Notes to Self on Using the Anna Griffin Fantastic Flip Card Dies

Sooooo, I did succumb to the lure of Anna Griffin on HSN and have to admit that I enjoyed putting together the cards in the kit in as many different ways as I could think of.  However, I really, really wanted to try out the dies that came with the kit and when I finally acquired the extended platform plates for my Big Shot, I was ready to go.

Here's what I learned:-

*  Close your eyes, grit your teeth and ignore the cracking and popping of the plates as you crank the Big Shot sandwich through.    I understand that it does the same in the Cuttlebug.

*  Anna does not include a die that will cut a frame for the opening.  I mean, really?  Plan A - Searching Design Space, I could not find a frame of the same proportions, even among Anna's carts.  On to Plan B - I folded a 4 by 6 inch piece of cardstock and inserted it at the frame end of the die before cranking it through.  This is what's left over when the frame cut is removed.

Unfortunately, the frame cut in two parts but when glued around the opening, I found that it presented a perfect opportunity for embellishment.

And using patterned paper worked well too.

*  Using double sided paper gives a variety of interesting results.  The embellishments that come in the kit are printed on one side only and to my mind, look ugly and unfinished on the inside of the card.  Using double sided paper with the small embellishment dies results in a nicer look inside.  And, because the cardstock is generally thicker, there isn't the need to strengthen the outer edge of the flip fold. (Since this is the edge that holds the embellishments, it needs all the strength it can get!)

*  The smaller dies work with the Sizzix magnetic plate and are held firmly in place for the second, embossing pass.

*  The quality of the dies is not what I expected from Anna Griffin and I reverted to my good old Heartfelt Creations dies and stamps to embellish this card.

*  The more cards I made, the more frustrated I became with the fact that they will not fold flat.   I did try running the folded card through the Big Shot before embellishment, but it wasn't much better.

You know, I think I'll put the dies in my next garage sale and continue to use the Flip cards on the Artfully Sent cart.  Sigh!  Here's a couple of You Tube videos I found particularly useful:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k53icPsCzBM&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJqZice8Kqg


Thank you for visiting with me today.   : )  Christine

Anna Griffin Fantastic Flips Cards

 The bad news is that I succumbed to the lure of the Anna Griffin Fantastic Flips card kit recently offered on HSN.   The good news is that I DIDN'T get the auto ship option!  (DH was not impressed, however.  LOL!)

 So, we were off in our RV last week to the southern Oregon coast for our Spring Break trip and the weather was just gorgeous!  DH went fishing in the bay with a buddy and I unpacked my Anna Griffin kit while Cocoa and Katie lay in the sun and snoozed.
 

 I like this style of card very much because it has plenty of room for embellishment AND for adding a personal message to the recipient.  I don't like that the card will not stay closed and lay flat when not in the envelope but that doesn't seem to bother anyone else!  Anyway, I had fun for a couple of hours making cards for all occasions and then got very bored with embellishing with just flowers and butterflies.  The unfinished cards got packed away until I have access to the variety of embellishments in my craftroom.   I can't wait to try the accompanying dies out for myself.

 Here's a look at three of the cards I made:-

And to my surprise, I found that I really like this unadorned sympathy card: -

A couple of pictures for my anti-Facebook DS.   Katie the water dog:-

And here's what Cocoa has to put up with!   Good job he's a mellow, yellow labradoodle!

Thanks for visiting with me today.  Happy Sunday!  : )  Christine