Aussie Scrap Source

countdown to christmas: quickutz

 

Caz decided to make some (hopefully all) of her Christmas Cards this year so thought she would try out the Quickutz ornament shapes for something different. There are 2 shapes on the one die, the elongated one as shown here and a round one shown on some of the next cards. She decided to see how many different ways she could use the dies to make her cards.

 

To create card number 1 caz used some of the lovely wide strano ribbon stiffened with some of the Ribbon Stiff. She then added layered co-ordinating Heidi Swapp felt flowers with a brad through their centres.

 

Card number 2 is made with Heidi Swapp papers with Some Heidi Swapp Bling to add a touch of Christmas sparkly. Caz just cut up the bling circles and a bling crown and used segments of them on the ornaments.

 

Caz has cut ornaments out of the beautiful Hambly Screen Prints overlays and layered them over a Hambly silver rub-on to create card number 3. Some metallic paper scraps were used for the hanging ribbons and ornament tops.

 

 

To create card number 4 Caz ran the ornaments through the Quickutz machine with a an embossing die in it to create lovely embossed swirls on them. She hung them on wrought iron looking flourishes cut with the Quickutz machine as well.

 

Card Number 5 was created with the gorgeous Glitzmas papers from SEI. All the extra work is done for you as the papers have glittery sparkles and shiny varnished accents already on them.

product focus: 3d quickutz dies

 

The new Quickutz 3d dies are just beautiful, and perfect for adding a little dimension to your projects.  Suz has used the Flower3 and Flourish dies on this quick and simple layout – there’s no doubt that die cuts make short work of adding a beautiful detail when time is limited, without detracting from the subject of the page.  Suz has cut out both SEI Mimosa papers and Hambly transparencies with the dies – the transparency curls fabulously and adds yet another texture.

Caz was lucky enough to get to play with some of the new Quickutz 3d dies. She chose the bird and birdhouse 4x4 die and the flourish 4x4 die.combined with the Quickutz tree border die to create a layout about how her daughter is such a homebody.

Caz created this layout while her daughter was staying in Canberra on a school exchange program. It got to the 3rd and last night and she could tell by her daughters voice how much she longed to be home with her family and her 'stuff' even though she was having such a good time. She has included on the back of the page the self motivational post-its she found on Jordan's mirror when she had left - "Don't be scared" "Text message Mum everyday but don't waste credit" "But most of all, HAVE FUN!!"

Once again Caz has used the bird/house and the flourish dies. To make this sweet card she combined the die-cuts she made with some of the new die-cuts and paper from the Crate Paper Bliss range. A perfect card for someone who is moving to a new home or to welcome someone home.

product focus: quickutz in other die cutting machines

Though obviously we like the Quickutz Revolution the best, we do acknowledge there are other die cutting systems out there, and you might well have one tucked in a cupboard or under your scrapping table.  And because Quickutz have have such a massive range of dies and are regularly releasing even more funky shapes and gorgeous designs, we don't want you to miss out on just because you have someone else's die cutting machine. 

At the end of the day what they all do, one way or another, is squeeze the dies and your chosen paper together so that it cuts your chosen shape.  So we've had a play with some of the other die cutting machines on the market to show you how to quickly and easily you can use coveted Quickutz cutting and embossing dies on the machine you already have so  so you don't have to miss out!

 

THE CUTTLEBUG

Die Cutting Quickutz 2" and 4" dies

 

Literally as easy as 'ABC'.  Instructions for using Other Brand Thin Dies are in the manual, and the adaptor plate (marked C) that you need comes in the box.  

At the bottom you need your Spacer (A), one Cutting Pad (B) then you place your Quickutz die, your patterned paper and finally your Thin Die Adaptor (C) and roll the lot through the machine.

We found this cut easily and cleanly even through the two layers of the self-adhesive Quickutz Stripz.  The Cuttlebug will take up to four 2" dies or one 4" die.

Die Cutting Quickutz Cookie Cutter 12" Border Dies

The question on Cuttlebug owner's lips who has seen the new 12" border dies released recently by Quickutz would be can I use these in my machine, and if so, how.  The answer is yes.

 

Use the same set up as above with the die resting on A and B.  Cover the die with your paper, and cover this with Adaptor Plate C.  As you can see obviously the plates are not long enough to cut the whole die at once.  Roll it through until it comes out the other end.

Now making sure you keep your your die and patterned paper together, move the plates to the other end of the die, and roll through again.  You will probably need to do this from the other end and roll into the middle, rather than starting in the middle and rolling to the end, as I found the machine didn't want to accept the bulk of all the layers at once.

And there you have it.  The beautiful Quickutz Cookie Cutter Flourish cut on the Cuttlebug.  It's not a perfect setup, but it's certainly do-able.

 

Embossing with 2" and 4" Goosebumpz

This is easy enough but the widths of the embossing dies means you need to do a bit of tweaking.  The above ABC set up is too thick to send the embossing dies through, and the ABB set used for Cuttlebug dies is too thin.  This can be quickly and easily solved though with nothing more technical than a sheet or two of chipboard cut to the same size as the plates.

 

Fold your Goosebumpz Embossing Die over your chosen paper or cardstock.  Place on the Spacer (A) and Cutting Pad (B).  Cover with your second Cutting Pad (B) and one or two sheets of chipboard.

 

Perfect!

 

THE SISSIX "BIG RED"

 Die Cutting Quickutz 2" and 4" dies

 

To use Quickutz 2" or 4" dies in the Sissix die cutting system you need both the Sissix System Converter and the Adaptor plate.

If you don't have the Adaptor Plate (I didn't for the purposes of this report) load up layers of chipboard as shown.  Test your system on scrap paper but I needed four layers under the cutting plate to give a clean cut.

The 2" dies are small enough to be cut in one go.  4" dies will need to be moved along and pressed twice.

 

Die Cutting Quickutz Cookie Cutter 12" Border Dies

 

 

The gorgeous 12" border dies went through easily enough.  This is the 12" Cookie Cutter Leafy Vine.   You need to feed the length of the die and the paper through manually as this is not a rolling die machine, and you need to press about six times - and a few extra just be sure.  Watch it as it comes out the end nearest the lever - you may need to turn it around so that you're not pressing down on top of the die.

The fact that you can pick up your paper and die at any time to check whether it has cut through successfully though makes the system fairly foolproof.

 

Embossing with 2" and 4" Goosebumpz

Again you need the Sissix System Convertor and either the Adaptor Plate or the high-tech chipboard layer alternative.

 

 

 

The 4" die will need to presses but this gave a lovely clean imprint.

If you have any other queries, or have a different diecutting system we haven't covered here, we're happy to help.  Leave a question in a comment and we'll look into it for you.

product focus: quickutz silhouette

    

 

The Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter is designed for crafters who:
• Have a PC with Windows 2000, XP or Vista
• Have an Internet connection
• Want to cut out QuicKutz designs and computer fonts in multiple sizes
• Don't want to worry about cartridges or CDs
• Want to explore advanced features of digital craft cutting

The Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter gives you instant access to your entire digital design collection, the power to transform designs anywhere from 1/4 inch to 8 inches tall and will allow you to cut any TrueType font on your computer—all without any cartridges or CDs to lose, damage or store!

This is the ultimate in cutting - moving right away from dies to digital.  The Silhouette comes with installation software which includes 50 digital designs to start you cutting straight away.  And then Quickutz makes sure you always have a fresh selection to choose from by releasing new designs every month.  You can also design and have the Silhouette cut your own designs, as our clever Donna Wild illustrates below with her beautiful butterflies.

 

Although Donna is new to the Quickutz Silhouette, she was keen to try something different. Rather than opting to use one of the many beautiful dies available for this incredible machine, she simply downloaded a free dingbats font and created a jpeg (image) of a butterfly. Using the Silhouette meant it was possible to coordinate a range of beautiful butterflies using various patterned papers from the SEI Jolie Chocolat range. The close-ups demonstrate just how intricately the Silhouette did its job!

 

By Layering the Quickutz Silhouette die cuts Jaimie created 'snowflake' embellishments to represent the freezing cold weather on the day this photo was taken. Jaimie spritzed the clustered images with the lovely tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to give them a shimmer and shine and added Love you more gem brads as centres. The title is a mix of die cut images layered over each other and Jenni Bowlin journal cards.

 

Suz loved that using the Silhouette means that you can tailor even the most intricate die cuts to your layout with co-ordinating paper - or using QuickStripz - self-adhesive textured cardstock designed specifically for die-cutting with either the Revolution or the Silhouette.  Self-adhesion also means that no matter how fine the design there's no messing about with glues squelching out the edges! 

These papers from the QuickStripz Dreamscape pad co-ordinated perfectly with the new Little Yellow Bicycle 'Zach's Life' patterned papers and embellishments.

 

 

   The Quickutz Silhouette Star die (#42) couldn't be more superb for scrapbooking boy and girl layouts alike. Mel has completed this layout on her nephew Oscar and hand stitched the stars onto the page using a contrasting embroidery cotton. Stars are so versatile fora variety of layouts, so what are you waiting for - get scrapping!

 

 

 

Caz created these versatile cards using simple black outline pictures cut out using the Quickutz Silhouette. These templates are just three of many that are included when you purchase the Silhouette.

A background of pretty Crate paper, a little Heidi Swapp bling and a hint of rub-on is all that was needed to make these quick and easy cards that are sure to bring joy to the recipient.

 

Quickutz Revolution Quickutz have released a range of stunning new die cuts designed for the Revolution and we've had a lot of queries about whether these and the 2" dies can be used in other popular die cutting machines. Check back tomorrow for our report into the possibilities!

product focus: quickutz revolution

 

 

Layering diecuts is a great way to add dimension to a page and by adding double sided foam tape throughout the embellished corner Jaimie has given extra lift to her layout.  Jaimie adhered the diecuts onto a solid paper background to ensure the heavy embellished corner would not be swamped by too much colour - she has balanced her LO by adding strips of co ordinating paper in the opposite corner which leads the eye through the page to the title.

 

 

  

Suz has used the Quickutz Revolution 'Mini Album' die for this little book which was great for containing lots of extra photos of her daughter dancing and some additional journalling.  She reports that the Hambly Transparency she used for it went through the Revolution just fine - which makes a fast and economical way of creating your own transparent albums!  

The Heidi Swapp floral may look slightly wonky but was actually embellished by her daughter who wanted to 'help' create this page.

  

 

The Quickutz Revolution Big Centre Flower die is perfect as a frame for holding photos, as Mel has demonstrated here in her layout. The edges of the flower (cut out using Sassafras Lass Indian Paintbrush patterned paper) were lightly sanded before the photo was placed inside. A perfect little addition to any layout!

 

Another layout by Mel demonstrating the Quickutz Big Centre Flower die being used as a photo frame. Mel has also used the Ribbon Flower die on each side of her layout to hold words relating to their day at the beach.

 

 

 

Caz used the Quickutz Revolution Embossing Die in the Stripes pattern to make this quick and easy colour blocked background for a layout about her eldest daughter Darcy's birthday flowers.

She chose colours that matched some of the flowers and you must admit, it turned what could be a pretty average background into something special.

 

This photo of Caz's son Jesse really didn't need any journaling as she thinks it speaks for itself, Yuk! he's licking right where the dog usually licks the window. She simply chose to create a large heading using her favourite Quickutz Revolution font - Blossom and some Arctic Frog letter stickers.

 

Thanks to Molly Smith for this lovely layout using Quickutz Revolution alphas and shapes. The fun Spicy Chicken font, whimsical flower shapes and the nameplate plus the beautiful BasicGrey Lilykate papers, highlight her granddaughter, Hannah Kate's pretty face.

Molly has a large collection of Quickutz fonts (62 actually) and says that the Grand alphabets are particularly fun to work with.

product focus - quickutz 'squeeze' tool 101

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!

product focus: quickutz

Over the next few weeks we'll be running a series of blog posts looking at the unique tools and dies and other products offered by Quickutz.  We'll be featuring in-depth how-to's as well as our usual inspirational layout and project ideas.

 

 

The QuicKutz Squeeze can be used as a hand tool or set up as a tabletop die cut press machine as shown above. When set up as a tabletop press, place the hand tool close to your body and use your body weight (lock your elbows) to push down on the top handle of the tool while you are standing.

Squeeze is by far the sassiest, most stylish personal die-cutting tool on the market. Its brushed metal finish and slender, sleek design give it a unique look you can be proud to carry with you to scrapbooking events! But don't let its fashionable look deceive you! Squeeze is also built-to-last! With no cheap, plastic parts and a lifetime service commitment, you have a friend for life!

There are many innovations to come from QuicKutz that increase the versatility of your die cutting tool, such as embossing with GooseBumpz, QuickStampz (which makes it possible to create foam stamps from your dies) and Icing RubOns embellishments.

 

 

 

Caz has used the Quickutz Roller Coaster DoubleKutz to create this sweet embellishment for her page about the ups and downs of their past year.  The journaling on the back reads:-

"It was a bit of a roller-coaster year, 2007. Unfortunately there were probably a few more downs than ups but I hope 2008 is going to be a better one.  2007 started well with our trip to the USA. Our first overseas family holiday with all 5 of us, actually our first REAL holiday which hasn’t involved going to the family holiday house in Nelson Bay. It was fab, and the kids all still talk about the things we saw and did over there. So worth it and such a good start.  Jesse started Kindergarten, Jord went into Year 4 and Darcy into her final primary year, Year 6. Woo Hoo, all 3 kids in school and I have some free time to myself during the day. 

Next month Jesse is hospitalized with pneumonia. Not fun in the least and scary for us, no matter how cool he thought the hospital school and Starlight computer games machine was. But obviously he needed to see inside a few more hospitals. Within 3 weeks he managed to get hit by a car. 2 ambulance rides, 2 more hospitals and a fractured skull. Seriously, who would have boys?..."

The Been There Done That - Theme Park Heaven paper makes the perfect backdrop against the black paper pieced scaffolding.

 

 

The Quickutz handtool is a very versatile little addition to any scrap tote, as this layout by Donna clearly demonstrates.

Donna used a simple circle die (from the Icing Rub-ons Starter Kit) to cut a couple of circles from 1.5" Strano ribbon and patterned paper. She further embellished those circles with a few bits and pieces to create a unique focal point for her page. A lace die was also used to add a little 'interest' to the top of the photo of her adorable youngest daughter.

 

These very cute little guys are aliens, and Suz thought they were really the perfect embellishment for this layout she has created about her son's obsession with Star Wars Galactic Heroes.  Two dies give you four different types of aliens and Suz has lined them up randomly like a border across her page.

 

Mel has used the Quickutz gingerbread man die (combined with a little hand stitching, title and photos) to convey a simple story about how her and her two children filled in an afternoon reading and baking gingerbread men. This little die would also be perfect to add on general cooking layouts and ever so sweet for birthday cards.

 

Cutting out and sticking down 82 little coloured pieces of card is probably not for everyone but you have to admit that this Quickutz Nativity Die Set scene is really sweet.  You get a set of 6 dies that makes all the characters and the little sheep. The pieces are able to be embossed with the Quickutz Goosebumps after you have cut them out for added effect.

Caz has used the scene to decorate a page on her children's weird re-enactment of the Christmas Story between courses at their Christmas Dinner.

 

 

   

Wendy Morris from Alabama has created this beautiful layout, punching out letters using the Studio Lowercase alphabet by Quickutz. It looks fabulous as a large title over the photograph, especially teamed with all those gorgeous circles and buttons across the bottom of the page (which include Wendy's journalling).

cha summer 2007 previews - quickutz

some brilliant new goosebumpz for embossing and a whole new load of versatile shapes ..

silhouette - tutorial 3

 

Di has prepared a third tutorial.  This one is fab - it's all about how to cut different materials using your Silhouette and how you adjust your setting for each.  Di has covered adhesive cardstock, paper and vellum in this lesson and includes screen shots of the settings required for each medium.

Quickcutz are adding new designs all the time so keep an eye on their site too. 

And if you are interested in purchasing a Silhouette, ask your local scrapbooking store if they would order one in for you.

silhouette: tutorial 2

Di Turner has prepared the second in a series of tutorials using the fab new Silhouette from Quickutz.  You can find it here.  A permanent link to each of the tutorials can also be found in the sidebar.   This chapter is all about turning your ordinary fonts into cursive script - or joined up writing - so that this cool machine can cut out your words in one piece, rather than individual letters. 

The official line is it can't be done - but Di says it can!  If you have or are thinking of buying a Quickutz Silhouette, these tutorials are invaluable.

Quickutz's library of Digital Designs is growing at an amazing pace. This month they're introducing boxes, cartons, folders, flowers and more! If you are a QuicKutz user who's loved some of their discontinued shapes, a select few are now available to download as Digital Designs for your Silhouette.

Here are some of the newly released very cool templates you can create using your Silhouette.  You can find the full range here.

Introducing the Quickutz Silhouette

and Diane Turner.

Di works for Aussie Scrap Source as the IT Manager and has an Information Technology background which spans almost 20 years. Di jumped at the opportunity to work at Aussie Scrap Source so that she could combine her loves of computing and scrapbooking in a work environment. She has two gorgeous little girls - Jasmin (4) and Eliza (1), whom she loves to create scrapbook layouts about. Di has been scrapbooking for over six years now - in fact it was Di who first introduced Cheryl to scrapbooking 4 years ago. Di loves to scrapbook in her spare time, in addition to having quality family time and being a part owner of three businesses (Civic Video, Gloria Jeans, By the Greens Catering).

When Cheryl asked Di Turner to test out the Quickutz Silhouette machine, she jumped for joy! She has wanted to buy a cutting machine for a while now, and is glad she waited for the Silhouette - "It's fantastic - you don't need to buy font cartridges as you can use the true type fonts installed on your computer, or download them off the web. The Silhouette also comes with 50 shapes, as well as the ability to draw your own, download them from the web, or import files from other sources. The options are limited only by your imagination." Di is creating a series of lessons on how to use and get the most out of your Quickutz Silhouette.

The first amazingly comprehensive one can be found here.