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. Twylia says:

    I love the Birch Press layering Dies. Those are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing about these.

  2. Cindy says:

    The Birch press dies look awsome a new take on die cutting.

  3. Kim Dessormeau says:

    I’m assuming you mean favorite die. I had never seen the triple ones that layer and they are on Christmas list !! Thank you !

  4. Martha R says:

    All the dies are fantastic but if I had to pick the one I would purchase first, it would be the “hello” from your section of word dies. Thanks so much!

  5. Rachel says:

    I love the birch press delfina layering set!

  6. Jess says:

    I’m in love with the Hero Arts Circle Confetti background die. Wondering if the holes are big enough to put smiley face stamps in them? So Cute! Thanks you for the wonderful videos. I look forward to hearing from you 🙂
    Jess

  7. Hanh says:

    I absolutely LOVE your My Favorite Crafty Things videos! I love ALL of the dies that you’ve selected. But the MFT Peek a Boo Polka Dots die, the HA Star Confetti die, both sets of the HA Infinity dies and the SugarPea Designs Thanks die have me drooling!

  8. VJBybee says:

    I am in love with that Reverse Confetti all framed up die set!! I can’t believe I overlooked it when it was first released. It’s brilliant!! A very close second are the Birch Press cover dies…again so brilliant but so expensive… will definitely add to my wish list for Santa!! Thank you for your videos and especially the card examples for many of the dies. I’ve still got a ton of Christmas cards to make and plan to use some of your ideas to get them done in time, hopefully!! 🙂 thank you for all of your inspiration, your my absolute favorite go to card maker when I lose my mojo….your videos never fail to get me back on track!!

  9. DollyH says:

    It is again very difficult to pick a favorite. Your ideas for every die make it even harder. I think the hero arts circle confetti die is very versatile. So if I had to pick one, it will be this one. Thanks for the video.

  10. Claudia Lapos says:

    Thanks Jennifer for another great video! I love the MFT snowflake dies and Lil Inkers diamond lace background die!

  11. Brittany Price says:

    The Birch Press Dazzle layering die set is incredibly classy. I haven’t seen it used before which is surprising because it’s stunning. I’m trying to add a little class to my style and this is perfect!

  12. Michelle O. says:

    Love those thick Sizzix embossing folders! Thanks for the inspiration, Jennifer! 🙂

  13. Yar Ortiz says:

    I love the Little inker and Birch press background dies!!! Those are different than anything else I have seen. Thanks for sharing them!
    Yar Ortiz

  14. Julie Booker says:

    So many gorgeous dies to choose from. Some of them as must haves that I want to add to my collection. Unfortunately after watching this video my list is of favourites is soooo long. Maybe Santa will be nice to me….

  15. Carol says:

    Lil Inker Diamond Lace Dies. It is very beauitful. Easy to use. Finger cross. Thanks for the chance.

  16. Christine Healy says:

    Thank you Jennifer! My two favorite dies are Hero Arts Star Confetti and Circles Confetti as stars and circles are my two favorite shapes. Not only does each die create a cool background but of course you get the confetti! Two for one…what could be better!

  17. Brooke J says:

    My favorite things Stylish snowflake dies and the Sunny Studio snippets stitched hearts are my favorite. I couldn’t choose just one!!

  18. Sandi Leask-Grylls says:

    Thanks so much for doing this series again, i always find it so informative. ?

  19. Jessica Haines says:

    layering dies!!!! I’ve not seen those might have to go on my Christmas list!

  20. Shelli says:

    Thank you so much for all your time and efforts to make these very informative videos! I love them! So asking me to pick a favorite die is next to impossible! If you love it, I love it!!? I guess I would have to say I live the background dies…no not one…all of them! I also love the tag with the words…very multi use! I also love snowflakes, so cute right?! And the stacked stars! Of good grief…I can’t choose my favorites! You are my favorite! I can’t tell you the amount of excitement I get when you have a new video! I then have to wait until everyone is in bed or hide out so I can watch it uninterrupted! ❤️❤️#lovejennifermcguire

  21. Tami says:

    Wow…so many dies I want…especially the background dies…they are to die for! lol…ok that was bad…but seriously…the Birch Press die sets…oh my goodness! They are exquisite and I can’t find the words for how blown away I am by their beauty!

  22. Kristin says:

    I would love the basics of the nested circles and the alphabet. So versatile!

  23. Rosemary Breininger says:

    My NEW FAVORITES , by far, have to be the new layering backgrounds by Birch Press. They are absolutely beautiful. However, I still love the Memory Box Country Circle, MFT “s Snowflakes, and the SSS Plush Blooms!!

  24. Shella Travarca says:

    There were so many products I hadn’t seen before. Thank you for sharing. My favorite are the snowflakes from MFT. So unique. 🙂 I’ll be adding several to my list for Santa!

  25. Karina D. says:

    I just got into using dies so I am so glad you made these videos! I can’t wait to get the Hero Arts infinity circles dies and the Birch Press layering dies! I also love that you share the ideas that you make for teachers, so I really want the stitched tag dies! I am a teacher so I like to make teacher gifts for my colleagues! Thank you Jennifer!!

  26. Laraine R says:

    I love the birch press background dies! These are on my wishlist! I also love the sugar pea word dies! There is so many I want, that have gone on my wishlist for santa! Love your video’s, you give so many ideas!

  27. deb theisen says:

    So many great dies!! But, the Birch Press Layering dies are so unique and beautiful! Dazzle is my favorite!

  28. Heather B. says:

    Wow!!!! Those birch layering dies are incredible!. I always love your essentials/year recommendations. I come back to these videos often. I also love the diamond lace background die.

  29. Barbara says:

    Thank you for sharing your favorites. Right before Christmas too. I know what I want.

  30. GrammyP says:

    My favorite dies? There are so many! I like the Infinity dies–have the circles but could use rectangles. I really like the stitched dies. I have the stitched rectangle by SSS and use it ALL the time. I have the circles and squares on my wish list! Thanks for sharing your favorites and Merry Christmas! (Maybe you could show this to Santa for me?!) LOL

  31. Sandy D says:

    Thank you for doing these Crafty Things videos! I would really like to try the Birch Press Dazzle bkgd die set. Looks very intriguing. I also like the Memory Box Countryside Circle, and the Sugar Pea Thanks die.

  32. Kellie says:

    The stitches cover plate is awesome. Also one of my favorites.

  33. mary ann kelly says:

    I love the ‘Hugs’ die from Concord and 9th. And anything from MFT… Thanks for your videos.

  34. Pernilla Zetterberg says:

    The die that I immediately fell in love with is the Essentials by Ellen Stitches Cover Plate Die, but the Birch Press Dazzle Layering Die Set is also wonderful. Many of the dies in the video will for sure end up at my christmas wish list. Thank you so much for sharing.

  35. Tiffany Sahagun says:

    My favorite dies above are the Lawn Fawn small stitched envelope die, Avery Elle Tag for all die and Neat and tangled Journaling dies! Thanks for sharing your favs Jennifer!

  36. Andrea D says:

    I felt in love with the die from Neat and Tangled Star Cover Plate, but I also love the circle and star confetti from Hero Arts and the Stacked Star Die from Simon Says Stamp.
    Thank you so much for the chance to win a giveaway.

  37. Zina says:

    Thanks for the video I just love the SSS mini hearts

  38. Terri W says:

    I just love when you share your favorite things Jennifer. I really liked that Dazzle die by Birch Press. It is on my wish list 🙂

  39. Misty yarbrough says:

    The birch press layering dies look awesome!!! I did not even know they existed!!! They add so much the your cards and it gives such dimension it is unbelievable!!!!

  40. Jennifer, I want you to know how much I appreciate the time and effort you put in to your videos. I especially like your product videos like this one, because you give suggestions on how one might use the products. They’re not just “commercials” promoting the items themselves. I love the Birch Press background dies!!! A bit rich for my wallet, but maybe someday…! 🙂 Thanks again so much for doing these. Hope you have an awesome day! 🙂 ~ Andrea

  41. Martina Walsh says:

    My favourite would be the plush dies! They look so fun to make

  42. Carolyn says:

    The Birch Press Layering Dies are just amazing. They make such an elegant statement.

  43. Jenny says:

    My favorite must be the stitches cover plate by Ellen. It adds so much detailing to a card without any hassle. A also love the stacking dies they have such a nice effect when used together. I’ve actually never seen them before so thanks for sharing them.

  44. Raegan says:

    I love those layering dies. Definitely going on my wish list!

  45. Elizabeth Navickas says:

    Thank you for all this great information!! I love the layering dies!

  46. Bev Chapman says:

    The pop up dies look like they would be fun to try.

  47. Blessed2cre8 says:

    Thank you so much for taking the time to show us your favorites, it is so helpful to see what is out there. So many I have never seen. I absolutely love love love the Birch press Delfina die set it is surely going on my wish list. Thank you again for all you do to share you experiences with these products.

  48. Dana C says:

    I love all of your choices. Once again adding more to my wish list.

  49. Deb Muscarella says:

    I only have a few word dies, so I’d have to say Any SSS word die. Also Hero arts Circle confetti die. To many to pick a few they are all beautiful! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful techniques with us.

  50. Lisa says:

    Those Birch Press layering dies look absolutely amazing! It is incredible the definition and extra texture it gives a background. You made me want these!

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