simple dreams

Big Kick vs Big Shot

I have had a lot of questions regarding the Big Kick and unfortunately I do not own one. So I contacted Ellison to ask them directly what the differences are between the two machines. I learned that the machines have identical "innards". You can also use the same multi-purpose platform with the Big Kick as you do with the Big Shot.

What does this mean? Well, to me it means that the information that I have created by testing my Big Shot with the Nestabilities should be identical for the Big Kick. Following is my original Compatibility posting information for the Big Shot. I wish I knew someone who owned both of these machines so that I could compare and assure you 100% that this information is correct, but I am confident after speaking with Ellison today that this information should be helpful for all Big Kick owners.

Big Shot™ and Big Kick™ 

These machines are capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in Big Shot™ or Big Kick:
Cutting Sandwich

1. Multipurpose Platform - Tab 2 (use the entire platform)

2. Clear Acrylic mat*

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Clear Acrylic mat

6. Roll through Big Shot

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

1. Multipurpose Platform - Tab 2 (use the entire platform)

2. Clear Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Clear Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich
1. Multipurpose Platform, Tab1 (flipped open to Tab 1)

2. Clear Acrylic mat*

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

6. Clear Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Or Embossing Sandwich 2

1. Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit White and Black Mat (I believe that Big Kick has one of these as well, but I am not 100% certain)

2. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
3. Paper or cardstock

4. Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit Black Impression Mat

6. Clear Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. Multipurpose Platform, Tab1(flipped open to Tab 1)

2. Clear Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

7. Clear Acrylic mat

8. Roll through Big Shot

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed - place between platform and clear acrylic mat.

Remember that each machine may be callibrated slightly different from the next. So experiment with your machine being certain not to force product through the rollers. Once you have found the "magic" formula write it down and attach it some place on your machine so that you won't need to experiment the next time around.

If you have any experience with either of these machines please feel free to post to this thread. Many, many users read through these sections and also read the comments, so any advice you can share with the crafting world is much appreciated.

Another question many have had relates to the magnetic placement mats. I have found that these do assist me with reducing movement when using the Nestabilities and have allowed me to be much more precise in the placement of my cuts. The magnetic mat does make your sandwich thicker and so you will need to adjust the thickness of your sandwiches accordingly. An alternate method that I have used in conjunction with the magnetic mat when precision is necessary is Tombow Temporary Adhesive. I will position my die in place on the magnet and then use the Temporary Adhesive to affix my cardstock to the magnet before placing my top mat in place.

Following are two pictures that will hopefully help you picture how I use the Nestabilities in the Big Shot. First I place the die on my magnetic placement mat in the position I would like my window to be.

Next position the open notecard on top of the magnetic placement mat being certain to line up the score line of the note card evenly with the edge of the magnetic plate. As you can see in the picture below I have positioned the notecard color side up. I did this so that it would be easier to capture the entire sandwich in a photo. If I would want to cut AND emboss the heart on my card front I would need to place my magnetic placement mat and die closer to the machine and then flip my notecard so that the white side is facing up.

I hope that this step does not totally confuse you. I am constantly flipping paper and die positions in my machines depending on what it is that I want to do - and for this photo I just wanted to show you how I use the magnetic plate as a positioning and holding guide as well as give you an example of what a Big Shot sandwich looks like. If you find this totally confusing please leave me a message in the comments section and I will take yet another series of pictures - LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to be back later today with the Stamp of the Month project for those who would like to see how it is that I colored this month's image.

Spellbinder Die Compatibility Sandwiches Updated

Today I took the time to review the compatibility sandwiches that I had posted back in July and I have updated the information to include the new Magnetic Placement Mat in the machines that I own to let you know how it will affect the sandwiches. I am happy to tell you that it will work in the Cuttlebug, but you will need an additional white spacer plate to accomodate for the added thickness. It will also work in the Big Shot with only slight modifications needed. I would like to suggest that you find your machine below and then copy and paste your needs to a Word document and print them out to reference when you use your new dies.

The Magnetic Placement Mat is an ultra-thin layer, much thinner than the xyron magnetic pads I made to store my Spellbinders dies in. See this post for my storage examples. It is important to me that I always research any idea that hits my brain and so I did try those mats in my Wizard and found that they did indeed hold the dies in place. But after several uses the die shapes were "embedded" in the magnetic pad I had made. I don't know what the outcome of this will be after repeated use, but I wanted to let you know that initially this does work. Unfortunately the depth of my magnetic "creation" is too deep to use in other machines without creating significant snapping and popping. In comparison the Spellbinders Magnetic Placement Mat retains its original shape much better than my homemade version.

One thing I did notice is that the Magnetic Placement Mat is larger in size than the White Spacer Plates. Therefore where the Magnetic Mat extends over the edge of the White Spacer Plate I made quit an indentation in my Mat right at the edge where it extended over the Plate. So I trimmed my Magnetic Placement Mat using my Carl Cutter to be the exact same size as my Spacer Plate - problem solved.

In the following Compatibility Sandwiches the products listed below are referred to repeatedly - I thought I would link you to these items to help you gain a better understanding of what they are.

• Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
• Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate
• Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat
• Spellbinders™ Dies
• Spellbinders™ Dies also include the Nestabilities

Most directions below recommend that the Spellbinder™ dies be placed on your work surface blade side up. Be certain to check your machine sandwich before cutting to ensure correct usage.

All recipes are placed in stacking order starting at the bottom moving upwards. After cutting do not remove paper from die to emboss, proceed with paper remaining in die.

Cuttlebug™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die. I can not guarantee that the B plates will not break in the Cuttlebug, but when testing my B plates were fine. They did make that ever present cracking noise though and therefore my hesitancy to say that they will never break being I have broken many B plates over the last few months. I do plan on testing the Spellbinders Thick White Mats and the Blue Mats included in the Wizard Charm Embossing Kits to see whether I can find an alternative to the acrylic plates. The white and blue mats provided by Spellbinders are so much sturdier.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Cuttlebug™:
Cutting Sandwich
1. A plate

2. C plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. B plate

6. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate

2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate

4. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

5. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
6. Paper or cardstock

7. B plate

8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Embossing Sandwich
1. A plate

2. 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Add extra pieces if needed.

3. B plate
4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat
7. B plate

7. Roll through Cuttlebug™
Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate

2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

7. B plate

8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Big Shot by Ellison Design™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in Big Shot™:
Cutting Sandwich

1. Multipurpose Platform

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Acrylic mat

6. Roll through Big Shot

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

1. Multipurpose Platform

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich
1. Multipurpose Platform, Tab1

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Or Embossing Sandwich 2

1. Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit White and Black Mat

2. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
3. Paper or cardstock

4. Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit Black Impression Mat

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. Multipurpose Platform, Tab1

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

7. Acrylic mat

8. Roll through Big Shot

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Big Kick™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Big Kick:
Cutting Sandwich

1. Universal platform (thick white mat from Sizzix)
2. Clear acrylic mat
3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate
4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock
6. Clear acrylic cutting mat

7. Roll through the Big Kick™

Embossing Sandwich
1. Universal platform (thick white mat from Sizzix)
2. Clear acrylic mat
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. Two (2) Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad
6. Clear acrylic cutting mat

7. Roll through the Big Kick™

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Magnetic placement pad not yet tested.

Zip’e Mate™ by Accucut® (ZEM)
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the ZEM:
1. Place Spellbinders™ die on ZEM's platform, blade side up.
2. Place paper over die and cut in the same manner as with Zip’e Cuts™.
3. After cut, do not remove the die or the paper from the platform, place ZEM's Embossing Foam over paper and with the ZEM's Embossing Mat, roll through again to emboss the die-cut.

ZAZ™ by Accucut®
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die, except the larger, Size Four Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the ZAZ™:
1. Place Spellbinders™ die on ZAZ™'s platform, blade side up.
2. Place paper over die and cut in the same manner as with Zip’e Cuts™.
3. After cut, do not remove the die or the paper from the platform, place ZAZ's Embossing Foam over paper and with the ZAZ's Embossing Mat, roll through again to emboss the die-cut.

Sizzix®
Sizzix® manufactures the Sizzix® Adapter™ and the Sizzix® System Converter™ which, together, allow the cutting of Spellbinders™ dies that are smaller than the Sizzix® Adapter, which measures 2 3/8” by 2 5/8.” This includes most Spellbinders™ Fonts and Mystery Dies. The Sizzix® Adapters are sold in packages of ten and several can be used side by side to allow for the cutting of larger Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Sizzix® Machine:
1. Place the Sizzix® System Converter into the Sizzix® Machine.
2. On the Cutting Pad, place paper to be cut, then the Spellbinders™ die, blade side down.
3. Place a Sizzix® Adapter over the Spellbinders™ die, then cut as normal.
4. Leave the cut paper in the die. Turn the die over so that the blades are facing up, place back on the cutting pad – without the Sizzix® Adapter.
5. Layer a Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat over the die.
6. Press in the Sizzix® Machine.

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Magnetic placement pad not yet tested.

Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™
The Sizzix® Adapter does allow the cutting of Spellbinders™ dies with the Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™, but this is limited to most Spellbinders™ Fonts or Mystery Dies, due to the limiting size of the Sizzix® Adapter.

The Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™ do not allow for the embossing of Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Sidekick™ Machine or the Tag-a-Long™:
1. Place die, blade side up, onto a Sizzix® Adapter.
2. Place paper over die, roll through the Sidekick™ or Tag-a-Long™.

QuicKutz®
The QuicKutz® hand tool is capable of cutting only the smaller Spellbinders™ dies, such as the Spellbinders™ Fonts and the Mystery Dies.

It is not capable of embossing Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the QuicKutz®:

1. Place a Spellbinders™ die and paper into the hand tool.
2. Squeeze to cut as normal.

Note: The QuicKutz® tool has a “sweet spot” of cutting area in the center of the cutting platform. When cutting with a Spellbinders™ die, it may be necessary to center the desired portion of the die inside the hand tool’s cutting platform. If a good cut is not obtained with the first squeeze, the die may be moved and squeezed again. Taping the paper to the die can be helpful in this process.

Revolution®
The Revolution® has not been tested at this time.

Nestability Dies - What Machines are Compatible?

Spellbinders has SO MUCH information regarding this very topic located here! I am going to take the liberty of sharing some of their information directly here on my site so that you can find it easily in the future should you need to. This is information that I have not personally compiled, but I feel that it will be extremely helpful to you.

I can personally attest to the fact that these dies work beautifully in the Big Shot, the Cuttlebug and the Wizard. Yes, I know - no one else I know owns three different machines, but I must say that no one else I know has been working to "figure" these things out as well - LOL! Can you imagine if I owned all of the machines listed below. I think I would truly need to have a much larger house then I currently own - LOL!

Sandwich recipes updated 9/15/07

Most directions below recommend that the Spellbinder™ dies be placed on your work surface blade side up. Be certain to check your machine sandwich before cutting to ensure correct usage.

All recipes are placed in stacking order starting at the bottom moving upwards. After cutting do not remove paper from die to emboss.

Cuttlebug™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die. I can not guarantee that the B plates will not break in the Cuttlebug, but when testing my B plates were fine.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Cuttlebug™:
Cutting Sandwich
1. A plate

2. C plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. B plate

6. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate

2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate

4. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

5. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
6. Paper or cardstock

7. B plate

8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Embossing Sandwich
1. A plate

2. 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Add extra pieces if needed.

2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat
6. B plate

7. Roll through Cuttlebug™
Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1. A plate

2. B plate
3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

7. B plate

8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Big Shot by Ellison Design™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in Big Shot™:
Cutting Sandwich

1.Thick white pad

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock
5. Acrylic mat

6. Roll through Big Shot

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

1.Thick white pad

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich
1.Thick white pad, Tab1

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
4. Paper or cardstock

5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Or Embossing Sandwich 2

1.Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit White and Black Mat

2. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
3. Paper or cardstock

4. Big Shot Impressions Starter Kit Black Impression Mat

6. Acrylic mat

7. Roll through Big Shot

Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat
1.Thick white pad, Tab1

2. Acrylic mat

3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat

4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad

7. Acrylic mat

8. Roll through Big Shot

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Big Kick™
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Big Kick:
Cutting Sandwich

1. Universal platform (thick white mat from Sizzix)
2. Clear acrylic mat
3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate
4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock
6. Clear acrylic cutting mat

7. Roll through the Big Kick™

Embossing Sandwich
1. Universal platform (thick white mat from Sizzix)
2. Clear acrylic mat
3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up
5. Paper or cardstock

6. Two (2) Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad
6. Clear acrylic cutting mat

7. Roll through the Big Kick™

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Magnetic placement pad not yet tested.

Zip’e Mate™ by Accucut® (ZEM)
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the ZEM:
1. Place Spellbinders™ die on ZEM's platform, blade side up.
2. Place paper over die and cut in the same manner as with Zip’e Cuts™.
3. After cut, do not remove the die or the paper from the platform, place ZEM's Embossing Foam over paper and with the ZEM's Embossing Mat, roll through again to emboss the die-cut.

ZAZ™ by Accucut®
This machine is capable of cutting and embossing any Spellbinders™ die, except the larger, Size Four Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the ZAZ™:
1. Place Spellbinders™ die on ZAZ™'s platform, blade side up.
2. Place paper over die and cut in the same manner as with Zip’e Cuts™.
3. After cut, do not remove the die or the paper from the platform, place ZAZ's Embossing Foam over paper and with the ZAZ's Embossing Mat, roll through again to emboss the die-cut.

Sizzix® 
Sizzix® manufactures the Sizzix® Adapter™ and the Sizzix® System Converter™ which, together, allow the cutting of Spellbinders™ dies that are smaller than the Sizzix® Adapter, which measures 2 3/8” by 2 5/8.” This includes most Spellbinders™ Fonts and Mystery Dies. The Sizzix® Adapters are sold in packages of ten and several can be used side by side to allow for the cutting of larger Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Sizzix® Machine:
1. Place the Sizzix® System Converter into the Sizzix® Machine.
2. On the Cutting Pad, place paper to be cut, then the Spellbinders™ die, blade side down.
3. Place a Sizzix® Adapter over the Spellbinders™ die, then cut as normal.
4. Leave the cut paper in the die. Turn the die over so that the blades are facing up, place back on the cutting pad – without the Sizzix® Adapter.
5. Layer a Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat over the die.
6. Press in the Sizzix® Machine.

*Shim with extra pieces of cardstock if needed.

Magnetic placement pad not yet tested.

Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™
The Sizzix® Adapter does allow the cutting of Spellbinders™ dies with the Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™, but this is limited to most Spellbinders™ Fonts or Mystery Dies, due to the limiting size of the Sizzix® Adapter.

The Sidekick™ & Tag-a-Long™ do not allow for the embossing of Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the Sidekick™ Machine or the Tag-a-Long™:
1. Place die, blade side up, onto a Sizzix® Adapter.
2. Place paper over die, roll through the Sidekick™ or Tag-a-Long™.

QuicKutz®
The QuicKutz® hand tool is capable of cutting only the smaller Spellbinders™ dies, such as the Spellbinders™ Fonts and the Mystery Dies.

It is not capable of embossing Spellbinders™ dies.

How to Use a Spellbinders™ Die in the QuicKutz®:

1. Place a Spellbinders™ die and paper into the hand tool.
2. Squeeze to cut as normal.

Note: The QuicKutz® tool has a “sweet spot” of cutting area in the center of the cutting platform. When cutting with a Spellbinders™ die, it may be necessary to center the desired portion of the die inside the hand tool’s cutting platform. If a good cut is not obtained with the first squeeze, the die may be moved and squeezed again. Taping the paper to the die can be helpful in this process.

Revolution®
The Revolution® has not been tested at this time.

As I said there are sandwiches galore posted on the Spellbinders website - head on over to see the other fabulous things that they have in the works. These dies are just the beginning of several entirely new product lines that are being revealed at CHA!