decorations like these.

 

 
 
I used Spider #4, and Cat #3 dies for these fun window clings.

Don't be afraid to layer the vinyl or use wiggle eyes to attach to spiders or bats. Use paint, markers and sharpies to accent perforation lines or to simply outline the shape. You can also adhere other materials, like sparkly, film or paper to cling vinyl. Here, I chose to create a sparkly orange pumpkin using orange Funky Film.

 

Here's how I did it. I carefully attached the sticky orange film to the orange static cling vinyl, making sure it is completely smooth. Then I cut the shape using the Pumpkin #3 die.  Nothing like adding a little bling to your Halloween!

 
There's so many things you can do with these materials. Make sweet window decorations or attention-grabbing signs for your retail store all year round! Have fun decorating and don't be "afraid" (no pun intended) to use materials other than paper with your AccuCut machine and dies!

For more home decor ideas, visit our website.

Happy World Card Making Day!

Posted by Tara Smithberg

The first Saturday in October is always a special day. It's World Card Making Day! It's the perfect time to celebrate creativity and the joy cardmaking brings to thousands of people. And what better day to get a jump start on your holiday cards?

In honor of this day, here are a few of my favorite cards. This cute card was made using one of our most popular card dies, the Criss Cross A2 Card die. This little pocket card die comes with a mat to paste on the front, a band and an insert to place inside.

Add a cute border using the Chain #2 Border die and a sweet cupcake topped with a red button. The cupcake shape was made using the Cupcake #2 die. Stamp your sentiment on the insert and there you have it. Piece of cake!

Designer Traci Armbrust just recently made this adorable holiday card using the new Scalloped #3 A2 Card. I love the shimmery paper and the modern feel of the sepia photo on the inside. Other dies used to make this card include the Wish and Layering Stars dies.

 

 

I hope these cute cards have inspired you to celebrate World Card Making Day! For more fabulous note card ideas, visit our website.