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Crazy About Die Cutters
Die cutters are cool tools. You can create the shapes you love to use in the paper or card stock of your choice, and it’s a pretty safe bet that not too many people are going to make the same choices you do. What’s not to love?

To create die-cut shapes, you need a few things. First, you need a die. It’s essentially a sharpened blade embedded into a piece of foam and backed with a hard material, like plastic. The die-cutting machine, whether handheld or of the tabletop variety, sandwiches the die and the paper together with enough force to compress the foam, exposing the blade just enough to cut through the paper and create the desired shape.

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Some die cutters allow you to exchange the dies for texture plates (one of my favorite uses!). You can create perfectly embossed, intricately textured pieces without the use of a brass stencil and stylus. There are also electronic die-cutting machines, which connect to your computer and cut the shapes using a tiny moving blade. Some can only cut a limited number of shapes, while others can re-create any piece of clip-art you may have.

But how do you choose the right die cutter? With so many choices, how do you narrow it down to the one machine that will fit your style of card making and creative process? A few weeks ago, a reader posed this question, so I asked our fellow card makers for some input. Here are some of the responses.

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Readers Offer Suggestions

Sandi writes:

"Find a local scrapbook business and see if they have die-cut machines that you can try. My local store offers machines at no cost for usage (you pay for paper). The people are very helpful, friendly and willing to supply you with information on all the machines before making a purchase. Good luck!"

Paulette writes:

"My first machine was the Cuttlebug by Provocraft, which I love. It has a hand crank and can be used with almost any die, like Cuttlebug, Sizzix Sizzlits, Quickutz, Bosskut, Ellison, Spellbinders (all thin dies), Sizzix Originals and Bigz (thick dies). I recently got the Big Shot Express Electric, and it is the bomb! It cuts just like my Cuttlebug, but there is no cranking! Push the button, and it runs through quickly; release the button, and it stops, which is a great feature!

"You need a basic machine, the cutting pads and some dies. For dies that have an embossing ability in addition to cutting, like the Spellbinder dies, you will need to purchase an extra rubber silicone mat. There are also embossing folders from Cuttlebug; you put your paper or card stock inside, run it through the machine and out comes a wonderful embossed image. If you get extra-long dies that are for cutting long strips, or you have edges of 12 x 12-inch scrapbook paper, you will need to get the special long cutting mats.

"I have looked at the Cricut, Slice, Gazelle and other computerized die-cutting machines, and if you have the money to spend, I think they would be wonderful and fun. Die-cutting is a lot of fun, but be forewarned; you will also end up getting many items to embellish your newly cut dies, like markers, rubber-stamping inks, rubber stamps, glitter glues, organizers to contain it all -- and you're going to have to make room in your crafting area for ALL of it, which can also be a lot of fun. Enjoy!"

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More Info Online

Alice writes:

"I get a lot of good information from SplitCoastStampers.com in the Tool and Product Talk Forum. This has led me to several favorite posts in blogs and elsewhere, with my favorite analysis being here: PaperTrufflez.Typepad.com.

"You can also search YouTube for each of the machines you are considering to see how they work with various types of dies. Also search brands of dies to see how they are used in the various machines. After a lot of research, I chose a BIGkick because it is weighty enough that it doesn't 'walk' when being used. It comes with a multipurpose platform with instructions printed right on it, and it can easily take all dies on the market. Good luck with your decision!"

Jeannette writes:

"The very best, informative chart can be found here: PaperThreads.com. Much depends on the user's skill level. I personally own the Klic-N-Kut (now there are new models out: the Groove-e and the Maxx ... sigh ... how I'd love one of these new babies!). I've been making cards for over 40 years, and I'm having more fun now than I ever have."

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Free Project

This free project uses a die-cut shape of an ice cream cone. It’s just the thing when you are craving something sweet but want to avoid packing on the pounds that eating actual ice cream will cause. Make a card and take your mind off your cravings! (It does work, sometimes ... )

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Passionate About Card Making

NellEva writes:

"I just recently subscribed to your newsletter. I have been making cards since I first got a computer. My mom and I collected postcards from every place we visited. When her mother-in-law passed away, my mom found boxes of very old postcards. I was lucky enough that she gave me the whole collection. They make the most awesome cards for every occasion, as well as address labels, business cards, etc. Making cards isn't just a hobby ... it's a passion!"

NellEva, what a treasure you were given in those old postcards! In addition to the memories, you have an incredible source of inspiration. A friend recently received several boxes of old but unused cards, and it was so much fun going through them with her! I hope they bring you, and her, many hours of card-making fun!

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