Saturday, January 22, 2011

Waltzingmouse Stamps Grand Calibur Party!

Note: this is my second post for today. Please scroll down for Sketch Saturday. Thanks!

Have you heard the news? Waltzingmouse Stamps is hosting a party celebrating our brand new Grand Calibur machines, courtesy of the ultra-generous and ultra-fantastic Spellbinders! You probably already know that Waltzingmouse Stamps is a leader in creating stamps that are "Nestie" friendly, and is product partners with Spellbinders. We couldn't have been more thrilled to have received this gift to enhance our Spellbinders experience!

At first, I didn't think that I really needed a Grand Calibur, but now that I've played with it, it's most definitely a must-have! I can honestly say the cutting is smooth and deep. I love that it suctions to your table for stability and cranks easily. But most of all, I love the larger platform and the way you can lay out and cut all your pieces at once!

My first card demonstrates this perfectly...


First, I laid out all the dies of Blossom on patterned paper and cut them all out in one swipe!

Then I cut the card base by layering two pieces of cardstock under the largest of the Labels 8 die, and cut them at the same time with the second largest of Labels 8 on patterned paper to make the mat. The Grand Calibur cut through both layers of cardstock cleanly and easily!

I then scored the end of what would become the back of my card one quarter inch from the top.

And used strong "red" tape to adhere it to the front of my card...
I rolled and crumpled all of the layers of the Blossom and inked the edges (except for the smallest piece, which I substituted for a brad to hold all the layers together. I also inked the edges of the card base and background mat with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain distress ink, which I used to stamp the greeting from Sewing Box Hugs. Don't be afraid to cut your greetings like I did to make them fit your space. That's the beauty of acrylic stamps!

I also used an image from Sewing Box Hugs in my next card.

I love the simplicity of this card... and I love that I was able to cut the aperture so easily with the Grand Calibur.

I first made the card base, cut a patterned paper mat from Echo Park's Be Mine collection, chose my stamp, and then selected the correct sizes of Spellbinders Classic Rectangles Large to fit my image and allow for the "frame."


I opened up the card, taped the larger die to the patterned paper with Scotch Removable Tape, and used a paper piercer to put tiny holes in the four corners of the smaller die through the card base to mark the spot to cut.

Once the patterned piece was removed, it was easy to take the smaller die and match it up to the tiny holes, tape it down, and then cut both at the same time with the Grand Calibur.

I used the embossing pad that comes with the Grand Calibur to run the card base through one more time to create an embossed edge to my "frame." I love the way it turned out!

Simple pimple, as Claire would say!

Finally, I made a cute card with one of my favorite stamp sets Half Pint Heroes. The dotted circle is from Faux Fun Circles.

This card also follows this week's sketch at Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge. To make the "waves," I first cut the larger die from Jumbo Scalloped Borderabilities Petite and then cut that in half, layering one piece over the other with pop dots. Once again, all I needed was one swipe through the Grand Calibur!

Oh, one thing to note: the recommended sandwich puts Plate C (the cutting plate) on the top. But I always put mine on the bottom and cut "down." I prefer to see where I'm cutting, especially when I'm cutting out a stamped image, like the dotted circle. Also, I removed the tray from my Grand Calibur so that I can easily use 8 1/2 x 11 paper. You can find instructions for this here.

I hope you've been inspired! Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a stamp set of choice. For more details on all the party festivities and ways to win, hop on over to the Waltzingmouse Stamps blog where you'll find links to the other design team members posting with me today... and those who posted yesterday and will post tomorrow. You won't want to miss all the fun!


69 comments:

Pauline said...

Fabulous projects Lisa, love the simplicity of your aperture card, and love the cute little submariner, your colouring is fab!

Yvonne Russell said...

Lisa, I love all your projects, but am especially taken with the Half Pint Heroes card and the clever use of the circles.

It's fun seeing the projects on the hop made with the Grand Calibur. It certainly is great to have the extra width.

Smilie girl said...

I am impressed how you can cut so many things at once. And be able to use A4. Thanks for the tips and tricks that go with the beautiful cards.

Ali Watson said...

Fabulous creations. Thanks for sharing.

Ali x

deifen said...

Great inspiration here Lisa - the oversized flower really packs a punch and I love how your embossed frame turned out!

Joanne Gilch said...

This entire post is so awe inspiring...thank you for the pics. Looks like that GC can really cut the 'rug'!!!!!

Sheila M Jones said...

Love the huge flower and that it only takes one swipe through the machine.

Kelly S. said...

WOW that Grand Calibur is SOOO COOL! I can't believe how many nesties and die fit on it at one time. You ladies are making ME want it more and more, uh-oh! My fave card has got to be that little Half-Pint guy...the papers (and jumping fish) are sooo perfect!

Dee in N.H. said...

Great projects! I love your flower and you chose the perfect brad for the center. Your embossed frame is so cool! Thanks for the directions! Your hero card really made me smile with the jumping fish! I love how you can cut all those pieces at once!

Cammie said...

These are FANTASTIC! My favorite is the second --so sweet and beautiful. Thanks for explaining how you cut the opening.

Deborah Frings said...

Lisa - you've been really busy. I think all these projects are great. I particularly like the little hero - he's just cute. And I think the Grand Calibur has made it to my "must have" list!

Bonnie said...

These are wonderful Lisa! LOVE that frame - just beautiful!

Unknown said...

Wow! Super-duper projects!! I would love to try that flower...

Anonymous said...

Wonderful cards! I love them all.

Sharon said...

Loving all your work, Lisa ... especially your first card! Great idea to use the circle dies to create the flower. So glad you are enjoying your new toy. Thanks for the inspiration. :D

slbt17 said...

oh - what fun!
the grand calibur seems very useful!
Sandra ltb

Kim C. said...

I like how you created the base of the flower card by creating the edge so you had the complete die edge design at the top- very clever. I too wondered about the need for the calibur but after this weekend I might just have to save up for one.

Karen B. said...

Wow, you've convinced me that I need that machine with your great set of cards here!

Polly Pierce said...

All three of your cards really show this thing off to its very best and now I don't just want one, I NEED a Grand Calibur! I really like what you've done to show it off and as for that flower? Talk about easy peasy, it's just fab...

SherylH said...

Beautiful cards! I have the purple Wizard and didn't think I needed the Grand Calibur. The more I see of it though, my mind is changing. I can see it being so useful for making shaped cards and for the ability to do multiple cuts at once.

Elizabeth B. said...

I've definitely been inspired! Thanks so much for sharing such wonderful projects! You have all made me really want the Grand Calibur!!! (I already loved the waltzingmouse stamps!)

Julia Aston said...

Beautiful projects Lisa! and thanks for all the tips on how you made everything - I love that jumbo scallop and your layered flower is SO pretty - (oh, no - more things I NEED!)

Janet said...

I love the variety in your cards! Thanks for sharing!

snowbear said...

Your blossom almost looks like glass in the photo.. and i really like how you used 2 pieces and scored the back one for the base of your card! You did a great job on that frame as well... everything is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa, having a blast checking in on all the designer blogs and fab inspiration as I am new to WaltzingMouse! I could see your beautiful flower done in felt! Love the Valentine card, and I so appreciate the step by steps too!:)Linda K

Jean Martin said...

Oh wow Lisa. I have always wanted to try making flowers out of die cut paper...the Calibur makes it so much easier!!! Oh no!!! Enabling!!! :)

Carly said...

All your projects are just beautiful Lisa!! And thank you for all the wonderful tips! Just lovely!

LaurieJ said...

Fantastic cards, Lisa! The blossom on your first card is absolutely lovely. And the third card is SO cute. Love the polka dotted waves and the little swimming fish.

Christina said...

Such darling cards, Lisa! I just love that big, layered blossom! Thanks for sharing!

Karin said...

Thanks so much for these wonderful tuts! Great projects :)

Sandie said...

Great projects Lisa. I just adore the big flower on the first card and the Half Pint Heroes one is brilliant!!

Anonymous said...

great projects.
SNW

Anonymous said...

The cards were a delight to see and your instructions clear. Too bad Christmas, my birthday and anniversary will not come for at least 11 months as this machine looks great! Thanks for sharing!

LesleyfromWI said...

Great projects but I love that flower. I have a Grand Calibur on my wish list (hoping for my birthday) and this party is making me drool. I don't think my hubby is appreciating it as I am making him look at all the projects...trying to sell it to him and hoping he is getting the hint :0)

Sue McRae said...

Fabulous card designs! I especially like your layered flower!

Wendy ten Hove said...

Hi Lisa,

Your cards are gorgeous! Love the way you made that flower, looks wonderful. My fave card with you today is that lovely 'ahoy matey' card, looks lovely and really gives you the feel of being under sea! Pretty and fun!

Hugs, Wendy

katrynka said...

I love all the projects, but even better is the idea to "cut down"!! I am going to try that the next time I use my die cutter.

Sparkplug17 said...

Such gorgeous cards!

Sue D said...

Great projects--thanks for sharing how you used the Grand Calibur.

Stacy Simpson said...

Great projects - LOVE the half pint card!

Mona Pendleton said...

Lisa, all three of the cards are amazing! Love the big 3D blossom on the first, the fun frame on the second and the cute little fish swimming about the 3rd! :) TFS

Cassie_lu said...

great projects and I really like the flower you created on the first card

Shirley N said...

Your flower is gorgeous and I love how you made the frame on your card. Thanks for the tut, I'll be trying that out! Also love how you have your fishes jumping in the waves, cute!

Rosemary said...

really lovely cards!

Kathi said...

Hi Lisa,
all your cards are very nice, but my favourite is the first one. I just love the big flower! :-)
XX Kathi

Nancy said...

I love that you can cut so many dies at one time...will save my sanity. LOL
Love all your projects. Thanks for all the inspiration.

acons said...

Like your fabby cards! Thanks for the picture tutorials! Great idea to make little holes to get the window just right. With all these wonderful projects, y'all are making me take a second look at the Grand Calibur, lol!

Nikki W said...

Such lovely cards, and what a great range of spellbinders dies - I never realised ! Your tutorials accompanying your projects are so clear - thanks for sharing.

Denise Bryant said...

Great cards! I am really wanting a Grand Calibur after seeing all that can be done with them!
DeniseB

pattyb said...

WOW! Thank you Lisa...not only for some great projects...but I LEARNED A LOT from you just now! Thank you so much! Whether I win anything or not....I just learned some valuable tips that I will def use! Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

The Grand Calibur and the new Spellbinders dies seem very versatile. I really like your "Ahoy" card too!

Lynn Wild

Carol's Ink Spot said...

Beautiful cards made easy with this new machine, Grand Calibur! Now that I have seen how it works and heard all the DT mention how easily it cuts, I think I need this! I really like that blossom on your first card!

Jen Cuthbertson said...

Love these cards, Lisa! That giant blossom is so pretty!

Unknown said...

Lovely creations!

Laurie Marmon said...

All of these projects are so cute. Love the Half Pint Heroes card! :) And I have Labels 8...I'll have to try it as a card...yay!

Mary H (OK) said...

love the cards - the Caliber is so cool and I can't wait to see all the new goodies!

Purrfect Paper Creations said...

What fun projects, Lisa! I love the flower on the first card (plus its shape), the frame on the second, and the wonderful coloring and waves on the third!

Chris L.

Gaby said...

This grand Calibur sounds great! I also didn't know I needed one! I also heard it isn't as noisy as the other die cutting machines... That's really appealing, especially when my baby is napping!

Thanks for the inspiration!

cindy holshouser said...

What great projects. Love your big flower.

Amy said...

Great cards! LOVE that huge flower!

Margaret C said...

So cute I especially like your flower card !!

Maggie said...

Love your cards. Thank you for taking the time to show us the process. I love to learn when I do these blog hops as well as look at everyone's becautiful work.

Leah Killian said...

I just LOVE your first flower card! That turned out to be so striking!

Brenda said...

Great tutorials, fabulous projects!

Stephanie Gruss said...

I'm in love with the layers on the first flower card! Simply stunning! Your last card is a great way to repurpose those dies too! Love the cute little sailor!

Mary B said...

Your big flower is very striking, and the submarine card is just perfect for a little boy! Thanks for the ideas.

Nancy said...

Wow Lisa, Your card are fabulous.
I think this machine is a must have for me!!! I have a big addiction to Spellbinders.

Jennifer Holmes said...

Lisa, you're showing me some new dies that I may need to add to my shopping list! Love your projects, especially that big cheery flower!

Alice said...

beautiful cards, Lisa! you are making me think i need a grand calibur! it is nice to be able to cut all the pieces all at once. thanks for sharing!