Amanda's Crafty Stuff

This is where I intend to list the craft things I own, mostly which can be borrowed (by guides etc).

Sizzix

Sizzix is a cutting machine using dies. Each die is in a different pattern, e.g. a flower or a letter of the alphabet or a circle. The die and the material to be cut are placed in the machine, which is then operated to press the die blade and material together, punching out the shape. The advantage of Sizzix is to get detailed cut outs beyond one's own hand cutting skill, consistently the same cut outs and (for paper or card) efficient multiple cutting of many shapes. Sizzix units are given in inches because it is an American system. Dies are different thicknesses and sizes, the cut out being smaller than the die size quoted.

• "Sizzlits" are small and thin. They are cheaper and will cut one sheet of card at a time and are 2.375x2.625 inches in size. They require extra cutting pads to be used in standard machines.
• "Originals dies" are standard thickness and come in small, medium and large sizes. They will cut quite a few sheets of paper, three sheets of cardstock, as well as fabric, fiber, foam, magnet, metallic foil, photographs, sandpaper (in limited use) and vellum. Small are 2.375x2.75 inches in size, they are green. Medium are 2.75x4.75 inches in size, they are yellow. Large are 4.75x5.5 inches in size, they are red.
• "Bigz dies" are big. They only fit the bigger Sizzix machines (BIGKick and Big Shot). They are 5.5 x 6 inches in size. They cut thick materials, including card, chipboard, fabric, foam, magnet, leather, metallic foil and sandpaper (in limited use).
• "Movers and Shapers dies" come in two parts - a metal tray and magnetic dies. The tray is big and only fits the bigger Sizzix machines (BIGKick and Big Shot). The advantage of these are that you can position the die in a particar place on your card to cut an aperture or cut out a particular part of a picture, without being as limited to how the card will fit into the machine. They will cut a few sheets of paper, cardstock, as well as fabric, fiber, foam, magnet, metallic foil, photographs and vellum.

There are also ScoreBoards, Embossing strips, clearlits, extended cuts etc but I don't have any yet.

I have an Original lever arm machine which will take Sizzlits (with my system converter) and Originals dies, and a Big Shot crank machine which will take Bigz dies as well. These machines are not to be used by small children and may be used by sensible older Brownies and younger Guides under supervision only. The machines are heavy, so could break toes if dropped on them. The force needed to press the die is also significant and trapped fingers could be badly damaged. The dies have a sharp metal cutting edge which is usually not exposed but pressing on the foam to expose the edge could cause cuts to the fingers.

A Sizzix machine is only as good at the die selection, and they are not cheap. They can be damaged by using too much or too stiff material and uneven pressing. I am slowly building up my collection. Some of my dies have been discontinued, so would be difficult to replace.

The following die are vaguely sorted by theme.

Xyron

Xyron Create-a-Sticker X250 with permanent adhesive cartridge

Rotary cutter

Cuts A3 and smaller

This page was last updated by Mad Hatter aendr-website@earth.li on 12th December 2010.