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Coluzzle? What's that?? And HOW do you pronounce it??
Ramie Ahlstrom - Scrapping Deck Cruise Director
That's what I first thought when I came across these products a few years ago. I purchased the Starter Kit when I needed to cut some circles out, and didn't have any other circle cutter, but was a little intimidated at first. The swivel knife scared me… how on Earth was I going to be able to keep it going in the right direction??
Then I read the instructions…a simple concept I sometimes skip! Using this thing sounded really easy, so I got brave, and took the plunge (only after asking for advice from my online scrapping pals)!! Using it really IS easy!
To answer my question above, the Coluzzle is a cutting system designed by Provo Craft. It's fantastic for cutting shapes, and creating mats for photos and embellishments. With the wide variety of shape, alphabet and puzzle templates available, you are bound to find something that you can use. The Nested Templates are perfect for creating photo mats. You can cut the photo to one size (say a small square) and cut a mat with the next larger size, for a perfect mat! The Alphabet Templates are perfect for creating page titles. The Shape Templates and new Shadow Shapes Templates come in a huge variety of shapes, making them a perfect fit for just about any project. The Shadow Shapes Templates come with two shapes in one (the shape, plus its "shadow" shape). The Puzzle Templates allow you to create a shape with a puzzle "inside" (allowing you to have multicolored shapes or letters without the hassle of cutting two and matching them manually). Also available are templates for making tags, envelopes and shaped greeting cards, or gift packaging.
As for pronouncing Coluzzle...you're on your own!! I've heard it pronounced to rhyme with puzzle, and with a hard u sound, but I have no idea which one is right! I make it rhyme with puzzle, but I'm not always right!! (Don't tell my husband that!)!!
To Use the Coluzzle cutting system, you'll need:
- Coluzzle Template(s)
- Guarded Swivel Knife
- Easy Glide Cutting Mat
- Photos or paper to cut
- A pair of scissors or a craft knife (to trim the shapes away after cutting out)
- A slip proof surface (a cutting mat or slip proof shelf covering work well)
- Temporary Adhesive (to hold template onto paper that you are planning to cut)
Now that you've gathered the supplies, here's the How To part! Be sure to read the instructions included with your templates and swivel knife, just in case I forget something!
Step One: Remove the protective film from both sides of your template(s). It's a clear film that the manufacturer puts on to protect the templates from being scratched during shipping. Be sure to get it off of the entire template, including in between the channels on the Nested Templates.
Some people clear the channels in their templates by running the Guarded Swivel Knife backwards (with the blunt part moving forward) through the template, but I've never personally done this. I'm not sure if it helps or not, since I've never had a problem not doing it!
Step Two: Lay your Easy Glide Cutting Mat on your work surface. (If you have a slip proof surface to use, place it under the cutting mat).
Step Three: Lay the photo or paper you wish to cut onto the easy Glide Cutting Mat.
Step Four: Place the template you wish to use carefully over the photo or paper you want to cut. (If you have temporary tape, you can adhere the template to the photo or paper, to keep it from sliding while you cut.)
Step Five: Remove the cover from the Guarded Swivel Knife and insert the blade into the channel on the template. Hold the knife at a 90 degree angle to the photo or paper (holding it like a pencil will cause the blade to break easier, and make nicks in the template-trust me, I've done this!). Press the knife into the photo or paper, then follow the channel. The knife will do most of the work, and should easily glide through the channels. Continue until you've done all the channels for the shape you wish to cut out (some templates have multiple shapes/sizes, but you'll only need to cut the one you want for your photo or paper).
Step Six: Remove the template from over the photo or paper. Trim the "webs" left from the channels in the template by cutting with a pair of scissors or a craft knife.
Step Seven: Use your shape any way you desire!! (Then repeat all seven steps for the next shape!)
See---I told you it was EASY!!!!
One of my favorite templates is the new Trend Shadow Shapes Set. It has a bookplate, oval tag, and a pocket. I used the bookplate as a journaling block for the first layout and the oval tag for the second.
The template that gets used most often in my stash is the Gift Tag Template. I use this template to create tags for my scrapbook pages, and for birthday and holiday gifts. Since each of the three tags comes in three different sizes, you really get nine templates in one. It comes in handy and can be used with just about anything. When I began my planning for this layout, I wanted to use library cards for the title and journaling, but the tag template jumped out at me and screamed to be used! It scares me that my scrapbooking tools sometimes seem to have a life of their own!!!
Be sure to check out Suzanne's Sea Dreams to see some ideas for using the Coluzzle cutting system with your stamping projects!
Happy Scrappin',
Ramie Ahlstrom
ramieahlstrom@ssreflections.com
Scrapping Deck Cruise Director
S.S. Reflections, Inc.
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***Disclaimers - While individual techniques may vary, always follow product manufacturers' directions and cautions for safety and best results.
