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.]


Leave a Comment

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

  1. Tricia says:

    I am loving the shadow word dies. I think it really changes the way I design cards.

  2. Elizabeth Dingman says:

    I really like the lawn fawn dies for making your cards interactive. I also love the Hero Arts Stars Confetti background die! I love your series.

  3. Crissy says:

    I have a few of these dies and love it. I really like the Lil Inker Diamond Lace die. Happy Thanksgving to you and your family!!

  4. Theresa says:

    Those layer sets from birch press are really beautiful, especially the delfina.

  5. Victoria Brown says:

    I love the dies that have more than one element/purpose to them, the lawn fawn envelope and the avery elle gift tag die are my favorite ones from above because they have sentiments included! Thank you for all the inspiration!

  6. Bernay Brumbaugh says:

    The hero arts circles and stars die and the countryside circle die are awesome. I could make a lot of cool cards with those. Love your videos. Great ideas!

  7. Susie Hall says:

    So very hard to pick just one…. so I picked two faves. MFT’s rectangle peek-a-boo window die and SSS plush bloom die. Thanks for sharing.
    Susie

  8. Jen P says:

    Wow, so many great dies! I’ve never used layering dies so I’m definitely intrigued by the Birch Press Sevilla Layering Die Set and will have to add it to my wish list!

  9. D Fricano says:

    Your annual set of “Favorite Crafty Things” is the highlight of my year! I love the Confetti background die from Hero Arts and thank you for teaching me how to use the Spellbinders tool in the most efficient way! AWESOME to know! Thank you Jennifer for making this series of videos and EVERY video you treat us to throughout the year!

  10. Linda Coley says:

    I love dies!!! I love to make interactive cards so I would say the Lawn Fawn Everyday Pop up dies and Slide on Over Thanks for the videos. It helps Santa know what to bring for Christmas.

  11. Haejin Kang says:

    Gosh, such a hard choice – love the word dies but I’d also love to try those layering background dies. They are really amazing and I’ve never seen anything like it before~~

  12. Anna Tracy says:

    The slide over die by Lawn Fawn is so much fun!!!! I really enjoy having cards with movement.

  13. Kristin McCann says:

    I’m loving these videos! Thanks Jennifer!! And OMG those layering guys are absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to get those and play with them. They are stunning

  14. Andrea says:

    My favorite die is the reversed confetti dies all framed up lots of possibilities!

  15. Ilda says:

    Jennifer you videos are so informative and always inspiring! My Christmas list just keeps growing. Thanks for all you do 🙂

  16. Helen McGrath says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with all of us. I am relativity new to stamping and have learned so much by watching your videos. Now that I’m getting a sense of what I want, most of the trial and error have been taken out of the shopping experience. I really found the All Framed Up – Delfina Layering – Stylish Snowflake and the Plush Bloom dies to be the most intriguing. I am a fan and look forward to learning much more. Best Regards!

  17. Marie Butler says:

    Another great and helpful video!! Thanks!! I have my eye on the Lawn Fawn small stitched envelope and the Reverse Confetti “All Framed Up” dies.

  18. Josiane says:

    My favorite die is the Memory Box Countryside Circle Craft die. It’s so versatile!

    Thank you for the series and giveaways!

  19. Kathy Mc says:

    Those Birch Press layering dies look fabulous but pricey. Think my first choice would be the Memory Box Countryside Circle Die. Appreciate all the work you put into your videos and lengthy blog posts sharing your favorite things. They really are helpful!

  20. Clara Timmons says:

    O…so many dies …if I have to choose one then will be the Snowflake dies from MFT…..they are so beautiful.
    thank you Jennifer for sharing these…love it.

  21. Felicia Lui says:

    Love the Avery Elle ballon alphas and the MFT Peek a Boo polka dots and the Hero Arts Star Confetti dies

  22. Quiana Wallace says:

    I really like the layering dies. I couldn’t just pick one lol!

  23. aygo says:

    I can’t pick just one! There are so many great dies, oh my goodness! I liked the RC All Framed Up, EH Stitching Lines and Stitching Cover Plate and Lil’ Inker’s Diamond Lace.

  24. Zandy Ng says:

    My favourite is the Lawn Fawn Slide On Over Dies as I love to make slider cards.

  25. Barbara Borja says:

    Like you, I’m a huge fan of intricate word dies. My favorite from above is probably the PTI Thinking of You. I’ll definitely be asking Santa for that one! Have you tried the Sizzix precision base plate? Did you like it? How about compared to the shim you showed in your video? Thanks for answering this if you can.

  26. Lauri Bacalzo says:

    Thank you for all the wonderful ideas in your videos!
    The perk S boo polka dots did is just adorable 🙂

  27. Lauri Bacalzo says:

    Thank you for all the wonderful ideas in your videos!
    The peek a boo polka dots did is just adorable 🙂

  28. Dennice says:

    Mmm… my favourite dies would have to be the balloon letters and the layering dies you showed on the video… I didn’t know those existed! x, D

  29. I really love those layering dies you showed in de video. My favorite dies are the stitch border dies, I like the oval the most.

  30. Dawn Skene says:

    So hard to pick a favorite, but I love the Avery Elle Tag For All dies and the Hero Arts Infinity dies.

  31. tara capewell says:

    the mft snowflake dies are amazing gutted they are already sold out :'( i could see my kids making all sorts of decorations for cards with them

  32. Gail A says:

    This is harder than choosing favorite stamps! I am going to choose all of the Birch Press sets, Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Envelope set and Reverse Cofetti All Framed Up set!

  33. Donna Phelan says:

    Wow so many great dies, awesome video! Those Birch Press Delfina Layering dies look AMAZING!!!!!

  34. Thank you for doing these videos. I watch them every year and learn something new. I also love the pictures on the bottom of the post with the link to where to buy them. Cool!
    !

  35. Lorie says:

    I will be getting the Birch press Delfina from Santa as that’s the only thing I’m my list!! That’s my favorite!

  36. Isabel Z says:

    The MFT snowflake dies are exquisite.

  37. Theresa P says:

    Wow! Your video shows so many great products! Thanks for sharing all these dies! I am loving the Birch Press Layering die sets…never saw these before.

  38. Lauren says:

    Love the HA star and circle confetti dies.

  39. April says:

    My favorites are the SSS Thankful Dies and the Essentials by Ellen Stitched Cover Plate. I also really like the layered dies. I had never seen those before. Thanks for sharing!!

  40. I always enjoy your crafty videos!! It always seem that I learn something new. Just when you think you have figured everything out I watch one of your videos and I’m” WOW I didn’t know that”. So thank you for all of your wonderful videos!!
    My favorite dies are My Favorite Things Stylish Snowflake Dies, Papertrey Ink Thinking of You Die, Memory Box Countryside Circle Die,Lawn Fawn Small Stitched Envelope Dies,Hero Arts Circle Confetti Dies, Oh heck I really do like them all!! LOL!!

  41. Kathy W says:

    I have the Lawn Fawn pop up dies on my wish list. Also am excited about the Tim Holtz Star Bright embossing folder. Thanks for the video!

  42. Julie says:

    Great video Jennifer! Very hard to choose favorites but it thought the birch layering dies were very cool. I hadn’t seem them before. I also like the impression obsession hello die. What a great retro yet clean font. Thanks so much for sharing,

  43. VALLERY VIER says:

    The background of the Reserve Confetti All Framed Up Die is simply beautiful !! And i Loved the SSS Stacked Stars Die and Papertrey Ink Stitched Tag Die!! I need them all !!

  44. ana manzana says:

    The layering dies are awesome!!!

  45. Kristen says:

    The essentials die plate by Ellen Hutson, the one with all the stitched. Love it

  46. Malin Danngärde says:

    The lil’ inker background die is absolutley my favorite one!
    I must buy that soon 😉

  47. Beverly C says:

    My favorite dies are ones I use the most like the Hero Arts Infinity Circle Dies and also the Rectangle dies! I’m pretty practical and these come in handy quite often! Thanks for sharing!

  48. Sherrie M. says:

    LOVE all the word dies – can be used in so many ways. But those layering Birch Press dies look amazing! Would love to try those.

  49. ACobb10 says:

    So many great dies but if I have to pick one, it would be MFT Peek a Boo Polka Dots! It’s so cute and so versatile!

  50. Jennifer Schuler says:

    I love dies! I have a lot of them. My favorite from the ones above has to be the My Favorite Things Stylish Snowflake Dies! Those are gorgeous!

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