My Favorite Crafty Things 2016: Dies & Die Cutting Essentials

Welcome to Day 2 of My Favorite Crafty Things 2016! Today is all about dies and die cutting.

During this series, I will be sharing my favorite crafty products of the year. Each day will have a different topic with a video or two. If you plan to do some shopping, be sure to use this discount…

Simon Says Stamps is offering my readers $10 off purchases of $75 or more! Use the code “JENFAVES” through 11:59pmEST on 11/24/16 when shopping HERE.

Today I am focusing on dies and die cutting essentials. There are two videos.

blog-dies

Here is the first video for today. It focuses on my favorite dies…

[Warning: This video is long. You can instead just check out the stamps below. All products are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails. Affiliate links may be used. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

If you are interested in any products, click on one of the abbreviations under the product images… SSS for Simon Says Stamp, EH for Ellen Hutson or the manufacturer’s abbreviation.

WORD DIES

I use word dies quite often on cards. With stamped sentiments, you have to find a smooth place on your card to put them. With die cut sentiments, they can go anywhere and add dimension. Here are some of this year’s favorites:

BACKGROUND DIES

Background dies tend to be higher priced than most crafting products. Therefore, you want to be sure you invest in good ones! I think these all have a lot to offer for a variety of styles and fun techniques:

MUST-HAVE DIES

Here are some dies that are useful for many types of cards. They can be used in so many ways!

OTHER DIES

Here are some other fun dies that caught my eye this year:

If you are looking for the card examples I shared in this video, you can enter the product name in the “search” bar at the top of my blog and you will find them!

DIE CUTTING ESSENTIALS

Here is a video showing die cutting essentials and embossing folders…

[To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

Here are my recommended die cutting products:

EMBOSSING FOLDERS

I also wanted to include a few embossing folders on my must-have list this year…

GIFT GUIDE

Remember – My Favorite Crafty Things makes a great gift guide. Feel free to pass it along to Santa. 😉 Don’t forget the discount code above!

I’ll be back soon for more of My Favorite Crafty Things 2016. You can keep up to date on all the topics HERE… and for my lists from 2015, click HERE.

GIVEAWAYS

Time for some more prizes! Today I have giveaways for TWO more lucky winners! You could win one of these prizes:

  • $50 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp (Thanks once again, Heidi!)
  • THREE of the dies mentioned above.

For your chance to win a giveaway, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 12/5/16 telling me your favorite dies from above. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too.)

See you soon!

 

[Please note that I purchased most of the products in this post personally, but not all. However, the decision to include them in this list was my own. I truly like these products and companies.]


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1,195 thoughts on “My Favorite Crafty Things 2016: Dies & Die Cutting Essentials”

  1. Laura Buehler says:

    I like all of the dies in your lists, and I own many of them. However, I am absolutely besotted with those new Birch Press dies, especially the Dazzle set. I can’t wait to see what you create with them.

  2. Eby P says:

    The MFT Snowflake dies were really pretty and delicate. I had never seen the Birch Press dies. They definitely create a unique look.

  3. Sylvia says:

    I liked alot of dies you mentioned like the Essentials by Ellen Stiched Background and Hero Arts Star Confetti. The Birch Press Design dies look awesome. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.

  4. kathyshu says:

    I am going to have to have the Lil Inker Diamond Lace background die! It is beautiful.

  5. Alicia M says:

    The Hero Arts circles and rectangle dies are a must-have. They may not seem exciting, but you will get tons of use out of them.

  6. Christina says:

    I think one of my new favorites Memory Box Country-side Circle die with the circle dies. My family and I watched you make a shaker ornament and were inspired to try our own for Christmas! We loved the trick with cutting the layers for the casing out of the circle dies. Thanks for blessing us with your excellent crafting wisdom! 🙂

  7. Cindy K says:

    I love all of the Birch Press dies.

  8. Susan Todd says:

    It’s no-spend November, but I may break down !!!

  9. Sarah JS says:

    Love the Birch Press Layering dies. I had not seen them before, but I have convinced my husband they would make a great birthday present (and few other things might end up in the shopping cart also, shh).

  10. PamC says:

    Your 2014 My Crafty Things videos were my introduction to the craft world. I always watch them and prepare my wishlists for the next year. I am excited about the Birch Press layering die sets. Your video has shown me the endless possibilities with the three layering dies, AND the beauty of creating cards with just white cardstock. Thank you for your time and effort to make these videos. BTW: They are never too long. They are much better and more inspiring than any one hour TV show!

  11. Super Stick Chick says:

    My favorite die would be the SSS’s Stacked Stars or the 3-1 stacking dies by Birch Press.

  12. Lisa Ayala says:

    Out of all the sets mentioned above, I would have to say that one of my favorites is the Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Envelope dies. I like that it not only holds a gift card, but also has sentiments and hearts. It’s an all-in-one set! Thanks for sharing the video!

  13. sandy Dayhoff says:

    The MFT snowflake stamps are gorgeous! Lovely and lacy! Love your videos!

  14. Teresa Currie says:

    LOVE the MFT Stylish Snowflakes Dies! 🙂

  15. Krista says:

    It would definitely have to be the Birch Press Delfina die set. Such an awesome set that looks beautiful in all white!

  16. Linda Lim says:

    There’s so many that I love. My current favourite is the MFT Stylish Snowflake die is gorgeous. The Lawn Fawn slide over die has made it so easy to make slider card.

  17. Hey Jennifer,
    those layering dies are da bomb!! Iam putting them on my xmas list!! you are rockin this favorite stuff

  18. J Aukema says:

    Hi Jennifer. Thanks for these videos!
    I love the birch press dies, so neat, and I loved the stylish snowflakes. They both look amazing, and I appreciate you sharing your ideas how to use them.

  19. lgricketts says:

    Hello again, Jennifer! Another video (or two) that sets the stage for more creativity and more cards! I have found others who do what you do…and I watch their videos…but I haven’t found anyone that can top your skill, your professionalism, and the quality of work you do! Thanks for all the hard work and for the videos that you give us! Have a great holiday season!

  20. miriam says:

    i am very intrigued by the birch press dies!

  21. Katia says:

    Absolutely LOVE the Thanks and Sunshine dies!

  22. Robyn S says:

    Thanks for your helpful tips with your fav crafty things. I am enjoying the frame and circle dies lately plus word dies to finish my cards.

  23. Linda B says:

    Great videos. I love the Stitching Line dies.

  24. Asia says:

    Hmm i need to see about the Avery Elle Tag For All Dies. ty!

  25. wendylewis says:

    My fave has to be the Perfectly Penned stamp set. A great way to send really personal heartfelt messages.

  26. Carolee McCaslin says:

    Your videos are wonderful and helpful!!! I really love the Memory Box Countryside Circle die:)

  27. Maddie Mc says:

    I am really enjoying your videos!!! All the dies you showed were great but I really like the SSS Happy Sunshine die!!

  28. southernbelle320 says:

    My favorite is the Papertrey Ink stitched tag die. It’s a must-have for sure!!!

  29. Caitlin Rebecca says:

    Great videos!!! The Papertrey stitched tag die is awesome!!

  30. Ashlee Diane says:

    WOW the Birch Press dies are amazing !!!!

  31. Victoria Reeve says:

    The Birch Press dies are very interesting and different! Love also the MFT snowflakes!

  32. Elizabeth Shertel says:

    I love the papertrey ink word dies….

  33. Sandy in Calif. says:

    Wow, Jennifer – so many ideas and possibilities. I specially liked the Lawn Fawn small stitched gift card envelopes die, which is something I think I will use a lot. Also I found the information on the micropore tape very informative, since I have heard it mentioned many times but never really knew what it was. Thank you so much for this series.

  34. Karen Hughes says:

    You have the VERY BEST videos!! I can’t tell you which die is my favorite because I loved so many of them. The “layering” dies are something new & exciting! They have so much dimension without a lot of bulk. It’s great that you also provide ideas and samples on how to use the dies. Karen H

  35. Pam L says:

    Jennifer, Thank you for all the time you put into these videos. They are so very helpful! There are so many wonderful dies out there, it’s nice to hear an explanation for some I may not have heard of. You really are an enabler of the best kind!

  36. Laurie says:

    OMG – those Birch Press dies are AMAZING!!!!! I am always looking for something different & those are definitely it! I especially like the Delfina set!

  37. Nicole says:

    Those Birch Press dies are amazing!!!!

  38. LC says:

    I love the look of stitched dies so any of those are my favorites. I am also in need of a new handheld vacuum so I really appreciate you listing your favorite tools too!

  39. Pat McCleary says:

    The Birch Press sets are all just gorgeous. I’ve also added some others to my wish list(again).

  40. Pam L says:

    I really like the deeper embossing folders from sizzix. They add such great dimension, you don’t need much more for the card front!

  41. Katie says:

    I love so many of the dies! But I really love the MFT snowflakes! They are beautiful!

  42. TK says:

    So many wonderful dies! Thank you for all the ideas — I’m really like the slider dies right now!

  43. Debbie A Smith says:

    Ok so I cant just pick a single die but I narrowed it down to 3. I love the Birch Press layering dies and something I have never seen before. Next the My Favorite Things snowflakes and finally Plush Blooms. I love your idea of the little pillows for my 7 yr old to create. And thank you for the suggestion of the micropore tape since I cant find removable tape.

  44. Emilee says:

    Thank you for making this series again this year, love watching them. So impressed with the birch press died, hadn’t seen them before

  45. Erin MacDonald says:

    Loving the layered dies from Birch Press!

  46. Jennyet10 says:

    I love the Hero Arts Inifinity Circles Dies! You can never go wrong with making sure you have the basics! =) These are on my wish list.

  47. Beulah Bee says:

    Hi Jennifer,
    I am new to die cutting so I really enjoyed your informative videos. I followed your advice and looked at another video you referenced for how to make a partial die cut (the To the Moon, star cut-out card) and I am thrilled to know this technique. Regarding my favorite of your favorites, I particularly like the Avery Elle Steel Die SENTIMENTAL DIES 023598 which is currently out-of-stock at Simon so it must be popular. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and holiday season and thanks for being such a tremendous resource.

  48. Valerie O. says:

    Gosh! I love them all! If I have to choose, I will love to have MFT Snowflake die set and Birch Press Delfina Layering die set. Love Love Love! 🙂

  49. Carla Hundley says:

    I really like the
    Lawn Fawn Large
    Dotted Circle Dies.
    Carla from Utah

  50. Carly C says:

    I am absolutely in love with the Birch Press layered dies! How beautiful!!! My second favorite die set is the Paper Trey Ink Tag die. I like to give gift cards to a whole bunch of people (for a bunch of occasions) and this would be perfect! Thank you to the sponsors and yourself for the opportunity to win. Also, Thank you Ms. Jennifer for all the inspiration, creativity, and kindness you show.

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