Nifty Homemade Nestabilities Templates (for using Nesties or other dies or punches)

click photos to see the details up close (return with back button)

I made some nifty Nestabilities templates (or guides) out of overheads, and I thought I'd share how-to, in case you might find them as handy-dandy as I have.

All you need is:
Cardboard or Cardstock to die cut
Cheap overhead sheet (or flat clear plastic from packaging)
Your Nestabilities (or other dies) & machine, (or punches or paper templates.)
A permanent marker

Step 1) Cut shapes with your dies--one of all in each set of Nestabilities (or whatever dies you have)

You can use low quality cardstock for this. The cardboard that comes in Stampin' Up! designer series papers is perfect for this (especially since it's not acid free so it shouldn't be stored in with your papers anyhow.)



Step 2) Lay die cut shapes on transparency

Any transparency will do (or even plastic from packaging if you have some.)
White printer paper under your transparency helps you see your tracing.



Step 3) trace die cut shapes with permanent marker

Some Ideas:

Make doubles: I made two transparencies of each shape so I could layer them with each other, and see what they would look like die cut and layered (but without ever having to cut into paper.) :O) You could also layer templates of all your different shaped Nestabilities. Then, you can see how different shapes would look with each other: for instance, a square with a circle cut out of it or vice versa.

Scan & print multiples: If you want to make sets as gifts for stamping friends, you can scan them and print them on overhead/acetate sheets that are made for your printer. (Though these are more expensive.) Saves you tracing, and you could get all geeky and type labels & the measurements on in photo-editing software if you like.



If you save the die cut shapes you can punch holes in them, label them, & stick 'em on a ring. They are handy too...

Labeling the Template:

If you like, you can write on your template and...

...label with the name of the Nestabilities style
...number the sizes (on the template & then on the Nesties themselves.)
...label with the diameter/measurements of the shape
...include the minimum size of paper piece that you need to use each die
...write which punches work well with them
...or even your favourite sets to use with them

Uses:



Image Framing: Lay over a stamped image, to see how the stamped shape will fit in Nestabilities



Image Selecting: Use to see how cropping portions of the stamp image would look if you were to select them with the die cut.



Framing, Omitting & Layer: Lay a couple of clear templates over each other atop a stamped image (and combine the die-cut cardstock shape too if you like) to see how how portions of the stamp would look if you...

...created a frame with the die cut (Where the black scallop lines on the acetate indicate)
...covered them (the white scallop made of cardstock)
...layered them (did all of the above)
...cut 'em out as a window (which would create a wreath like image cutting out where the white cardboard scallop is & framing where the black scallop line on the overhead shows)




Pattern Selecting: Lay the template over patterned paper (or stamped backgrounds) to see which portion you'd like to die cut



Embossed image selection: Lay the template on Cuttlebug/Big Shot embossed paper to see which area you'd like to die cut, OR better yet, lay it on the embossing folder itself then you can die cut your cardstock first & emboss it second (and no squishy the embossing) :O)

Other uses:

Paper planning:
Use these templates to see how many (of the die size you need) will fit on a sheet of cardstock. This can help you estimate the amount of paper to buy or use for projects.

Scrapbookers,
You can use them to lay over photos and see exactly what you'd capture with each die & then to see which die you'd like to use to make the mat(s).

Template designers,
You can use them to see what die cut shape might work on templates you're creating, as a part of it, or as a cut out in it.

Variations of Clear Templates:

Templates of templates (lol)

Make clear templates of your favourite paper templates or patterns (or just sections of them.) Then, you can place the clear template over patterned or stamped papers to see how you'd like to cut. I would've never realized how cute that scallop in this Basic Grey Ambroisia paper is around the handle of this new bucket handbag template I'm workin' on, without this template thinger.

Templates of punches

Templates of punches are handy 'cause you can layer 'em with your clear nestabilities templates to see...

...how they work together or with other punches,
...where you'd like to punch out of patterned paper
... or where you'd like to punch out of stamped paper or images.

To make clear punch templates, you may want to punch thinner cardstock to make this template (I tried the cardboard from the DSP and it was too thick)

Storing them. I'm keeping 'em in a binder. When I get more, I think I'll use a 3-ring binder, tab them, & separate them with white sheets between each pair.

Hope you found this useful.
Happy Craftin'! :O)