How to Use Deep Edge Dies

Hello everyone!

I am sharing our brand new Deep Edge dies with you today - a specialty collection of dies that are capable of cutting deeper, and into thicker materials, than ordinary paper dies.

They can certainly be used on paper - and I created a bunch of fun cards in the video with regular cardstock - but they can also cut through thin wood, thin metal and multiple layers of fabric. They are ideal for applique projects - you can line up the die exactly where you want on the fabric, which eliminates waste - and since they can cut up to 6 layers of fabric at once they are a real timesaver!

These dies are sturdier and stronger than regular paper dies - they are made from carbon hardened steel that stays sharper longer and can cut through a surprising number of mixed media materials.

If you use them on cardstock, they work like normal dies - but if you are trying to use them on thicker materials, I recommend the following sandwich:

Note that the die will be cutting face down into the metal adaptor plate - these dies really cut well, so if you are running thicker material through your machine, you'll want to cut into the metal plate (this won't hurt the Deep Edge die). The metal plate will get pretty dented - so reserve a metal plate just for Deep Edge dies. Again, this is only if you are cutting material besides cardstock!

Now lets create something! The video will show you the step by step for these projects - I love assembling these types of dies, it is like putting together a puzzle.

(Watch this in HD on Youtube by clicking here)

This fun little guy is the 30099 Wonderland Snowman and he couldn't be more fun to assemble. This is a terrific way to use up all those little scraps of patterned paper that you couldn't throw away - I used pieces of patterned paper for the hat, arms, scarf and even the nose -and used plain old solid cardstock for the nose and eyes.

You can play around with how things are positioned - the arms could be holding something (or cheering!) - get everything in place and then glue it down. Once you;ve done your first card, you can use that as a template to make more.

I watercolored the background piece with my Peerless Watercolors and then cut it out using the super popular 30094 Wrapped Stitch Rectangles die.

Cutting fabric is a breeze with these dies - and in the video I show you how to iron some Heat n Bond onto the fabric and then cut things out. I cut out 3 pieces at once (technically, the fabric is ironed onto the Heat and Bond, so I am cutting 6 layers at once).

The Heat and Bond is an "adhesive" - you iron it onto the back of the fabric, die cut your shape, then iron the shape onto your project. You can stitch around the edges or leave it unstitched - the Heat and Bond helps give the fabric a clean cut and stiffens the fabric for die cutting.

I am using fabric from Joanna Figueroa - she is a terrific quilting fabric designer who makes the most amazing fabrics. I love the color relationships in her designs - so timeless and happy. She even let us use her fabric design on our Deep Edge die packaging!

Here's a onesie that I made using the 30105 Cheering Snowman - I just bought a pack on onesies from Target and was able to cut and iron the pieces onto 6 of these in less than an hour. Now I am ready for gift giving!

I couldn't resist creating a snow globe as part of the collection! The 30108 Enchanting Snowglobe is a great base design for using in lots of different ways - the pieces can be layered and combined to create little forests surrounding a cabin or can be used with other dies to create charming scenes.

I used Broken China, Faded Jeans and Cracked Pistachio Oxide Inks to create the frosty hued sky inside the dome - and then I layered splatters of Faded Jeans and Broken China onto the background paper. 

I love how the 99784 Warm Christmas Wishes looks like curls of smoke coming out of the chimney - position it so that the bottom is close to the chimney and attach it an angle. 

And how cute is this fellow?

I sponged a warm background of yellows and oranges using Fossilized Amber and Spiced Marmalade Oxide Inks before adding all the pieces to make the 30097 Snow Bunny.

One tip is to cut everything out first and then assemble - that way you have everything on hand and ready to go, and it is easier to keep track of where things are to be placed.

I tried him in a different color scheme here - with some more muted colors, since it was a winter themed card. (Tip - leave off the hat and he looks ready for springtime!)

Now the 30098 Arctic Penguin is really easy to mass produce. He doesn't have nearly as many pieces as the Snow Bunny - and he takes up the whole entire card, so all you need is some fun background and the card is finished!

I tried him out over and over - and I think I like the scarf a little higher on his body, making his face a little smaller. I layered the "rosy cheeks" behind the scarf on both versions, but you can see that making the scarf a little higher on the second version seems in better proportion to his body.

The background was splattered with Wilted Violet and Faded Jeans Oxide Inks and then cut with the 30112 Wrapped Scalloped Rectangles die for a fun border.

Here's a version with a plain background - still fun to do and even easier!
 

I wanted to share few more ideas from the collection - they didn't end up in the video, but I wanted to give some inspiration! This is the 30100 Snow Kitty Deep Edge die - if you are a cat lover then this large size kitty is sure to please.

This project uses three different Deep Edge dies - the 30102 Feathered Friends , the 30107 Swooping Branches & Leaves and the 30096 Wintry Snowflakes. I designed these images to all work with each other - the designs are all open and curved, so all of the elements can be combined to create fun scenes like this, whether it is on a handmade card or a mixed media or fabric project.
 

I use the other two bird designs from the 30102 Feathered Friends  Deep Edge die and perched them on branches from the 30110 Basic Forest Branches Deep Edge die.

And how could I not create a couple of Santas?

The first one is the 30101 Jolly Old Santa Deep Edge die - his oversized design fills a card and would make a great tag, or look good on an appliqué Christmas stocking!

And here is another Santa version - his mustache is so much fun to play with and position!

The 30103 Gleeful Santa is one of the easier designs to work with - a simple design that comes together quickly to create a cute greeting card. (Tuck a gift card in the brim of his cap!)

I also thought some little houses could be used for lots of different things - so I designed the 30106 Mountain Village Houses Deep Edge die. This one can be used year round for all sorts of projects, but I have always liked creating little "villages" and neighborhoods on cards. 

I used a ton of scraps here and all of the textures and color creates a lot to look at - so I kept the background neutral with a simple layer cut using the 30009 Stitched Rectangle Layers die.

I designed a second snowman - can't have too many snowmen in my opinion - and he is a winner! The  30105 Cheering Snowman Deep Edge die is so friendly and happy that you will be reaching for this one again and again. 

I added a simple trim around the background using the 30090 Scalloped Stitch Fancy Frames die - for a delicate touch.

I couldn't forget a reindeer! Here's the 30109 Decorated Deer deep edge craft die - ready for you to wrap a few Christmas lights or ribbon around his antlers!

He looks terrific on the onesie here - it makes such a thoughtful and sweet gift!


And last- a mitten card (slip some cash inside for a quick gift) using the 30111 Warm Mitten die for all those helping hands you need to thank!

For more ideas - check out our Design Team blog posts for some wonderful ideas! Donna created an amazing mixed media ornament with the Snowglobe using cork board and watercolor paper Jean made a cute paper ornament with the birds, Anne sewed a mini quilted ornament, Jenny whipped up some Kitty ornaments, and Laura crafted an adorable Bunny out of felt. Enjoy!