Not sure if you know this so I thought I would share... When your green cutting mat starts to look a little beat up and the lines aren't healing as well as they should, soak it in warm water for about an hour. That rehydrates it and allows it to heal like it is supposed to. I'm still using a self-healing mat from about 7 years ago lol. I've got a couple of those little Dollar tree mats and mine heal just fine but yours might be a little dehydrated? Throw it in some warm water and see what happens, it won't hurt it.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome tip, thank you. I did wash them in warm soapy water to remove the paper bits and it helped, so I will definitely try soaking them .Thank you 😉 💗

I do this same hack and haven't bought new cutting pads for over a year and a half. And my self healing mat is still as good as when I bought it. It shows some impressions but hasn't affected the way my dies cut. even if you had to eventually replace the self healing mat every couple of years, for a dollar you really can't complain. How much would you spend on cutting pads in a 2 year stand? A heck of a lot more than a dollar!

I have a couple of those and never thought to use them for my machines.I was using them to cut out small fabric pieces with a rotary cutter.I almost bought a magic mat but after stumbling upon this I am saving my money..Thank you.

Thanks for sharing your idea!

Brilliant idea!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

WOW!!! SUCH A COOL TIP!!! 😊😘THANKS

Good ole Dollar Tree! Thanks for sharing!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

You bet 😉

Cool! Thanks, for sharing! I've seen those mats at my Dollar Tree locations and will try it soon!

I received the Sizzix electronic cutting machine for my birthday. Now, just need to buy a large lot of dies to go with it...lol.😃

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

That sounds cool. Have fun playing with your new machine. Hope you find the mats 😉 Thanks for watching 💖

wow - neat... but none of the 3 Dollar Trees in my area have ever had these cutting mats... Thanks for the video !

@DoloresJRush

3 жыл бұрын

I saw them on the Dollar Tree website today. Maybe if we all ask the DT managers nicely to bring those items we want to their stores that others are showing in their hauls, maybe we can obtain them. Anyway, I hope so! Smile!

I have a So Crafty self healing cutting mat from Aldi. Fits big shot perfectly. Cut wonderfully. Well eventually it stretched in the middle so I dropped it in a pan of hot water till it softened....seconds,then put it on worktop with flat weight on top. Perfectly flat. The self healing isn't what it was but I've had it a long long time.

Wow nice. Thank you for sharing.

Great job on your video! Awesome info, tfs💕

@elizabethmaceachern5653

3 жыл бұрын

great idea!

That’s awesome Donna, at least now we have few options and at the end of the day no matter which way we use it we will be saving money lol. Thank u for the shout out. TFS, hope you’re feeling better 💖

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Such a money saver 😃 I really like it!! Thanks for watching my crafty friend. Take care 💖 😘

Thank you for this hack. I moved recently and am still setting my crafting area and storage up. Once I locate my die cutting machine I am thrilled to know that this is an option. Particularly a cost saving option!!! THank you also for giving us the links so we can see how other people made their adjustments to the Dollar Tree cutting mat for their machines!!!

This is such a great idea!!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

It sure works well 😉

I love my Dollar Tree cutting mats. It is a game changer. No more warped plates. They cut out great. I clean mine with soap and water and a nail brush. I bought some DT cutting mats for my friend for Christmas.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

This is great to know, thanks for sharing 💖 How are they holding up for you? Thanks for watching. Take care 😉

Wow this is so cool I’ve been looking for magic mats and this is like a magic mats thank you so much

Wow I had no idea you could do this this is amazing I have some of those mats and I need new cutting pads and have no money for them thank you so much for sharing I'm going to go try it out now

GREAT TIP ON CUTTING THESE MATS!😀 I have used these on 3 different die cutting machines: The cuttlebug...mine is now approximately 14 years....I'm surprised I've not worn this thing "out"...my Spellbinders Platinum machine...the big one...AND...WE R MEMORY KEEPERS "mini" die cutting machine....sometimes, I have to use shims with these machines...but SO WORTH THE COST!😀😀😀

This is a great idea! I haven't tried it yet but tomorrow I'm going to dollar tree.

This is brilliant! I have been using two cutting mats that I got from Walmart.. Fisker's brand.. but they didn't quite fit and they buckle really easily when you glue them together. But I never thought of using one Dollar tree mat with the regular plastic cutting mat together. This is just a game changer. Thank you for sharing this tip!

I love your other videos, then came across this one. I subscribed. Thanks for sharing. 😊👍

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kindly. I appreciate it. Thanks for stopping by. Take care 💖🤗

Thank you so much for this video. It is really easy to follow and the instructions are clear. Thank you for taking the time to help with the problem of warping of die cut plates and finding a really good solution.😀

Great idea❤ Thank you!

Love your voice and your presentation. I used your idea for quite some time, and was pleased with the fact that it did save my clear plates. I did, however, have to change out the $🌳 cutting mats more often than I liked, as they would warp and dish severely, leaving me with incomplete cuts. This summer (2022), however, I have found the trick of using thick vinyl sheeting between the two clear plates, with my die and paper sandwiched in between. The thick vinyl I purchased at JoAnn’s, and I’m only just now (12/05/22) needing to replace one of the two sheets. For those curious as to the how and why … the thick vinyl gives just the right amount of support to the die so as not to allow it to be bent, but enough “give” that the die can cut through the paper or card stock to give a clean product. HAPPY CRAFTING, ALL!

Will have to try this!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Ya, it it doesn't work check out the otber videos I shared 😉 Thanks for watching 💖

Hi , I tried it and it worked! Thank you so much. Joyce

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome 😄

I learned very quickly what my machine came with wasn’t enough. I used a piece of cardboard and that was perfect. I’m going to try this!

So cool.

Thanks for sharing. 😉

New subbie..thank you for doing this video..I bought the cutting mats from dollar tree and it didn't fit my machine and I was thinking of cutting it..yeah..😃🙃because the mats are hard to find and very expensive when you find them

This is great. I just bought two magic mats. Maybe I will try this when they wear out.

great video. im new to die cutting and of course i bought a used cutterbug on ebay. i dont know if it has plates. kind of leary of when i get it. so i am glad you made this video. i dont know if i need an A plate or not. we shall see. ha ty again

I have not seen these mats at my Canadian Dollar Tree but have at Dollarama. A little bit more expensive so I will have to check out some other DTs as it is a hit and miss. Since we don’t have a lot of craft stores in my area, I like the idea of using this economical option! Thank you for sharing.

@donnascreartivelife

2 жыл бұрын

Ya, I saw them at Dollarama, I'm sure they'd work just as well 😉 The mats at DT do get restocked, but they sell out quickly. Hopefully you'll find them soon. Thanks for watching 💖

Recollections 8x11 self-healing mat works perfectly in the Spellbinders Platinum...

What a great idea! TFS…hoping my $ tree has these mats as my magic mats are starting to warp!

I tried this. I find it much better with my Bigz dies. I found that due to my machine pressing so hard, rather than scoring it was cutting. Luckily I have the large Big Shot so no cutting yay!! I only use the one plate too. TFS

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Oh cool, you should do a demo with the Big Shot, I haven't seen that yet! Thanks for watching 💖

Thank you for your tips, as I am a beginner..

I have a Gemini Jr; the 6" X 8" mats work in it with no trimming. Just wanted to pass that along for anyone who might own a Gemini. Also, I bought the Olfa cutting mat, and it is self-healing. I got it for $4.99, so the Olfa may be even more cost effective in the long run.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Oh awesome, good to know there's another option out there 😀 Thanks for stopping by. 💖

@krisprice8477

3 жыл бұрын

I use the self healing mat in my Gemini Jr too...much cheaper than plates!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

@@krisprice8477 awesome 👌

Thank you❤

Thanks for sharing

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure 😊

It works!

Woooow thank you so much !

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure 😊 💕

@cleopatra22222222

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife ☺️👌🏼

Excellent! 😁

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Ya, now I am going to buy up all those mats 😄🤣🤣🤣

@LindaMZH65

3 жыл бұрын

creArtive by nature Art & Life You can clear out the West coast while I take care of Ontario, lol. 😆

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Too funny 🤣 Will do 😉

Thank you!

THANK YOU!

tys

YeS I been using the Dollar Tree Cutting board for a while with my Sizzix Cutting machines 🙌🙌!!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

That is awesome!💖🤗

I have a few of those dollar tree mats. I have to try that tfs. In His Grace Lorisa

Thank u 4 this hack. Will this hack work with any die cutting machine? Have a blessed day.

💜

Dollar Tree stores must vary by region. I have not seen these mats at my store in southern California.

I only got my Big Shot today and started watching videos. Not sure I understand the purpose of the Dollar Tree mat. Is it saving wear and tear on the cutting pad? Thank you!!

Hello! New friend here - your video popped up in my suggestion selection. Thanks for sharing this tip. I just got the Big Shot but it has the shorter platform. Which part of the "sandwich" are you replacing the mat with? The thin die adapter? Thanks again! Blessings & Bubbles...oooOOO

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry for the delayed response, I missed this!! I lift the top layer. There are other ways to do it, I found this way works well for me. Feel free to check out the links in my video description to my friends videos, maybe their way will work for you as well 😀 Hope that helps. Thanks for watching 💖

@JustJournalingwithPossumPatty

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife Thanks!

I have tried this, and YES it works! However, after time little paper "hairs" are starting to appear. Any good tips on how to get rid of these embedded paper fibers? Thanks in advance for any help you may provide. Blessed crafting. 😊

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

I'll have an update on my use of the mats coming soon, so stay tuned 😉 Thanks for watching 💖

@AnameliaRojo

2 жыл бұрын

just put it on a tray with boiling water. Not only the paper will come out it will also flatten back the mat

I keep on losing the green mats. Loved craft room.

Did plates warp after awhile??

Can self-healing cutting mats be used in other embossing machines? I have an old Cuddlebug that I still use. I just read a commenter who successfully uses them on her 14 year old Cuddlebug, so question answered! Thank you.

Great idea. Now my grandson can cut is as much as He wishes.

Hi, I ktnow this is an old video but I just bought a vintage big shot at a thrift store today but it does not have a platform with it. Do you have any idea what I could use or make to replace the platform in the sizzix to make thee sandwich? Thanks.

I am going to build a machine for die cutting.Can you tell me how thick a folder is when set up for die cutting? Is the gap between the rollers adjustable? I'm going to use a cutting mat from the fabric store so my machine will be 15 inches wide. My daughter says that's poster size so she wants it that big. My rollers will be metal should they be covered in rubber? Thanks from an in over his head dad.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a cool project. Sorry, don't know the thickness of the folder. No the rollers aren't adjustable. Rollers are made of stainless steal. Hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by!

@joelongstaff7601

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife Many thanks. I look forward to learning from my subscription to your site. I'll use stainless rollers and make them adjustable so we can die cut,emboss and lino print with it.

Why not us both flaps and not include the bottom cutting plate? Would that work?

I want one of those flip book things..mine did not come with it...i cant find it anyplace.

Can’t find these cutting mats at our Dollar Tree stores. Any ideas of how I can buy some?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

I'm in Canada, I have seen similar ones in other dollar stores, so maybe check out those stores. I have a feeling DT will stock them again, here's hoping 🤞 Thanks for watching 💖

@aliciapierce8883

3 жыл бұрын

I'v gone to 6 dollar trees in Mesa Az specifically looking for these small cutting mats with no luck . 2 videos that use the dollar tree mats have been from Canada but 1 of them was in New York.

@ale347baker

3 жыл бұрын

They are not in 2 dollar stores i live close to, but if I drive 5 minutes more there is one that always has it stocked. What I'm saying is, some dollar stores carry things others do no...you should check out the craft sections of other dollar stores so you know where to go if you need something. I was so glad I ventured and found one!

My mats warp after several cuts. Does that happen to you?

I live in the Midwest and have never seen these cutting mats at my Dollar Tree nor have I seen the dies that the western half of the US has purchased in Hauls at their Dollar Trees. I wonder if they are test marketing them in your area?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

I don't know, I'm in Canada. I haven't seen the die cut sets either 🤷‍♀️ Seems DT is very inconsistent, very frustrating. Hopefully these things will become regular items in the craft section soon 🤞💖

@DoloresJRush

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife I looked on the Dollar Tree website for both today. I saw your mat, but did not see the cutting dies there either. sigh! Have a good week!

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

@@DoloresJRush ok, good to know. Thanks for checking 💖

Great idea. How is the mat after using it since October? Have you had to replace it yet? Is it still in good condition? Thanks.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Lol, honestly, I haven't done a whole lot of die cutting since 🤪 I got into Christmas crafts and now organization, so I haven't done much paper crafting. So far they're good. But I can't give an honest answer as of yet. Once I am done organizing I plan to do a more thorough test, use regularly for a month to see how it stands up. So stay tuned. Thanks for watching 💖

Can this work for the Cuttlebug?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, not sure, I don't know anything about Cuttlebug 🤷‍♀️ You'll have to try it out or see if someone reviewed it already. Thanks for watching 💖

Hi! Are you still using these cutting mats in your big shot please? Thanks

@donnascreartivelife

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I am 💖🤗 although they don't work for all dies, you'd have to experiment 😉

That is a game changer! I always see those cutting mats in the opshop as well. I will be picking them up from now on. Thanks.❤️🇨🇦

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Stay tuned for the long term review 😉💕

@HayleysComet3

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife I am curious how they hold up. If all those slices don’t leave marks all over the paper. Great idea! Just subscribed. Thank you.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

@@HayleysComet3 so far it hasn't, time will tell 😉 Thanks for watching and the support. Take care 💖

is this okay for sizzix bigshot plus machine?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

I don't see why not, but can't say for sure 🤔 Thanks for watching

Will it work with my Vagabond?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, I don't know 🤷‍♀️ Try searching to see if anyone has tried it out, I'd be curious as well 🤔 Thanks for watching 💖

If you own a hot knife it cuts through like butter.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Oooo, good idea!! I'll have to look at my attachments for my heat tool to see what would work. Thanks for watching and the tip 😉 Have a great day 💖

@kimberlywalker1015

3 жыл бұрын

COOL!

Okay stupid question here, what was the material she was using was it paper?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Cardstock 😉

I'm confused. The magic mat is designed to replace the bottom cutting plate, but here you still use a bottom cutting plate. I'm surprised that adding the mat doesn't make things too thick. What's the purpose of adding the dollar tree mat?

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

I cut into the mat, saves my Sizzix cutting plates from getting marked up 😉 There's several ways in which people use the mats with their Sizzix and layer them. I did what worked best for me!! I didn't have to create any extra shims or add any other layers than what you see. Hope that helps 🤗 Thanks for watching.

@emm2636

3 жыл бұрын

@@donnascreartivelife ok, I will give it a try. I have some of those dollar tree mats already 😊

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

@@emm2636 ya, and if the way I do it doesn't work for you, then I have 2 links to my friends channels where they both use the mats in a different way that might work better for you, links are in the video description 😉 💖

Afraid to do or use any substitutes , things are SOO expensive here that too for retired person and for a hobby only!!

Just a question: why didn’t you just use the self-healing mat instead? Besides the fact that the self-healing cost more than obviously the $ 🌳 mat, but in the long run you’ll save $ since you won’t have to constantly go to $ 🌳, 🤷‍♀️, thank you.

@donnascreartivelife

3 жыл бұрын

Actually, I am surprised at how well the mats are holding up. I will do an updated review on how they are working for me. I don't have access to self-healing mats without having to spend ALOT of $$$, so I saw these wanted to give them a try and so far I am happy 😉 By all means, use self-healing mats if you are able to get some, I am sure they'll work really well 🤗 Thanks for watching. Happy crafting.

@nana2ar369

2 жыл бұрын

You just buy several at dollar tree and each lasts a very long time. The shipping and cost even when on sale for the self healing are ridiculous. You could buy 10 of these for 10 dollars and never have to buy another vs 3 times that to purchase one healing mat plus shipping. Last sale was 9.99 plus 8.99 shipping for 2.