When attaching layers of a diecut image, you know the annoying little rim of sticky adhesive that you typically rub off?  Well, here's a fun tip to avoid that rubbing!  Apply some glitter or microbeads!  You'll make the image pop and make yourself a little less work!

Sifting through your cutting files getting pretty time consuming?  Use the "Thumbnail Viewer" under the File menu (in WB and CR) to see a tiny image of all your files at a glance!  Don't know how to use your Thumbnail Viewer?  Check out the tutorial!

The Sentiments Bucket includes 63 files of original multi-layered words and images designed to be mixed and matched for all occasions!  These files will allow you to make tons of unique cards with the perfect sentiment, and you can use them over and over again, never making two cards that look alike!  Click here to see all of the files and how the Bucket works!

Click on the links below for instant download

Did you ever notice the little TEMPLATES icon at the bottom left of your CR screen?  This little button will allow you to make designer files in a snap!!  (See link below to get CR software for your WB if you don't already have it, and you can use these templates, too!  Check out this short tutorial on using your TEMPLATES!

Here's a fun and easy lesson that will help you create beautiful snowflakes like the one in the picture using Inkscape! You don't have to be an expert, just click here and give it a try!

Download the new CR software for FREE and never have to Wish Away a file again!  Click here to email us and ask us for the link!

When cutting small letters, use a Xyron machine to make your paper sticky before cutting the letters.   Then just peel and stick like a sticker instead of having to put adhesive on each individual letter.   Or, weld your letters together into a word so you just have 1 piece to deal with instead of multiple pieces. (Head DT Member, Lori)

Using a spreadsheet, you can easily make a list of your favorite papers and colors, brads, eyelets, adhesives, pens and anything else you use as supplies. Include the name brand or manufacturer. Placing a check mark next to the item when you are running low, you'll be able to print out your "shopping list" and go! It's a great way to make sure you don't forget anything when it's time to re-stock your supplies. (DT Member, Debbie)

T o really find out how to do amazing things on your machine get to know other crafters with digital machines.  When I first got mine I was at a loss at what exactly to do with this wonderful machine I had just purchased.  I posted to my favorite scrapbooking group about what I had just received and before I knew it I was on the phone with a pal and she was sharing all sorts of tips and tricks with me.  So, if you are having trouble figuring things out, get connected with other ladies who have been there and learned that!  (DT Member, Kate)

When I first purchased my Silhouette I was like many and wanted to jump in to cutting right away.  I went to just about every site and every yahoo group looking for free files to download.  One file that I downloaded was an Organized Wishblade File.  With this file I was able to take all of those free files and organize them into various categories.  Finding files is a breeze now that I have them organized.  Makes using the thumbnail browser feature simpler.  (DT Member, Tricia)

To give your cuts some pizzazz, try tracing around the images with a gel pen of a contrasting color.  (DT Member, Sue)

I found that if I have all my ideas written down for what I want to do it makes things go quicker even if I don’t have the papers and everything picked out, that way when I have time to work on something I have an idea of where to start. (DT Member, Tasha)

When I get ready to go to a crop away from home, this is what I do to avoid having to pack up my whole scrapbook room to take with me.   I go through my books to see which pages need to be done.   I then pick out my background paper, cut out my titles, choose which page sketch from my stash of page sketches, get the ribbon, eyelets, brads, buttons, etc. and put all of that in a sheet protector as a “page kit”.   Then all I have to take is my stack of page kits, scissors, paper cutter and adhesive. It makes packing so much easier and I can assemble around 30 pages at an all day crop.   (DT Member, Lori)

When my mat starts losing its stickiness I spray it with some of the repositionable spray adhesive.  Works great. I have also bought thin cutting sheets to make new mats.   (DT Member, Tasha)

A rebus story is a story that combines pictures with words. If you don't have acutal photographs, you can easily tell a story with words and cutouts. Write out your story, then go back and sound out each word. For example: We packed the kids in the car and went the zoo for the day. You could cut out a child, a car and animals you saw at the zoo. Or another example would be you planted tulips, you could use a cutout of the #2 and a pair of lips. Cut out your design, enhance it with chalk or markers or whatever you like.   It's a great way to add visual to an otherwise plain piece of paper with just written words. The possibilites are endless!     (DT Member, Debbie)

I have found that it saves me tons of time to always do a test cut before doing an actual cut.   To do a test cut load your paper and press the button with the blue triangle in the blue square.   It will do a quick test cut in the corner of the paper and you will know if your settings are right for the paper you’re using.   Quick, easy, and time saving!     (DT Member, Kate)

When I am assembling the files cut with my Silhouette I love to look at the pieces of that file and see what I can substitute for items in that file.  For instance the “.” In an “I” would be replaced with a button, eyelet, brad, or rhinestone.  The Flowers in a die cut would be replaced with flowered buttons, silk flowers, or paper flowers.  I try to spice up the cut items with 3-D embellishments to give it a little “pop.”     (DT Member, Tricia)

Be sure that you have the correct document setting on the screen BEFORE you start your cut.  It will save you a lot of frustration in the long run.   (DT Member, Sue)

To give your cuts some pizzazz, try tracing around the images with a gel pen of a contrasting color.  (DT Member, Sue)

FAQ

Sometimes it's so hard to get my little pieces off of the mat.  I have found that using a small multi-purpose plastic scraper does the trick without damaging the pieces!  The one I use is a little brown one that comes from The Pampered Chef.  It works great! (DT Member, Kate)

I find that organization is the key when it comes to using my scrapping time wisely.  When I am at home everything has a place and everything goes back into that place when I am done with a particular layout.  I have recently gone through and downloaded a ton of organization papers for scrappers from the internet.  They range in theme from page design to die cuts and punches.  I have a large three ring binder full of those types of pages.  I have pages with test images of the stamps that I own, stamping inks, pens and markers, Twinkling H2O’s, Sizzix, QK, and Sizzlit cuts, embossing powders, and even the ever popular Stickles by Ranger.  When I am working on a layout and need a particular color, punch, deco scissor, die cut, embossing powder, stamp, etc I open my book and find just the right thing.  I plan on starting a book of Cutter files as well. (DT Member, Tricia)

The files from the WB Well do not have to be used just on scrapbook pages or on a card. A few ideas that come to mind are making bookmarks, magnetic bookmarks, put the cut file on a photo frame, put pop dots behind the cut image to make it stand out on your project. Another is cutting the file out in vinyl and adhering it to a glass jar, mirrors, windows or even the walls in your house. Mix and match files on a page to make a theme page! Whatever you do, have fun thinking outside the box. You'll end up with some very stunning and surprising results and wonder why you didn't think of it before!! (DT Member, Debbie)

When starting a project I cut out everything and put it together before I start the page, so if something goes wrong with the cut I don’t have to set the whole layout/idea to the side. (DT Member, Tasha)

As simple as this sounds, make sure your blade is sharp and your mat is sticky.  (DT Member, Sue)

This is probably a no-brainer, but keep extra blades, mats, and spray on hand so you don’t have to wait for mail time if you cut through a mat or break a blade.   Also,   spray your mat when done for the day so the next day it is ready to go and you don’t have to wait the ½ hour for it to dry. (DT Member, Lori)

2008 DT Member, Tricia Cole, created this helpful tutorial to show you all the steps to make a beautiful poem box embellishment.  She's created several really gorgeous layouts using this technique that you can see in her gallery !  Click here to download her tutorial!

Sue Shaff, a 2008 DT Member, created this clever tutorial to show you how to double the use of your cut files by using both the positive and the negative parts!!  You'll use this idea all the time after you see Sue's helpful steps!  Click here to download her tutorial!

Wishblade, Craft Robo and Silhouette users may have trouble knowing exactly where your machine will cut out your file.  This instructional tutorial will solve this problem and help you learn how to save time and paper!  Click here to download the tutorial!

Click on the image to the right to see the embellishment up close!

With my Silhouette software I have an option to create an outline of a picture, clipart, etc. This option is fairly easy to use. You just import your picture or piece of clipart into the software and tell it to outline the object. I then use the various options to tweak the image to the perfect cutter file and then copy it into my Silhouette file that I have just opened, and there it is. I have created several files that way using the free clipart and coloring book pages located all over the internet. I am never at a loss for the perfect cutter file when I am creating my layouts or projects. (DT Member, Tricia)

If you have a font or a file that is really intricate and you want to use the cutter then why not give the pen tool a try. The pen tool can be used for any file or font that you have. For example, I loved the look of the Flower and Fairy font, but found it to be too intricate for the cutter.   I instead slipped a gel pen in the pen holder and ran my background paper through my Silhouette and let the pen draw the image instead of trying to cut it out.   The effect was stunning, and in no way achievable using the blade. (DT Member, Tricia)

I always save my scrap paper. No matter how small it is. You never know when you will need just a tiny bit of color, or the perfect size piece for the manual die cut machines. Tricia

Instead of cutting out your design, use your machine to draw the design on your accent paper or even on a journaling page. Take out your cutting blade and insert your pen tool. Use a marker, colored pens, or even colored pencils. Now it will look like you "stamped" your design on your paper and when you fill it in with color, it will give your project a whole new look. (DT Member, Debbie)