I love one layer cards, and I often like to add something to make them more interesting. Bling, texture, a window. But when I put the cards through my die cut machine with a die or embossing plate, the back layer of the card would always have a mark made by the edge of the plate. Ugh.
I tried various fixes but none of them worked well. Solution? Spellbinders Grand Calibur. The machine has a plate that is 8.5" x almost 12". So I could put my square scalloped die through the machine and the back of the card has no crease. It's the small things that make me happy!
I am lucky. Spellbinders sent the Grand Calibur to me in December because I was a member of the Waltzingmouse Design Team. (Waltzingmouse is a partner with Spellbinders). So I got it for free. Then I quit the Design Team. Claire at Waltzingmouse contacted Spellbinders and explained that I wanted to pay for the machine since I was leaving the Design Team. Spellbinders declined my payment! What a great company. So I got the machine for free and had no obligation to ever mention it. (The Design Team is featuring the product over the next 3 days - I can't wait to see what they did with it!).
But I love the machine and figured I'd share my experience anyway. It has a handle to turn (easy), rather than the Wizard (with the crank). No more shooting plates. The machine has a knob that, when turned, holds the machine to the table. It works. Seriously, that's all I ask of these tools. Just do what you say you are going to do. I'm happy. Very happy. The plates are so big that you can put multiple dies in there at once and cut away. Ok, enough about the machine.
After all, I LOVE THIS CARD! It's pretty and calm and perfect for a wedding. Or just to be nice.
Card Construction Details
1. Cut white card 10 x 5 to make 5" square.
2. Punched 16 flowers with an EK Success punch. (Slimline style -- great for storage, hard on the fingers).
3. Used Vintage Cream cardstock for the flowers because love cream on white.
4. Embossed card with the nestability square scallop. Next time will use plain square (already have more punched flowers ready...stay tuned).
5. Glued flowers and then bent up petals.
6. Added white pearls.
Mood When Done = Grace Kellyish (classic and beautiful)
Hello Joan,
Love how this card turned out, it's so pretty and, yes, stylish!! I never tried embossing with the dies before, but it looks great, so I will certainly give it a try. Doesn't it then cut the paper? Well, I'll see ;-) Pretty those cream flowers and congrats on this generosity of Spellbinders!!! Love that!
Hugs, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy ten Hove | January 21, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful; and also elegant. Thank you for continueing to share your creations.
Posted by: Lori VK | January 21, 2011 at 06:49 AM
I love this card! I may have to steal the design. And now you have me curious about the Grand Calibur!
Posted by: Colleen | January 21, 2011 at 07:44 AM
THUD. What an amazing card, Joan. the texture and dimension are simply gorgeous. Grace Kelly, indeed.
And very nice story of Spellbinder's generosity!
Posted by: Susan Raihala | January 21, 2011 at 07:45 AM
A simply beautiful elegant card, Joan...it is so good to look at..and did you know Grace Kelly was in love with flowers? so much that she dried and pressed them and made them into beautiful floral pictures....so Grace Kelly-like, yes.
Posted by: Joyce Stewart | January 21, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Free Grand Calibur? You lucky girl!! I love your card, its gorgeous!
Posted by: Michele aka Derbylea | January 21, 2011 at 09:15 AM
Now, why don't I ever think of just embossing with my dies?!!
Lovely. But I'm not listening about the Grand Caliber. Nope. Not at all. sigh
Posted by: Starla | January 21, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Beautiful card Joan!! Enjoy your Grand Calibur!
Posted by: Heidi S | January 21, 2011 at 10:16 AM
You have all the luck!
What an amazing card you created with the Grand Caliber. It is stunning in it simplicity and the calm color combo just adds to the beauty. Way to go, Joan.
Posted by: Juanita | January 21, 2011 at 10:25 AM
:)
Posted by: Belinda Chang Langner | January 21, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Absolutely lovely, Joan! Elegant and serene.
Posted by: LaurieJ | January 21, 2011 at 12:20 PM
What a beautiful card. Simple and elegant. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kathy T | January 21, 2011 at 12:31 PM
Joan, this card is SOOOOOO pretty. Go you for offering to pay for the Grand Caliber and go Spellbinders for letting you keep it for free! Can't wait to see what future pretty things you create with it.
Posted by: Francie | January 21, 2011 at 02:11 PM
I too love white and cream! Such a pretty card!
Posted by: Smriti | January 21, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Elegant and stylish and beautiful and so classy. Thanks, too, for the review on the Grand Calibur. Happy Weekend!
Posted by: nise | January 21, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Beautiful card! I would love the Grand Calibur...just to find the $$ and the space for it!
Posted by: Geny | January 21, 2011 at 07:01 PM
I would add elegant to the classic and beautiful you listed.
Posted by: nancy jane | January 21, 2011 at 09:11 PM
Awesome card!! Love it!! I have a hard time embossing with the Big Shot. I had a much easier time with my Bug. I refuse to see what a Grand Calibur is - lalala!
Posted by: Samantha | January 21, 2011 at 11:24 PM
wow!! what a card!!
jenni
Posted by: jenni king | January 21, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Joan, this is a very beautiful and elegant card. I really like it!
Posted by: Julia | January 22, 2011 at 02:26 AM
Beautiful & classy!
Posted by: Carol B | January 22, 2011 at 10:14 AM
So glad you got to keep the G.C., Joan -- smart move on Spellbinders' part! I love the size of the G.C. Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Nancy | January 22, 2011 at 10:43 AM
This is an " aaahhhhh" card- elegant and calm-- just love it!!
Posted by: karen | January 22, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Your card is so beautiful and quite elegant!Perfect for a wedding card.Whoo hoo on getting a free grand calibur machine. It looks like an awesome machine. I have so many spellbinder dies that I'm thinking I just might need one. :)
Mary
Posted by: Mary Cardini- Anderson | January 22, 2011 at 03:06 PM
very sweet!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | January 22, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Joan this card is Beautiful! I love the simple elegance of it! Grace Kelly indeed!! :)
I think the Grand Callibur is very high on my wish list. It is nice to know that they are an awesome company as well!
Thank you for sharing everything today!
Blessings and Hugs,
Mary
Posted by: mary friederichsen | January 22, 2011 at 06:04 PM
This card is perfection!
Posted by: Judy | January 22, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Your card is gorgeous, Joan!! I love all of the pretty white flowers, pearls, and your embossed frame is wonderful!!
It's great to hear about your happy Spellbinders story! Awesome company!
Posted by: Rose Ann | January 22, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Gorgeous! Lucky gal..a Grand Calibur. Can I ask if you would have purchased the Grand had you not received it free? I'm trying to justify getting one. Seems you can only use Nesties and embossing plates in the Grand. Maybe I'll just wait till CHA is over..Tim Holtz will bankrupt me for sure.
Posted by: MA | January 22, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Another fantastic looking card. Simply beautiful.
I was viewing the blogs I follow tonight and came across yours and stopped....and "I say the best looking card". Really nice. I love it.
Posted by: Deborah Morelli | January 22, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Hope you like the way I CASE'd this one! Stop by and take a look at my blog.
Posted by: doris | January 23, 2011 at 12:38 PM
very cool!
Sandra ltb
Posted by: Sandra ltb | January 23, 2011 at 02:19 PM
I love the card, too! All that white is wonderful. And I'm sincerely smitten with my Grand Calibur. Very smooth, and so nice to cut multiple dies at once.
Posted by: Leslie Miller | January 26, 2011 at 12:53 AM