Thursday 10 November 2011

LIM 40 and a Question

Hello!

It's been a while since I joined in the fun at Less Is More. Time seems to slip away from me so quickly!  I love red and orange, which is the colour challenge this week. I didn't quite produce what was in my head, but you take a look and let me know what you think.

I also have a question, so if you'd like to give me some advice (and I'd really love it if you would!), keep on reading after you take a look at my card.

The card:
What I used (all SU! other than the ribbon and black ink):
Stamps: Snow Swirled, Dasher, Curly Cute
Card: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Clear embossing powder, miscellaneous ribbon (which I had to colour to get the orange) and bling.

And now onto my question. I finally purchased a Big Shot. Yay! If you are in Australia, and looking for a good price, Lincraft are selling them online for $99 currently. But my problem is that I have no dies or embossing folders. There are SO MANY of these out there. I want to know from those of you who use die-cutting and embossing machines: Which dies and embossing patterns do you use the most? What could you not live without? Do you have any recommendations for me?

Thanks in advance for any comments or advice you decide to leave me. I appreciate each and every visitor.

Michelle
xxx

9 comments:

Mynn xx said...

LOVE your card--wonderful holiday color combo! Beautifully executed! :)

Onto the more important matter--embossing folders. I'm addicted to them. The one I find myself grabbing most, though, is a Swiss dot pattern. It's so versatile and able to be used for all types of cards! :) Hope that helps you a little!!!

Chrissie said...

This is a beautiful card... absolutely stunning.
As to your questions... I LOVE my Cuttlebug... it never leaves my desk and for me my personal favourites are Spellbinders squares, circles, rectangles and ovals in both large and small sizes so that they are perfect increments for matting.
As to folders, Cuttlebug Swiss dots is my all time favourite.. but I've got heaps of folders.
Take a look on my blog for a pic of my craft space!
Thanks so much for joining our challenge this time.
Chrissie
"Less is More"

Jenny said...

Hi Michelle, Love Rudie in bright red! Fabulous bkgd stamping on the card too :)

I agree with the spellbinders recommendation...they are great for apertures and layers- you will need a tan embossing mat to get the embossed edge with these though, Embossing folders are brilliant..sooo many to choose from now... and I would recommend Dienamics dies by My Favourite things (I know Jay Gees Nook has them in stock)they are great designs and run through my bigshot like a dream :)
I think you'll find 99.9% of all dies will go through the bigshot and You Tube is a great source of 'how to videos'
Jenny x

T said...

Love the card. You put colors together so well...

As for the Big Shot question... Yes, some Spellbinders. I find that squares/rectangles are lame since you can just use a paper trimmer & a ruler if needed. I love anything Tim Holtz because all his products are made to cut through super thick material or multiple layers... same with his embossing folders. Other than specific brands, it's really up to you and your taste and style. If you think something looks neat then you will find a million and two ways to use it.

Vicky Hayes said...

I love your card Michelle - Dasher works brilliantly in these glowing colours as well as the blues and blacks. I have only SU dies and embossing folders and I love them all but my favourites are Designer Frames, Vintage Wallpaper and Square Lattice EFs, Little Leaves and Lots of Tags sizzlits, Beautiful Wings and Sweet Buttons embosslits, plus the Top Note, the pillow box and the milk carton dies and the Timeless Type Junior alphabet. Hope this helps! Vx

kingstonmama said...

Hi Michelle,

This is beautiful. I love red and orange but wouldn't think to use it on a Christmas card. You've shown that it can be done beautifully!

I have a Cuttlebug, so I have mostly the Cuttlebug embossing folders. The ones I use the most are Swiss Dots, stylized flowers, and divine swirl. I have also used some Sizzix texture plates and Spellbinders dies. I love the Spellbinders dies. LOVE the Spellbinders dies. High on my 'I need' list are Papertrey Ink's linen and canvas impression plates.

nic said...

i am woefully lacking in advice on embossing folders/dies, but i am chock-full of great taste (if i do say so myself, heehee), and that is One Beautiful Card.

Donelda said...

A great red and orange card! I wouldn't think these colours would work but you sure did make the beautiful together!! I do not have a big shot and not many dies or folders for my cuttlebug so I will let other more knowing crafters give you thier input!! Good luck getting just the perfect stuff to go with your new toy!

Jen W. said...

The red and orange challenge stumped me but you have rocked it!

Definitely agree with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. Spellbinders Nestabilities are also so handy and come in so many fabulous designs. also, as you are a PTI fan, I highly recommend their impression plates especially the Linen/Canvas, circles and text ones.