“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”When I was working on my card H is for Harvest, I really wanted a Nestabilities long rectangle set. I only have the standard, large rectangle set so I set out to see if I could somehow repurpose it into a long rectangle. It only took me a couple of tries and I think it worked like a champ. I’ll be doing this again and again until I actually do have the long rectangle set. After I used this technique, I thought there might be a few others who would like to try it. I made another long rectangle and took a lot of pictures so y’all could see for yourselves. Remember, you can zoom in on all the pics by clicking on them.
Standard, Large Rect. Set #S4-1132
This is the rectangle set I have. For this tutorial, I’ll be using the second smallest rectangle (it measures approx. 2″ h x 1.5″ w). The card stock I’m using is ivory and I cut it to measure about 3.5″ L x 2″ h. It’s probably important to note that I use an original Sizzix machine with one white cutting plate and the magnetic adapter. I also have a clear acrylic cutting plate that I place over the die when I cut. If you’re using a different machine, you may have to adjust how you do this.
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1. First, place the rectangle, cut side down onto the card stock, very close to the right edge as shown.
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2. Push the cutting plate into the machine, but leave the last 1/2″ closest to the center, out of the machine. We don’t want to cut this center edge.
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3. Remove the die, carefully place the embossing mat under it and emboss as usual, remembering to not emboss the last center 1/2″.
4. Remove the die from the card stock. This is what the back side should like with only the right half cut and embossed.
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5. Turn the half cut card stock around. Place the die on the uncut half, very near the edge as before. Take care to line up the edges and cuts.
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6. Place the cutting pad with the die in the machine, as before. Again, leave the last 1/2″ in the center out of the machine. We do not want to cut this part.
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7. Carefully place embossing mat underneath and emboss as before. Remember not to emboss the last 1/2″ in the center.
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8. That’s it! Here’s the finished product. My new long rectangle measures just over 3″ L x 1 5/8″ H. The leftover frame is also fun to use.
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October 11th, 2008 - 4:18 am
Fantastic tutorial!! I will have to try this… I use my rectangles to make squares, but have never made them bigger!
hugs, Jami
October 11th, 2008 - 7:19 pm
Thanks for sharing.I will have to try this.
October 11th, 2008 - 8:27 pm
Thanks for sharing this! I too have longed for those rectangles and am excited to see a tutorial on how to make do with what I already have!! I will definately be using your idea!
October 12th, 2008 - 5:43 am
Great idea, Julie. Thanks for the step by step and for sharing your discovery.
October 16th, 2008 - 8:25 pm
Julie, what a great tutorial on being a good steward of our resources!!! I have the regular rectangles too and I am glad to see the pics of this. Your challenge card is fab, by the way!!!
October 20th, 2009 - 10:40 pm
Fabulous idea, Julie! Thanks for sharing!!
Smiles,Deena
March 1st, 2010 - 8:07 am
[...] 5.50 (A2) ivory card. The sentiment was gold embossed and I cut it using the Fancy Tags set and a Nestie Resizing Technique which allowed me to stretch the tag to fit my greeting. I snipped the ends off and attached it to [...]
March 1st, 2010 - 6:28 pm
thank you for this – I have limited funds so to be able to do something like this is just awesome.
April 13th, 2010 - 9:16 am
[...] They’re attached to a green layer I cut using a Spellbinders scallop edge square. I used my Nestie Resizing technique to stretch the die to fit my [...]
April 13th, 2010 - 11:52 am
Wonderful way of showing showing how to use what we have! Thank you, Julie! Do you find there is more “control” by using the red sizzix machine? Thanks for sharing your talent and skills!
April 14th, 2010 - 8:47 pm
[...] gel pen to add highlights to the letters and cut it out using a Spellbinders large rectangle and my Nestie Resizing Technique to make the panel a little narrower. For the green panel, I used Labels 8 and the same resizing [...]
April 18th, 2010 - 1:55 pm
First off- gorgeous card and ATC’s- you never disappoint! What a fantastic idea- I do not have the long rectangle dies and have come across occasions where they would be perfect. Thanks for the great picture tutorial! Genious!
April 25th, 2010 - 5:58 pm
[...] the verse onto some oatmeal flecked c/s and cut it out w/ a Spellbinders lg rectangle using my Nestie Resizing technique to make it narrower. I used the same technique to make the Fancy Tag layer longer. I also cut a [...]
April 26th, 2010 - 7:05 pm
Julie, how awesome!! I’ve been wanting longer rectangles so badly. I hope I can figure out how to do this. Thanks SO MUCH for sharing this technique!!!
July 7th, 2010 - 7:40 pm
Awesome collage ! I think I have an upcoming project that your idea might just be perfect for. Thanks for sharing !!!
July 21st, 2010 - 8:35 am
[...] greeting was also die cut w/ a long rectangle (it was resized) and sponged w/ lt blue ink while the die was still in place. I used an embossing folder on the [...]
August 5th, 2010 - 7:05 am
[...] to pull some of the color out of the leaves and flowers. I used the largest square Nestie and resized it to make a very large rectangle and cut out the center of my background. I used the next smaller [...]
August 6th, 2010 - 7:32 am
I don’t know how I missed this. TFS.