Spellbinder Nestabilities Review

My article should be up today on Craft Critique and I'm including here as well.  I had been gathering information and comparisons for this revolutionary product for several months and have compiled bits and pieces I've found from several different sources that helped me get started easily and quickly!

Spellbinders Nestabilities Review

They are everywhere you look -- in scrapbooking, cardmaking, rubberstamping, papercrafting of all types . . . scallops!  At first, Marvy Uchida couldn’t keep up with the demand we papercrafters placed on their scalloped punches and were backordered for months. 

PROBLEM:

Last spring (2006) when Ellen Hutson had a hard time keeping the punches in stock at her online store, she began brainstorming on a solution with Spellbinders Paper Arts Company owners, Jeff and Stacey Caron, whom she had met at the Winter CHA show a few months earlier.

SOLUTION:

Together, they’ve developed revolutionary plates that will emboss as well as die cut solid (straight) circles, ovals, squares and rectangles as well as scalloped versions of all those shapes!

And here’s the outcome they produced . . . (they say a picture is worth a thousand words!  Photo courtesy of Ellen Hutson):

STORAGE:

Look at that pile of punches that equals all the shapes you get from that small grouping of beautiful circle copper plates at the bottom center of the photo –- amazing, isn’t it?!!  Consequently, you won’t have the storage issues with these dies that you do with regular punches . . . and what papercrafter doesn’t need more storage space?!! 

Here’s how I’m storing mine, in a CD case with strips of magnetic sheet (I got mine at Michael’s for $2.99 for a huge roll) adhered to each side of the case.  Many thanks to Debbie Olson for this idea!  One CD case holds two sets of shapes . . . that’s the equivalent to 10-14 punches per case!

Here are 16 sets of dies stored in the CD cases shown below . . . they take up roughly the same space of two punches!

WHAT THEY ARE:

Here’s an example of the beautiful cutting and embossing these dies produce (sets of both large and small classic and scalloped circles):

HOW THEY WORK:

The bonus is that the dies will work in most any die-cut machine you may already own.  If you don’t already have a machine, Spellbinders has their own machine (also carried by Ellen), the Wizard universal embossing and die-cutting system.  You can view a video at the Spellbinders site on how their Wizard universal embossing and die-cutting system works with the dies.  If you’ll be using a different machine, you will also need the Spellbinder Wizzard tan embossing mat, which can be purchased thru Ellen’s online store.

Each set of dies come in either large or small, classic or scallop and range in size up to 4 inches -- larger than any other punch currently produced.  They are called Nestabilities, just for that reason . . . they nest in size, and each die in a given set is exactly 1/4" larger then the previous die.  Therefore, if you prefer a 1/8” later or mat, then both sets (large and small) will accommodate your needs. All of the individual “humps” of the scallops are spaced to align with one another when nesting one or more scalloped shapes together.  Not only do the Nestabilities cut, they feature embossing capabilities as well!

Here’s a photo of a full set of both large and small sizes (photo courtesy of Ellen Hutson):

Each set (4 shown above) is also sold on its own -- you save money when purchasing in sets.  As shown in the photo above, the circles are the only current shape to also be offered in a tinier scallop (not smaller in overall cutting size, but rather the Petite Scallop Circle has a total of 37 humps on it whereas the Classic Scallop Circle only has 22 humps), for when you’d like a more "delicate" look for your project. If you make a comparison to other scalloped punches you may already own, you can determine which will better suit your style. Count the humps on your current scallops and then make your decision accordingly.

How do these dies work in a system you may already own?  The Cuttlebug is the only die cutting machine I currently own, so I used the recipe shown below (written by Ellen Hutson) for my machine.  Ellen compiled a list of many popular machines that she’s tested and the appropriate sandwich recipes HERE.

(Recipes are layered from the bottom, up):

Cuttlebug Cutting Sandwich: 1. A plate 2. C plate 3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up 4. Paper or cardstock 5. B plate 6. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Cutting Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat: 1. A plate 2. B plate 3. Spellbinders™ White Spacer plate 4. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat 5. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up 6. Paper or cardstock 7. B plate 8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Embossing Sandwich: 1. A plate 2. 2 sheets cardstock to act as shim. Add extra pieces if needed. 2. B plate 3. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up 4. Paper or cardstock 5. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Mat 6. B plate 7. Roll through Cuttlebug™

Embossing Sandwich with Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat: 1. A plate 2. B plate 3. Spellbinders™ Magnetic Placement Mat 4. Spellbinders™ die, blade side up 5. Paper or cardstock 6. Spellbinders™ Tan Emboss Pad 7. B plate 8. Roll through Cuttlebug™

I haven’t had any issues yet with my metal dies shifting when moving thru my machine, but if you experience this, Spellbinders has already solved the problem with a magnetic pad!

Some tips I’ve discovered:  When working with rubber stamped images, I find it easier to first stamp the image on cardstock and then place the appropriate die size I need on top of it:

Then, I gently press the die (not so hard as to cut your finger!) into the paper/cardstock, to help “hold” it in place. Then flip the two over so the die is facing up when it runs thru the machine.  Sometimes I’ve experienced static cling with my B plate when placing it over the die/cardstock but a sweep of the Embossing Buddy on the B plate usually solves this issue.

PRICING: 

The complete set of 24 dies (that’s large and small, classic and scalloped) shown above is priced at $79.99 retail -- that is just $3.33 for each die! Individual sets are priced at $24.99 retail -- still a very affordable $4.17 per die.

Retailers selling the Nestabilities:

Ellen Hutson, LLC 

Spellbinders

PaperTrey Ink

FranticStamper 

Ellen tells us that Spellbinders will be using their patented technology to continue to bring you more of the shapes that you desire!

CONCLUSION:

Here’s a recent project I completed using the Nestabilities:

You can read more about this particular project HERE.

I couldn’t wait to try out these fantastic new dies and definitely was NOT disappointed!  They give such a professional look to your projects and I found them very easy to use.  Ellen tells us that Spellbinders will be using their patented technology to continue to bring you more of the shapes that you desire and I can’t wait to try them!

Comments

[flossie]

1.

Thanks, I had read this awhile ago, but since mine just arrived this week, can use the review. Can't wait to use them.

[well said cards]

2.

Interesting perspective. It definitely makes sense if you've got a die cut machine. I'm still on the fence because I don't own a die cut machine....YET! :-)

[Donna]

3.

I think to be fair you have to include the weight and mass of the machine itself that is required to make the Nestabilities usable.

[Christi]

4.

Thank you so much for posting this! I have been wondering about the Nestabilities and you have answered all of my questions! I have a Cuttlebug and am so glad that these can work with it!

[Claudia]

5.

I do want to get some of these one day, but don't know if I would use the regular scallop or the petite more. Do you have a suggestion, or possibly a picture to post where we could tell a clear difference between the two? Thanks for the great article!
Claudia

[pat]

6.

I have the wizard and the oval and circle nestabilities. I really love using them and use them a lot.
Your write up was very informative and wonderfully written.

[Stephanie]

7.

Hi Sharon:

You make a very compelling case to purchase these:) Especially in light of the fact that one of my beloved marvy punches just went kaput and now needs to be replaced.... Although i have seen these before, i admit i am now intriqued. Oh what to do??? thanks for the great review! Stephanie in philadelphia!

[Linda Bullard]

8.

Thanks so much for this review and summary of the ways to use it, Sharon. I will be coming back to review this in more detail later. Very timely, because I just received my "Gotta Have It All" set of Nestabilities. :o) Linda

[Pat Huntoon]

9.

I have been yeyeing these for a long time -- I have to say that YOUR review pushed me over the edge. I just ordered them from Ellen -- thank you (I think LOL)...

[Pat S.]

10.

Absolutely fantastic review!
Everything I could ever want to know about Nestabilities :)

[beate]

11.

Wonderful product review! Beautiful card sample.

[CindyLouWho2]

12.

I just received my first set and can't wait to try them out. Can you give us more specifics on how you made this card.
Thanks,

[Dottie Davis]

13.

I love the Nestabilities. Great storage idea with the CD's. Question; my plates get stuck in the cutting mat. What am I doing wrong? It's so hard to get them out, I am afraid I will bend them. Also, what company makes the stamp you used,"Wise Men Still Seek Him?"
Thanks so much for helping me. I want to use this for this year's Christmas cards.