Tips when making cards

Here are just a few tips that I have discovered when making cards.  This list isn't exhaustive or complete.  I will add to it as I discover/remember things.

1. Embossing Folders: so important.  When you feed your embossing folder into the Big Shot make sure that it goes in folded edge first.  If you feed it into the Die Cutting/Embossing machine (ie: Big Shot, Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, Cuttlebug etc.) open end first, it puts too much pressure on the folded edge and it will eventually crack.  That would be a bummer especially if it happens to one of your favorite embossing folders.
2. 6 x 6 Embossing Folders: make sure that the are squared up against the sides of the platform and clear plates.  If not, you risk damaging the edges of your embossing folder. 
3. Paper Trimmer: 
1. When I cut my cardstock on my trimmer, I like to move the blade towards the edge that the cardstock is resting against.  The paper has less of a tendency to move.
2. Paper has a grain.  When burnishing the score line, with your bone folder, it makes a difference which way you fold it.
1. White and Vanilla the "valley" (depressed score line) fold it with the score line (valley) to the outside, or your paper will "break" along the edge.
2. Color card stock the "valley" goes to the inside.
4. Embossing/Die Cutting Machine:
1. If your machine makes a lot of cracking noise when feeding your rectangular or square dies, angle them as you feed them into your machine.  It will make a lot less noise.  Also, if you have a long narrow die, it will do the same thing.  If it is long and thin, run it through lengthwise. 
2. Intricate dies:
1. Use the impressions plate or run them back and forth through the machine a couple times for a clean cut.
2. Use adhesive sheet on the back of your card stock before cutting, it will make adhering it to your card so very easy!
3. Sometimes, using a dryer sheet (new) under your cardstock will help with all the little pieces sticking to it, instead of flying around our having to poke them out, one at a time.
4. Get a die cut brush to help remove the little pieces, this usually comes with a porous sponge pad to help the pieces move out of the way.