“My Favorite Crafty Things: Die Cutting” + Discounts + Giveaway + TWO Videos

(This is Part 9 of “My Favorite Crafty Things” feature. You can see Part 1 on Stamping Tools HERE, Part 2 on Cutting Tools HERE, Part 3 on Adhesives HERE, Part 4 on Paper HERE, Part 5 on Creativity Boosters HERE, Part 6 on Stamps HERE, Part 7 on Embellishments HERE and Part 8 on Ink and Coloring HERE.)

Just FYI – you can get 15% off most products I feature here at Simon Says Stamp by using the code “JMFAVES” by 12/19. You can go HERE to find all of My Favorite Crafty Things – they created a category for easy shopping.

Today I have My Favorite Crafty Things: Die Cutting. I’ll say it – I am addicted to dies these days. In today’s video I mention a few of my favorite brands, and show some fun new interactive/3D dies…

Here are a few brands of dies that I find offer the best quality and variety – Memory Box, Simon Says Stamp, My Favorite Things and Sizzix. (Click on the images to see more options.)

Here are the dies (including interactive and 3D dies) I featured in the video. Click on the product image to find out more information…

My two favorite die cutting machines are the Vagabond (the big bad momma of die cutting) and the Big Shot. The Big Shot comes with everything you need to use all the dies I show. For the Vagabond, you will need the adapter plate in order to use the wafer thin dies. I also share a link for the Memory Box Metal Adaptor Plate. It is just a great shim that helps with getting complete cuts. (Not necessary but helpful to have.) However, the dies I mention also work in other machines!

Oh! And just a heads up – there are some new dies available. Check them out…


Now I can’t mention die cutting without touching on embossing folders. Boy – there are a lot out there! My favorites are from Sizzix (including Tim Holtz and Hero Arts) and Lifestyle Crafts. Here are some newer ones that I am loving. (Yes! That first set has a folder that does a background of triangles. Love!)

I also must mention the Tim Holtz Embossing Diffusers. These “plates” have templates and insets that allow you to add or remove texture anywhere within an embossing folder. So, basically, you can emboss a background… but leave a circle in the center un-embossed (flat). Or vice versa! Just use the diffuser instead of a clear cutting plate with your die cutting machine. SO easy to do! A must-have. Here is a quick video showing them…

I of course must also mention digital die cutting. By far, the best machine out there is the Silhouette. It is leaps and bounds above the rest and super easy to use…

There is a TON to learn about die cutting and embossing! SO many great techniques. By the way – I highly recommend the class A Cut Above to learn more. It covers all the machines, die types, techniques, embossing folders, and more! There are two parts to the class – you can sign up for either or both – one on traditional die cutting and one on the Silhouette. You can get more information HERE. It is my favorite class – tons of videos!



Giveaway time! Leave a comment here by 12/18/12 at 11:59pmEST for your chance to win two dies from Memory Box!
Good luck.
(All winners from the My Favorite Crafty Things posts will be announced later this week.)

More soon!


Leave a Comment

312 thoughts on ““My Favorite Crafty Things: Die Cutting” + Discounts + Giveaway + TWO Videos”

  1. Nita K. says:

    I love to use dies and embossing folders. Thanks for the chance to win.

  2. JeanD says:

    Thanks again for all the ideas and inspiration – even if it does keep me poor, I’m also happily creating. happy Christmas.

  3. Cathy R says:

    I love dies and embossing folders, my poor little cuttlebug is nearly worn out!! Thanks for all the tips and suggestions, some areas are new for me so it’s great to have advice from you! 🙂

  4. Tami B says:

    This was my favorite of “your favorites”. I love die cutting.

  5. Jane K says:

    Love the dies and embossing folders, thanks for sharing.
    I just got my new Big Shot machine, and I’m so excited to use it!
    First I was really interested in Tim Holtz dies, and now I just want all of them!
    Thanks for sharing!! 🙂 😀

  6. Cynthia B. says:

    I love diecutting and embossing folders! Thanks for ALL your tips!

  7. Angela A says:

    Such fun dies! Thanks for sharing!

  8. Laura G. says:

    WOW!! I have only tried a few of those—I AM addicted to embossing folders, though, and am a big fan of Sizzix. I must try the TH diffusers…and all those others!! great choices, great videos! Thanks!!

  9. Lori B says:

    I too am addicted to dies! I find that I use them ALL the time. Great group of products-thanks for sharing your favorites!

  10. SannaS says:

    Thanks for the inspiration!!! =)
    hugs, SannaS

  11. Victoria says:

    Thanks soo much for everything!

  12. Lindsey says:

    lots of great things here I love my dies, they are such a big part of my crafting!

  13. Kelley says:

    I love dies. I want more dies! 🙂 My 3 year old granddaughter loves dies, too. She doesn’t want any help cutting. I have the diffusers but keep using dies.

  14. Brenda says:

    You have done ja fabulous job with this set of videos to give a concise overview of cardmaking supplies. I wish your knowledge was out there when I first began. I must say that I did have the joy of keeping in touch via earlier videos, with you and your cohorts early on to help guide my practice.

    Thanks from Maple Ridge, BC Canada

  15. barbara lassiter says:

    Wow! You really know how to fill a video with lots of great information. Thanks! These are so helpful and of course, make me want to have all those products.

  16. Jasmine Ford says:

    This was a great review…I own some of these and they are fantastic…the price points are great too! Thanks for more ideas!

  17. Jenn says:

    Will definitely need to try this!

  18. SuZeQ says:

    My sister and I were just discussing the possibility of me getting a Silhouette machine (she already has one.) Winning this would put an end to my dilemna. Thanks for the chance.

  19. Nan.J says:

    Love those dies!! especially the memory box one!

  20. cathy fong says:

    Love your crafty favorite things video! very inspiring.

  21. Great video! I love my Vagabond! I will add some of these dies on my wish list for sure.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

  22. Katrina H says:

    Thanks for the chance to win! Those diffusers look awesome!

  23. Gail A says:

    They all look like so much fun!

  24. Janet Zeppa says:

    Oh my goodness you are such an enabler…LOL!!
    Thanks for all this awesome info.

  25. jane says:

    who doesn’t love dies! And stamps! and ink! and embellies! and sparkles! and ALL the rest!

  26. Edna Burgess says:

    What size are the diffusers? I’ve started making more 5 x 7 cards and so many of the embossing folders are not big enough. Maybe you could mention that to some of your favorite manufacturers. Thank you. I have a few of the diffusers now but they are small ones. Edna

  27. Lizzy says:

    I love dies! Thanks for sharing your favorites!

  28. Liz Lumsden says:

    I too am a die cut lover. I may be an addict. “Hello, my name is Liz and I am a diecut addict”. I won’t tell you all the diecut machines I have. And dies. And embossing folders. And SVG and other format diecuts for my Cameo. Oh my. I would love to win more!

  29. Oh girl…you cost me so much money…and I love you to pieces for it!!! The Cut Above class is on my Christmas list this year. I gave dh my password and everything! 🙂

  30. Judy says:

    Great overview of the different dies! I love the bows and explosion die! Thanks for a chance to win!

  31. Shirley K says:

    I just cut a Silhouette and it’s awesome!

  32. Josiane says:

    I LOVE Memory Box dies!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

  33. Debi Keller says:

    I have a couple of memory box dies and I really like them. They cut great every time. Happy Holidays!

  34. I love die cutting! There look to be an incredible assortment in your favourite dies—-I love them all!!

  35. Shereen says:

    Another great video. Now that I have my Vagabond I’m always on the lookout for diecuts. I’m still trying to get the hang of embossing, but LOVE my Vagabond!

  36. Marla H. says:

    LOVE my dies and diecutting machine. Thanks for a chance to win a couple of new memory box dies. I only have a couple from this company but would LOVE more. TFS

  37. I love dies! Thanks for all the info!

  38. Phillane says:

    Thank you for sharing Jennifer, as always I learned something new when I came to your blog. Why I love stopping by.
    I will have to pull the trigger on the diffusers soon. I love that you can get two patterns onto one card. Classy and fun at the same time. Thank you again for sharing all that your knowledge with us. It really inspires me to try all the new techniques and really have some fun:)Will have to sign up for the class on the silhouette class as I just got one. I don’t know a thing yet.
    Blessings for a safe and Happy Holiday

  39. Caroline says:

    Jennifer,
    you never cease to amaze me! These info videos are fabulous! How do you find the time, you have a new baby!!!! and let’s not forget other kids and a job. You are simply amazing.
    Thank you for sharing your time and your talents with all of us out here in the crafty world.
    We so so appreciate YOU!
    Caroline

  40. Missy 84 says:

    Thank you for the chance to win!! You can never have too many dies! : )

  41. Lorrie Jonas says:

    Wow Thank you for the chance to win! I love sizzix dies!!!

  42. Brenda Lubrant says:

    I love the heart and bubble speech die cuts.

  43. Julie Hulver says:

    I’m a big fan of Memory Box dies, too! This has been a great video series, which I plan to use as a reference in the future. Thanks!!

  44. Ann says:

    Thanks so much for helping guide us through the exploding world of stamping and die cuts! As you say, there is so much out there, including all the embossing folders from so many different companies. It can get confusing!! But it also opens up so many more fun, creative possibilities. Your suggestions and videos are very helpful!

  45. Bonnie Ditto says:

    Thanks for sharing your favorit crafty things. I have enjoyed your favorite th

  46. Traciebee says:

    I need to start reading description instead if focusing on just the picture … For instance the MFT didn’t know it was suppose to be a bow maybe something but not a bow .. I like all kinds of dies the steel rue ones have been a popular for me lately but I like the sizzix products as well and yep the stamp and die sets are always a bonus because I love scissors but it us nice to not to sometimes . Thanks for another amazing day in your studio

  47. Kathy Mc says:

    Oh, I want to try those Memory Dies, and now I see I “need” more embossing folders. The diffusers look like another “must have” for expanding the possibilities of any EF. Thanks for sharing all your favorite things and enabling us!

  48. Sherry W says:

    So many great things. I can never get enough embossing folders and dies. A chance to win some is icing on the cake. Thanks!

  49. Sue D says:

    I like all your recommendations on dies.

  50. AWESOME VIDEO!! =) I am a HUGE LOVER of dies after watching you use them in such NEAT ways!! THAKS for all of the info and for the chances to win!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)

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