Purple Cows Blog

This tool is something everyone should have. I have fallen in love with mine.

I have to admit it sat in its package for over a month as I found it a little intimidating. I was not sure what I would do with it exactly and then I finally got it out and played with it. I quickly found that there is more to this little cutter than meets the eye.

1. I love the interchangeable blades. I love that I can just turn the dial and within seconds I have another design. The freestyle cutter along with the Freestyle Cardmaker & Decorator are safe for little hands to use as the blade is not exposed until you put it on the track and press down. It also creates a continuous cut so you don’t have to worry about lining up those old deco-edged scissors anymore.
2. The circle and oval cutters are great for adding fun matting for scrapbook pages and even photo frames.
3. The mat is the best cutting mat ever!! I love that I can cut on it and cut on it and cut on it…you get the point, and it heals itself! I know this mat will last me a long time.
4. The straight cutter….where do I begin….you have a straight edge for great clean straight cuts every time. You can use it as a ruler to mark on your pages. I have even used it to line up things to go on my walls. You can actually see where you are cutting while using the Freestyle Cutter, Cardmaker or Decorator. No more guessing if you cut something the right length. It is great for making frames with card stock and patterned paper. You can cut inside the paper and now have perfect cuts. The wave side is great for adding borders to your pages and cards. You can also add a deco edge to your borders by utilizing the other blades in your card maker or decorator. Try using the wave to make the effect of water on your page. Use vellum paper, the wave track and the straight edge of the freestyle cutter. Fleck or sponge the edges with blue or white ink to give the “waves” more dimension.
5. Another thing I have recently found is that the straight track along with the Freestyle Mouse is great for cutting out fabric. I recently cut out squares to make a baby quilt for my niece. I laid out about 4 layers of fabric and cut through it with the mouse and had 4-12” X 12” squares in about 15 seconds. I was able to cut out enough squares to make her blanket in less than 15 minutes. It was great!

Click here to see a few other ideas created using the Freestyle Cutter and remember to check back often for more Moovelous ideas.

- Lynette Bullock

Well...I have been exploring this week, and discovered a little about what CAN and CAN'T be put through the laminators. WOW! My husband and I are going to New York Next month, and since I have never been there, and am a big Sex and the City fan (I am taking the tour) I wanted to keep a journal. Well I couldn't possibly just BUY a journal, I have to make it, and I can't just make it, I have to BLING IT!

I have this cute journal with a pretty cover I am making. I wanted to take this Cosmopolitan, and the letters NYC, made of rhinestones and laminate them and then mount them on the front of this journal. Well since I was at a crop, I had only brought my small hot laminator. Not a wise choice! What happened to my glittery Cosmo should never happen to anyone's project! Oh the tragedy of it!

If you are doing anything with your laminator other than sending a sheet of paper through by itself, don't use anything but the large 13" format laminator. Second, only the flattest of rhinestones will work, as the thicker the stone, the harder it is to get the laminator sheet to seal around the stone, and then you get puckers.

Now you know, you can put thin rhinestones in the laminator (large 13” laminator only) and make blingy project in new ways...so go try it! Where did my freestyle go? I need to get crazy with it! Vennita

Hi there! My first blog here in the pasture...and I am excited to share with you all! I love using the Purple Cows Laminators. There are so many things you can do with a laminator sheet, both before and after you run it through the laminator. I like using the Tim Holtz alcohol inks on the laminator sheets before I put them in the laminator (You can put the inks on after the sheet has been heated, but it protects the inks if it is on the inside of the sheet). Sometimes I add some glitter sprinkles too. Then I heat it up and WOW! The inks are so vibrant but retain their translucency at the same time. What a blast to play with the laminator sheets and inks!

When laminating an empty or light sheet, don't forget to put the laminator sheet on top of a piece of cardstock, and use the cardstock as a carrier. This will make sure you don't get your laminator sheet stuck inside the laminator. Did you know that after you run the laminator sheet through the laminator, you can use it in your die cut machine? Try it! I will post again later this week with the Freestyle! Your crafty Purple Cows Girl, Vennita

Have you seen them?  We've got new projects, with something for everyone, from cards, tags and wine labels to jewelry and accessories.  Just what could inspire you out of the winter doldrums.  These "cool tools" are amazing.

Speaking of tools, last night I spent four hours assembling a paper toy my son had printed from the internet.  An allosaurous, in full three dimensions, with 32 pieces.  Gratefully I have the Freestyle Cutter with a perforation blade.  Since I wanted to laminate the pieces before assembly, I used the perf blade on all the fold lines to make it easy to get a crisp fold after lamination.  I should caution anyone attempting this task--not as much fun as it looked--but at least I had the right "cool tools" for the job.  Now, on to our cow tipping.

Today's Cow Tip:  When using the Freestyle Cutter Kit, give the cutter a little push to make sure it is smoothly riding along the guide before applying pressure for the cut.  The cutter should glide very easily along the guide rail, giving you a great cut every time.

Have a be-MOO-tiful day!

Howdy!  Sadie here, welcoming you to the Purple Cows Blog.  This is your opportunity to mosey on down to the pasture and see what's goin' on.  Our new website is "udderly" fabulous; with our new projects and great tips for using your Purple Cows Tools, it is the perfect place for a creative "round up."  And now for a little cow tipping. . .

Today's Cow Tip:  When hot laminating small pieces, send your hot pocket through the laminator on top of a piece of cardstock or paper.  After the pieces are sealed and the laminate is stiff, send it through once more without the paper to get a really good seal.

Happy Trails. . . .Sadie