Oh boy, did I struggle making my entry :( I had a lovely new Poppy Stamps die to try out and I just couldn't get a decent cut of the central snowflake part at all using anything more than just thin card. It was almost as if the die was blunt. I did Percy Veer though, trying many different combinations of sparkly card, sticky backed card, mirri card etc. etc. and eventually ended up with a result which didn't go into the bin. Not sure if I have a duff die or perhaps my Cuttlebug is feeling its age? :(
- 5" x 7" white card blank, tent style
- a piece of Centura Pearlescent White card, embossed using a Sheena Douglass folder called 'Christmas Greetings' and trimmed to slightly smaller than the card front
- Poppy Stamps 'Snowflake Ribbon' die and (after much trial and error) satin deep red mirri card - which looks black in the photo!
- I stuck the die cut in place onto the embossed panel using very narrow red line tape and left a bit of overhang. Trimmed off the overhang from the reverse side to get a flush cut along the edges of the embossed panel
- next, die cut a larger snowflake from silver holographic card backed with medium grade sticky sheet, using a Memory Box 'Lindeman Snowflake' die and popped it on top of the deep red snowflake (that cut beautifully)
- final touch, a sparkly diamante snowflake embellishment in the centre of the layered die cut snowflakes
It's strange really, as you know I frequently buy duplicates of stuff so that I can offer one as a Playground prize. I really hesitated before ordering this die and decided to only get the one until I'd had a play with it - thankfully!
I've since wondered if the design of the die with the long tapered ribbons (which cut perfectly) and then a really heavily detailed snowflake bulking out the centre is part of the problem. I tried it at all angles using different shims and places on the plates - and the more I think about it the more I feel there's a connection between the design of the die and my problems. Sigh :(
Unless any of you sweeties have any thoughts? And you know what made matters worse? I'd already embossed and trimmed the backing panels for three cards when I began die cutting - being a stubborn mule though, I did in fact manage to complete three cards the same!
I've emailed Poppy Stamps, so far no reply but I live in hope.
Di
x
This is beautiful Di but sorry you had such a difficult time getting it to cut. It was worth the effort though as it does look extremely pretty and I love the SD embossing folder too. The only thing I can suggest is to add some extra shims to the sandwich to get more pressure, but perhaps you tried this anyway. x
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your die won't cut well for you, but I paid a good price for an overall die that simply does not cut, so I feel your pain. IN spite of the cutting issues, this card is just stunning! I love that pearl cardstock!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card, Di. Love the embossing folder. Shame about the die, but glad you got there in the end as it looks fabulous. I often have to use a metal shim with more intricate dies when they don't cut fully. Wouldn't be without it. Hope you hear back from Poppystamps soon.
ReplyDeleteVisiting your blog today with my Rudolph Days DT member's hat on. Thanks for joining in again this month - Good Luck! Liz xx
PS Sent you an email about the sizes of the die set,, hope you received it. If not, the details are in the reply on my blog post. Should be fine in a Cuttlebug. :-)
Gorgeous card Di. Glad you Percy Veered :) I have bought a few dies that didn't work. Sometimes there's a problem with the manufacturer. If your Cuttlebug cuts other dies without any problems, then it's the die and Poppy Stamps should send you a replacement. Definitely ask for one! xx
ReplyDeleteI love this card Di - a beautiful EB and lovely die too. I know what you mean about part of intricate dies not cutting - I have the same problem too. I try to put the part that's not cut near to the edge of the plate and add a couple of pieces as a shim. I suspect my plates need replacing, but this seems to work at the moment.
ReplyDeleteVisiting today with my RD DT hat on - so thanks for joining in the fun and good luck!
Kath x
RD DT
What a gorgeous cardDi..that embossed background is fab...don't you just love Centura pearl for embossing. What a pain re that die...I must admit there is a huge difference in makes of dies....I have some fave brands which cut like butter. You may well have a duff die, I hope you get a reply from Poppy.Happy Wednesday,hugs xx
ReplyDeleteHi Di, a gorgeous card love the sparkle in the pearlescent embossing and the wonderful shiny flakes. My only suggestion would be changing plates, I shouln't talk though.... my 'B' plate has a 2" crack on the edge heading quickly to the centre.... I've also had 'dud' dies, even passed them along to ladies with other machines, they still didn't work... in recycling bin they went... (free with my Cuttlebug) so nothing I'd picked out special... thank you for the inspiration... Megan
ReplyDeleteHave ordered new plates Megan! They were due anyhow :) Thanks for the prompt. xx
DeleteLovely card Di sorry to read about the bother you had with the Die I have this one and it cuts beautifully worth contacting them
ReplyDeleteBut you got there in the end and it's a beautiful card - it must be so frustrating when they don't cut properly - I'd probably give up, glad you didn't!
ReplyDeleteAs above Di you got there in the end and what a result your card is gorgeous hope you have a lovely day take care x
ReplyDeleteThe result is rather stunning though Di, after all the problems you had
ReplyDeleteI think I might have that die . . . . and if so, I'll try die cutting it and see how it goes and report back!
ReplyDeleteWell done for persevering though as you've made a gorgeous RD card mate.
Hugs, Sarn xxx
Just looked and my snowflake is a different one to yours, so can't check, soz. Xxx
DeleteNo advice I'm afraid, but I love the result, just such a shame that you were tearing your hair out to get there. Cara x
ReplyDeleteIf you cut well with any other die, I think that the problem isn't your machine or plates, but this particular die! Perhaps it has a defect... Wait for Poppy Stamps die response and cross your fingers, hope that they will give you another die!
ReplyDeleteI have bought a Woodware large square punch recently, and it doesn't work, because the blade doesn't come out from the hole. I ask to the online store and they have sent me another square punch. I have made only one cut with it, and then the punch has ended to go, as the other one!!
I asked again, and then they have refounded me.
Anyway, your card looks great and if you haven't said us of the snowflake, nobody have known that the centre isn't perfect! :D Gorgous and classy Christmas card!
This is beautiful, and I imagine even more beautiful in real life where you can really see the shimmer and shine. I've had the same problems with other intricate dies, and found than when I got new cutting plates (I have a spellbinders wizard; not familiar with the cuttlebug, though) those dies cut like butter. Over time my plates warped and got all eaten up by using them. So perhaps you are in need of new plates.
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather - plates are on order :) xx
DeleteSuch a lovely card Di..my cuttlebug broke I had had it for years so I bought another one and I'm having trouble with cutting lots of dies! Never had to put so many shims etc in my old one...hope you hear from them soon but it is a gorgeous card..huggles Sue xx
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunning card Di...love it and worth all the agro and heartache I think. I do hope you resolve your problem though otherwise I see a redundant die here. :(
ReplyDeletePretty pretty!
ReplyDeleteSally
LOVE this card Di and it was definitely worth all the hard work you put into it. I'm definitely going to have to get myself that super embossing folder.
ReplyDeleteI read that if you run the die through the machine with a piece of tin foil it's supposed to sharpen it up.
Maybe this link will be of interest? - good price methinks and I'm pleased with the one I have as it does A4 card and cuts the larger dies too
http://www.oysterstamps.co.uk/-special-offer-limited-stock-spellbinders-grand-calibur-cut-emboss-machine-teal-c2x14840623
Oh my Di, this is just beautiful. I love the pearl shine and the snowflakes are stunning. I'm sorry so much stress went into making it. I've had dies that just won't cut all the way through and it is frustrating. I'm so glad you perservered.
ReplyDeleteA lovely elegant card Di. I really like the card embossed with that folder. Barbxx
ReplyDeleteA very elegant and Beautiful card, Di! Happy Rudolf Day. Have you tried spray 'm' boss with your die? Sold by Once upon a stamp.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card and a fabulous die. It's a bummer it doesn't cut well. I have a Memory Box die that is the same way. It is like one section of it is dull and doesn't cut well. They said to put cello tape on the back of it to see if that helped and keep adding layers of cello tape until it cut well. So now it has lots of tape on one section and just a piece or two on another.
ReplyDeleteWonderful card. I love the pearl shiny paper you used and beautiful snowflake.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining us at Rudolph Days Challnege. Good Luck.
Hugs,
Valerija - DT member.
Beautiful card Di. Really Elegant.
ReplyDeleteThe die looks fabulous on the lovely embossing folder and only just realised that I have that die and the few cards I made with it last year I did not have any problems with the cutting, so I can not remember if I cut it on my Cuttlebug or Grand Caliber.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember the problem I had with it was sticking onto a card to get the gap between the ribbon right.
These things are sent to try us.
Kath x
I was so near to killing myself I didn't even mention the bit about the ribbon ends Kath! They kept wanting to curl around one another in a death lock whilst I was trying to stick the little beggars down! God, I hate that die!
DeleteDi xx
Hi Di
ReplyDeleteWell worth the effort .. .. but it sounds like it was a big effort.
I have a feeling you won't be bulk making this card in the future!!!
Love Jules xx
Stunning CAS card Di! I have this MB die and love it. I have no problem with it on my Cuttlebug or eBosser. Maybe you have a faulty die?
ReplyDeleteJanice x
It'a beautiful card, in spite of all the heartache. I'm in no position to offer any advice. I was trying to emboss a die cut the other day and had tried every combination of plates and mats. Then I realised all I needed to do was to turn it over! Duh. I had to laugh though. Sounds like you were nearer crying. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a bloomin' gorgeous card...love the shimmering embossed background. The wonderful red of the swirl really makes the diamond snowflake sparkle. If you're not having trouble with other dies, look at the cutting edge on the back of the die. If it doesn't seem to have the requisite depth, I'd write the mfg. I had similar issues with a Cheery Lynn doily die and it was not etched enough to cut well. (I had friends who are more expert than I, try it. They had trouble using it on C/B and B/Shot too.) I'd ask for a replacement, as some dies just don't get made properly, and they cost way too much to not be able to use them. (also I tried cutting blade up, blade down, with metal shim...still didn't cut properly). My CL die was replaced, for which I was grateful. Hope this helps. Hugs to you & Parsnip. TFS
ReplyDeleteWorth the effort, a beautiful card, but hope you get a replacement very soon. It's so disappointing when a new toy malfunctions xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Di,
ReplyDeletewhat a very brilliant Rudolf card.
I love your very fab design of this, and that embossing looks so great on the pearlised card.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.
Beautifully elegant - I love it.
ReplyDeleteAs for your die, can only think to try the bakingsheet paper which will recoat the die and good old rotation- maybe contact them and let them know too.
such an elegant card, Di, I love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous , elegant card Di, I'm sorry it was such a trouble to make. It's so frustrating and disappointing when things don't work properly. I hope you get a response from the manufacturer.
ReplyDeleteJean x
Oh my goodness Di, this card is stunning. I love that EF and the fabulous die on it!
ReplyDeleteI think you should write Poppy stamps and tell them of your troubles. I think they will be sending you a new one. Perhaps give them your blog addy to so they realize what great advertising they will get for honouring their product quality!
Sorry I have been absent yet again. Mum had a heart attack a short while ago just got out of the hospital yet again 3rd time since she was first released. Pneumonia this time...
Just got home...think we have that highway route memorized now...
I am very sorry being this late with my commenting. Thank you for joining our April Rudolp Day challenge, your creation fits for the occasion perfectly.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Eemeli {DT}
I cant believe I missed this, I must have been playing truant, honest Miss I didnt mean to. What a spectacular card. I love it, every little inch.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I had a similar experience with this die. I made a lot of card using it, but oh my was tough.
ReplyDelete