Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Anything Goes

Hi folks! The Cuttlebug Mania Challenge is back after our Summer break, with a nice and easy theme to settle you back in - 'Anything Goes'.

All you have to do is to use a manual die cutting/embossing machine (it doesn't need to be a Cuttlebug but it must be manual). Then make your entry, link into the challenge, link to the challenge in your own blog post and and make sure that you also say what products you used for any die cutting/embossing. We're a nosey lot and do like to know just what you've used :)

The sponsor for this challenge is Craftie Charlie:

Here's my offering:

I used:

- 7" x 5" white card blank, tent style

- a layer of SU's 'So Saffron' card stock, embossed across the centre using a Quickutz folder called 'Flowers' - one of the very first ones I ever bought

- then I topped and tailed the panel with snippets of SU's 'Wisteria Wonder' topped with snippet strips of Pink Petticoat 'Wild Blossoms' paper. Using the folder cross ways was a good way to leave some nice flat space at the top and bottom ready to cover with the patterned panels

- the images are all from Stephanie Barnard's The Stamps of Life set called 'Cookie', and I stamped them using Memento 'Gray Flannel' ink

- coloured the images using Faber Castell Polychromos pencils and Sansodor blending solution - the wee doggie is based on Stephanie's own little Maltese dog named Cookie, but it's also very much like a Bichon Frise with a 'puppy cut' :) I deepened his nost and eyes using a black fine line marker and the stamp image actually has a darling bow on its head - which I covered with the party hat this time round

- next I die cut Cookie and the party hat using dies from the matching set - for some reason you don't get a die to cut out the parcel, but in fairness it's less intricate and was easy to fussy cut

- the sentiment, which is also included in the stamp set, was die cut using a die from the XCut 'Speech Bubbles' set 

- the die cut elements were then all popped onto the embossed panel using thin sticky pads. So that the hat lies level I used sticky pads for the top part but used narrow red line sticky tape along the bottom edge where it overlapped Cookie's head

- final touch, added some clear Wink of Stella to parts of the hat and also the bow/ribbon on the parcel 

Here's a little tip you might already know about - to do with die cutting stamped images using the matching dies. There are more and more of these sets about right now, I dithered for ages before buying this particular set due to the white margins - but am so glad I did 'cos Cookie was whimpering to be bought!).

Let's say you've stamped and coloured your image, and now you want to line up the matching die properly. This is how I do it:

I took all four dies from the set and cut a card template from each one (used snippets of course!) then discarded the inner part and kept the outer part. I only did all four shapes to save time in the future.

Here you can see that I've got the hat template on the right, awaiting it's turn to be used. On the left is the doggie template, positioned as I want it over the stamped image (see the darling little bow on Cookie's head that I mentioned earlier?) and held in place with Scotch clear removable tape.

Next, I slotted the actual die into the 'slot' of the template - and also taped it in place. If you wiggle the die into place it will let you know when it's positioned properly :) Then you just die cut as normal, both the image, the template and the die will run through your machine fine.

I kept all four templates and just popped them into the packet with the dies - which are also stored along with the stamp set. Normally I store dies on magnetic sheets but find it's best to keep matching dies and stamps together.

And my Scotch tape does look a bit grubby - that's because I'm a bit mean and re-use the pieces until they're past their sell-by date :) A good place to store them is either partially and lightly stuck to a plastic filing tray as I do - or even on the handle or side of your die cutting machine. 

So that's my DT card for this fortnight's Cuttlebug Mania challenge - it would be lovely if you come and play, it's also an ideal opportunity to combine your entry with a Snippets Playground entry - two for the price of one! I do spot quite a few Playmates now joining in with Cuttlebug Mania :)

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