Crop-a-dile Tip

Here's a tip to help you never forget the settings for your crop-a-dile!

Mine is pink and I wrote on the inside of each handle with black Sharpie the settings.

1/8 C3 & 3/16 A2

ETA 11/16: I've had a couple of inquiries to what A2 and C3 mean. So I'll explain further.

Those settings refer to the little black blocks on the end of your crop-a-dile. One is lettered A, B,C,D (that's the one with the prongs) and the other is numbered 1,2,3,4.
I know, I know get out a flashlight and your magnifying glass! LOL! It's so small but trust me they are there.

A2 is the setting for the 3/16 sized eyelets - A on one block (with the prongs and the flat and recessed sides) and 2 on the other.

C3 is the other setting for the 1/8 sized eyelets - C on one block (with the prongs) and 3 on the other.

To move the blocks around you may have to pull them out and then turn. Remember to shove them back in and lock the block back into place.

I hope this helps to clarify things for those that were wondering what the heck I was talking about!

If your's is the black handled one then you might be able to write on the inside with a white gel pen.

It's not really noticeable on the inside and the marker stays on because it doesn't really come in contact with your hand when your using it

One more thing to love about my Crop-a-dile!

I like to keep a lot of my 3D items out on display for inspiration. Today I noticed that my Explosion Box Album lid was falling apart. Even though I cut the side flaps and used glue dots they would not stay stuck (I wonder if it has anything to do with Shelley constantly taking the thing apart to make her lids???).

Anyway today I was looking at it and it really bothered me so I decided to take a few minutes and fix it.

I used my Word Window punch from Stampin' Up! and punched 4 strips from the a scrap of the same Bazzills Red card stock that I used to make the base for the box.

Then I folded them in 1/2 and glued one on each of the corners. I used my hand 1/8 punch and punched holes in the ends. I could not use my Crop-a-dile for this because it would not reach. Lastly, I used my handy dandy Crop-a-dile to set 2 eyelets in each one and VOILA! it's fixed.

Now I couldn't do that with the silent eyelet setter or my hammer and punch! I really like the way it turned out so I'm going to change the way I make these in the future to encorporate the strips and eyelets.

Dry Embossing DOTS with the Crop-a-dile

I've received several emails and a comment on my last post with all the swap sneak peek tips, techniques and reminders.


First, I want to clear up that I did NOT make all of those samples pictured. They are peeks at swap cards that I am receiving for a current swap I'm hosting. They were all made by other participants of the swap (the photos are actually marked with the swapper's name).


Secondly, someone has asked about dry embossing dots with the Crop-a-dile. If you haven't already tried this - you must! It is so clever and really a neat technique!


The setting for the Crop-a-dile is A 2 to make the dry embossed dots. The key thing to remember is to not apply full pressure when you squeeze the handles. If you squeeze too hard it will cut through. There is a little click you hear just before you punch through the paper. Practice on scraps and then you'll know what I mean.


Finally, here is a link to Beate's tutorial on using the Crop-a-dile. It's very easy and straightforward and if you scroll through it you will see her demo on dry embossing with it. Pay close attention to her tip on how to line up your dots using the black cube on the Crop-a-dile!