“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!


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

  1. There are so many incredible dies available now – always good to have some recommendations of the good ones to look out for. Thanks for taking the time to share all your knowledge with us.

  2. I resisted jumping into die cutting for a long time but finally bought a Cuttlebug. My cards almost always contain a die cut or two now. The embossing folders are great for adding texture and design goodness. Thanks for a chance to win. Really enjoyed this series.

  3. I am so sorry that I missed this one. The Vagabond for die cutting looks like a great machine. My husband works with the big machines and it would be great to make him a craft using die cutting techniques for his birthday next month. I never thought of that before!

  4. Once again I learned several new things and was pointed toward new products I wasn’t aware of. Thank you, Jennifer, you are always so enthusiastic and excited about my favorite hobby.

  5. I love tools and machines for my craft room! I am interested in the Silhouette Cameo 4 and can’t wait to see how it works!

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