Author: Sharon Curtis

I've been papercrafting since 2002, and am a Freelance Creative Designer. I work for various craft companies, but the majority of my work is for Sizzix, and I will be sharing details of my TV shows on Create and Craft as well as (hopefully), helpful tutorials and step by steps. Thanks for joining me!

Eileen Hull Sizzix Chapter 4 Launch Party

Chapter 4 is finally here! Each release is so exciting and it never gets old…

Eileen has 3 products in this release, all a little bit different.

First up is the Geometric box, here’s what Eileen had to say about it…

The Geometric Box is a different kind of design for me. I love the ease of assembly, the unique shape and and the possibility of expanding the box into larger containers! This is a ScoreBoards die so it may be cut from sturdy materials like matboard, chipboard, metal, leather and fabric. The finished box measures 4” h x 3” w x 4” d… or so… a fun feature of this die is that it adapts to how you shape it. You’ll see 🙂 Watch my livestream videos to show how to expand the possibilities of this die.

Use the Geometric Box for storage- for pencils, silverware, flowers, or tools. The box may also be used as a gift container- imagine adding teabags, a pretty silver spoon and a bow as a get well gift!

And here’s my project using the Geometric box, I decided to make a little gift box, using Rose Gold Texture roll to cover my box, and then I cut some extra panels and embossed them with the Acorns embossing folder by Tim Holtz. I had some ceramic knobs lying around and I thought the bright blue would look lovely against the rose gold. I created a little hinge for the lid, just with a couple of strips of texture roll.

Next is the beautiful sunflower…..

The Sunflower is a Bigz L steel rule die- designed to cut and score a myriad of materials. The Sunflower is BIG- it measures about 4″ across and comes with a leaf, three sizes of petals and a flower center! Stack layers of petals to make a traditional sunflower, or change colors and create a pink coneflower. The basic shape is there for you to create your own flowers! Make a stem for the flower using wire and your Twist and Style Tool. The coordinating Geometric Box die works perfectly as a vase.

I love the big bold size of the sunflower, it would be great cut from felt for home decor projects. I have other things in mind for this, as I like Autumn projects and feel that the sunflower works so well with Autumn schemes. I decided to make a card and combine the sunflower with one of the new Sizzix Stencil sets.

Last up for this release is a fabulous 3D embossing folder. I love the vintage style to this. Here’s what Eileen had to say about it…..

I love the whimsical patterns of vintage cutlery and that’s why I created this Silverware 3D embossing folder! The design is so detailed you can actually see a tiny bride and groom on the handle of a cake server.

This folder is perfect for creating seating charts, menus, invitations, cards and recipe books. You would be surprised at the many materials you can emboss- metal, paper, cardboard, Sizzix texture roll and more. Once you have embossed the image, rub a light coat of a metallic Luster Wax over the top of the design and you have an amazing result!

I haven’t had a chance to make anything with the embossing folder yet, but I have lots of ideas! I’m on Create and Craft TV with this new release on 17/18th October so by then I should have lots of fabulous projects to share with you!

GIVEWAY – Enter the giveaway! Join us at 5pm UK time/12.00 Eastern on Tuesday 4 October in the Eileen Hull FB group or YouTube. Comment below the Release Party video and answer this question, “What would you create with these dies?” We loved hearing all your amazing ideas last time and want to hear more! Extra points for creativity 🙂 There will be two winners- one on Facebook and one on YouTube. Entries closed at 5:00 pm on Oct. 10. Winners will be announced on Eileen’s Tuesday 10/11 livestream.”

Sizzix Chapter 4 on Create & Craft 5/6 October

I’m back at Create and Craft this Wednesday and Thursday with some very cute Chapter 4 Sizzix dies. This cute little guy is from the Floral Safari set. There’s also a lovely elephant and zebra, with stamps to create little extra details.

Next up is the lovely Birds and Blossom set, this framed piece shows all the dies in the set, which make a beautiful piece of art, but you can use all the elements individually for some lovely card designs.

This collection is full of cute animals, and the Arctic Animals set is no exception. Love this little husky.

These finger puppets are really fun. Great for kids parties, but you can also snip off the bottom to use them on card fronts.

Finally, the Adornment Impresslit embossing folder creates this rather elegant mandala design with so much detail.

The show times are as follows (but check the schedule as they are subject to change – 5 October at 4pm and 8pm, then 6 October at 8am.

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Sizzix Arctic Animals die set
Sizzix Arctic Animals die set
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SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Floral Safari die set
Sizzix Floral Safari die set
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SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Birds & Blossoms die set
Sizzix Birds & Blossoms die set
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SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Animal Finger Puppets die set
Sizzix Animal Finger Puppets die set
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Sizzix Impresslits Adornment embossing folder
Sizzix Impresslits Adornment embossing folder
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SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Moon Light embossing folder
Sizzix Moon Light embossing folder
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SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Mark Making Hearts embossing folder
Sizzix Mark Making Hearts embossing folder
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SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Quirky Florals embossing folder
Sizzix Quirky Florals embossing folder
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Spellbinders Folk Song & Peace and Joy

I had fun creating this card with the new Spellbinders Folk Song die set and Peace and Joy stamp set.

There’s a video showing how I made the card if you’d like to see the process:

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Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
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Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
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Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
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Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
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Sizzix Big Shot Express machine
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Spellbinders Folk Song die set
Spellbinders Folk Song die set
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SP		 Spellbinders Peace & Joy stamp set
Spellbinders Peace & Joy stamp set
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SP		 Studio Katia Pick up Tool
Studio Katia Pick up Tool
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SSS

Card making class in Bromsgrove 17 September

It’s Christmas card making this week for my regular card class. Although I have thrown in a couple of Autumn cards too. I do have a couple of spaces still, so if you are interested in joining us, then drop me a message.

Spellbinders UK Website Launch celebration and blog hop

To celebrate the launch of their new UK website, Spellbinders are holding a blog hop today, and I’m honoured to have been asked to join in. This is going to allow shoppers from the UK and Europe to shop for Spellbinders more easily.

So let me share my project for the blog hop. I used the new Camper Life die set to create this fun Christmas card (this set is available from 14 August, so you’ll find it in the coming soon section of the website).

I also created a video tutorial for this card, so if you’d like a detailed look at how I made it, then here’s the video….

So now for the blog hop info! Most importantly, there is a giveaway! Spellbinders are giving away a £25 gift certificate to 3 lucky blog readers selected from the comments on their blog. Giveaway closes on Sunday August 14th 11.59pm EDT. The winners will be announced the following Wednesday. Winner is responsible for shipping costs, duties and taxes.

BLOG HOP ORDER

Spellbinders Blog
Yana Smakula
Vicky Papaioannou
Bibi Cameron
Michelle Short
Sharon Curtis YOU ARE HERE
Gemma Campbell
Lisa Tilson
Angela Tombari
Natasha Davies

Thanks for joining in, I’ve really enjoyed taking part in this hop and have especially enjoyed seeing all the beautiful creations from the rest of the blog hoppers.

Don’t forget to have a look at the new UK website if you’re in the UK or Europe.

Sizzix Eileen Hull Chapter 3 Release Party

Today is launch day for Eileen’s new Sizzix release, it’s a fabulous collection and I can’t wait to bring these dies and embossing folders to Create and Craft in a couple of week’s time.

First, there’s a look at all the elements:

Here’s the info from Eileen herself on her thinking behind this collection –

“I am so excited to share my Chapter 3 Sizzix die collection! Each piece in the set stands alone but also coordinates with the others to make a truly versatile and valuable addition to your collection.

The ScoreBoards Skinny Mini Book Box is a really great size- it measures 6 3/4″ x 4″ with an adjustable built in spine from 3/8″ to 2 1/4″. This die may be used to create a book by die cutting two covers OR a box if you add the side pieces to the covers. If you add the box supports, it will hold mini-slimline size cards.

The Skinny Mini Elements Thinlits will cut a cool star pattern that perfectly covers the front of the Skinny Mini book or the front of a slimline card. And you can also expand the size of the design to create a whole page pattern.

I have been wanting to make a Card Caddy die for a while… so many people are making cards these days that I figured that they would love to have the ability to make a really pretty container to hold them. I love the shape of this box and it goes together so quickly- also fun to decorate! It will hold cards up to 5 1/4″ wide.

The 3D folder is called Woven Leather and it looks so realistic! Makes a great background for cards, journal pages or covers”.

I’m already thinking that card caddy’s filled with cards would make lovely Christmas presents, so that’s something else to add to my ‘to do’ list!

I’m also very happy to have another journal option – I absolutely love making journals, and how lovely does the Skinny Mini Elements die look on the front?

It also looks beautiful on a card front (and of course the card fits nicely inside both the book and the caddy).

SO NOW FOR THE IMPORTANT INFO!

There’s a blog hop to celebrate the launch as well as a FB live. Pop over to Eileen’s blog for all the details. There’s also some prizes, so make sure you catch the live!

I’ll be on Create and Craft TV on the 22 August with the release, so you can expect to see more creations and inspiration from me over the next couple of weeks.

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Sizzix Wild Blooms #2
Sizzix Wild Blooms #2
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CS | SBC		 Sizzix Wild Blossom Borders
Sizzix Wild Blossom Borders
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CS | SBC		 Sizzix Wild Blossom Corners
Sizzix Wild Blossom Corners
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CS | SBC		 Sizzix Eileen Hull Skinny Mini Elements die
Sizzix Eileen Hull Skinny Mini Elements die
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Sizzix Eileen Hull Skinny Mini Book Box
Sizzix Eileen Hull Skinny Mini Book Box
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Eileen Hull Scoreboards Card Caddy
Sizzix Eileen Hull Scoreboards Card Caddy
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SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Eileen Hull Embossing Folder Woven Leather
Sizzix Eileen Hull Embossing Folder Woven Leather
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
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Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
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Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz
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Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
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Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
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Sizzix Big Shot Express machine
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Tim Holtz Chapter 2 on Create & Craft 15 July

I’m at Create and Craft TV this Friday with some of my favourite Tim Holtz dies. I obviously love the floral dies, as florals are always my faves, but the bold sentiments are so great to work with them – or for quick cards with a nice bold sentiment, I just love them.

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Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #2
Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #2
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Sidekick
Sizzix Sidekick
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SSS | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Tim Holtz Bold Text #1
Sizzix Tim Holtz Bold Text #1
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Tim Holtz Bold Text #2
Sizzix Tim Holtz Bold Text #2
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Sizzix Tim Holtz Simple Plaid
Sizzix Tim Holtz Simple Plaid
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Butterflies
Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Butterflies
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Flowers #3
Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Flowers #3
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Flowers #4
Sizzix Tim Holtz Brushstroke Flowers #4
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Sizzix Tim Holtz Modern Floristry
Sizzix Tim Holtz Modern Floristry
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Doily embossing folder Tim Holtz
Sizzix Doily embossing folder Tim Holtz
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Effectz White Gesso Primer
Sizzix Effectz White Gesso Primer
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SSS | CS | SBC		 Ranger Tim Holtz Texture Crackle paste
Ranger Tim Holtz Texture Crackle paste
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Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
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SBC
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway Tim Holtz
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
Sizzix Big Shot Foldaway
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Express machine
Sizzix Big Shot Express machine
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SSS | AZ | CS | SBC

Card Making Class 16 July in Bromsgrove

I’m starting my regular card making classes in Bromsgrove again, and I can’t wait!

The first class will be Saturday 16 July, 10am to 4pm. I do currently have a couple of places left so if you’re interested please email me – backdated@hotmail.com.

This class is all about general everyday cards – and you’ll notice a few of these will work for men as one of my ladies requested some ideas for men (always the most difficult to make I think).

Sizzix Eileen Hull Shadow Box dies

I made this lovely framed piece recently for a Facebook live, so thought I’d share some instructions on making it.

I used the largest frame die from the Shadow Box #2 set for the frame, and cut it four times to make a square.

This frame measures 15.5cm x 15.5cm, so I cut a piece of kraft card that size for the backing, then added some pale aqua card to the front.

I then used a Tim Holtz stencil (THS004) to add some uneven stripes with Sizzix Texture paste. I then added some Prima Sparks acrylic paint on top, in a rainbow. For the rest of the background I did a little bit of stamping in brown ink (Tim Holtz Papillon and Studio Light Jenine’s Mindful Art Collection). Once the ink had dried I dry-brushed some gesso on the background.

To create a little ledge for the houses, I cut two strips of mat board and stuck them back to back, then covered with a piece of frayed burlap. I cut the houses from kraft card and backed them with some patterned paper and an old book page. I added them with foam pads to give a bit of dimension.

I then dry-brushed some gesso on the frame, on the front and sides, then added some Tim Holtz Crackle Texture paste with a spatula and set aside to dry.

Thanks for popping by today, I’ll list below the main products used.

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Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #1
Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #1
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #2
Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #2
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Shadowbox Elements
Sizzix Shadowbox Elements
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix EH Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing folder
Sizzix EH Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing folder
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Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
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SBC
Sizzix Effectz White Gesso Primer
Sizzix Effectz White Gesso Primer
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SSS | CS | SBC		 Ranger Tim Holtz Texture Crackle paste
Ranger Tim Holtz Texture Crackle paste
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SSS | CS | SBC

More Sizzix Eileen Hull Shadow Boxes

I’m back to share some more shadow boxes ahead of my Sizzix shows on Create and Craft this Thursday and Friday. It’s a One Day Special, so I’ll be on at 6pm and 9pm on Thursday 19th, and 10am and 2pm on Friday 20th. Hope you can join me!

Of course, you don’t have to use die cuts with the shadow boxes, they are great for creating frames for your favourite stamped artwork. For this one I used one of the Miss Dee stamp sets by Aall & Create as I thought this one in particular worked really well with the dies.

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Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #1
Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #1
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Sizzix Shadowbox Frames #2
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Shadowbox Elements
Sizzix Shadowbox Elements
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Wild Blooms #1
Sizzix Wild Blooms #1
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CS | SBC
Sizzix EH Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing folder
Sizzix EH Crochet Mandala 3D Embossing folder
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SSS | SZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine white
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting machine
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC		 Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine Tim Holtz Black
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SSS | SZ | AZ | CS | SBC
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
Sizzix Big Shot Switch Plus Electric die cutting machine cherry blossom
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SBC