Over the years I have had three die cutters. I started with a Quickutz (QK), I was very lucky and the members of the forum clubbed together and bought it. I much preferred the dies at the time and have gathered together a small selection over the years. The trouble with the QK it is not so versatile as some of the other die cutters as it really only takes QK dies as they are very thin, although it is dead quick to use and I still do use it.

So when the Tag Along was on a good deal I bought one of those – this meant I could use Sizzlits and Ellison thin cuts as well as QK. I managed to get an alphabet on a good deal as well!

This year I decided I was ready to move onto something that was more versatile so I bought a Cuttlebug (CB), and not only is it versatile it is also compact. Most dies fit it (I have tried QK, Sizzlits, Ellison thin cuts, Sizzix and they all work very well), and there are a load of embossing folders available too. In fact you can use metal embossing plates too and mine came with a special rubber mat.

We also cut lots of different things check out the die cutting page.

So now that I have had my machine at home I thought I would take you through some of the things I have learnt, there are a selection of cards....on this page

Embossing Folders
I suppose you could put them into two types really ‘pictures’ and ‘backgrounds/patterns’. Choose card or thick paper, thin paper tends to cut right through.  It can be patterned or plain depending on the type of effect you want.

Plain embossed can be coloured after with chalks or inks. You can pick out individual elements with different coloured chalks or I often rub a chalk pad lightly over it.  You can also use a sponge to dab onto your ink pad first and then brush over the embossed image. Products such as Ranger Cut ‘n Dry ™ foam work well. I have put some examples of finished cards that I have made using the embossing folders, colouring with ink pads just takes some practice, and also depends on how inky your pads are.  The using Inks page will take you thrugh the different types of inks.

Some of the dies and embossing folders go together so you can cut and then emboss something on after. The CB comes with a set of these included with your purchase.

Pictures - Polly at Craftability suggested I turn over the 'embossed' picture and draw in the ridges with a pen, this gives a different result, and I did it with this cute dog!

Check out inking your embossing folder.

Using ink to outline