How to make a diffuser for my Cuttlebug.

Diffusers for Cuttlebug.

Ok a little while back someone mentioned making void spaces in the embossing using diffusers made of self healing cutting mats… so since I had an old self healing mat that had definitely seen better days… I decided to upcycle it… and besides the shops don't carry the pre-made ones here!

The How to is basic… I took my old self healing mat.

I cut a shape out of the old self healing mat that I DO want embossing… so in this case the size of my average embossing folder… NOTE I have a second self-healing mat underneath to protect my desk.... definitely a good idea!

I found scoring the same line over and over with my craft knife then bending the self healing mat back away from the line on either side opened up the centre material leaving me with only the other side to cut.  My steel ruler and spare knife blades were definitely needed!

I then cut out the shape that I did NOT want embossing from the piece…  I used my spellbinders to make the shapes for me to cut out to give me a guideline.  Circles were a lot harder!  The frames I made should make some gorgeous cards too J  

NOTE the sandwich for using the spellbinders with the cutting mat... 

A Plate, Cutting Mat, spellbinder C plate... there is NO B plate! ;-)

I have now used these to make some cards using my A plate, B plate, embossing folder with cardstock and then the diffuser… I did NOT need a second B plate with this, the frame I made becomes the B plate.

Do NOT force anything through your Cuttlebug/die-cutting machine… Your machine can break... so can your plates... see my dear old C plate below... (read this as I take no responsibility if YOU break YOUR machine!)... 

this works on my machine so thought I would share what I did… 

Happy Crafting… Sarah x

You might also like... How to stop the edges showing when using the narrow embossing folders.

5 Minute Make

5 Minute Make…

Yes really… 5 minutes… which makes it perfect for the in a hurry Oh My Gosh I need a card already moments… Admit it we have all had one of those moments!

Use a Diffuser on your Swiss dots folder through your Cuttlebug (or other embossing machine).  If you don’t have a diffuser click here and make one.  With the Diffuser I made It is the same depth as the B plate for my Cuttlebug so my Sandwich was A, B, Swiss dots folder with cardstock, Diffuser.  (Don’t force anything through your Cuttlebug… they CAN break!)

Ignore the “Embossing only” as it is there so I don’t cut using my newer B plates!

Trim the cardstock you just embossed as this will be your card front.  Use an embossing board/ scoreboard/ embossing tool/ ruler and craft foam (gently) to score a square frame around the un-embossed area.

Use a Spellbinders square and your cuttlebug to cut and emboss a square to fit within the frame you just embossed and then emboss or stamp with a sentiment. 

I used the “Thank You” from the Best Friends Cuttlebug folders.  Then mount with foam squares in the frame and then mount your embossed panel onto your card using double sided and you are DONE.

 

Happy Crafting…

Sarah x

PS No responsibility taken if you break your Cuttlebug or plates doing this ;-)