Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Thursday 25 July 2013

Cutting an 8'' x 8" Embossing Folder Down To a 6" x 8"

{Warning - Picture heavy post }
Hullo there everyone! Firstly a big welcome to Wonderful Encourager, Jean of My Crafty Corner - do check out her special post ~ an amazing card! 
Well, today sharing a wonderful folder...seen over here on B. of Floral Fantasies  -  her beautiful Aussie card (there it is a lovely stamp too). I just fell in love with the folder, and asked her what it was and found out it was Crafter's Companion Die'sire Embossalicious Embossing Folder - Regency Swirls,
 Did a search, found well priced one here in Oz, with $2.50 post - how good is that??
  BUT!! major problem.. it was 8 x 8" and I don't possess anything bigger than a Big Shot which max. size folder is 6'' x 8".
So what does a girl do?? give up?? well, wiser ones probably would. However I had been looking for the style of this folder for ages. So had a think and pray.. and emailed B. "Hey, maybe I could make it into a 6" x 8" by cutting it down?"
  B. was not discouraging, so perhaps with more bravado than wisdom went ahead and ordered it. Fine - till it arrived and saw how it was hinged. My heart sank.
It had two smaller hinges on either side not all the way across like all of my other folders, and if cut it to just six inches wide, I would loose one hinge.
So left on bench all day kept looking at it and praying.. then came up with the double cutting solution. ie cut it both sides.So took off bit which is generally wasted edge on one side + bit more to move it over so still had hinge. 
*Mm, pity this ex-school teacher could not spell permanent! .
  Used X-cut corner punch to round corner, I prob blunted it a bit. Sanded all rough edges with real sand paper. Craft sanding blocks not strong enough.
 Here are the two pieces of folder embossed and inked up.. dont they look great?
My 6" X 8" folder ~ so wonderful! not perfect but great!! Okay so now it is a "-Mbossalicous" folder - it lost the "E". If you have any questions on this just ask.
One warning - you do need to be very careful cutting it as it can split a little in the wrong direction if you are not careful. So it was rather a case of holding my breath, and praying all would be well, as I did it a few times.
 
Here have embossed white sheet of card then stamped in Versamark and gold embossing powder a few times over to the ultra beautiful gold sheet which used on this upcycled Christmas card. The gold leafed imaged was lifted directly from an old card and framed with X-cut rectangles die and card to match. Am totally in love with this folder and it was all soooo worth it.
Thanks so much for popping, thanks even more if you stop for a chat! I will visit your place too, if time permits :D 
 No WOYWW this week as things are too busy for visiting satisfactorily.
May the LORD really bless your day wherever you may be!    
 Shaz. in Oz.x
I would like to link this card over to the following challenges:

29 comments:

brenda said...

Sheer determination on your part Shaz, but I didn't for a moment doubt you would achieve your goal. Well done and enjoy, I think it's my fav folder too.

B x

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Fantastic,
love it
hugs Tamara

Sarn said...

WOW - FABULOUS embossing folder and I love how you've carefully cut it down to suit. The card is AMAZING.

Thank you for joining in with Rudolph Day.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Kathyk said...

STUNNING!

Kathyk

Di said...

Absolutely gorgeous card Shaz! Wow, how brave to tackle cutting down that embossing folder - but so worth it as it's a really beautiful design!

Hugs, Di xx

Carol Willis said...

Gorgeous card Shaz and thanks for the little tutorial.
Hugs
Caz x

sharon said...

Shaz I had also wondered about cutting them down as they are such lovely design and a great price.
Thank-you for showing us that it was possible :)
hugs
sharon

Stephanie said...

Thanks for the helpful information, Shaz. And the card looks wonderful :)

Hugs!

Jean said...

Thank you so much for adding a link to my blog, much appreciated.
You are very brave to attempt cutting up a new EF, but the result is great. It is a lovely design. Thanks for showing us it's possible.
I love how your finished card looks too.
Jean x

Elizabeth said...

Hi Shaz, well, I've just got to admire your determination and your ingenuity. The end result was just so worth it, a beautifully embossed design, and the card is gorgeous too. Thanks for sharing - I'll know that it is possible to cut a folder down if I ever see a design I just have to have :) Hugs, Elizabeth xx

Hazel said...

Well worth doing - fab result. Thanks for linking for my CHNC challenge extra for July - hope to see you again soon. x

Betsy said...

Beautiful card Shaz! And a wonderful verse on it.

Blessings,
Betsy

Karen Letchworth said...

WOW, thanks so much for sharing your tricks and tips with us. It's always good to learn from others and to know how beautiful pieces of art are made. Thanks for being such a blessing to our challenge blog and for continuing to share with us. May God richly bless your week with His goodness and love.
Blessings,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

scrappymo! said...

Your finished card is well worth all the effort...beautiful card Shaz!

Jo Ann said...

Wonderful background paper you created here. It surely provide a wonderful touch to your sweet verse/sentiment. We are blessed that you played with us at Word Art Wednesday this week. Hugs!

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com

Shelly Schmidt said...

Beautifully embossed cardstock- love the gold! I have never seen an 8x8 EF- but love the idea of cutting an EF down to fit your desired size.

Debbie Harris said...

I stoped by to say hello. I found you through my daughter's blog theenchantingrose. You live in some beautiful God created country!
I enjoyed looking around your blog and seeing the beautiful work of your hands.
The Lord bless you!

MaryH said...

What creativity & determination you have! You prayed, you solved & you created a wonderful & beautiful folder that now fits your needs. Loved the gorgeous results you achieved on your Christmas card. I have some dup folders that I may just try your idea & see what I can create! As always, such an inspiration you are, Miss Sharon. Have a wonderful day. Hugs &TFS

Mrs.D said...

As usual all you stuff is so wonderful. The embossed paper look really expensive and I loved the message on the card,
Missed you on WOYWW so glad I found you today,
God bless you
Chris xx

Cathy said...

Hi Shaz, how brave and tenacious you are! Great job cutting the folder back and the dp you created is awesome, beautiful card :) Cathy x

ANNETTE HUSBAND said...

Hi Shaz
Love all your tips and techniques. Sorry i missed getting around to return a visit to you the other fortnight for WOYWW. My shoulder is worse and I gave up after a few tries. I see the specilqist this tuesday at last. I have a soare hour today so just now getting back to some i missed :). I really love this flourish folder you cut down. Just gorgeous!
Hugs
Annette

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

You are brave, cutting into that folder, but you got some lovely results. Hope you are feeling a little better today. I shall be glad when today is sorted. the scaffolding should be coming down this morning, but in the middle of that and dealing with the dogs, I have to finish a card for a baby who was born at the beginning of May, make the envelope, wrap her presents, unpick the seam on the jacket I knitted so that I can do it right, and put together her family tree. I can only do the English side of her family, as I cannot trace her Spanish side - that will give her parents something to do, anyway. All this has to be done by lunchtime - Help!!!! The builders have not finished yet as I have a list of other jobs that need doing, things to be finished etc, but nothing as big as the roof, I hope. Have a good week, and thank you for your continuing support and friendship. xx Maggie

Hettie said...

Well done Shaz. I have thought about doing it (or rather getting Hubby to do it - he is an Engineer after all!) but not been brave enough. But you have done a cracking job and your perseverance has paid off dividends. This card is wonderful and I love it.
Hugs
xx

Rossella said...

So beautiful
Rosie x

Glenda said...

So glad you didn't give up! What a wonderful embossing folder! I understand why you wanted it so badly!

Karen said...

Gorgeous card, love how you cut down the embossing folder. I'm not so sure I could take a knife/scissors to them but it worked out well for you, well done! Karen x

Ginny Maxam said...

Great tutorial Shaz, Great idea!!! I have a couple of those too I couldn't imagine what I would have used them for, they came with the machine!! I love the card you made too it is stunning!! Did you hand to the calligraphy??
Hugs,
Ginny M

Karen Letchworth said...

Hi again Shaz! Here's something I meant to mention. I wanted to stop by again to let you know that I am participating in a Blog Hop this weekend (Friday - Sunday) and I'd love to invite you to hop along with us for the chance at winning a fabulous prize of stamps. You can check it out either at my blog:
www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com
Or at the Paper Sweeties Blog here:
www.papersweeties.com
I hope you will stop by and have fun with us.
Blessings to you,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

Shoshi said...

Hi Shaz, thanks for your response to my cry for help. Various things to try there. However, it seems to be working OK on our blog - so far everything looks normal!

Love what you've done with the embossing folder - clever you. I love the gold effect you've got - it really glows. Your Christians text stamps are beautiful, too - what beautiful cards they make.

Thanks again!
Shoshi

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