As Easy As 1... 2... 3!

To quickly and easily create intricate embellishments for your cards and scrapbooks, you just can't beat the Big Shot personal die-cutting machine. It's not only a great way to save time when cutting multiple images, but when using smaller Sizzlit dies is also a wonderful way to use scraps (and everyone knows that I never throw scraps away, so I have lots of them to use!) 

The Big Shot is a personal die-cutting machine based on a "rolling" design, which works in either a left or right handed fashion. When you purchase Stampin' Ups Big Shot for $118.95, you also recieve a set of standard cutting pads and a mulitpurpose platform (to be used with smaller dies & texture plates.) We also sell a Big Shot Starter Kit for $232.95, which comes with the Big Shot, standard cutting pads and multipurpose platform as well as 2 Bigz dies, a 4-pack of Sizzlits dies, a Decorative Strip die, and the Decorative Strip cutting pads and Extended Spacer Platform. Additional dies are sold seperately.

To use the Big Shot, first select the die and paper you wish to use - for this demonstration I'm using the Scallop Envelope Bigz die, and Designer Series Patterned paper. Then, build yourself a "sandwich"... layer first a standard cutting pad, then the Bigz die (soft-side up), then your paper, and finally another cutting pad.

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Slide your "sandwich" into the central rolling section of the Big Shot, stopping when you meet resistance. Then use the handle to roll your "sandwich" through the Big Shot and out the other side.

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Pop your perfectly cut shape out of the remaining paper, and get ready to craft with it. One of the great things about the Big Shot is its ability to cut multiple layers of paper and single layers of many other exciting materials. Imagine what you could do with die cut fabric (an amazing opportunity for creative quilters), leather, metal and more!

Our finished project is complete once a bit of Snail Adhesive is applied to the underside of the flaps. This pretty scalloped envelope could be used for a tiny greeting card, or even mounted on the front of a larger card with a tag or other embellishment nestled inside. The alternating patterns on each side of the Designer Series paper is one of the nice things about it for a project such as this - you get the effect of a lined envelope without the extra steps!

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