25 DAYS OF CUTTLEBUG TIPS AND TECHNIQUES BY JOWILNA NOLTE

My dear and VERY talented friend Jowilna Nolte decided to do 25 techniques and tips using her favourite die-cutting machine - The Cuttlebug!

I am very guilty in having one, but not really using it........... So for the next 25 days, I will be following Jowilna's posts and trying out these 25 tips and techniques.

Here is the first post, written and designed by Jowilna.

25 days of Cuttlebug tips and techniques.

so I had this crazy idea to do 25 techniques and tips using my favourite die-cutting machine - The Cuttlebug! along with this crazy idea was to use if combined with my December daily album so that I could get everything done in 25 days and be good and ready for December. [insert LOL] anyways so I am off to a slow start, since by now I have done so many Christmas events and layouts and cards I could move right on to Valentines.

So here's where I am at. We will officially start tomorrow with the first tip. but if you are new to scrapbooking and machines here's a little background.

I first fell in love with the green machine at it is affectionately referred to in my house with the V1 model. The machine was green which was a shock to every scrapper who had a pink room (not me) but it worked. It was a sturdy machine that would stand the test of time. And if you are like me you will try just about anything in this little sucker. And even after 7 years I am yet to be disappointed by it's strength and versatility. But why I like this little guy so much is because I use it every day! It's small and compact but big enough to emboss and cut almost anything apart from the obvious large dies. It folds into a tiny manageable size and fits into most cupboards easily. You can use other dies and embossing folders with it without a problem and above all it is a really good price. With the V2 model came a slick and sexy machine - same sturdy and hard working, affordable machine.

Here are a few tips you will need to know:

the Cuttlebug has a suction function so that when you unfold the base to open the machine it will sit firmly onto your smooth work table
the plates in the machine are used to build up the height needed for either embossing or die-cutting
the plates need to be aligned on the front and back for the machine to work correctly. if the plates are lined up correctly and inserted the handle will start turning on its own and you know you are good to go
the sandwich configuration - the order in which the plates are stacked - is very very important. if done incorrectly it may damage your machine (i experience this in a class once - and very unpleasant)
apart from that this machine is so easy to use!

so if you are considering buying a machine or have one, then stick around or come back for a visit to learn my easy approach using this versatile little bug.

Keep a look out, the first 2 techniques are to follow.........................

1/25 - Add tape before you die cut delicate and detailed images using your Cuttlebug.

Welcome to tip # 1 using your Cuttlebug and dies

I hate a big mess with adhesives, and can't stand it when glue seeps from underneath a great piece of art work. So what do I do when I want to die cut a delicate piece...

Choose your patterned paper;
Adhere strips of double sided tape to the back of the paper large enough to cover your die;
Place the die onto your cutting plate, then the paper face down and send through your Cuttlebug;
Remove the die cut paper from the die;
You know have a ready to adhere die cut element - no fuss no mess

This is such an easy thing to do and yet people are still struggling with liquid adhesives. this quick and easy way will save you lots of time.

if you have a sticker maker machine that works too, but I have found that they also have limitations, where this way I am yet to find any issues.

so there you have it - add tape to die-cuts even before cutting....

And now for tip number 2 :-)

2/25 turn your die cuts into cost effective stencils.

So you've bought all these lovely dies to die cut pretty shapes like flowers, butterflies, hexagons, circles and.....you get the idea. No sooner did you receive your beautiful shipment of new dies and the next craze hits the scrapbooking world - stencils.

tip #2 - turn your die cuts into stencils

Use your die to cut your shape out of the selected cardstock. Ink, emboss or use as you please.
Use the left over piece together with a sponge applicator and ink pad to ink through the cut out section directly onto the background of your layouts, cards, tags and even on white spaces on photographs.

Tips and tricks

This is the cheapest stencil you will ever own and you can throw it away without feeling guilty when it gets mucked up. To cover an entire background, simply rotate and move the stencil and ink again using different colours and different mediums. Avoid inking over the straight edges - and if you are scared you will, then simply extend your stencil with some clear acetate or cardboard around the outside edges only. You can also die cut your shapes out of a larger piece of acetate for a more permanent and durable stencil that will last for longer.