Nestability Dies ~ Which Sides Up? :)

[lifesabeach32940]

I know my questions are going to sound very stupid to you guys, but I am so confused. I was so proud of myself that I found the answer to the sandwich recipes for cutting and embossing the Nestabilities in my Cuttlebug. I've watched numerous online videos to see it in action. I tried the cutting, and it worked like a charm! My B Plate is still whole, and I didn't have to tear up the house trying to find a tool to dig the die out ... after reading the threads, I've been having nightmares about hearing a loud crack or losing my die in the plate. LOL I need to get a life!!

I'm coming to the experts to get some help!!

1. When cutting or embossing the dies in my Cuttlebug, which side is up? (I could not tell in any of the videos I watched.) I was very brave and tried cuting the die both ways ... and it worked!! But I know there is an up side and a down side ... and which way should the die face (up or down) when cutting and when embossing? And how do I know which side is which?

2. I know how the Cuttlebug embossing folders work. It is obvious why the machine embosses instead of cutting when using the folders. I haven't tried embossing, because I'm not sure how. I know the recipe, I even got the tan embossing mats recommended so highly, but it sounds like I build the same sandwich to emboss as I do to cut. Not everyone uses the embossing mats. What keeps the machine from just cutting in that case? And, again, which side is up?

Thank you for your help!!

You guys are great!! I find more inspiration on this site and your individual blogs than from any other resource I've ever looked into. Thank you for sharing your creativity so freely.



Judy

[jennelf]

You know the old adage, "There are no stupid questions." - this definitely falls under that!!!

Here's what I was using sandwich-wise in my Cuttlebug:
CUTTING SANDWICH: (top to bottom)
B plate
cardstock
die - rough side up
B plate*
3 pieces chipboard*
A plate

FOR EMBOSSING: (top to bottom)
B plate
die w/ cardstock down
tan mat*
B plate*
1 layer chipboard*
A plate

* I have these layers taped together for ease of layering when using them. So I have a cutting layer and an embossing layer, kwim?

Hopefully this will work for you, too! If not, just take out a layer of chipboard and experiment a little. Each Cuttlebug seems to be calibrated slightly different, so a little experimentation might be in order to obtain your best look! Good luck and have fun!

[EllenH]

This can be tricky for new users to the dies. If you look at your dies one side is smooth and the other side has a ridge or bump in the center of that smooth area. That bump is actually the blade. It is pressure that cuts with these dies and that is why they are not dangerous to hold in your bare hands. So remember it is the bump that is the blade that will cut through your paper, metal, cork, etc. (and get stuck in your plates if the pressure is too great).

HTH's.

[Angelnorth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lifesabeach32940

2. ...Not everyone uses the embossing mats. What keeps the machine from just cutting in that case?

Hi Judy - when you emboss, your shape is already cut out so there's nothing for the machine to cut, IYSWIM.

Run your cutting sandwich through and you'll have your shape cut out and still stuck inside the die. Leave it in there and run the whole lot through again with the embossing mat and the inner edge of the die will create the embossed effect as the shape is squeezed down in the gap in the centre of the die. Hope that makes sense!

[EllenH]

OK - I guess I had a blonde moment last night when answering your question being I forgot to answer part two of your question - LOL! You actually can emboss only without the machine cutting if you use the embossing sandwich. This occurs because your die is not being pushed up against a hard surface like a cutting mat. Instead it is pushed into the "rubbery" surface of the tan embossing mat and therefore does not push all the way through your paper leaving a beautiful embossed image in your paper instead of an entire cut.

Does this make sense? Keep those questions coming and hopefully eventually one of us will be able to put together an answer that does help.

[lifesabeach32940]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EllenH

OK - I guess I had a blonde moment last night when answering your question being I forgot to answer part two of your question - LOL! You actually can emboss only without the machine cutting if you use the embossing sandwich. This occurs because your die is not being pushed up against a hard surface like a cutting mat. Instead it is pushed into the "rubbery" surface of the tan embossing mat and therefore does not push all the way through your paper leaving a beautiful embossed image in your paper instead of an entire cut.

Does this make sense? Keep those questions coming and hopefully eventually one of us will be able to put together an answer that does help.

I've read all the replies ... and got a complete answer. You guys are AWESOME!! Not only did I get the answer I was looking for ... I now understand WHY!!

Thank you for your help!!