AccuCut Craft Blog

Success story!

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Who doesn't love a success story? Our customer service guru, Tammy Miller, passed these wonderful photos from one of our customers on to me, and I just have to share them with you.

This beautiful wedding stationery was created by Jennifer Dailard, owner of Simply Posh Design in La Mesa, Calif. I just love these photos and how elegant her design is. Jennifer used the Squares-4 3/4" Pinnovation® die to create these perfectly pretty programs. I love the rich colors and the bright bow adds a fun burst of color.

Here's a photo of Jennifer's place card made using the Place Cards #2 Pinnovation® die. This die is so great because you can cut four place cards at one time. And the little tag on the favor box was made with the 1 3/4" Square Seals Pinnovation® die. This die allows you to cut 15 at a time! Talk about increasing your productivity.

We are so happy Jennifer decided to purchase a GrandeMARK™ Machine to help grow her business. She's already seen great success and was kind enough to share her experience with us.

"A few months ago I decided to take the plunge and invest in the GrandeMARK machine and several Pinnovation stationery dies. As the owner of a very small custom invitation business, this investment was substantial.

Luckily, I did not have any time for buyer's remorse. Within 48 hours from ordering the GrandeMARK and dies, I received two orders from clients that almost completely covered the entire cost of my investment. My clients needed a variety of wedding collateral, including menus, favor tags, program fans and place cards.

When my GrandeMARK arrived a week later, I was able to produce these items in no time and delivered both orders, which totaled more than 1,000 pieces, on time. I am so glad I made the decision to invest with AccuCut and have a long wish list of dies that I plan to add to my collection over time. I particularly appreciate the ability to produce a dozen favor tags at a time without needing to hand cut those tiny squares as I have done so in the past. What once took hours, now takes minutes.

Thank you for a fabulous product!"

I hope this inspires everyone to create some fabulous projects this weekend!

Still looking for Christmas card ideas?

Posted by Tara Smithberg

So, is anyone else still in a turkey coma? I think I'm starting to get back into the swing of things after a nice, long weekend. I've even started to get serious about the Christmas cards I need to send out. If you are still looking for ideas like me, I thought I'd share this unique card with you. I came across this one made by Traci Armbrust using the #10 Foldout Card #1 and #10 Card Pinnovation® Mats dies.

I love the unexpected shape and how it closes shut with a ribbon, giving it an extra special touch. This card shape would also work well for an invitation. You could dress it up or dress it down depending on the occasion.

The mat on the inside is so easy to create when you use Pinnovation® dies to cut exactly where you need it to every time--and it's so easy to customize with your own photos and text.

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Stay tuned for more project ideas to inspire you! 

Techniques with Traci: Creative Packaging

Posted by Traci Armbrust

So, I was thinking about how we are drawn to buy things by their clever packaging, whether it's groceries, makeup or even craft products. I realized that when it comes to die cuts, we usually find them in a basket or a small bin. It got me thinking about all of you retailers. What if you use your existing dies for multiple purposes, including packaging products in your store? Those dies would be worth their weight in gold.

How about making cute labels for packages of die cut shapes like this? Follow these easy steps!

 
1) We start off with a Pinnovation® 5 3/8" Circle die. Set up the template in Microsoft Word or design program so it's always there for you to use and change as the dies or kits you are trying to sell changes.

2) Fold the circle in half so your information fits in the bottom half of the circle. Bag up die cuts and zip-lock or fold (whichever you are working with) the bag closed. Now, fold the circle in half and staple the top so that it goes through the bag (we don't want any die cuts falling out!)

3) Punch a hole at the top to hang on a peg. Or don't worry about punching a hole if you are displaying in a basket or giving it away at a local scrapbooking event.

Here is what the paper looks like before you cut the circles from it. This was created using a PDF template from our website and Adobe InDesign®, but can be easily created in a Word program also using a template from our website.

I also wanted to show you a project that was created using this Circle die to give you an idea of what else you can use it for.

I absolutely love this next idea. Follow these easy steps to create an easy, adorable packaged kit.

1) Using our ready-to-go Stationery Boxes, you can create you own unique kits, complete with dimensional items. 

2) Next create a label explaining what's inside using the Clear Cuts™ Label die. This is a sassy, chic way to get your information across. 

3) Fill your box. This A2 clear box is 3/4" thick, and the A7 is 1" thick--plenty of room for ink pads and multiple album pieces to be stacked up inside.

To create a more finished look, I tied a ribbon around the box. But don't be fooled by the cuteness, it really has a purpose, and that is to keep the contents safe and secure inside. If you don't want to use ribbon, place two little strips of Red Liner Double-Stick Adhesive along the long ends to keep the box from coming open.

Here is a project using the A2 Clear Stationery Box housing a set of greeting cards.

 
Think about all the dies you have that could be used and packaged as kits in a unique way, like alphabets and bags and boxes during the holidays. Remember to display sample projects. Plus, the more unique and fun the packaging, the more your customers will be drawn in. You can't go wrong!

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! 

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!

Take a bite out of this cute card idea

Posted by Tara Smithberg

So many ideas, so little time! Tammy Miller, our Craft Customer Service guru, has been sending me so many amazing creations from our customers.

And finally, it's about time I start sharing them with you so you can see all of the cool things our AccuCut customers are up to. Today's blog post features a really cool invitation by Silverbox Creative Studio in Lederach, Pa. In honor of a fun summer-themed party, they created a simple, elegant card with a "shark bite" out of the top using our Pinnovation stationery dies. What a fun idea!

I also had to share the cool card they use to hand out to clients. They made this using our 5" Frames Pinnovation die. This is what Susan at Silverbox Creative Studio had to say about the unique shape and other AccuCut dies.

"We love this shape and actually use it to help shape our Silverbox look/identity. Thanks again for a wonderful product! It means the world to a graphic designer/photographer. The possibilities are endless!"

Thanks so much to Susan for sharing her designs and great experiences with us!

If you'd like to be featured on our blog, please send me an email at tara.smithberg@accucut.com.

About Silverbox Creative Studio:

Silverbox Creative Studio is a graphic design and photography studio that creates custom invitations, announcements, and greetings. We strive to provide you with a unique and beautiful design that reflects your personality. After all, your vision is our inspiration.

A zeal for seals

Posted by Tara Smithberg

We have Pinnovation seals in all shapes and sizes--from circles to squares to rectangles. But have you seen our latest seal? It's the 2" Frame Seals die. I love this unique shape. And you can cut 12 seals at one time!

Check out some of these favor boxes that show off the fabulous seal shape. This one here uses Box #18 simply tied with a ribbon. The fancy seal definitely gives this box its personality.

Here's another sweet and simple box using Box #28. With Pinnovation seals, it's so easy to customize items to make events, like weddings and baby showers extra special.

For more Pinnovation dies and to see more beautiful boxes, visit our website.

An AccuCut Fan

Posted by Tara Smithberg

I have another project I need to share with you! This one comes from Tara Franklin and Karen Stelley from The Organized Bride in Frederick, Md. Thanks to Pinnovation™ dies, their company is seeing great success. Here, they share a custom fan program made with the 6" Frame Pinnovation die, perfect for a summer wedding.

  
If you're interested in expanding into stationery, take it from Tara and Karen:

"We just want to thank you for all of your help and suggestions with our venture into the die cutting world. We sold a lot of custom place cards in 2008 and wanted to expand our offerings with custom programs, menu's and favor boxes for 2009. We are thrilled with the product, your company and most of all THE SALES it is bringing us!!! My favorite is the fan program using the 6" Frame die. It has been a huge hit for our summer brides! We look forward to working with you in the future."

We love hearing stories like these from our customers. Thanks for sharing! For more ideas using Pinnovation dies or to see other Pinnovation dies, check out our website.

Wine Country Wedding

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I wanted to share with you a really cool project for an alfresco California wedding by designer Suzette Waddell. 

The wedding had a wine theme, and instead of traditional table numbers, they chose to mark each table with names of their favorite wineries. The couple asked Suzette to come up with a 5" x 7" design that would include the winery name, a romantic font and have the look and feel of an actual wine label.

 

  
Suzette created her own design and used the A7 Cards and A7 Card Mats #3 Pinnovation™ dies to cut the cards. She used black and cream Fino stock and Ranger® Distress Ink in Vintage Photo by Tim Holtz™ to give them an aged look.

It would be so easy to carry this theme, colors, fonts and design elements throughout your entire wedding or formal event. You could use other Pinnovation dies to create matching save the dates, invitations, menus, programs and so much more.

Suzette (email: suzette@bloom415.com) is the owner of Bloom 415 in West Palm Beach, Florida. For more great ideas using Pinnovation dies, visit our website.

We Have a Winner!

Posted by Tara Smithberg

Congratulations to our National Stationery Show drawing winner, Sondra Simon of The Sophisticated Scribe in Rego Park, New York. She is the lucky winner of a free GrandeMARK die cutting machine (a $595 value)! Sondra, we hope you enjoy using your new machine to create all sorts of wonderful cards, invitations and more!

Thanks to everyone who entered our drawing at the show. We will have more drawings, deals and contests coming up throughout the summer so please keep visiting our blog.

And what would a post be without another project idea? This one is out of our new Supplement & Idea Book. Designer Traci Armbrust used the #10 Foldover Card, #10 Card Mats and the Cupcake #2 die to create this deliciously delightful invitation for a little girl's birthday party.

This foldover card is so versatile. You can use it for wedding programs, menus, announcements and more. And the #10 Card Mats die is a Pinnovation die, so it makes it very easy to print text exactly where you want it. (Be sure to check out yesterday's post below for a step-by-step tutorial on using Pinnovation dies).

I like how she used double-sided paper to show off coordinating patterns and colors. Smaller die cuts, like this cupcake shape, also look great as embellishments on cards and invitations--even on more formal designs. This trend is becoming more and more popular. For more new stationery ideas, be sure to visit our website to download or request a hard copy of our new Supplement & Idea Book.