Wednesday, October 29, 2008

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)

40 comments:

Unknown said...

So clever and crafty. Ty for sharing.

Heidi Kimmerly said...

You are a genius but then I knew that from looking at your blog!LOL! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of making the transparency templates. I've used paper ones with my Nestabilities, but I never thought to make them on a transparency! Thank you again for sharing with us!

Anonymous said...

This is a fabulous idea, Mel! I may have to use this idea with my punches too. Thanks so much for sharing.

Allison Rankin said...

You're just smarter than the average bear, aren't you?

Kim Etherington said...

These are great great great. We are so lucky to have you sharing these genius ideas with us for free!

Lorraine said...

What a fantastic idea going to do it straight away, thanks Mel.

Jami said...

You are just full of marvelous ideas!! I love the transparencies - wow, that would've saved me a lot of boo-boos!!
hugs, Jami

Paula's ponderings said...

You never cease to amaze me at your ingenuity young lady!Brilliant idea!

Godelieve said...

Clever idea!

Whimsical Wendy said...

Fantabulous idea Mel!! Thanks for sharing, you're a gem ;-) xx

Jeanne said...

This is one of those... now why didn't I think of that moments...(because I'm not near clever enough-that's why)

Thanks SO very much for sharing!

mudmaven said...

What great, wonderful, stupendous ideas you share with us every day! Thanks so much! ~chris

Shari said...

How clever Mel! I'm organizing my sewing/stamping/paper crafting room LOL right! I sure can use these ideas and thanks for the binder tip.

Yesterday's Tomorrow said...

AWESOME idea!
-thanks lady! ;)

Jessica Diedrich said...

You rock, girlie! Whan awesome (and ORGANIZED!) idea! I'd love to hire you and bring you to my house for a week LOL! Seriously, this is really clever and a wonderful idea :)

Eve said...

You are a girl after my own heart!
LOVE this idea!!!
Thanks for sharing-
Kindly,
~Eve

Suzanne C said...

DOH! I can't believe I didn't think of this.. Can't tell you how many of these little pieces I have sitting on the sidelines because I ended up not using them. If I just kept them together I can see what is going to fit.. Great suggestions!

Joani McDonald said...

I've punched out all my punches and kept them on a key ring ~ but to put them on clear is brilliant! Mel, you are too smart!!! No wonder your my stamping hero!
Big Hugs,
Joani

Eve said...

BTW-
Glad to see you are a LOST fan!!!
I LOVE Jack!!!!!!!
Kindly,
~Eve
PS- the trailer does not show that much more than we have already seen. I TOTALLY need to re-watch all of them. There is always SO much that you miss- and how it all pieces together!

Karen Lindsay said...

I think you must lie awake at night with all the thoughts that must be running through your mind. :) This is a great idea! It'll take a while with all the Nesties I have, but will be well worth the effort in the long run. Thank you!!

Karen

Shirley said...

Thanks for the great tips on how to keep track and use the dies, Mel!

Janine said...

You EXHAUST me!!!
Thanks for all you do Mel!!

Sheila said...

My word.......what a fabulous idea.
I know what I will be doing when I have my Christmas break.
You are an angel
Hugs
Sheila-x-

Erum Tasneem said...

Damn! Do you do anything else other than think about this stuff? I am amazed Mel! Seriously I am. You are the TECHINQUE QUEEN!

Kate's Life said...

What a great idea! I am so going to do this right now!!!
Thank you so much for sharing all of your amazing ideas! You are the go to gal Mel!

Sharon said...

You're post are so informative. Thanks for the help with posting links. Sharon

Anonymous said...

Mel, I did find it very useful. Thanks for sharing. As a matter of fact all your posts are wonderful. I admire people who think out of the box. My chemo brain is getting better but I'm not there yet.
Carmen

Curt in Indy said...

I'm telling you Mel, you need to write a book! I'd be the first in line to buy it! You are amazing! Best, Curt

Cathrine StClair said...

Totally clever! You are one creative chick!

How about coming over and getting me organized!! Maybe some of that creativity will rub off.

Hey - I did put all my markers in color order in a stand instead of the big plastic bag. Does that count?

Elena said...

What a brilliant idea! It saves you time for finding the right size and save your money as well! Thank you, Mel, for your great discovery!

Melanie said...

This is a great idea, I used to do this with all my punches to see how diffent images would look through the hole, and with as much as I use them on my blogging I'v emeanign to number all the sizes for me but los to help people know which to use in a post...I'm sure I'll get aroiudn to it someday!!!! TF the inspiration/motivation!

Anonymous said...

Great idea!

Julia said...

Great idea!!

retiredheather said...

So many great ideas on one blog. Thanks so much for this idea. It will certainly be useful. A Huge Thanks with a Big Hug.
Heather

Annapurna said...

No wonder your creations look so gorgeous. You put your whole mind into them. How clever to do all that and try out. I just lay the die on my image and see what looks good. Cut it out? Don't like? Throw it in the use later pile :-)
Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

What a great way to make your Nestabilities very usable. I had done this in a small way, but this is even better. Thanks, Mel.

Swedie

Nancy Jensen said...

You are uber talented and organized! What an amazing idea! Creative Memories had these types of templates for their custom cutting system and I love it. I just never thought of making my own for all my punches and nesties!

Just a quick and probably dumb question... where do I get the overhead transparencies?

Unknown said...

OMG all that work and such a good idea, thanks for sharing. My mojo gone at the moment so this is perfect to do till I find my mojo lol I have to keep the cerial packiging and gonna see if I can find all my saved up see through packiging, thank you

Nancy Ward said...

Wanted you to know I posted a link to this tutorial today.

Nancy Ward
PaperFriendly
Http://www.nancywardcrafts.com