A while ago I posted a great recycled soda can craft using the Nestabilities Dies made by Spellbinder- and then I realized that I’d never really reviewed them! If you follow CTD with any sort of regularity, you see these dies popping up all OVER my crafts. (I’ll have a list at the end for you, too, so you can see for yourself. )
So, you know the drill…what can it cut? Take a look…
Another surprise- FOAMIES!
It also works on chipboard and cereal-box type cardboard. So what WON’T it work on? Well, I had no luck with corrugated cardboard or denim. It’s just too thick! And I got iffy results on upholstery samples. But for most craft materials, the Nestabilities dies really perform.
Here are a few things I love about Nestabilities dies:
- Graduated sizes. Great for making all of the items you see above!
- Decent price point. Usually under $20 for 5-6 dies. The “specialty” ones like ice cream cones or birds might only have a set of three. (By the way, it’s still WAY cheaper than buying hand punches!)
- Slim and easy to store. I bought a 8.5″X 11″ sheet of magnet, cut it into 4 pieces. Each postcard-size piece holds one set.
- Adds a slightly embossed “border” because of the way the dies are made. You can use this to your advantage and add chalks or inks and create a nice effect.
So… then what are GRAND Nestabilities? They are just what you think they are- the are “super-sized” versions of the regular Nestabilities dies. So for example, the Nestabilities Scallop Circles go up to Xinches….and the smallest Grand Nestabilities Scallop Circle starts at 4 5/8″ an goes up to 7 1/4″. Like their little brothers, they are usually sold in a set of 6…but the price point has grown up, too. MSRP is $49.99 for these guys!
When I saw them at CHA Summer, they were using them to make books, home dec items, and giftables. So I tested my Grand Calibur out along with the Grand Nestabilities and made this book:
In the course of making it, I cut cardstock, 2 layers of scrapbook paper at a time, and foam. To make the covers, I made a sandwich of textured cardstock/cereal-box cardboard/plain cardstock and then cut that out. I was impressed it went through so many layers!
So, like the Nestabilities I love and adore, the “Grands” are a welcome addition to my studio. However, at this price point, I’m going to have to be choosy in what I buy.
Do you think they are worth the price? I’d love to hear YOUR opinion!
And if you are interested in some crafty inspiration, check it:
- Recycled Soda Can Brooches
- Mother’s Day Photo Place Cards
- Halloween Treat Favor Cones
- Mod Podged “Boo-Boo” Box
- “Trick Your Pumpkin” Entry
- 2013 Holiday Cards
- and my friend, Vicki whipped up this cool Halloween Wreath using them & some leftover paper!
Disclosure: I received Grand Nestabilities from Spellbinders as a product sample specifically for the purposes of review. I received the Scallop Nestabilities from ConsumerCrafts.com as a member of their design team. Thought you should know!
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Beth says
Great review, I’m loving my Grand Calibur and Grand Nestabilities!!
Grandmom says
They look like it would be alot of fun to work with, just wish I had some.
Jenny says
Hey, Grandmom! You know, I found some on Overstock.com for a great price… might be just the thing to put on your holiday wish-list!
Jenny says
Ah, Beth…review of the Grand Calibur is coming tomorrow… stay tuned!
Renie says
Hi! Love what you have done with them! When I first started to buy nestabilities, I did the square, rectangles and ovals. Love the scallops, but when wanting to use the scallops and straight edge together, it meant buying both of the sets. So at buying 2 sets to use together, it is investing about $50.00 for both, not counting shipping. I have had to shop for sales (which is okay-I love a sale), but they still get too expensive to buy a lot. Especially when one needs to watch their spending, which I do. But do love them. Wish they were more affordable. The Grands are ones I won’t let myself think about! If I am going to add to my collection, it will have to be the regular ones. It is a bit of a toss up as to which is more cost effective..the cricut has lots of designs and sizes, but the nesties, etc. give such a great cut and the embossing is a plus too. You need to invest much more into the spellbinder dies for the versatility. I am hoping that Spellbinders will come down some, but won’t likely happen. Some of the more intricate (I have the Fleur De Lis Pendants) are a killer on the cuttlebug plates! Warps them pretty quickly! Thanks for listening 🙂