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My name is Melody M. Nuñez - I’m an artist, a writer, and an art teacher. To learn more about me and the book I published - An Altered Existence: Fictitious Stories About Faces from the Past - please view the “About” & "Book" pages…-
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Tag Archives: Sizzix Big Shot
Giveaway: Winner of the Sizzix Big Shot!
I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner of the Sizzix Big Shot Value Pack that was so generously donated by Sizzix. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway prize, Sizzix!
The winner is… KATHERINE REGIER!
Congratulations on winning, Katherine! I know you’ll love the Big Shot, dies and embossing folders. Please email me your mailing address so I can send out your prize pack.
Big thanks to all who participated in this giveaway. Please stay tuned for my upcoming giveaways and more bloggy goodness!
Warm regards,
Melody
Holiday Crafting with the Sizzix Big Shot
Hi everyone! I did some crafting this past weekend, and thought I’d share some of the things I made with my trusty Big Shot – particularly since I’m currently hosting a giveaway for a Big Shot. I’m still getting to know my machine, and thought I’d try some new things. For example, I have some embossing foil I was dying to make use of, and also wanted to use a new die I recently purchased. The results? Some quick and easy Christmas Ornaments and Gift Card Holders!
Christmas Ornaments
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Materials:
Sizzix Big Shot machine
Ornament die – #A10126
Christmas Tree, Ornament, Snowflake & Stocking die – #A10599
Dots #4 Embossing Folder – bonus item from die #658189
Snow Village Embossing Folder – bonus item from die #658189
Little Sizzles white mat board – #656492
ArtEmboss embossing foil in silver, red, and gold
Vintage ledger paper
Vintage button
Vintage lace trim
Red striped washi tape
Rhinestone button
Adhesive
Silver thread
*Chipboard or mat board
Metal Ornaments
I die cut red and gold embossing foil using the ornament die. Once the ornament was cut, I ran it through the Big Shot machine again using the patterned embossing folders. I finished each ornament by die cutting the silver ornament cap area and gluing it over the existing colored foil.
*Note: I didn’t mount the foil onto matboard or chipboard for more stability when making these “test ornaments”, but would recommend you do so since the foil is very pliable and is easily bent.
Mat Board Ornaments
For the vintage ornament, I glued the ledger paper to the mat board before cutting out the ornament shape. Next I affixed the lace trim and the button, and then glued on the silver ornament cap I’d cut from embossing foil.
The snowflake ornament was made by wrapping red and white washi tape around the ornament (two strips), and then gluing on a snowflake I’d cut from silver embossing foil. After gluing a rhinestone button to the center of the snowflake I attached the silver ornament cap I’d cut from embossing foil.
Gift Card Holders
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Materials:
Sizzix Big Shot Machine
Gift Card Holder die – #658189
Extended Crease Pad – #656159
Christmas Tree, Ornament, Snowflake & Stocking die – #A10599
Framelits Phrases – stamps & dies set – #658838
Little Sizzles white mat board – #656492
Printed & plain cardstock
Glue
Black ink pad
Silver trim
Vintage Button
Rhinestone
Run the Gift Card Holder die through the machine with a cutting pad on the bottom, the Extended Crease Pad on the top. (The crease pad keeps the die from cutting on the lines that are intended to be scored instead of cut) Fold the two small tabs in, apply glue or double stick tape to them, and then fold in to make the pocket for the card to rest in. Fold the rest of the gift card holder on the scored fold lines. Embellish as desired.
Green Gift Card Holder: I embellished this holder with a tree cut from dark green card stock. I glued a rhinestone atop the tree, wrapped a silver trim/thread around one end, and tied a bow.
Blue Gift Card Holder: I embellished this card holder with a white mat board snowflake. I finished by gluing a vintage button on top of the snowflake.
Floral Gift Card Holder: I embellished this holder with a “Happy Birthday” sentiment (set 658838). I stamped the sentiment in black ink on watercolor paper, and cut it and the floral border paper out using two sizes of framelits from the set.
Quick, Easy & Very Versatile
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I think it’s easy to see how versatile the ornament and gift card holder projects are. By mixing different colors, textures, base materials and embellishments, you can use these dies to create endless variations. I just scratched the surface when crafting the other day, and look forward to using these dies – in different ways – for years to come.
Have You Entered the Giveaway Yet?
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I’m giving away a Sizzix Big Shot Value Pack, and hope you’ll join in the giveaway fun and enter if you haven’t already. The winner will be announced a week from today. Click here to go to the giveaway page!
Happy Crafting!
Warm regards,
Melody
Posted in art supplies, crafts, DIY, giveaway, holidays
Also tagged Big Shot, die, die cutting, embossing, embossing foil, ornament
6 Comments
Giveaway: A Sizzix Big Shot Value Pack!
I’m super thrilled to share that this giveaway is for a Sizzix Big Shot Value Pack! Woo hoo! Not only does the value pack include the versatile and portable Big Shot die cutting and embossing machine, it also includes assortment of dies and embossing folders! This prize is worth hundreds of dollars, and is the biggest prize I’ve given away yet. Please join me in thanking Sizzix for donating it! :]
I’m super excited to be offering this prize – particularly as we near the holidays. If you don’t have this machine, you’ll LOVE it. And if you already have one, this Big Shot Value Pack would make an incredible gift for your favorite crafter!
The Prize
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One lucky winner will receive a Big Shot Value Pack. The retail value of this value pack is over $300, and it can currently be purchased for $139.99 on sizzix.com as part of a special sale/promotion!
The Big Shot Value Pack includes the following:
Sizzix Big Shot Machine
Originals Tags Die
Sizzlits Decorative Strip Flowers Die
Movers & Shapers XL Card Die Set
Extended Cutting Pads
Textured Impressions Embossing Folders – 4 Pack, Summer Set
Originals Arrows #2 Die
Sizzlits Transportation Die Set – 3 Pack
Textured Impressions Embossing Folders – 2 pack, Flower Vine & Twizzle Set
Textured Impressions Embossing Folders – 2 pack, Birds & Flowers Set
Embosslits Jeweled Tassel Die
Framelits Message Frames with Stamps Die Set
More on The Big Shot
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As you may know, I was lucky enough to receive this same bundle, and have shared some related posts here on my blog.
For an overview on the machine, and the variety of materials it can cut, please click here.
To see a post about the Washi Tape Tags I made using my Big Shot, please click here.
To see a post about the custom greeting cards I made using my Big Shot, please click here.
Video, Too!
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To see a Sizzix Video about the Big Shot Machine, please click here.
How to Enter
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One winner will be chosen at random, and they will receive the Big Shot Value Pack described above.
To enter the giveaway:
1. Subscribe to my blog, if you haven’t already
2. Take a peek at my book, An Altered Existence, on amazon.com. :]
3. Leave a comment on this post
You must subscribe to my blog, confirm your subscription, and complete all steps of your entry by Monday, November 18th to be eligible for the giveaway.
The winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Good luck!
Warm regards,
Melody
*The fab folks at Sizzix have donated this Big Shot Value Pack. I will be paying for shipping.
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Posted in art supplies, crafts, DIY, giveaway
Also tagged Embosslits Die, Framelits Die, Movers & Shapers Die, Originals Die, Sizzix, Sizzlits Die, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
58 Comments
DIY: Easy Washi Tape Tags
As I shared in my last post, I’m a Big Shot Newbie and am loving my new machine. I had fun creating some Washi Tape tags as my first DIY with the machine, and thought I’d share my simple little project with you. It’s super easy to make tags in a variety of colors and patterns. Aside from the machine and die, the supplies are minimal.
Materials
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Big Shot die cutting machine
Sizzix Tags die
Chipboard
Washi Tape
Other embellishments – optional
Directions
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- Cut the chipboard into pieces slightly bigger than the tag shape you’ll cut out.
- Cover one side of the piece of chipboard with Washi Tape.
- Cut out the tag with your machine and die.
- Embellish the die further, if you choose. Consider using eyelets, stickers, ribbon and rubber stamping to add to your tags.
The Washi Tape can be used to customize your tags in many different ways. For example:
Color & Pattern: You can use one color/pattern per tag, or any number of tapes in combination. Whether you’re making tags for a birthday gift and want to choose the recipient’s favorite color or are making orange and black tags for Halloween, this is a quick and easy way to customize a tag.
Tape Placement: Lay down the tape horizontally, vertically, or on the diagonal. You might also do crosses, a random pattern, or alternate strips of tape with strips of the base tage showing through underneath. The choice is yours!
Do you own any Washi Tape? How many rolls? What do you use your Washi Tape on? Please share. Oh, and stay tuned for a little giveaway I’m going to be doing in the next week or two. I’m going to give away a roll of Washi Tape that I ordered from Aimee at Artsyville – it’s fab!
Warm regards,
Melody
Posted in art supplies, crafts, DIY
Also tagged Big Shot machine, Die Cut Tags DIY, Tag DIY, Washi Tape, Washi Tape Tags
4 Comments
The Adventures of a Sizzix Big Shot Newbie
Every once in a while I stumble upon something that changes my creative life forever. My most recent life-changing find? A Sizzix Big Shot machine. Yes, I know – personal die cutting & embossing machines have been around for some time. I’m definitely on the late freight where this tool is concerned, and might’ve continued on as I was – unaware and missing out. Luckily for me, I was hired to work at Ellison – the makers of Sizzix products. Woo hoo!
Since late May I’ve been thoroughly immersed in the world of die cutting and embossing and I LOVE it. And though I’ve gradually been learning the things Sizzix machines can do and cut, I haven’t had the chance to do much crafting lately. I’d been given a machine starter kit so I could get familiar with how everything worked back in May, but aside from a test run my first week I hadn’t had the chance to do much. That changed this past weekend.
I pulled out an assortment of my art and crafting materials, and gave the machine a whirl. I tried cutting an assortment of materials, and also did a quick DIY project. I made some tags using a die, some chipboard, and Washi Tape, and will share that project on Tuesday – so stay tuned!
Materials I Cut with My Big Shot and a Steel Rule Die:
Cardstock
Artist canvas
Watercolor paper
Sand paper
Metal embossing sheets
Fabric (cotton and lace)
Wire Mesh
Specialty paper (washi paper, etc.)
Felt
Photos
Mat board
Vintage ledger paper
Steel Rule Dies can also cut these materials:
Leather
Aluminum can
Magnet sheets
Cork
Crafting foam
– anything you can cut with scissors!
Die Cutting Rocks! Why?
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Dies cut perfectly. No trying to follow your traced shape, over cutting, or under cutting.
You can cut multiple layers of materials at once depending on what you’re cutting. For example, I can cut 6-8 layers of cardstock in one pass, depending on the paper. I was also able to cut three layers of thin chipboard in one pass. This is a huge time saver!
The creative possibilities are endless. In addition to the machine and dies cutting a wide variety of materials, you can use the machine in oodles of creative endeavors. Here are some projects you could use this kind of machine on – just off the top of my head:
Cards
Scrapbook pages
Collages
Garlands
Party Decorations
Invitations
Tags & other gift-wrapping elements
Journals
Enhancing bulletin boards
ATCs (Artist Trading Cards)
Food packaging (gifts)
Bookmarks
Banners
Mobiles
Jewelry (including pins & pendants)
Quilting
Wearable Art
I was able to cut 18 tags at once by stacking 8 pieces of paper and running them through the Big Shot. Woo hoo! Quick and easy!
Embossing, too? Yes!
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My Big Shot also embosses, which allows me to customize papers in infinite combinations by mixing different embossing folders with different colors and types of paper. Such fun and such variety. :]
I Wish I’d Had One Sooner…
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Some of the DIY projects I’ve posted here on this blog over the past three years would’ve benefitted from using this machine. They would’ve been quicker and easier – no doubt about it. Here are a few of the projects I could’ve used my Big Shot on if I’d had one back then:
Aluminum Star Ornaments
Cards from Scrap
The Tip of the Iceberg
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I’m definitely a newbie when it comes to all the Big Shot can do, but I’ve seen enough to be impressed and excited by the possibilities. I haven’t even mentioned chemically etched dies (like Thinlits & Framelits) stamp-to-cut, or embossing diffusers in this post. Just wanted to share the bit I’ve learned and experimented with. If you aren’t familiar with this kind of machine, and are a crafter or artist, you may want to check it out.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Warm regards,
Melody
*Disclosure: I was given a Big Shot and some dies free of charge, but there was no request, suggestion or expectation – verbal or implied – that I do a blog post in exchange for the product. I’ve created this post of my own accord because I’m excited about the possibilities. :] The butterfly die I used in the post is one I purchased – it’s from the Tim Holtz Alterations line. I also purchased two of the embossing folders above – the bubble wrap pattern, and the beehive pattern.

Posted in art supplies, crafts, DIY, inspiration
Also tagged die cutting, dies, embossing folders, Sizzix, Sizzix Big Shot machine
16 Comments