Cuttlebug and Magnetic Mats

Using a magnetic mat in your die cutting machine can be a useful way of making frames and apertures in your cards. Since I'm frequestly asked if they are needed; about the sandwich; and just how to do this .... today's card will show you the method I use.

Making an aperture card
I started by making a 4" x 4" card, which I scored round four sides.

Any make of die will make your aperture.  Tape the die to the inside of the card - cut side down - use a low tack tape to secure.

Place the magnetic mat inside the card

and fold the front card over securing the die on the magnetic mat.  Run through the Bug....

Sandwich:  A plate/card encasing the dies and mat/Shim/2 B plates  (I have to use 2 shims, BUT your machine might need less or more..TRY a test run...NEVER force....BEST to start with a thin sandwich).

and you have your aperture card.

You could achieve this result without a magnetic mat, but without the mat you get an impression on the back inside of the card.

Making a frame using a magetic mat

The mat is really useful for making frames

Place the dies on the magnetic mat - place your paper or card over the dies and run through the Bug.

The sandwich is slightly different than usual

A plate/magnetic mat with dies cut side up/paper/ 2 B plates

 (dependent on your machine possibly a shim on top).

In the picture you will see the frame fixed to the aperture card. 

To finish my card I only had to cut a piece of matching paper and add to the inside of the card.

  I also added a a silver thread and  beads. 

The remaining piece of the cut-out can then  be added  to the inside of the card.

It was my intention to use the cut-out from the aperture also on the inside, but after stamping with care and putting on one side to dry....it disappeared....yet to be found!

As you can see magnetic mats to have their uses.

Another such use is to emboss a frame on the front of your card, you can check this out here.
I have used a very quick and easy way of decorating the aperture - the choice is yours!

I have not added a sentiment - this type of card could be used for any occasion, but I thought with Christmas nearly upon us - it would make a very nice Thank You card, should I received a present!


PS: From a query received from Merry: You can buy magnetic mats from many suppliers, the link on the side bar is my supplier. The mats Liz supplies are her own NOT a Spellbinder product and so are much cheaper. They are very magnetic so that the dies hold firm - some mats are much thinner and are only suitable for storing dies. Also the dies do not cut the mats because the cut side is face up. Hope this makes sense and answers some of the points I omitted. ikki

PPS:  Question from Kim:  Can you use the tan mat instead?  NO.  The tan mat does a completely different job - Embossing.

Cuttebug Tutorial - Christmas No.7

Gosh, I've got to No. 7 already - how the time flies! Today I'm making an aperture card.

For this I used:
6" x 6" White Linen card
Red card
Acetate
2 Nestabilities scalloped ovals and a smaller classic standard oval
Inkadinkado Snowman and swirly snowflake stamps


I started by stamping the image and then with a plain oval die cutting and embossing. Any shape of die would work. If you don't have the tan mat (which is the only one to use with the Bug) you could use my other method of embossing the edge with an embossing pen.

Having decided where you want your aperture, die cut the front of your card.

You will see from my finished card that I have used two scalloped ovals to make a frame for the aperture. For this you could use a magnetic mat, but with care placing the dies, a low tack tape (or post its) will work. BUT, I do stress care because you can take the face off the card and ruin it - I say this from experience! The frame allows you to add a piece of acetate to your window with no probs of glue!
Card finished - My snowman in a swirly blizard!

Thanks for dropping by, hope you like my idea and will have a go - if you do, please let me know and I call round to view. See ya tomorrow with No. 8 ....?????

Cuttlebug - Nestabilitie Dies - Aperture Cards

Use your Cuttlebug, a Nestabilitie Die and make your own Aperture card.

You will remember this cute little image from my last tutorial on cutting, embossing and stencilling. This week I have found a use for my image to make the card that little bit different in the way of an Aperture Card.

You will need: 6 x 4 card blank, an oval Nestie the same size as the cut image.
Place die on card front - I have offset the position. Tape in place with a low tack tape or Post-its and run through the Cuttlebug.
Sandwich: A; B; Card with Die; C The result - with a nicely embossed edge! You could just leave the card like this, but I thought I would see what else you could do.
These are the materials I used:
A patterned paper cut smaller than the card with rounded corners. An acetate oval slightly larger than the image.

Tape the patterned paper to the inside front of the card - do use a very low tack tape or it will stick! I know this from experience, it is so annoying and frustrating when it happens!

Now place the oval you used for the front of the card inside the cut and again tape in place. Do this with care or you will mess up your first cut!!!! Use the same sandwich as before.
After running through the Bug you have now cut a perfectly positioned oval on your pattern paper. After placing the acetate oval over the aperture and securing in position you can then adhere the pattern paper and add your image to complete the surprise inside of the card.

To finished the outside of the card I just needed to round the corners with a punch and add a matching ribbon

I just love this Penny Black image kindly given to me by my Cuttlebug Mate Barbara and although the card is simple in design it looks classy.
Thanks for dropping by. I look forward to hearing from you as to how you found this week's tutorial. Have a good week, I'll be back mid week with something.....?!?!?!?

PS: Karen reminded me, that if you don't use the acetate for the window, you could cut the card and the paper at the same time. Thanks Karen - I'm always open to comments and ideas. x