AccuCut Craft Blog

Try These Great Die Cutting Techniques!

By: Traci Armbrust

Here at AccuCut Craft we've been cranking out the videos and I really wanted to draw your attention to these two fabulous technique videos.

This first one is an oldie but goodie.  I used the Elephants die in this Stand Up Shape Folding technique video. 

 

The second one is fun with borders where I used the A6 Cards-Tag (Pinnovation), Border-Crown #2, Borders #1 and Border-Scallop Decorative.

 

There is so many different things to do with the machine and dies.  It's like taking a little creative adventure everytime you use the GrandeMARK Machine. Don't you agree?  Also, remember to grab those fun AccuCut Craft blinkies and post them on your blogs.  If you post the link to your blog on our Facebook page you could win a $50 gift certificate to AccuCut Craft. 

You Tube with us and WIN!

 
By: Traci Armbrust

Just posted a new You Tube video.

 

Come subscribe to AccuCut Craft's You Tube Channel.  Once we get to 200 subscribers we're giving away a die to one lucky subscriber. What die, you ask? Just one of our most popular ones, Flowers (3-D)!

 
Don't forget, while you're subscribing to check out the video on these adorable little flowers.

This is an Explosion Box, Borders #4 and then of course the 3-D Flower created using our plastic and Tim Holtz® Adriondack® Alcohol Ink by Ranger.  Come be a subscriber on You Tube and get great ideas and techniques from AccuCut Craft! 

 

 

Accucut Craft's first official You Tube video

By: Traci Armbrust

So we put up AccuCut Craft's first You Tube video on how easy it is to create flowers using our new Flowers (3-D) die. 

  

There will be many video's to come, so come subscribe to the AccuCut Craft's Channel on You Tube. 

 

On a Personal Note

By: Traci Armbrust

A couple of weeks ago my youngest daughter Avery turned 5 and we had a small princess party for her.  I knew I was going to be hand-delivering the invites, so size was not a factor. I went big, using our Album-Castle with no holes as a backdrop. Instead of having separate pages like an album, I glued the middle and last page together then used the Pinnovation 4 Bar Cards Flat for the invitation wording. I made it even more girly with Prima flowers, Mark Richards and Doodlbug Design Jewels.  

You could also take it a step further and make little albums for each party guests using the same dies. If you are having the party at home, have the castle as a little craft that each girl assembles and decorates. This die could be made into a sand castle or for all you that don't have little princesses maybe a Harry Potter castle. 

Techniques with Traci: Graduation time... it's almost here!

Posted by Traci Armbrust

It's that time of year to be thinking of those graduates in your life. Whether it is from high school, college or maybe even preschool, you want that person to really know you care. So, if you are planning a party, making rock star announcements, or just want to make a personalized card for a graduation party you are attending, here are some fun ideas to create some show stopping projects. 

If you want to create a memorable graduation party invitation, look no further. 

This fun graduation party invitation was made using an A2 Convertibles™ Card without a Convertibles insert. Then, I used the new Scalloped A2 Cards Pinnovation® die to accurately cut these cards with text. All you have to do is download a Word or PDF template off the AccuCut Craft website. This allows you to know exactly where your text or images need to be placed. Print out your invitation text on 8 1/2" x 11" paper  and place it directly between the pins on the die. You can create 50 invitations in 25 or less passes back and forth through the machine!

Then cut the mat for the photo using the A2 Card Mats #1 and place your 3 1/2" x 5" graduate photo on top of the mat and assemble. For a finishing touch, cut an A2 band to keep the card closed. The great thing about a die cut band is that the creases are already there for you.

Here is a photo of the closed view. The ribbon just adds a little extra something, don't you think?

 

So, you have the invitation now, but what about party favors or decorations for tables? Try making these cute 3-D graduation hat boxes.

 

I used Pyramid Box #3 and the 5" square from the Squares die. I also think these would make fabulous little gift boxes for friends of the graduate.

Cut out a black box, lid and a 5" square.

Adhere the box together using an ATG gun or other runner adhesive

  

Then, adhere the lid to the 5" square, placing it in the center of the square. Punch a hole through the center of the box lid and the 5" square attached to it.

Buy pre-made tassels or create your own with embroidery floss. You will also need a black brad. Place it through the hole in the lid and place the loop of tassel around it. Close the legs of the brad inside the lid and place the lid on the box.

Maybe not all of us have a graduate in our family, but almost all of us know someone that is graduating, so why not make your gift card extra special by making the card?

I used the A2 Gift Card, Graduate Cap, and Border-Interlocking #2 dies. I also used a new line of paper called "About a Girl" by Fancy Pants, distress ink by Tim Holtz and Bazzill Basics Paper. I love this card die because it is just a great way to personalize gift card giving.  

  

And lastly, to quote Dr. Seuss, "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own, and you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go." Congrats to all those 2010 graduates and their families!

How cool! New Fan Program die

Posted by Traci Armbrust

Fan programs are so hot (no pun intended!) right now, especially with spring and summer weddings coming up! So, I'm very glad we came out with the new Fan #1 Pinnovation® die. It's been a great success so far and our customers are really loving it. I want to show you how easy it is to create a program like this using our easy-to-use templates.

   
 
First, our Pinnovation Dies are made with stationers in mind. They allow you to cut a printed 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper quickly and precisely. Retractable pins hold your paper in place so that no shifting occurs.

What is really cool is that we have templates available online that make it super easy to line up your text perfectly with your design. You can access these templates on our website at accucutcraft.com. Click on "Craft" in the top navigation menu. This will take you to the Craft Center page. Then, click on Pinnovation Stationery Die Templates. Select the PDF for the particular die you are using if you want to set up your template in a design program. I work in Adobe InDesign. Or choose the Microsoft Word template if that is what you are working in.

Here is what it looks like when you layer the PDF template over your text in InDesign. See how easy it is to know exactly where you want your design elements to be placed? If you are working in InDesign like me, then remove the guidelines and print out your program.

Now, if you are working in Microsoft Word, your document is going to look much different. The templates available in word give you a guideline to follow with text tables set up that match the measurements of your print outs. Keep in mind, you may have to test print a few pages before you get it to be absolutely perfect.

Another way to make sure your design will be cut perfectly is by using the clear plastic transparency that comes with the die when you purchase it. So, before you print hundreds of programs, lay the transparency over your printed piece of paper so that you can actually see that everything is in the right place.

Here's what your program pieces will look like after you roll them through the machine. We recommend laying your paper text side down on the die. However, here we show them text side up. We just simply wanted to show you how the finished pieces look. 
 

Check out our great selection of Pinnovation Dies on our website. Just remember, they do not always have to be used with the templates. These card shapes can be used for mats, mini albums, and unique home decor items too. Like I always say, the possibilities are endless!

Techniques with Traci: Border Basics

Posted by Traci Armbrust

We introduced two new really great borders at CHA, the Flourish Border and the Notebook Border. I have been having so much fun experimenting with them. And I can't even begin to tell you how borders have shaped my paper crafting life and career. They can be used on just about anything--they are great for scrapbook pages, note cards, bags, boxes and all kinds of home decor type projects. This Flourish Border would be fabulous cut from vinyl and used on a wall with some die cut letters or birds and flowers. 

So this first project is a simple Pedestal Box with the flourish wrapped around it, then adding some springy Flowers #6, and the smallest dragonfly from Dragonfly #2. This little box would be perfect for May Day, Easter or a summer tea party.

Now, let's see that same border used on a scrapbook page. I love the way this turned out looking like a vine. It was super simple too. I just cut it apart in different places and placed some of the border in front and some in back of the photo. I used Flowers #29 to create the unique butterflies. Don't forget the new Classic-11 1/2"  page background to pull it all together.

And here's that same border used on a card. I simply wrapped it around the card band. It's a simple, elegant way to use it and add interest to your card. This card was made with the new A6 Criss Cross Card.

 

Now, here are some sample projects using the other new border, the Notebook Border. The first is a scrapbook page with the positive and negative part of the notebook-border cut from two different colors and placed together. I like using both the positive and negative together and separate. 
   
 
Another great technique is to ink up the edge of the border and not glue the tabs down. Bend them up so they actually look like they were torn from a notebook. This journal/album is made with the 8" x 8" Convertibles™Album and the new Frames #3 which include two frames on the die to choose from.

Now I know this sample is another album cover but I wanted to show you how cool the negative piece of the Notebook Border looks too. There are just so many ways to use it!

This is the new Castle Album, along with You & Me, Layering Stars, and the other frame on the Frames #3 die. 

Be unique and try wrapping borders around glass candle holders or edging one side of a photo on a scrapbook page with them. There are just so many things you can do with them. And retailers, cutting up paper that isn't selling into borders and package them up to sell. It's an easy way to make quick money!

So, make a run for the border and start using them on all of your favorite projects!

Techniques with Traci: This is one "cool" fan

Posted by Traci Armbrust

Things are starting to wind down a little bit after CHA and all I can say is, "What a ride!"  I was inspired by so many of the scrapbooking store owners who visited our booth and the wonderful projects they are making with our dies. 

Many scrapbooking stores are expanding their offerings by incorporating custom invitations and announcements into the mix to generate a new revenue stream. I even spoke to one customer who loves our Pinnovation® die shapes so much that she is using them for projects other than social stationery. So, this got me thinking. This would make a great technique blog post! This scrapbook store owner was using the frames and scalloped circles, but I thought it would be interesting to use the new Fan #1 Pinnovation  die. 

  
We created this Pinnovation die for formal wedding programs, but if we think outside the box, it is oh-so-much more!  At first I thought, what a cute album this fan shape would make.  

Then my friends at Crafty Secrets inspired me to do a calendar.  So using their Earthy and Radiant Paper Pads, along with Seasonal Images Journal Notes and a 2010 calendar print off from their website, I got started. I also incorporated their new Altered Fairies Creative Scraps.

Hint: These go perfect with the Shadow Box dies designed by Vicki Chrisman for AccuCut.

 
  
  
To begin, I took Black 12" x 12" Chipboard and cut it in half, adhered the 12" x 6" paper to both sides then cut out the fan shapes as you can see below.  If you turn the fan the other direction you can get two shapes out of one 6" x 12" piece. I chose to do six months on one side and the other six months on the back. It is up you!

Don't forget to check out our great selection of new Pinnovation dies available in our catalog or online. Just remember, they do not have to be used to create formal invitations or announcements. They can be used for mats, mini albums and unique home decor items. Like I always say, the possibilities are endless!  

Techniques With Traci: Bring on Christmas!

Posted by Traci Armbrust

So, Christmas is quickly approaching, and I have to admit--half of my Christmas shopping list is gift cards! This got me thinking about new, creative ways to give a gift card. I picked out one of my favorite dies, the A7 Convertibles™ Pocket and Card die set. This pocket fits any of the Convertibles™ Series 1 Inserts, which leaves you with about 26 different options of what shape you can cut out of the front of your pocket! 

The Gift Card Holder Insert isn't probably one you think you might think of using on the front of your card, but I thought I would try something different. I like this idea because it could double as your family's Christmas card. Plus, the pocket makes it convenient to place information, like a menu or basically anything to give that special someone a little more info with the card you purchased for them.   
 I accented the card with the Scallop Lace Border die and Fall and Winter Mini die. In order to adhere the strip of polka-dot paper over the top of the card insert, I simple just cut the front of the pocket again then lined up the holes at the ends of the slots. It was really quite simple. Materials used include Bazzill Basics Paper, Tim Holtz Distress Ink™, American Craft's rub-ons, and Bo Bunny Jewels.

To show you exactly how the Convertibles™ dies work, here is a photo of the insert placed inside the pocket die.
 

Here is what the card looks like cut out. I used teal paper here. On the project I made, you would place a strip of patterned paper along the front and trim down to fit across, lining up the holes in the gift card holder with the pocket.

I thought it was also important to show you another one of the hundreds of possibilities with this pocket.  Here is an adorabale baby announcement using the same pocket die, Square #2 Convertibles™ Insert and the Antique Frame die.

Here, you can see how the insert slides in and out of the pocket.

Here are a few other samples using AccuCut's other gift card holders. This card was made using the A2 Gift Card die.

Here's the gift card holder shown closed.

This other gift card holder fits in a 4 bar size envelope and was created using the Gift Card Holder die.

It's not too late to create one or many adorable gift card holders for this holiday season. Have a wonderful creative Christmas and a spectacular New Year!

Techniques with Traci: Make way for more Arch projects

Posted by Traci Armbrust

My job as AccuCut's designer is to really showcase dies and all of their possibilities. So every so often a challenge is put before me by a customer or a fellow employee: "What can you make from this?" So today I give you more Arch projects.

I know it doesn't look like a whole lot, but looks can be deceiving, and for $45 dollars (right now there's 20% off + free shipping on our website, making it only $36!) the endless possibilities could be yours. Since it was designed as a note card, let's start there.

This Christmas card is created using a folding technique. To create this look, the paper must be at least 13" long by 7" high. Lay your paper over the Arch die and fold in the sides, making sure your folds are on the inside of the blades. You can create folds on any die as long as you leave the fold on the inside of the cutting blade.

Roll it through the machine and you have an arch with doors/panels. Note: I did trim down the doors/panels to close just perfectly.

So say you don't want it to have panels or doors, you just want it "au naturale."  This project was created using the Pinnovation® A2 Card Mats #1 die for the invitation wording, then adhered onto the arch. The top is the perfect place for a small rub-on, sticker, or of course, a die cut Butterfly #8. Don't forget the envelope to go with your unique creation! Envelope #7 is the perfect fit. This envelope does require larger than 12" x 12" paper.

While I was making the birthday invitation, it dawned on me that this would be a cute frame placed on an easel. Attach a die cut to the top (in this case Hearts #1) of a large paper clip or clipboard clip works great too! This way you can change the photo out, and the frame lasts forever. You could also attach magnets onto the back or use AccuCut's magnetic sheets. The sheets work great because you could cut the whole arch from magnet.

Folding techniques and different mediums are just a few ways to bring life into your very basic die shapes.

Check out the blog posted before this one for more ideas on how to use this arch die, especially the really cool triptych. This Arch rules!!