Hello Friends! I made a comment last week on Ask a Crafter that I did not care for detailed thin dies but in the spirit of fairness I decided to figure out how to cut them properly and I will share my results with you in this video:
It’s still a lot of work but at least I won’t waste any more paper. 😀 Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
Thanks for setting everyone straight. Loved the video. I use a lot of Cheery Lynn dies and love them, but sometimes it is hard to get it cut right and get the pieces out. I do use wax paper and just leave it in the die. Eventually it will fall out and it does help with the cutting. I also use the metal plate that is sold to work with the big shot and that helps a lot too. Edna B.
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I can see why they wouldn’t want their product to get a bad review, but I knew exactly what you meant when you said that you didn’t like thin dies. I have a couple thin dies, and I feel the same way about them. They are beautiful, but a pain in the rump sometimes. Thanks for the tip about always having the cutting edge facing up. I didn’t know that.
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Thanks Lindsay for the clarification…I was about to write you about it too. I have many Cheery Lynn Designs dies and yes, the intricate dies are more work – but such beautiful results! Love them!!!
FYI, you can wack the die on the soft plastic top of the handle of your Big Shot to remove the majority of the chads…this tip is given by Mike Dywan, owner of ‘Cheery Lynn Designs’ and ‘Dies Direct’ in several videos on his website.
A little history: ‘Cheery Lynn Designs’ dies are his own design to showcase what can be done with dies. Mike makes dies for over 100 other companies in the USA and abroad – if the die packaging says ‘Made in the USA’, chances are ‘Dies Direct’ made that die. They are based in Phoenix, AZ.
Hugs,
Jan
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I wrote to Spellbinders about trouble I was having with their intricate dies. They gave much of the same advice. Your tips – and theirs – work.
I’m glad I’m not the only one using a compass instead of buying a poking tool. 😉
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Hi Linsay, thanks sooo much for a great video. I must admit, I´m a huge die addict and love dies and the more intrigant the better. And all you´ve shown here is true, but I just want to add a bit to it too. First you might now have seen, that Spellbinders just released a new tool, with a brush in one end to remove these tiny bits from your dies just by a roll, but then I can say, I´ve just used a soft toothbrush for it for years, and it works like a dream too and is probably quite cheaper than the new brush, which is on preorder from Stamping Scrapping now at 14.99$, but as I said a soft toothbrush does exact the same job and works like a treat to clean these dies from the leftovers, that doesn´t fall out, when you tap them on the trashcan, cause you can also so that without fear, I´ve done that the last 9 years and never ruined even one die. Just place the die down on a soft underlay like a peace of foam of some kind and then rub your toothbrush over the backside of the die with the toothbrush, and most of the bits will be completely gone. There might be a very few left, that doesn´t come out, but then they´re very easy to poke out with a needle or pokeytool or what else you used to use earlier too. Hope that helps too, it works perfect for me, and I can say I use my intrigant dies every single day and I absolutely LOVE them all.
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Can I just say how much admire the fact that you have been so fair, and revisited an adverse comment with something a bit more balanced. Well done!
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Wow that is a beautiful die! I’m lazy like you and would feel the same! I wonder if it makes much difference if the cutting side of the die is up or doown, us Stampin’ Up! folks tend to cut with blades down since we center over a stamped image (with a Framelit Die not a Doily) hmm, Always enjoy your time here thank you!
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I have a metal plate that helps but have also had to shim that in the middle with some cardstock. I have a dragon that is a bear to cut out. ( no pun intended ) LOL
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I’m interested what your dragon die is?
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Dear Lindsey, I knew when I replied to you about your comment about Cheery Lynn dies your thoughts were not to bash anyone, but of course I felt the need to defend Cheery Lynn and also make you aware of something you might be doing, such as your opinion carries a lot of weight with your viewers. I knew already that you are a very fair person and there was no intent on your part to defame anyone or anything, and Im also not surprised to see this video from you. You truly are a sweetheart. I can see you in the garage hunting for a piece of flashing because you didnt have a metal adapter plate LOL.
Very well done video, like all your others. Your a treasure, thank you.
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I use a baby toothbrush from the Dollar Store. You get a package of 5 with lids. A quick swipe and they are gone.
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thanks Lynsey, another excellent video..loved the “rubbing the die with waxed paper” and the “running the die through in both directions, multiple times”…hadn’t thought of either before.. excellent tips!
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Thanks Lynsey, I have the stampin up doily die and have yet to make it work, Going to give it another try. Love your work. Thanks
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Thanks for the great tips Lindsey. I have a few thin dies, that don’t get used as much, but now I know it’s me and not the dies…LOL
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Nice die whats it called?? Yes I agree I have a really lacey die and I do the self same thing as you demonstrated.
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It is called nautical doily I believe from Cheery Lynn Dies:)
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Love Cheery Lynn dies and all the great tips. I watched some videos that suggested getting the metal plate when cutting thin dies and it has worked well. Love the toothbrush tip. I will have to try that. You can keep your big shot from moving around by putting it on some of that foam mat that keeps rugs from slipping, I had to do that with my CB as the gripping mechanism doesn’t work as well anymore.
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Please contact me Lindsay…all the e-mails I have sent you have come back. Thank you in advance…Jan Castle castle77 at comcast dot net.
Hugs,
Jan
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did you get my email Jan:)
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I use a push pin to get all those tiny bits of paper out of the die.
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I was a little worried about that company when you mentioned how you hated their thin dies too. Glad you set the record straight! I don’t have their dies but I have several Spellbinder intricate dies and I can’t say it bothers me to poke the little bits out. I find they cut easier with the wax paper and it just peels right off so I use that and the metal shim. I just use a hat pin and sit and poke them out….but I like how you whacked it to get some out and I like the other lady’s comment about using a toothbrush. Like you said, what’s right for some is not right for others.
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Great tips Lindsay. Intricate dies are more difficult to cut, but so beautiful. Cherry Lynn makes some of the most beautiful that I have seen and I have several. It takes a little practice at first, but well worth it. Check out their web site, watch some of the videos, and you will see what I mean. Besides being beautiful, and a quality product, it’s great to be able to say that their dies are made in the USA. Thanks for the clarification.
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Really good video Lindsay! You’re so fair!! L-a-z-y?! Is not a word I’d associate with you!!- fast and furious would fit better!! Miss you all 🙂
Lorraine–signing in from SWFlorida…. Chilly 52 this am 🙂
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aww, I feel for you Lorraine, it is 2 degrees here LOL!
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Add me to the list of people who have been having difficulties with thin, detailed dies. I have done just what you did, but just using cardstock folded in three and then another single piece between the plates. I was worried that I would break my Bigkick, so I just gave up on those dies. Now I’ll try again with the silicone sheet added in. Thanks for the video. 🙂
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I also find that brushing a toothbrush over the back of the die can help release paper that is stuck in the die. Then brush over the doily to remover all the little pieces 😉
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Because I see so many comments here, I guess I am the only one having a problem with this video. 😦 Hope that I can access it later, it sounds like info I need. Thanks Lindsay.
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Hi Lindsay- I use a quick and easy method to get good cuts….I save the bottom of the metal take out pan from Chipotle…of course I wash it. and place that on the die- place the paper on the cutting plate, then the die- tape if needed and then the top die- and cut- rarely need to go thru more than one time and if I do…my left side of my Big Shot seems to cut better, so if repositioning is needed, I may flip the cardstock with the die taped to it around…… Quick and easy! And easily replaceable and FREE!!!
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Hello, I was wondering if you had tried making your own dies? I was hoping to make my own dies for beading. There are different patterns for paper beads cutting the paper in a specific manner with same measurements (so the beads look the same) is difficult for me since I shake all the time due to my health. Thanks
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I have not but Papertrey Ink Makes a paper bead die set.
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