Die cutting is one of my very favorite things to do when it to cardmaking and crafting! Here are the supplies that I use most often (and recommend).
Sizzix Big Shot – I sold my Vagabond last year and bought the new grey and white Big Shot because although I loved my Vagabond, it was not convenient for me to have to be near a plug to do my die cutting. I absolutely LOVE my new Big Shot. That thing is a work horse. I’ve had a couple in the past but really love the look of this new grey and white one!
Magnetic Platform – I use this exclusively (unless I’m embossing with an embossing folder). It is small and compact and holds my dies in place (most of the time) when I’m die cutting. I like it much better than the long platform that comes with the machine. I wish Sizzix would bring back the shorter platform because I, for one, don’t have room for that long platform on my crafting desk!
Precision Base Plate – This is perfect for cutting full and intricate dies. Also good if cutting a specialty paper that is hard to die cut through. I use this ALL the time now instead of that metal shim I used to use (that constantly bent and curled up!). This thing rocks! *Do not use with open dies or it may bend the die*
Sizzix Movers & Shapers Base Tray – You don’g hear much about this anymore but I still use a lot of movers & shapers dies so I felt like I should include this in my favorites. It is a magnetic try that holds your movers & shaper dies in place while you run them through the die cutting machine. You MUST have one of these to use movers & shapers dies.
Spellbinders Embossing Pads – I use these with my sandwich when embossing Spellbinders dies. A must have if you want to cut and emboss with Spellbinders dies (or any other wafer thing cut and emboss dies)
Cutting Pads – When I die cut, I use one clear plate as my bottom plate (the one that gets all cut up) and I use a mint colored plate as my top plate. That way I always know which on goes on top and the mint one never gets messed up.
Spellbinders Tool N One & Foam – When removing my die cut from my dies, especially if they are intricate I use the roller end of this Spellbinder’s Tool N One Tool on top of the foam mat that goes along with it. (sold separately). It keeps me from making a mess when poking out the innards of the die cuts and releases them with ease
Kaisercraft Die Release Tool – I use this everytime I need to “poke” something out of a die. I use this tool for all around crafting purposes too. It’s the best $2.99 I’ve ever spent on a crafting tool! It really comes in handy!
Micropore Surgical Tape – I got this idea from Jennifer McGuire and I use it to tape down my dies when I’m running them through the Big Shot. It NEVER sticks to the paper and sticks better than post it tape. You can reuse the pieces several times before they run out of sticky as well. This has replaced post it tape in my craft room. (you may occasionally see me use post it tape in a video because I’m trying to use up my stash but my preferred tape is now this micropore tape)
To see how I store my dies or the products used visit this page or check out the organizational products section of Kat’s Favorites of 2016.
All of the products mentioned on this page are listed and linked below for your convenience. If you have any questions about anything on this page, please leave a comment or contact me and I’ll get back to you asap.
I would like to know what your favorite and most used dies are.
I have a LOT of favorite dies so it will be hard to narrow them down but I will work on that! Thanks for the suggestion.
What is the difference between open, full, movers and shapers dies please. I am grateful for all your posts as they are so helpful. Thank you for the time and effort you put forth helping others!
Hi Cindy, Thank you for your comment. I will answer all of those questions in an upcoming blog post for you
Stay tuned!
Which paper trimmer is your favorite?
you can see them here http://kathleendriggers.com/kats-favorite-miscellaneous-crafting-tools-2016/ but my fave is the cutterpillar pro