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. Amy Ames says:

    Thanks for the amazing videos Jennifer!! I love being able to see so many products and tips in one place. There are a lot here that I would love to add to my collection but I’d say my favorite three are the SSS snowflake dies, the SSS plush happy sun, and finally the SSS plush flower. Thanks for sharing So many amazing tips and tricks ?

  2. Carolyn Hargrave says:

    My favorite dies are the ones that leave a stitched border around the shape……but I still don’t have any dies!! I just recently got a Cuttlebug and have used it for embossing folders but haven’t figured out the best dies to purchase since I could only afford a couple to begin with. I appreciate all your information on dies and I plan to take your suggestion and order some that you say are your favorites. Hope they will become my favorites too.

  3. Michelle says:

    Papertrey Ink stitched tag dies. I just got my Cuttlebug so this series is so super helpful! New subscriber too!

  4. Gauri V says:

    Hi Jennifer, all the three layering dies that you showcased from Birch Press are so unique. Had never seen these type of dies before. And the infinity circles and rectangles dies which are always helpful with techniques. Thanks.

  5. Victoria A says:

    so many amazing dies! the Stitching Lines dies and the infinity circles are amazing!

  6. Gwen says:

    I think the ones I’d use the most would be Hero Arts Infinity Rectangle dies. Great series!

  7. Debbie Morris says:

    I think the My Favorite Things Stylish Snowflake dies will be great for making Christmas cards this year!

  8. dhendrick says:

    Wow!So many great dies! My fav is the Lil inker Diamond Lace. A very close second is the MFT peek a boo die. Thanks for another thorough video!

  9. Elaine Creighton says:

    Great dies, I don’t have very many yet I have a long list. Avery Elle Tag for all dies, Hero Arts Stars Confetti, Birch Press Deltona Layering Diego, MFT Rectangle Peeks A Book Window Die, Neat and Tangled Journaling Alphabet Die. There are some amazing ones I will be looking for.

  10. Ginajo15 says:

    I absolutely love the way you showcased the Birch Press Dazzle die and the others they make as well. Those are so unique!

  11. Sandi R says:

    I would love love love to have the balloon letter/number dies those are so cute

  12. Jennifer K says:

    Really amazing 2 videos on dies and the tools, I must get one of those Tool in One, love how easily the pieces of paper come out of the die and a magnetic bowl, I am always misplacing parts of my dies! My favourite die from the videos is the My Favorite Things Stylish Snowflake DiesI don’t have it but it is on my wish list, the snowflakes it creates are just gorgeous. Thank you Jennifer for another amazing My crafty Things!

  13. Gloria Lai says:

    Love the snow globe die by memory box. its so pretty and warm and cozy looking. Love!

  14. Stephanie Burgess says:

    I like the Papertrey Ink Stitched Tag Die.

  15. Stephanie Burgess says:

    I like the simplicity of the SSS Mini Hearts Outline Dies.

  16. Aimee says:

    The stacked rectangles and the stitching detail dies. I live the multiple uses you can get out of the basic dies!

  17. Rachel M says:

    Avery Elle Tag for All dies is the one that I think I would get a lot of use from. They are all great!

  18. Marie Moreken says:

    Oh my goodness I like them all! I’m intrigued with the layering dies from Birch Press. Thank-you for all of the wonderful videos. I’ve just started watching this past month. I’m trying to catch up on them.

  19. Lauren says:

    Seriously, those layered background dies are to “die” for!!! Just stunning samples too! Thanks for all the hard work you’ve put into this series.

  20. Cherie says:

    Love those Birch Press layering dies and that intricate Snowflake die from MFT.

  21. Vicenta Ghylin says:

    Thank you for the video. I bought the Evolution die cutting machine and still don’t feel comfortable using it. Should have bought the Big Shot. I usually buy the stamp and die sets, but only used the stamps Their is really no good instructional video for it that I can find.

  22. Karen smith says:

    Thanks for your great insight. Your videos are amazing and I love getting inspiration from your work.

  23. Dani Manning says:

    I love the snowflakes, the stitched tag, and the dazzle layering die! Super pretty!

  24. Michelle says:

    My favorite is the MFT snowflakes dies. I love snowflakes!

  25. I just love those snowflakes! Thanks for sharing, the videos are NOT too long. 😉

  26. Cheryl Bowman says:

    I just finished watching your Favorite things Series, and I have quite a long wish list!!! The videos were very informative. I will definitely be purchasing the Pop Up die set, as well as some of these gorgeous layering die sets! You are quite inspiring and continue to motivate me in my crafting!

  27. Natasha says:

    From the above list- I really like the SSS Stacked Stars Die. One day those will me mine 🙂

  28. Linda Jamme says:

    I love stitched dies. I have a Cricut but can’t get the stitch lines with it so I continue to buy dies. I have dies from several companies and really don’t have a favorite company. Different dies for different effects and uses. Love them all.

  29. tchme4now says:

    I was wondering….Does the Sizzix Magnetic Plate work with the Big Shot Express Machine?

  30. Tara Galger says:

    I love the tangled stars die! Thank you for all the wonderful ideas and content

  31. C Gee says:

    My favorite is the Birch Press Dazzle layering set. It has such intricate designs and I love how they look layered together.

  32. Katrina H says:

    Those layering background dies are so cool! And I had no idea that spellbinders brush tool existed. Thanks for the chance to win!

  33. Beth says:

    The Birch Press Dazzle layering die is beyond amazing. I’d be happy with any of their layering dies! Thanks for this video and your time, Jennifer.

  34. Denise Gardner says:

    Thanks for sharing your favorites! I think Neat and Tangled Journaling Alphabet Dies look great.

  35. franchesca says:

    i loooove the word dies. the calligraphy ones just do it for me!

  36. B Montoya says:

    Hi Jennifer,
    I love your blog – so inspirational! My favorite Die above is the MFT Stylish Snowflakes. They look so delicate and elegant.

  37. Anjaly says:

    MFT stylish snowflakes, Reverse Confetti all framed up dies, Avery Elle tag for all dies, Birch Press delfina, Essential by Ellen stitches line dies, MFt peek a boo….oh it’s so difficult to choose…?

  38. Jeannine H says:

    I love the HA star background die, the new MFT snowflake dies, and the word dies. I really like the ones with the shape included. Very stylish!

  39. I am just about to pull the trigger and buy myself a Big Shot machine! I have long admired the infinity circle (and similar) dies, as well as the beautiful confetti backgrounds that are available for manual die-cutters. I am also excited to try my hand at embossing folders… So many new opportunities opening up for me 😉

  40. Cathy Johnston says:

    Love the Sunny Studio Snippets hearts, the Thanks and Thank You, and the Tim Holtz tiny dots texture fade

  41. Heather Lynn says:

    Wow, I love all the Birch Press layering dies. A real luxury. One die I must have now is Lawn Fawn pop ups dies. I would use those often. Thanks for sharing all you do!

  42. Lindsay says:

    I have been craving the SSS stacked stars die! Its just so much fun!

  43. Really like the “thankful” die with the shadow die from SSS

  44. Beatrice Lawson says:

    The Lawn Fawn small stitched envelope die is my pick and it is currently sold out at SSS!! So I will be waiting patiently to nab it as soon as it’s back:-)

  45. Kathy H says:

    My favorite dies are always sentiments! I guess the sentiment is the most important part to me. I love the “hello” die above!

  46. Janet trapp says:

    Super in love with word and stack dies !
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    God bless you

  47. I absolutely love sentiment dies the hello is my favourite

  48. Monica W says:

    I love all the background dies and Lawn Fawns dies to create interactive cards look fun as well 🙂

  49. Mandy Salazar says:

    Love the heart dies!!

  50. Cheryl Johnson says:

    I love the Lil Inker Diamond Lace die. ITt is so pretty when you showed it cut but also used as an embossed image. I also liked the Tim Holtz Star Bright Texture Fade embossing folder. I really enjoy your craft favorites videos each year!

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