embossing

[Caykey]

I was just at customcrops.com. They are promoting an embossing tip and mat for the Cricut. I was wondering if anyone has tried this. It looks interesting but not sure about spending $34.00. I would like to hear from people who have used it before I proceed.

Thanks,

Caykey.

[GrammyKrausse]

was wondering if you could turn an old blade upside down in the blade holder to make the plastic side of the cutter be used as an imbosser. I'm not into imbossing but I saved my old dull blades just in case I wanted to try it. Forgot to say as far as the soft mat, what about getting a square of fun foam, like in the kids craft section, and attact it to an old mat and use a little spray adhesive to attach to cardstock to it and emboss. Hum I might want to try that.
Grammy

[Caykey]

I was actually wondering that myself. They do sell a latex mat with the embossing tip. That maybe what makes a difference. Anyway, I just might try the upside down blade. It's free so it's worth a try.

Thanks,

Tammy

[pennsylvaniakate]

Putting fun foam on the mat makes it too thick. You get drag marks.

[HeatherM]

The back ends of the Roland blades are also a little too pointy, if the pressure is too high they tear up the paper.

[firstcut]

I have been doing this using a cut up latex swim cap (under $2 at walmart) on the mat. I have pretty good results but if the pressure is not just right then the paper tears for the reason Heather mentions.

[wvcathy]

If you get a drag with the foam because of the thickness I wonder if you could snip / cut the other end off a little so it would fit further up in the the carriage that holds the blade ??

Just a thought . . . . Worth a try if you have an old worn out blade


wvcathy

[Rachell]

in time doing this ruins the housing and you will need to buy a new one the blade tip scrapes away at the bearings inside the housing,
there is more than one thickness of craft foam that can be used and the thinner can usally be found at walmart in multi packs the pressure on the macnie needs to be adjusted to a lower setting when uong the foam.

If you are referring to the embossing kit from Amy Chomas I have bought this and it is a sturdy peice of equipment it comes with a latex rubber sheet to be added to one of your mats if you are allergic to latex make sure you use protection when opening the package. This is a silicone cooking mat for cookie sheets sold at walmart and other stores that can be used instead. also I have the gazelle cutter and use the embossing mat from it and it is 19.99 for the mat alone I use this in conjunction with the embosser from Amy .

[talanhart]

I don't have a blade handy, but if you took one to a Hardware store and asked for a DOWEL pin the same thickness and length as a blade, it would probably work. You might have to round off the end of the pin with some emery cloth or a grinding wheel, but I really think it would work.

[firstcut]

Silicone mats will not stick to the mat (they are non-stick) so you have to tape them down.