Cutting dies are extremely versatile and can be used for all sorts of products. We want you to get as much value out of them as possible!  Have you ever thought to use a nesting die to make a folding card? We're sharing a tutorial below. Try it out! As mentioned in the title of this post, this technique works with ANY nesting die! 

Step 1. Cut a piece of paper the appropriate width for your die.  As for the height, make sure it is double the height of the die. 

Step 2. Fold your paper in half vertically. 

Step 3. Place your die on the platform (cutting side up)

Step 4. Place your paper so that approx 1/4" of the top of your die is exposed.

Step 5. Place cutting mat on top and run through you die-cutting machine. Enjoy cards like the ones displayed below! 

This week's focus for the I Made This challenge is die-cutting! We've put together a basic tutorial here for those of you who aren't familiar with die-cutting. Keep in mind that Lifestyle Crafts/QuicKutz dies work in all manual die cutting machines. Enjoy!

Don't forget that this week's giveaway prize is a dream craft workspace valued at $800!  All you have to do is subscribe to our RSS feed to enter.  Be sure to leave us a comment telling us that you subscribed!  

For additional entries:

-Tweet about this giveaway (mention @lifestylecrafts in your tweet) 

-Blog about this giveaway (leave us a comment with the link) 

The last day to enter this giveaway Monday, November 14 at midnight MST.  Good luck to all! 

The Dimensional Tree from the 'Be Spooked. Be Stuffed' release has been a favorite of many. I think the amount of versatility is what makes this die so great.  What do you get with this shape? As seen in this photo below, you receive the actual tree and leaf embellishments.  If you're going for a dimensional look, simply cut out the tree 3 times and glue together on the perforated lines. For a flat look, cut out the shape and lay flat.  It looks great both ways! 

Let's discuss a few of our favorite ways to use the Dimensional Tree.  

1. Family Tree. A lot of our designers decided to make a family tree. I love how unique each tree is.  This first one comes from designer Shaunte Wadley.  I love how she used twine to hang photos from the branches.  The photos are mounted on Nesting Scallops and the banner is a sneak peek for next week's release!  The alphabet is Tiki. 

This next tree is by designer Carissa Wiley.  I love the earth-tone fall colors she used.  It's beautiful and the family photos look fabulous cut out in the scalloped oval included in the die.

Michelle, one of our very own in product development made this framed family tree.  I love the handwritten details. Wouldn't this be a perfect Christmas gift for a loved one?  It would also look fabulous as home decor, especially in a child's room. 

2. Halloween Tree. As mentioned before, the Dimensional Tree is quite versatile.  It can be used with more holidays and seasons than just Thanksgiving and fall.  Check out this Halloween tree by designer Carissa Wiley.  She used the embellishments that came with the tree and added the smallest Nesting Ghost.  This tree would look excellent in the house around Halloween!

3. On a Layout. This layout by designer Tiffany Hood shows how excellent the Dimensional Tree looks glued flat on a layout.  It is perfect for your Halloween/Fall scrapbook pages.  Click here for more details on this layout.

4. Centerpiece. Keep in mind that the Dimensional Tree looks fabulous as a centerpiece for your holiday table.  Click here for more details on this Thanksgiving kids activity table. 

Do you have any ideas that we're missing out on? Please share in the comments section!

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Let's switch gears from Thanksgiving to Halloween.  After all, it's a whole lot closer than Thanksgiving!  The Bats die is fabulous and I want to talk about all of the different ways to use it.  It looks like this:  

This die comes with 2 sizes.  The small bat is 5.5˝ x 2˝ x .15˝  and the large bat is  7˝ x 2˝ x .25.˝ As you can see, both sizes have perforated lines which allow for a 3D effect. You can fold them on the lines as subtle or dramatically as you'd like.  You could also lay them flat on a card or layout.  Let's discuss 5 ways to use this die.  

1. Card or Invitation.  I typed up some invitation info, printed it out on my home computer, and added the Bat as a finishing touch.  I folded it on the perforated lines so that it would stick up on the page a little bit.  Wouldn't you love to get this invite in the mail?  

2. Wreath. Kami @ No Biggie put together this Halloween wreath using the Bats and Nesting Ghosts die.  I love how she took a simple, plain wreath and dolled it up with a few dies. Simple and easy.  A plain wreath like this one would be a great investment... you can use it all year!

3. Garland. Designer Heather Adams put together this simple garland for the upcoming Halloween decor at her house.  Cut out the bats, hang them from string, and find a perfect spot to display!  It doesn't get much easier than that.

4. Layout. This layout by designer Tiffany Hood incorporates the Bat die perfectly.  Also, did you spot the Dimensional Tree, Web, Tag and Pumpkin dies?  You'll notice that she included the face only on the far right pumpkin.  That's because it's a double-cut shape, meaning you can choose to cut it out as a plain pumpkin or a jack-o-lantern.  Excellent! 

5. Home Decor.  This image is courtesy of one of our affilates, Today's Creative Blog.  Isn't it genius?  Simply cut out the bats and make a collage on a door, ceiling, or wall.  

Ok readers, now it's your turn!  Are we missing out on any great ways to use the Bat die? Leave us a comment if you know something that we should know...

Do you want to win a die of your choice from the 'Be Spooked. Be Stuffed' release? Enter this week's giveaway!  The winner will be chosen and announced tomorrow.

Today we're sharing an easy way to dress up a plain gift bag. Most people have these bags laying around their houses and with the help of a nesting die, the bags can be looking fabulous in no time! Design team member Kami Bigler made these with the new Nesting Release. Thanks Kami! Check her out over at No Biggie.

This first bag is made with the Nesting Stars. I really like how she scored the middle of each part of the star. This technique creates a 3 dimensional look.

Let's take a closer look at that star. I think It would be fun to personalize the star for the recipient. Write out the full name or try a monogram.

The second bag was dressed up with the Nesting Bloom die. All it took was a few scraps of patterned paper and wa-la! It looks much better than anything you would pay up to $5 for at the store. Do you agree?

This technique could be repeated with recycled bags as well. Never throw out those bags you get at birthdays or Christmas time... you never know when you can dress it up with a Nesting Die!

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