Tuesday 9 September 2014

Tuesday Tip/Technique

Hello friends

Today's tip/technique is explaining Expandable Pattern dies.
These were launched a while ago and I still frequently receive emails asking how 
to use them so a little refresher course today :)
This is Basic Lattice - it is one die, presented as a flat plate measuring 6 x 4 inches.

This is how it looks cut/embossed.
Note that it does not cut an outer edge.
The reason it does not cut an outer edge is so that you can expand your die cutting.
Here you can see that I've moved the die along to align to create a long strip of pattern. 
A little bit of removable tape ensures everything stays in its place.
 I'm using my Artisan X-Plorer for this but if you wanted to create a larger
piece for scrapbooking then you could switch to the Grand Calibur®
And this is how it looks as an expanded pattern, great stuff!
I used a piece to look like garden trellis on this card.
There are other expandable pattern dies available in different designs,
think about wrapping around gifts, bottles - it definitely opens up more ideas.

Take care friends, I'm back soon.

27 comments:

Stamping Bubbles said...

Good morning Christine
I have this die and have not used it for ages. Your card is lovely and it could be adapted for Christmas if you used the poinsettia dies. Must give this a go.
Hope everything is ok with you and your family.
Lesley

Chris said...

Great tip Christine, and I especially like your card,
Chris xx

PharmacyMichele said...

Lovely card, I also have this die & haven't used it for a while!

Michele.

Bea said...

Morning Chrisitne - another lovely card. I have the fancy lattice die and really enjoy using it and have used your tip of lengthening the die cut and making it into a wrap for a candle with a ribbon loop so that it can be easily pulled off the candle if you want to use it.
x

hazel young said...

Stunning die and love what you made with it its gorgeous xx hazel

ElizabethS said...

Hi Christine, this is simple and delicate and I love kraft card, it is so versatile.
Enjoy your day.
Elizabeth x

Patricia Howarth said...

Morning Christine, I thank you for this tip/technique with the expanding pattern dies, I could never get it right, so will be trying again with your picture as reference. Loved the trellis on your card, remember seeing it before and loved it then.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Val Jones said...

Hi Christine. I also have this die and it's a lovely effect.
Love Val x

Lucycat said...

Hi Christine,
Thank you for the tip today, your card is such a good idea it is really pretty.
I hope you have a good day. Take care. x.

Jean Z said...

Hi Christine, I have a few of these dies and just love them. love Jean Z xx

lydia jordan said...

Morning Christine,
Thanks for the reminder, I only have one of these dies and I have not used it for ages, must get it out and have a play. Love your card.
Lydia
X

Wendy L said...

Gorgeous card, thanks for showing us, xxxx

nattyboots said...

Hi Christine
A lovely card and die ,i like the idea of the trellis, works really well .
Take Care
Elaine H X

Lacelady said...

Yours obviously cut like a dream. It doesnt matter whether I used my grand calibur, or the ebosser, mine still needs extra card to cut out the middle.

SusanP, Kent said...

Lovely card for any garden/plant enthusiast! It's always appreciated to have a reminder of this technique. The expandable pattern dies are a great way to make a background in any size. This one looks really easy to line up too.

AnneRD said...

Hi Christine. I don't have this dye, so found this demonstration most useful, perhaps another die for the wish list! Anne x

AnneRD said...

Silly typo - meant to be 'die'! Anne x

AnneRD said...

Silly typo - meant to be 'die'! Anne x

Janice said...

Hi Christine
Funnily enough I only checked your blog last week about this die, as I remembered you had shown us how to use it and I wanted to refresh my memory. Luckily Mr Google helped me locate it in January!
Lovely card, thanks for the reminder again.
Janice x

Carole Z said...

Lovely explanation of the technique Christine and love what you've created, hugs Carole Z x

Pat S Witney said...

Hi Christine
I also have this card and have only used it twice. Thanks for reminding us how to use this die again.

Sandra said...

Good Morning Christine,
Thanks for the great tip, those expandable dies can be tricky to master, sometimes you can get lines where you have joined or overlapped but your solution looks great, I will give it ago!
I am going for a look back T all the things I missed while I was away!
Hugs
Sandra xxxx

Ann said...

Hi Christine

Gorgeous card I have this die but was not sure how to extend it thankyou for the excellent picture guide. All sorts of idea's popping into my head just now ie chocolate wraps for little Christmas gifts using the poinsettia dies etc....

Hugs Annxx

Linda said...

Hi Christine,
Thanks for the tip, I use this die all the time as it creates such beautiful backgrounds when used in frames of all shapes. I see from the photos that your artisan x plorer plates look well used. I was thinking of buying one as sometimes I have to pass my cuts two or even three times through my grand calibur, do you find that the artisan cuts more easily.
Thanks for all of your blog posts, my day cannot start without reading of your family, I almost feel party of your life.
Hope your dad is continuing to improve, and how is Elliott keeping, you haven't mentioned his health for a while.
Sorry for this rambling of mine
Love and hugs
Linda

LoraineC said...

Hi Christine I'm running a day late, this is a lovely idea and I also think a good adaptation for Christmas. Hope all is well xx

Mrs B said...

Hi Christine.
What a lovely useful die. I have looked at all of these but haven't got any as I need to get as much use as possible out of a die. I hadn't thought of using it to make wrappings for bottles etc. Thank you for the refresher course and the tips. It has gone up on my wish list now : ) Take care.

Anonymous said...

More great tips and fabulous card x

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