Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas Came Early!!

I can't even BEGIN to tell you how excited I was when the gorgeous machine arrived on my doorstep late yesterday afternoon!!!!  I squealed like a little girl and even the lady mail deliverer was laughing at me!!!  :)  This is the gorgeous Grand Calibur by Spellbinders!!!!  I have been DYING to try this out - it's hard to tell from pictures, but unlike my old Cuttlebug, this one has a mouth size of 8 1/2 inches - so you can put an entire piece of A4 Cardstock through it without trimming!!!!!  *HAPPY SIGH*  AND - can you see the plates are all coloured coded and NAMED!!!  Oh Happy Day - no more picking up the wrong one!!!  YIPPEEE!!!  :)

Now I really should be doing things in preparation for Christmas, but instead I'm going to show you some pics of how this machine works!!  :)
The Grand Calibur has to have the ridges of the die facing up, so to make sure my Large Circle Nestabilities die doesn't move, I've taped it with some Scotch Removable Magic Tape where I want it to stay.  I have a roll of this permanently on my desk!  The Poppies are from JustRite Stamper's Plant a Little Love stamp set.
This is the sandwich for cutting with your Spellbinders dies, from the bottom -
*Gray A Plate
* Then your die (that I've taped to my poppies image)
*Paper/Cardstock
*White C Plate
Make sure your sandwich is flat and then place it into the mouth of the Grand Calibur and wind the handle!  Yep, this one is a winder, not a crank action like the Wizard, and it is SOOOOOOO smooth!!!
To emboss the edges of your shape, leave the paper/cardstock in your die (it cuts so well that your paper will just pop out easily - beautiful crisp cutting!!!) and follow this sandwich -
* Gray A Plate
* Die with paper still inside
* Tan Embossing Mat (comes with the Grand Calibur)
* Pink B Plate

Make sure your sandwich is flat and put it through the Grand Calibur!!  Remember I said it was a winder and how smooth it was??  Here is my 3yr old winding the embossing sandwich through - she loves helping!  ;-)

Look at the beautiful embossing result the Grand Calibur gives....

To give a comparison between machines, I cut and embossed two of the Heirloom Ornaments dies (same size,  both using Very Vanilla Cardstock) and here is the result....
The Grand Calibur's embossing is SO much sharper!!!

If you've stayed with me this long - thanks for indulging me today with my new toy machine, actually the box says it's not a toy, but it sure is lots of fun!!!  :)

Hugs
Kathy  :)

FTC - Grand Calibur graciously provided by Spellbinders for me to play with!!  :)

25 comments:

Janie Printz said...

Ok now I'm JEALOUS !!! You must let me know how you like it as it's on my wish list !!! It SURE embosses beautifully. I have the Wizard & love the look it gives but it's a workout to use.
Hugs, Janie

Dawn said...

awesome! great post Kathy!!!

Liz Weber said...

Wow Kathy you make the Grand Calibur look good. I haven't even got one yet so I am green with envy. Have fun creating even more gorgeous creations with yours.

Marisa said...

I can just imagine you squealing with delight LOL! Lucky are you!! Can't believe the difference in the embossing. Have fun playing with your new toy!! Heck if boys can have toys so can girls :)

Lovely Linda said...

Hello Kathy - how exciting for you - mine arrived yesterday too and I have found the same thing with the embossing - gorgeous!! I love your samples - your DD looks like her Mummy! Enjoy Kathy - we will enjoy seeing your beautiful creations you make with it! {{{hugs}}}

Leigh said...

Oh my goodness, I would have been so over the moon. Absolutely fabulous machine. The difference in the embossing is remarkable.
Enjoy your new 'toy'. lol

Leslie Miller said...

I just received my machine today and I, too, am in LOVE! Now awaiting some of those giant dies to take full advantage of this big and beautiful instrument!

Mickie said...

Congrats Kathy, oooo, I want one of those soooo bad!!

Sabrina Jackson said...

Kathy, firstlet me say, I am super happy for you that you've got this awesome Grand Calibur!! Your card is amazing and your coloring over the top gorgeous!!! Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!! Hugs and blessings Sabrina

Becca Feeken said...

Yay Kathy!! Awesome tutorial!! I can't wait to see what lovely creations you come up with!!

Tracey Feeger said...

Oh boo hoo. I won't get mine until after Christmas. Looks great. Can't wait to play with mine when I get it.
mwah
Trace

Melisa Waldorf said...

I got one too!!! Your tutorial is fabulous! Thanks for taking the time to share with us during this very busy holiday season! Have a blessed week!

Debby said...

Gorgeous coloring...and the embossing is great...and did I mention I am also envious...LOL...Enjoy your new toy...yep we can have toys too!!!

CherylQuilts said...

Beautiful, Kathy; I so love this image! BTW, I use Post-It notes to secure my image to the die...really works well, and I can use the note over again. I LOVE this new Calibur...what a big difference in embossing. And I love the larger opening. Hmmmm...my DH already did Christmas shopping...what's next? :-)

Sarah Bennett said...

What a great introduction to what looks like a wonderful little machine! I loved reading of your excitement as you greeted your mail carrier, lol! And how cute is your little helper daughter?!
Have fun with your new toy; I am anxious to see what other beautiful creations you come up with using this!

pam124 said...

Woo Hoo Kathy, a new "not toy" to play with. I don't get much chance to visit your wonderful blog, but thought I'd pop over as I saw a photo of your daughter using your new toy. It sounds wonderful and I KNOW you will love it. Just more to compete with my friend!! LOL!!

Auntie Em said...

I have not come across anything I would replace my little green cuttlebug with...until now. That baby's awesome!
Thanks for sharing and making me drool! :o)
Enjoy your toy!!!

Marilyn Nimmo said...

CONGRATULATIONS on your new toy! So much fun!

Becky said...

Great post. I am thinking of getting one of these.

Consuella Jackson said...

I'm going to get one as a New Year's present to myself! Oh, that means I'll have to buy new dies to go with it. So many toys and so little money. That's okay, I won't eat next month.

Christy Farneth-Kerr said...

Wow I am so happy for you :) your work is amazing and now with a new toy we will get to see more :) I can't wait !!

Stacy Morgan said...

LOL I had used my CB for everything also... Now we get the real deal. hee hee Exciting isn't it. Merry Christmas if I don't see you before Sat. Hugs...

wanda50 said...

Great tutorial girlfriend...you sure are making it hard for me to remain a good girl...hee...hee...hee...
Santa got me one for Christmas...I am being so good by not playing with it until Christmas Day!!! I have one set of Grand Nesties....Labels 4...just waiting for me to play with. I'm a happy camper....Again...Thanks and Merry Christmas To You and Your Family!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tutorial, Kathy. Now...for the big question! Do I need to ask Santa to bring me one? LOL! Merry Christmas, my friend! :)

Peachy Wessels said...

You will love this new machine, judging by how beautiful all of your cards are and how many times you use the Spellbinder Dies! I love mine, and only wish that I had more time to play (create)! Enjoy it!

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