Monday 7 October 2013

First Aid!

Hello friends

Glad you liked the sneak peek of the October Charity Add-on Kit -
the chalkboard item seems popular.  I'm rather proud of it as I designed
it completely.  I downloaded fonts and a chalkboard background and spent
a fair amount of time at my computer creating it!   
(Elliott kept laughing at me!)
The big reveal will be soon....

Today, something a little different - I'm doing a crafty First Aid blog post.
I am always happy to answer any Spellbinders® questions and I thought I would post
some of the more frequently asked questions and the answers.

I have gleaned some new tips from some craft forums and thought it would be
good to pass this knowledge on. 

Q: My die isn't cutting on all the edges:
Move your die around your base plate, the Grand Calibur cuts more deeply at the outer 
edges as opposed to the middle.  Also, try placing your die at an angle. 

Q: My die is cutting the edges but not the area in the middle:
Again, try moving your die around the base plate. 
If that doesn't work, place a piece of masking tape on the back of the die on the problem area.  This helps to shim just that area and will hopefully add a little bulk to cut that 
area without having to shim the whole die.


Q: My die cut is stuck inside the die:
Spellbinders dies have little holes that you can use to insert a pokey tool through to help release the die.  If this doesn't work, try cutting with a piece of waxed paper first and then leaving that waxed paper inside the die and continue cutting.  It acts as a release layer.

Q: My A4 M-Bossabilities™  folder will not run through the Grand Calibur :
As you create your sandwich insert hinged section of the folder so that it overhangs the end of the plates, this should allow it to run through more smoothly.
A diagram to explain:


Q: The embossing seems a little faint:
Try misting the cardstock/paper with water in a misting sprayer.  
This helps loosen the fibres in the paper so they accept embossing a little better.  
Do not over-mist - you don't want soggy!  
It was suggested that opposed to water you can use vodka!
Yes vodka!! I think I may have other uses for that.... :)
I hope that helps, as mentioned - always feel free to contact me with Spellbinders questions.
I do my best to find the answer and if not I can direct you to the right people :)

Take care friends.

27 comments:

Sue Yorkshire said...

Morning Christine

Some great tips there thank you.. not sure I would want to use Vodka to mist the paper lol

Sue xxx

Jane Willis said...

Thanks for giving me a reason to buy vodka! Great tips - I'd never thought of shimming just one part of a die, and I have one that really could use a bit of extra help in just one place.

baconbits said...

Morning Christine
Thanks for the Q and A.
Have a happy start to the week. Hugs
Amanda x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Hi Christine many thanks for the Q and A, some good tips though not sure on the Vodka one though!! Susan x

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Christine, Fantastic tips with the Q & A's, thank you for sharing, don't think I will be buying vodka to spray with though ha ha.
Have a lovely day.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Janice said...

Morning Christine
Thank you for the tips. These will come in very handy even though I have a Cuttlebug.
Have a good day.
Janice x

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine,many thanks for the handy hints, I'm sure that we'll all find them helpful, but don't think that I'll be using vodka either!
Hope you have a good week, take care. Big hugs,
Maggie xxx

AnneRD said...

Great tips Christine, so useful. Can't wait to see the new kit, looks lovely. Anne x

lydia jordan said...

Morning Christine,
Good idea the first aid clinic, very handy tips, not sure about the vodka I think I prefer gin. How's Elliot doing with his mask?
Crafty hugs.
Lydia
X

Wendy L said...

Good tips, love the one with the vodka.!!!!

Mrs B said...

Hi Christine. I love your first aid idea. Thanks for the handy tips. Like the others I can think of better uses for vodka. I don't drink but my family would think I was totally mad if I used it! Hope you are all ok. Have a good week. Take care.

nattyboots said...

A very informative blog Christine ,so useful Thank you ..

Hope Elliott is progressing well with the mask .

Have a good day
Elaine H X

Maddie, Nottingham said...

Morning Christine, thank you for all the tips. I have a great problem using the expandable lattice and have given up on using it as it just doesn't cut in the middle and I've shimmed as much as I can and used wax paper? Maybe I will spray some Vodka on it as a last resort. I wonder if Spellbinders might consider making their dies a bit thinner as I have noticed that other brands eg Tonic, Tattered Lace are much thinner and cut like butter. I even purchased another Grand Calibur thinking that the old one had packed up! Chalk Board looks very nice.

hazel young said...

Loving the first aid hints and tips, but yes I can find a better use for vodka too. Hope you have a great week. xx hazel

Maggie said...

Good Monday Morning. I can't believe the sun's still shining. We are lucky. Have a great week and looking forward to the big reveal. xxMargaretxx

EmmaT said...

Morning Christine, the chalkboard is looking good. I use a tumble dryer wipe to release dies and one wipe last ages. Not sure on the vodka use either! I hope you and the boys have a good week. Emma

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine.
Thanks for the tips especially the one about the middle of the die not cutting properly.
Love Val x

Jean Z said...

Thanks for the tips love Jean Z xx

Lucycat said...

Hi Christine,
The question and answers are a great idea.
Looking forward to seeing your reveal.
Have a nice day. Take care. x.

Laura O said...

couldnt waste the vodka on paper Ha Ha!good tips though .Laura O

Janice said...

Some great tips Christine. Thanks. Janice xx

ros hodgkins said...

Hi Christine, its great to know that you are willing to help where you can, and answering queries for us.
X Ros

Craftychris said...

Brilliant tips thank you! I would rather drink the vodka! xx

Carole Z said...

Superb tips Christine, thank you ! Carole Z xx

LoraineC said...

Thanks for the tips, hope you have a good week x

Anonymous said...

The chalkboard looks fabulous ! Cant wait for my next kit to arrive. Excellent tips also xx

Rose in Chester said...

Hi Christine,
haven't really got any comments but just wanted to say ........ KEEPING ALL MY FINGERS CROSSED for Elliott..............
Hugs, Rose

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