Stamp Dreams

Why I bought the Coluzzle scoring blade...

...other than the "ooh...it's new...I want it!" factor!

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but was so proud of myself for finally making a non-Christmas card project, that I had to share Mr. Snowman instead.

So when I went looking for a new cutting mat, I of course had to explore the other Coluzzle items on the California Paper Goods website. I was very intrigued by this template for a spinner card. (Click on the picture for a larger view.)

Yes, I have made spinner cards before (you can even dig back in the ol' blog files and find one), but this one makes it look so easy! I like easy and fast projects.

So I haven't yet gotten to use it or the scoring tool, but I will!

Happy Stamping!

--Janis

Coluzzle makes a scoring blade!

So before I cut my Coluzzle mat, I made sure I could get a new mat--I really do like the regular size, after all!

I checked online, and found California Paper Goods. Sure enough, I could get a new mat for only $1.99. Then I looked at their other Coluzzle products...

I was intrigued when I saw that they make a scoring tool. Scoring is basically putting a fold line in paper--using a thin blunt instrument, a crease is made that is easy to fold.

Here's a view of the labels (I tried to take one photo of tips and names, but the angle wasn't right!). The Swivel Knife is the one we normally think of--it has the cutting blade on it. Notice it is in yellow. This is the one that comes in the Coluzzle Starter Kit that Stampin' Up! sells.

The blue is the new scoring tool. I'm glad they color-coded them, since otherwise they look a lot alike (except for the tip...)

Provided the post looks as it does for me here, here's a photo of the tips. (Sorry the cutting blade is dirty--what can I say? I love it!).

The swivel blade is quite sharp, while the scoring one is not. Both come with a cover which I highly recommend keeping and using for storage! I keep my swivel blade in my cup holder on my desk, along with scissors and other supplies. The scoring blade gets stored in my cutting tools drawer (yes, I have such a drawer!).

As you can see, the scoring tip is rounded. The tip feels smooth to the touch. As with the swivel knife, the tip swivels, rotating all 360 degrees. It of course also fits in the channels of the Coluzzles.

Next time I'll show you why I bought the scoring tool (other than the, "Ooh! It's new! I want it!" factor!

Happy stamping!

--Janis

The Coluzzle Mat

As I mentioned recently, the Coluzzle requires a special surface for cutting. It's called the Custom Cutting Mat, and is 8 1/2 x 11" in size.

This is a close-up look at the surface of the mat. It has a lot of "give" (it's very squeezable), yet quite sturdy for the cutting that takes place on its surface.

I am using my Coluzzle for my Christmas cards (yes, I'm STILL working on them--I procrastinated too long letting my idea "ferment.") Despite being used over and over for the same cut, the mat is still in good shape. I can see and feel where the cuts have been, but there's still more use before I'll have to toss the mat. Most people would use the surface for many different cuts and it would take them far longer to wear down the mat. At only $1.99 to replace the mat, the cost is minimal.

Happy stamping!

--Janis

What I did to my Coluzzle mat!

When I got my master's degree in Museum Studies, I learned the importance of not doing any "repairs" to important items unless you could undo it if need be. For example, when laminators became popular, everyone thought it was important to laminate newspaper articles, valuable documents, etc. It was only later that we learned that lamination--while it DOES make an item sturdier--actually harms the paper and makes it deteriorate faster (see my post from early November on that!).

So I don't typically change things on my scrapping and stamping tools if it can't be undone. Here's an exception, and also why I did it!

When you get the Coluzzle set, it comes with this foamy pad that may seem like package filler. Don't toss it! (Yes, I've heard some people have done so.) You need to place your paper/photo to be cut on this pad before you cut. The swivel blade needs to move through a surface that "gives" while cutting, (Glass and"self-healing" mats are too firm.)

The pad is standard paper size, 8 1/2 x 11". I needed a smaller one--so I CUT the size I needed out of the pad! (Just cut with scissors!)

OK, to me it's pretty radical. Anyway, I only did so after I checked that I could get another pad easily. While Stampin' Up! doesn't sell replacements pads, other places do, including local stores such as Hobby Lobby. I got mine from California Paper Goods. I plan to share what else I got there in another post...

Yes, there will be more info on this all soon.

Happy stamping!

--Janis

How to work the Coluzzle

First of all, you need to know how to say the name. I've heard several interesting versions. The original Coluzzle was made as a puzzle--you cut out the shape into various puzzle pieces for the recipient to piece together and read your message/see the picture. I could get a lot of pictures on a scrapbook page by using a different picture for each puzzle piece. So...you pronounce it Co-luzzle.

As you hopefully noticed from yesterday's post, the ovals and circles Coluzzles (which Stampin' Up! sells in the set they offer) have nested shapes. So, the channels don't completely extend the entire stretch, because then it would fall out. Instead, there is a little gap that doesn't get cut, as you can see in this picture (I cut 2 ovals--one smaller than the other). Just pop out the shape, taking your paper snips and cutting off the last little piece. If it is at all jagged (how smooth is your cutting?), just sand it down with the sanding blocks.

Tomorrow I'll do one more post on the Coluzzle.

Happy stamping!

--Janis

Coluzzle trick

Yes--a real post from me! After blogging every day in November, I've certainly slacked in December. I have been stressing over the holidays, our puppy, and more. I've been meaning to blog, but haven't had the time or energy.

OK, now I'm ready to get back to it.

The Coluzzle is a great way to make perfect circles and ovals. I've had one for years. You use a special swivel blade (included in the set) in the channels of the Coluzzle to cut your paper.

When you get yours, it comes with a very thin piece of plastic on each side, which you need to remove (I scratch it near the corner to get an "opening" then peel it off). Once you do, you see the shiny surface.

One of the best ideas I ever heard for the Coluzzle is a simple trick. Take a permanent marker and color the channels. I did each channel in mine a different color. Now it's easy to be sure you're cutting the correct size. 

Just position the Coluzzle over your picture/paper/image, and decide which color channel will give you the right size. Then cut with the swivel knife!  (There's a little more, but I'll save that for another post.)

Happy stamping!

--Janis