Pierceability - Beginner Basics

Today I would like to share my first tutorial on using the Pierceability Dies. To start I wanted to share the simplicity of the die when used alone. The possibilities are endless, but sometimes endless is overwhelming - so I figured I would start simple and work my way through some of the possibilities.

This card shows three of the four possibilities these dies offer - cut, emboss and pierce.

If you haven't noticed the new links I have added on the left side of my blog please take a moment to observe that there are now links to several YouTube videos produced by Stacey Caron, the owner of Spellbinders. Hopefully these videos will take some of the guesswork out of creating die "sandwiches". A link has also been provided under the Category section to take you to all posts that talk about and share compatibility sandwiches.

Pierceabilities are used in a similar manner to all other Spellbinder dies and therefore the sandwiches will remain the same for these dies as for the Nestabilities and all other Spellbinder dies.

I would like to challenge you to figure out the sandwich that works best for you. Then write it down and attach it to the bottom of your machine or store it in a place you will be able to find it. But, don't be like me and write it down forgetting where you put it - LOL!

I have found that I like to turn my sandwiches upside down, so that I can see where I am placing my dies. NOW talk about confusing - LOL! I am going to share my own personal sandwich for the Pierceabilities with you because this is what I find works best for me. You all know how particular I am about precision - LOL! Well this allows me to be as precise as I possibly can be.

Following is my Pierceability sandwich using the Wizard starting at the bottom and moving upwards:

Pierceability Cutting Sandwich using the Wizard

• Cutting Mat
• Notecard front or cardstock
• Pierceability die - temporary adhesive lightly applied (see below)
• White Spacer Plate
• Notecard back (when using just a single layer of cardstock this element is skipped)
• Embossing Mat

Tombow Removable Mono Adhesive has become my best friend as I use my dies. I'm not certain you can even see that I have applied a very small amount of removable adhesive in the lower right hand corner of my Pierceability. I have found that my hands shake - perhaps its too much coffee or just simply the aging process, LOL, but I really don't want my dies moving at all on me. Being they are so lightweight any miscalculation on my part and my die would scoot out of position. Removable or temporary adhesive has been my answer. I now keep it right next to my work area along with an adhesive removal eraser. When I place the die I firmly press on the two spots that I have applied adhesive and the die magically stays in place for the whole process. When my project is complete I then remove the adhesive by lightly rubbing it off with my finger or specialty eraser.

As you can see from this picture I position the die, cutting blade face down, on the very edge of my notecard. In the closeup view with the adhesive above the die is face up - the line parallel with the top edge is the cudding blade. This blade does not feel sharp to the touch. It cuts due to the high pressure that is exerted on it when run between the rollers of your die cutting machines. (Please know that the pinking points are "pointy" and so you will want to use caution and keep the pointy dies away from small children.) 

What you are seeing above is my sandwich without the top embossing mat in place. First is the cutting mat, then is the notecard and pierceability die as shown in the picture above this one.

Next, I placed my white spacer plate on top - you can see it just peeking out above the word cutting. Then I fold the scored notecard back over top of the spacer plate. The critical part of this "formula" is making certain that your spacer plate is aligned as close as possible to the score line of your notecard to avoid getting markings on your notecard.

Last I place my embossing mat on top of the mix and send it through the Wizard.

As you can see in this picture I am using my new Wizard, but I am using it with my old mats. I love the new color and the ergonomic features that have been designed in to it. Many of you already know that we have had a delay in the Wizard shipments and some have been recalled. The Wizard itself works great, it is the new mats that didn't work so great with the new Wizard, they were just too soft. Spellbinders really wants to make certain that the product that goes out is 100% functional and universal, therefore we have taken the Wizards off of our store and sent out a notice to either return your new Wizard to us (if you ordered it through us Ü) or the choice to wait and have new mats shipped out to you as soon as we receive the new replacement mats.

I would also like to once again remind you of a post that I did some time ago where I showed how it is that I use my Wizard being I have it placed sideways, as shown above, when I use it. I have found that with my injured thumb it makes it so simple for me when it is turned this direction vs. the direction that is shown in the beginner video included with the Wizard.

Pierceability Embossing Sandwich using the Wizard

• Embossing Mat
• Pierceability Die
• Notecard front or cardstock
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Notecard back (when using just a single layer of cardstock this element is skipped)
• Cutting Mat

Again the important part to remember in the sandwich above is to align the Tan Embossing Mat square with the score line of your notecard. This helps avoid those extra "markings" that can occur on your paper if you have the embossing mat stop in the middle of the card front.

This picture is here just to show you what the project looks like at this point - we have now cut and embossed and are ready to pierce.

Turn your project over and place it on a piercing pad. The Ornare piercing pad and piercing tool work beautifully with these dies. This is the point where flexibility comes into play once again. If you would like to only pierce a portion of the design you could elect to pierce only the biggest square around the fleur de lis, or perhaps you would want to do just the smaller squares - it is entirely up to you Ü.

I hope that you have been enjoying the sneak peeks from all the Spellbinders Design Team members. There are only two days remaining - I can't believe it! I have created several other projects, but unfortunately I realized that I was using dies that had not yet been shown, so I need to wait on sharing them just a little while longer. We have some awesome new dies arriving in August that we are so excited about sharing with you. There are more to come and I can hardly wait to share the full release with you Ü

Thanks for stopping by today and have a wonderful weekend!!!

Comments

[Maureen W.]

Wonderful tutorial and sample!! I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on these!

[Diana B]

That looks like so much fun. You make everything seem so easy and it usually is after I see you do it. thanks.

[Sherrie]

Thank you for the great tutorial!!

[Rachel]

Great tutorial! Last time I used one of the nestibilities, it slipped and my die cut was a little off. I like the idea of the mono removable adhesive - I will use it the next time.

I plan to keep this article handy!

[Juanita]

Be still my heart, this is simply a GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS card!! As always you have excellent photos and directions. TFS.

[Kate Hart-Sampson]

Beautiful card, Julia. And the tutorial is very easy to follow. I have a collection of your tutorials. Thanks.

[Rose Ann]

Thank you for your tutorial!! What a gorgeous look with these must-have items! ;)

[lindaH]

You have outdone yourself yet again! These are simply stunning and I cannot wait to get them!

[Robin Moore]

I would like to know and wasn't stated in your sandwich is this... When you do flip it that way and work from the bottom up...before you run you sandwich through the machine, do you first flip over the sandwich so that the cutting part of the die is also facing up? Hope that made sense. Cause the video is always saying your cutting die should face up never down or it ruins the die.
Thanks.

[Patty]

Wow, what great new dies! Can't wait to get them and use them.