If you're like me and a Big Shot fan, you probably already know which of your sizzlits have designs where it can take extra work to pop out the card stock after it is cut. The designs are usually small, intricate and have a scalloped or serrated design. The card stock seems to stick to the sizzlit after it is cut. I found a tip on another blog that talked about using clear packing tape over the sizzlit so the card stock released more easily. I can't remember who originally posted the idea. If you know, please
contact me so I can give the person credit.
I tried out the idea with one of my favorite sizzlit designs, the
#5 Buttons Die. You can't see it, but there is clear tape over the entire die.
Can you tell that I only use the large button on the bottom right? LOL. Turns out that it makes a great mat for a 1" circle. That is how I made the mat for the center image on the card shown at the top of this post. Anyway, the scalloped edge and those buttonholes in the middle seemed to hold the card stock to the die. I put the clear packing tape (sticky side down) over the sizzlit. That makes the surface of the die slick enough so the card stock comes off much more easily. Now that it's easier to use, you might see more of these scalloped circle mats in my projects!
Here are other details about the card. While it's a hybrid card using both the digital and rubber stamp versions of
Apothecary Art, it could easily be made using only the rubber or digital version.
Because I plan to make several of these cards, it was easier to color the center image of the smallest label digitally and make multiple copies. On my computer, I enlarged the image to about 300%, colored it and then returned it back to the original 1" size. The background that is stamped in Lucky Limeade was done with a rubber stamp and then die cut with the
Labels Collection Framelits. The Framelits make it easy to see exactly where you are die cutting.
Try out the packing tape modification with your sizzlits with intricate designs. It can make some of those sizzlits your favorites again!
Note: Adding packing tape to your sizzlit probably invalidates the 3 year warranty since you have modified the product. Another alternative could be to use a shim of wax paper between the sizzlit and the paper you are cutting. That way you aren't modifying the sizzlit, but you are adding a slick surface so your card stock doesn't stick. I had tried that method but didn't like adding a piece of wax paper each time. I saw a vendor at the Grapevine Rubber Stamp Festival who just left the same piece of wax paper in place. DUH. Both methods work. Use the one that fits you best.
Visit
my online store to get your supplies for this project. Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for
my Rewards Program.
Creatively yours,
Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX
My Online Store
