Tips & Techniques – Using the Cuttlebug

   The Cuttlebug is another Die Cutting system like the original Sizzix. It is not electronic and does not need cartridges to work.

It DOES need cutting dies and embossing folders – in fact the embossing folders from the Cuttlebug are fantastic and second only to the Spellbinder Dies in variety.

The Cuttlebug is a havey weight machine which sits on top of your work surface and has a rolling system to push through the Dies. For example, you place the Die on top of the Cutting Mat, then your paper on top, then another clear protector Mat and roll the lot through the Cuttlebug. Voila! Your Die cuts come out the other end.

Why the Cuttlebug over the Sizzix? 

They are both the same in essence, but I would choose the Cuttlebug over the Sizzix due to it’s accuracy. The rolling system with the Dies sandwiched in between two plates ensures that the Dies do not move during the pressing, which often can happen with the Sizzix due to it’s “Pressing Down” motion.

Use your Cuttlebug Embossing folders as beautiful hand made embellishments on your LO’s or cards – they are particularly lovely when inked or sanded or used on top of printed paper rather than plain cardstock. Although the Core Dinations cardstock looks wonderful sanded as it has a different colour to show through when sanded back. 

Below are a few examples of how to use your Cuttlebug embossed pieces in your standard LO’s – I’ll post more up as I do them – some are being published so I have to wait a while with those, I’m sorry!

Just click on the thumbnails in order to get a larger view.

Current embossing folders that I have tried and LOVE are: (sorry I can’t remember their official name atm)

1. Fancy Swirl

2. The Dots one.

3. The Shell Collage.

4. The Number Collage.

5. Birds on a Vine

6. Bird in the Grass

7. Fancy Script.

They retail for about $10 each – I would get together with some friends and pool the resources in order to get the whole collection without breaking the bank. That way you can share them around or have a crop night and roll out a whole heap of them!

Cheers and happy scrapping!

Sares x