Product review: Spellbinder Platinum 6

My friends at Scrapbook.com contacted me and asked if I would check out the Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine and some dies. Always looking for a good new tool – I thought of course! I am delighted to tell you that this surpassed my expectations and definitely has my recommendation.

note – affiliate links are used in this post

What I really liked about the Spellbinders Platinum 6 machine:

  • sides fold up for easier storage and transportation
  • all the plates I could possibly want or need were included
  • great cut on thick paper with one run through
  • will work on all the embossing folders and dies that I have already

In short – it did exactly what I’d want from a die cutting machine! I created a video showing it in action (in my new studio setup!) as well as a project idea with the Tammy Tutterow flowers.

I prefer to die cut first, then emboss. You can do it either way but I find it can “smoosh” or otherwise damage the quality of your embossing to die cut after embossing.

One of my favorite (but rarely used) techniques is to ink die cut shapes over paper (vs a craft mat) so that I can get depth of color and build layers on my background. I just love how subtle this is! I also love that by embossing a shape you get different color when applying ink to the raised areas.

I have several more ideas for this die cut set and embossing folder – and I’ll be sharing projects with them as I love to show you more than one idea for any given product – so do stay tuned! If you’re looking for the Spellbinders things that I used I worked with the Platinum 6 machine (on SALE at time of this post!), Posies dies, and overlapping circles embossing folder.

Thank you to scrapbook.com and spellbinders for inviting me to check this out – I always love a good craft tool!

“Up to no good” Shaker Shadow Box with the ScanNCut

I was in the craft store and I saw a lot of shadow boxes like the one you see above. They had pre-printed sentiments and were fairly common and bland. I thought to myself… if I could find a plain one I could use craft vinyl to rock something extra fun!

usual disclaimer that I am a paid consultant for Brother, however all ideas and opinions expressed are as always – my own. 

When I got home with my plain shadow box I went looking for a photo of my eldest daughter to display. Before I knew it I found a photo of her from our vacation last December that was perfect in color, size, and style for something extra fun!

Continue reading ““Up to no good” Shaker Shadow Box with the ScanNCut”

News & Happenings: ScanNCut edition

Hey everyone! As you know (since I disclose it every single post!) I’m a brand ambassador for the Brother ScanNCut. I get to do all kinds of fun stuff like make projects & videos for the ScanNCut website, projects for tradeshows and that you see on TV when they are on QVC – and more! All ideas & opinions here (and always) are my own – this is just such a great company and machine it truly is my pleasure to work with them. There is a LOT of new and exciting stuff going on right now so I wanted to pause from my usual project postings to share a few things!

Continue reading “News & Happenings: ScanNCut edition”

True Story: Join in now!

Class just began – I don’t want you to miss out!! Below is a bit of info (and a few photos/sneaks!!) from class. True Story is – well it’s a truly wonderful class I am so very proud of. ADORE the 9 guest instructors. Finding JOY in sharing so much with all of you. Here’s a peek & info… 

I took almost a year off from scrapbooking or memory keeping and it at first wasn’t by choice but rather by necessity (no right hand use!). Then I got so badly blocked mentally, and then so overwhelmed by the backlog that I just didn’t have any clue where to pick things back up or what was even a good fit anymore! Now (about a year since I started trying…) I’m so happy with the story telling place I’m at and I decided this is the PERFECT time to bring in a new class focused on the stories.

In the last year I’ve discovered some new things as well as rediscovering old knowledge and treasure. Here are some things I consider fact in my studio:

  1. Telling all the stories isn’t possible. So if I simply remove the pressure of quantity, and instead focus on details and things that bring me joy? I’m good.
  2. I love travel stories, and I’ll always prioritize telling mine. Big or small – a new to me local hike or epic vacation.
  3. Having things organized when I sit down to tell a story helps tremendously (more on this in class…)
  4. Regular writing (typing, blogging, social media posting, notebook brainstorming – any form!) helps me pull up stories more easily.
  5. There is no rule as to what stories I tell in any given format, nor is there a rule that certain stories must be told at all.
  6. There is no rule about how many formats you utilize!

Having notebooks full of writing, albums full of photos & words, and any other format of stories big and small is a treasure to me. I focus on what I am doing, and what I can do to tell bits of my life regularly vs worry about what I haven’t done.

I also have really found joy in keeping things organized – something I never really did with stories & photos until the last few years. The best part? I’m not at the finish line. I never will be. I’m just sharing stories, improving my process, and having FUN all along the journey.

My new class True Story is all about… stories! From styles of memory keeping and scrapbooking to types of writing and documenting, and everything in between I’m compiling all my best tips, tricks, thoughts, and inspiration in one full class. I’ve even got nine amazing guest instructors sharing ideas! You can find all the information and register here.

Past favorite: Project Hawaii

As I move into the new studio and develop new ideas I’ve been revisiting past favorites. Here is one such favorite that I wanted to share from my “project Hawaii” series. If you want help with photo projects I’d suggest signing up for one of my online classes of course *wink* but this should inspire you too! I always strive to bring you ideas right here. I hope that you enjoy this old favorite…

hawaii4

Have you ever started with a photo project and stalled out? This is what happened to me with our Hawaii trip and man, I wanted that album DONE. My solution? I did a project life inspired mash-up. This is my personal favorite of the bunch all focused on the luau we went to.  Continue reading “Past favorite: Project Hawaii”