So I have noticed the latest thing is to have dies for all the stamps. Lots of companies are making their own dies (PTI, MTF, Hero Arts) and some make stamps to fit existing dies (WMS). At first I was buying them all up but then I noticed that except for a few I really wasn't using them all that much. Take for example the card above. The stamps are from PTI and both the flower and the leaves have coordinating dies. Now I didn't buy them. I cut those out and really it didn't take that long. I left a little white border like the die does because sometimes I like that look. I also saved some cash because I didn't need to get the die and I can get the same (or similar) look. Now of course if it hurts your hands to cut or something those dies could come in real handy. I do still buy border dies and I love nesties and frames. I am a huge fan of Waltzingmouse's stamps that match the spellbinder nesties. Such great little frames. I am also a fan of PTI's fillable frames series. I have matching dies for most of those because I tend to use them on things that I mass produce. So what's your opinion?
Card Deets:
All supplies from PTI except for ink. Ink is from versamagic chalk inks (the little dewdrop ones)
11 comments:
Oh I love this card! I pretty much agree with everything you said about dies. In the time that it takes me to cut the die, and then hope I line it up properly, I can hand cut. Except for some curved ones and a few favorites -- I agree with you.
I just cannot afford the $$ or the space to add matching dies to every stamp set that I want. I'd rather have more images!
Lovely card, Michele. I like the white ink and white border on your flower and leaves - goes well with the kraft. You do such a good job of cutting. I wish my cutting looked like that then I would not need dies.
I've been finding myself buying PTI dies and not always with the stamp set. I find that I like stamping the entire die cut piece with like polka dots or other background sets.
If I were able to cut out my stamped images as nicely as you do, I would save a lot of money. I do buy many of PTI dies, but I don't always buy the coorinating stamp set because I feel I can use pattern paper if I want the look, or even make my own pattern paper.
I guess I am like June. (see comment above mine)
Such a cute card!! I don't own any dies. I do have a Cricut that I cut lots of shapes with. I just don't know if I would use the dies enough, plus I don't have a machine to cut them with.
I love how your hand cut flowers look!!
Oh, I like these two sets together!
Great card, Michele! Love the white lines on the kraft cardstock.
I got the stamp set... I absolutely love it. I got the die because I like to use felt and could see the inside of the sunflower in Dark Chocolate felt. I also like the leaves and wanted the option of die cutting the leaves without the stamped image. That is usually how I decide whether or not I will buy the coordinating dies.
Me too about buying the die but not the stamp set. I just bought the acorn and leaf set from the August PTI release because I like the shapes in graduated sizes and figure I can cut from patterned paper or use a background stamp for design.
Thanks for the input! I hardly every use my dies to just cut patterned paper (well except for the border dies) I think I will have to try that out!
Love your card. I agree with everything you said about dies. However, if you put a PTI die in front of me, I will always buy it! I'm like a trained rat that way. I'm never happy with my own cutting. I have bought several dies without the stamp set, because I thought I could do without. Let me know If you ever want me to send you any die cuts of anything for you to stamp or just use as masks. Happy to help you, as you have helped inspire me so many times.
Great card...I just love that sunflower set. Love the matching envelope too. Great idea. I never think to stamp on the inside or make envelopes to match.
Great card! You did an amazing job of cutting those out. I like the dies for some things like cutting felt but have had a hard time lining up the images on them so it is easier to just cut them out.
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