Die Cuts

I just got into scrapbooking and I am new to this. My question is how do I make the die cuts lookprofessional?

I cant cut out things very well? Any suggestions on how you can do it? Also whats a good piece of paper to write on about the subjest of who what where on? And is there speacial markers I have to use to?

I don’t know about the die cuts as i don’t cut much out other than pictures.

The paper and markers you use should be archival quality. You can use vellum, card stock, printed paper that you layer with solids. I have a stamp that’s lined that I like to use on things like that so that I write straight.

Have fun!

New Sizzix Originals Cuts-n-Folds Wildcard Die 38-1151–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts-n-Folds Wildcard Die 38-1150–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts-n-Folds Album Page Die 38-1139–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts-n-Folds Wildcard Die 38-1152–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Clips, Basic Die 38-1197–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Tags, Mini Die 38-1207–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Tags, Bread Die 38-1205–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Bookplates Gelly-O Die 38-1192–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Clipboard & Holder Die 38-1196–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Dog Tags Die 38-1161–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Frame, Puzzle Die 38-1126–Red Large Dies Series $10.02

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Telephone Die 38-1122–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Fish & Fishbowl Die 38-1199–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Envelope Petal Die 38-1136–Red Large Dies Series $27.75

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Watch, Pocket Die 38-1110–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Tickets Die 38-1111–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Locks Die 38-1109–Red Large Dies Series $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpt Butterfly Die 38-1182–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpt Ladybug & Bee Die 38-1181–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpting Tulip Die 38-1118–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpting Pansy Die 38-1116–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpting Lilac Die 38-1119–Red Large $8.50

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpting Hydrangea Die 38-1115–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts File Folder #2 Die 38-1159–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Frame, Slide Holder Die 38-1158–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Eyelet Washers #1 Die 38-1057–Red Large $8.00

New Sizzix Originals Cuts Paper Sculpting Daisy Die 38-1135–Red Large $10.00

Football Die Cut for Ellison Accucut /cuts paper, fabric, vinyl, sponge $14.99

Ice Pop Die Cut for Ellison Accucut /cuts paper, fabric, vinyl, sponge $14.99

PROVO CRAFT DIE CUTS $4.95

SIZZIX DIE CUTS $5.20

Sizzix Bigz Bird w Vine die #655541 Lovely, Cuts Fabric $9.49

Sizzix Bigz Phrase Sweet & Love die #655831 Cuts Fabric $9.49

Baby Bib DIe Cut for Ellison Accucut /cuts paper, fabric, vinyl,sponge & rubber $22.99

Thin Cuts/Sizzlits Phrase Glamour Gal Die #22773 RARE! $4.49

Thin Cuts/Sizzlits Phrase Sweet Pea Die #22568 RARE FUN $5.99

Sizzix Bigz Ornate Frame Back #5 die #656580 Retail $19.99 Cuts Fabric, RARE!!!! $9.49

Sizzix Bigz Ornate Frame Back #7 die #656582 Retail $19.99 Cuts Fabric, RARE!!!! $11.99

Thin Cuts/Sizzlits Teddy Bear #2 Die #22114 RARE, SWEET $5.99

Thin Cuts/Sizzlits Teddy Bear #1 Die #22273 RARE, SWEET $5.99

100 MARTHA STEWART HOLLY LEAF PAPER PUNCHES / DIE CUTS/ CUT OUTS/ EMBELLISHMENTS $1.50

75 HALLOWEEN MARTHA STEWART AND FISKARS PAPER PUNCHES/DIE CUTS/ CUT OUTS $1.50

120 MARTHA STEWART CUP CAKE PAPER PUNCHES/ DIE CUTS/ CUT OUTS/EMBELLISHMENTS $1.70

Thin Cuts/Sizzlits Sun Die #22234 RARE, Retired!!! $5.99

Frame #1 – Sizzix Ellison Thick Cuts Die NEW $12.75

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Illustrated Scrapbooking Die Cuts Verses Handmade Die Cuts

This past Christmas my husband bought me a red personal Die Cutting machine. I was so exited! I am really into scrapbooking and love to use die cuts. I usually buy my diecuts from a website called No Ugly Die Cuts. http://www.nouglydiecuts.com/  But I thought making my own would be fun. Well, this past week I got out all of my scrapbooking supplies and decided to get to work. I am over a year behind and have a lot of pictures to scrapbook. My die Cutting Machine was set up and ready for all the creative and cute die cuts I was going to make.  I laid out my first scrapbook page and decided that cute Snowflake Die cuts would work great with my pictures.

I choose the colors of acid free cardstock I wanted to use, and got to work using my Die Cutting Machine. It took time deciding which cartridge had the cutest snowflake die cuts.  Then I attached my acid free Scrapbook Paper firmly to the cutting matt and cut, then I cut its matching layered piece.

I then had to glue the two Die Cut pieces together. Hum, the snowflake die cut was super delicate.  The die cut had very thin parts. The only thing I have ever used in my scrapbooks was acid free glue sticks. So I pulled it out and began the tedious work of trying to keep the glue on the back of the die cut. It took me 10 minutes to get my first 2 inch snowflake die cut made!

I am someone who sits down and gets my scrapbooking done; on average 18 or more pages done in a day. However today because I used my die cutting machine I only created 6 pages. I was so disappointed. I felt as if I had wasted my day and I wasn’t happy with the way my handmade die cuts turned out. Glue had squished out from under the super thin parts of my die cuts and it made my pages look dirty. I had even ran to the store and bought a glue pen which could be applied in the thinner areas of the die cut.  Even so, on some areas of the die cuts the glue still leaked out.

The pages I do are usually quick, easy and VERY CUTE! Not wanting to give up on my Personal Die cutting machine so fast, I gave it a few more chances. I have come to the conclusion that a personal die cutting machine is not an ideal Scrapbooking Tool. It is fun to use for special things, birthday cards and school projects for my kids. But for fast, productive scrapbooking it is a hassle.

So I have gone back to my “regular” scrapbooking technique. DIE CUTS!!! Illustrated die cuts are SO much cuter! All you have to do is pop the die cuts out, put a few swipes of glue on the back and you’re set to go!  I know there are some scrapbookers out there who love taking hours at a time making just one page and I take my hat off to them.  But I have two kids and piles and piles of pictures that need to be scrapbooked. I love my scrapbooks, it is so much fun looking back at the fun times my family has had together and how things have changed.

For me it is very important to stay caught up. I’ve decided that I’m sticking with pre-made illustrated die cuts from http://www.nouglydiecuts.com/. Their Blog Spot at http://www.nouglydiecuts.blogspot.com/  shows some fun and simple ways to use their diecuts. They also carry Cut outs which are not hard to use, that is if you know how to use scissors! They also have some die cuts that come with matching frames these are fun.  Headers and mini die cuts are also a great way to finish off a scrapbook page.  For me, my new motto is: “Happy Scrapbookers use Die Cuts!” and I’m a happy scrapbooker! Go check out their website and become a “Happy Scrapbooker” too.

About the Author

No Ugly Die Cuts is a growing internet business dedicated to keeping Scrapbooking simple and inexpensive. http://www.nouglydiecuts.com Visit our blogspot for fast simple ways to put your scrapbooking pages together. http://www.nouglydiecuts.blogspot.com/