following on from our last post, full of inspiration and examples of just some of the 2x2" dies available from quickutz, we thought it might be helpful to go through the very basics of their handheld tool, also known as 'the squeeze'.
at its most basic it's extraordinarily simple. you insert the die which doesn't move or slip because it's magnetised, you insert your paper and squeeze. 'clip, cut, pop' as they say.
in the package with each new die you get a little square of white foam. this is called 'ejection foam'. remove the backing sheet to expose the sticky side and adhere to your die on the cutting side. insert into the squeeze and press. (this foam makes sure the paper you cut actually leaves the die so that you don't have to try and dig it out of the metal plate like i had to yesterday... )
so die cutting is actually really that simple.
quickutz also offer a very cool range of embossing plates called 'goosebumpz'. uses for these are only limited by your imagination - here are a few, including vellum, felt, strano ribbon, acetate, michael miller fabric paper and tinkering ink felt finery.
Here are a couple of sample layouts using Goosebumpz and the Squeeze tool.
In this layout Suz has created a delicate, almost lace-like border simply by slipping the first inch or so of the edge of her patterned paper (Pink Paislee, Office Lingo) into the Squeeze tool. She then distressed and curled the edges of each strip, overlapping them for dimension.
She has also given Hambly Screen Prints transparency added texture by embossing with the Goosebumpz.
This layout is a lighthearted look by Suz at her son's obsession with almost anything where he can 'collect them all', using the Sassafras Lass 'My Dearest' papers. She has linked an eclectic collection of mixed alphas for the title by putting them all through the same Quickutz Goosebumpz embossing die, and then lightly inking and sanding the raised blocks. Even the Heidi Swapp Ghost letters weren't safe from the Squeeze!
