Grand Calibur A4 Die Cutting Machine

If you are interested in the Grand Calibur A4 machine there is an independant report on this link that makes interesting reading.

The sandwich for using the  "special touch mica mask" from Creative Expressions  is

Grand Calibur:  Base plate/ mask / card / Rubber mat / Embossing plate

Joy: A/ black mat / card / mask / black embossing plate

New Pages in the Cupboard

I have now started to add new pages to the Cupboard and you will find them listed above this post you just need to click on them and they should (fingers crossed) take you to the page you want.  What is on the pages is self explanatory and they are incomplete at the moment, BUT hopefully they will keep appearing and contain useful info for you all at a click. 

I have received so many lovely encouraging remarks this last week about the Cupboard contents, usefullness, and my artwork and I thank you all for taking the time to comment and of course visit.  The Cupboard would certainly be empty without you!  Unfortunately because of my heavy workload at the moment I'm finding it difficult to return your visits, but hopefully soon.  



The draw is still open - closing date Monday 31st January - be in it to win it!




IT'S ARRIVED! I'M HAVING FUN!! APART FROM BEING SMASHED THREE TIMES WITH THE HANDLE - ONLY FROM ME TRYING TO BE CLEVER - I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE CUT AND EMBOSS. WILL BE BACK SOON WITH MORE INFO.

Joy Trouvaille Die Cutting Machine

Well I've ordered the Joy Crafts Trouvaille die cutting machine and it should (everything crossed!) arrive today!  I'm like a child on Christmas Eve! 

I waited patiently to see the new Cuttlebug V2 and I was so disappointed with the presentation by the demonstrators on C&C, and the presenters eventually got on my nerves with their stupid comments that I feel I have made the right decision after months of dittering!  I have the Cutting/Embossing sandwich for the machine - they are very concise and tested by an owner/seller, but I obviously have not tested them myself.  As soon as I can I will, and I'm also thinking of adding a new page to the Cupboard that will cover all the recipes in one place, which will make them more accessible.  That's another job in progress!

Tips for today:

Wire - if you want to make embellishments, I find a finer wire the best.  I've no idea what it's called - mine came in a job lot from ebay, some even off a bottle of wine!  (That's something else you now know about me - I like wine - preferably RED if you're buying!)     When I first started using beads and wire, I bought a box of mixed colours of a thick wire and beads - I have use some of it, but it is more difficult to loop.  You also need round nose and cutting pliers. 

Glue - I have a thing about getting messy glue on cards - I'm a bit of a tidy freak I suppose.  I use various types depending on what I'm doing, but a  most useful is a Prit stick (or even the cheaper sticks sold in Poundland etc., work well).  When using DST - you can run the glue stick over it so you have a bit of play before the tape graps.  If you find the glue has gone (not sure of the word) but lumpy, not running well, I find that my spotlight above my desk comes to it's rescue.  Just a couple of seconds close to the light and the heat warms the glue and it will then run smooth.  Worth a try instead of binning it as I used to do! 

Well back to watching for the postie, so for now "bye".


ikki

By the way the draw for a new scoreboard is still open - check out the post below. 

New Cuttlebug viz Joy Trouvaille

Today on Create and Craft they are highlighting the new Cuttlebug - it really is a stylish fab looking machine!  But, how sad (for me) that although they have improved the machine - it's lighter and the handle can be slotted back into the machine when not in use, they have not made the actually embossing size (ie the roller size) any bigger.  It's still 6"!   AND, they have not included the C Plate in the price.  If you are considering buying - be aware that you need this plate if you are thinking of cutting dies. The price of the machine is £99.99 + postage £2.99 (or £2 if ordered on the net) and does include 9 embossing folders - but most are Christmas themed!

You may be asking why I would like a larger aperture size than 6".  Just a personal preference! It's because I like to be able to emboss straight onto my card base and move my folders to emboss in different areas otherthan all over and with the new 7" x 5" folders you cannot do this unless the card is wrap round the embossing folder, which restricts the use of the folder - it will only go through one way! AND, even the demonstrators were having difficulty this morning with their new Plus folder that emboss and cut when they were putting them through with just one piece of card, hopefully they will have perfected their technique later in the day!  If you only emboss on a piece of card - no probs.

For me it's the new Joy Trouvaille machine and I hope to have mine by the end of this week.  This machine is defo not pretty nor stylish - but it does have the ability to take A4 cardstock and will make embossing wherever I want a dream!  I have even invested in 2 sets of the Grand dies - large cards - no prob - watch this space - I have ideas running round my head.  (Just hope my Bug will love my new Joy has much as I still love my old Bug).  The price of the Joy from Make a Lasting Impression is £87.00 with postage (48 hour delivery) £12.50.

Talking of large cards - the template for my Belle of the Ball card is on my list of "to do".

Thanks for dropping by, have a great crafting day and don't forget to tune in to C&C later today and check out the NEW Bug.  See what you think....and let me know.

Important Notice: Using Creative Expressions Embossing Folders with the Grand Calibur

I picked  this info up on the Creative Expresions website and thought I would pass it on: 

"Important Notice: Using Creative Expressions Embossing Folders with the Grand Calibur


In order to achieve the outstanding depth of impression that they offer, our Embossing Folders are slightly thicker than competitor products. As a result the Folders cannot be put through your Spellbinders Grand Calibur using the standard sandwich combination. Attempting to put them through using the standard sandwich may result in damage to your Grand Calibur machine.

Spellbinders plan to release a new plate for the Grand Calibur early in the New Year to improve its compatibility with our Embossing Folders. However, in the meantime, to use the Folders with your Grand Calibur machine please use the sandwich combination below:

Grand Calibur Cutting Plate (C)
CE Embossing Folder and paper/card
Grand Calibur Tan Embossing Mat
Wizard S5 Die Spacer Plate (Part code: WIZW -017)

All other die cutting and embossing machines remain unaffected and are completely compatible with our Embossing Folders.

(published: 17/12/2010) by Creative Expressions"

I will post the sandwich in the Glossary, so it doesn't get lost.

 Please also note the sandwich for die cutting with the Provocraft/Cuttlebug dies (like those that are supplied with your machine), also need a different sandwich than the Spellbinder, Joy Craft, Miranne dies.

New Machines - Calibur and Cuttlebug and Joy Trouvaille

Tomorrow, Friday 10th, Create and Craft will be launching their pick of the week and it's the new Calibur from Spellbinders.  I will not be able to watch, which is a pity because I'm unsure of this machine. It looks good, lovely colour - difficult to lose when your craftroom is in a mess, and the plates are A4 size allowing cutting of bigger dies, but (probably because I have a slight problem with my right hand)  I cannot see that it will be easy to hold 3 plates in one hand and turn the handle with the other,  since there is no platform on which to rest the A4 plates.  I will be interested to see how this works.

The news from Provocraft is of a new Bug.   They have done the limited edition colours of Pink and Blue and now they are back to Green, which to me is the best colour for a Bug.  Unfortunately, although they have modernised the style - the aperture size is the same .  I was hoping for a BIG BROTHER BUG! 

I'm tempted with the Joy Trouvaille which is A4 size, unfortunately a plain looking machine, but info I have is that it works well, and with the benefit of storage inside the machine for the plates.  Does anyone owe this machine?

 Thanks for dropping by,