Belle Papier {pretty paper}

Feb 19 2008

Curvy Cutter Circle Template {C’est Bon}

Published by Julia Stainton at 10:53 am under C'est Bon, Stamping Techniques

I just love my new circle cutter. I’ve been wanting to post this review & tutorial since I first bought it but time has been in short supply. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with it…from the first perfect cut with it…I’ve been so enthralled. The EK Success Curvy Cutter Circle Template is so slick and easy to use and I’m so impressed with its abilities. I’ve always loved circles and they are so hot and trendy right now in design. Usually I’d tend to stay away from circles as I just wasn’t happy using the shape cutter I had. It would leave spots where I had to trim. I do love the Nestabilites circles but I found I was limited in size of what would run through my die cut machine. With my new Curvy Cutter Circle Template, I’m just loving adding circles of all sizes as they are so quick and easy to incorporate. I just had to have this circle cutter template after falling in love with all the cool ways Nancy uses circles on her blog, Scrap This. Take time to check it out…her layouts are so fun and fabulous!

What I like about the Curvy Cutter

easy to use
easy to position
very quick to set up
huge size variety of circles from 2.25″ to 7.5 inches …you can also cut outside the circles for greater flexibility and a full 12″ cut
1/8″ increments mean you can cut and mat with great flexibility
two circle positioning templates make it easy to position your photo or paper in just the right place
ergonomic handle swivels easily for cutting in a single motion
no torn or ragged edges….a crisp perfect circle
gripper feet keep the template easily in place
works well on cardstock, photos, vellum etc.
double sided blade means you can cut in both directions
expandable….you can use the Curvy Cutter part with other templates such as the Oval Template and the rounded squares
you can use the glass cutting mat for other applications such as free hand cutting etc.

Things to note:

this cutter does not work well with small scraps of paper
The cutter is sold in two pieces…the circle template and the Curvy Cutter blade mechanism itself…you will need both
this cutter works best with a glass cutting mat. Self healing mats are not recommended
When cutting multiple circles…start at the smallest size and work out.
This cutter is not inexpensive but I find it is well worth the money. Well made and flexible I know it will give me great cuts for years to come.

How to Use:

To cut thin circles…

1. Lay cardstock on glass mat.

2. Position circle template on top. Remove guide and place cutter in desired track.

3. Swivel blade around track.

4. Push blade in until it clicks at the next increment. Cut circle.

5. Repeat.

To position on photo and cut out…

1. Place photo on glass cutting mat.

2. Position circle template with positioning insert where desired on photo.

3. Adjust blade to correct size. Remove insert and place blade in track.

4. Press down on template to hold steady and swivel blade with other hand.

Quick Tip: When cutting rings of circles…I often cut out a full sheet of circles at once. This allows me to have some precut circles on hand and play around with which size best suits my design.

Where to find it…

I purchased my cutter from my local scrapbook store.
You can also find it at Michael’s and other craft stores
On-line stores

Things to do with it…

make a circle card
make thin 1/8″ circles
cut circle spotlights
make circle windows
cut out off-set circles
line up the side of your card to create a semi-circle edge

Samples…(just click on image to go to design and instructions in original post)

If you have questions about this product…please feel free to ask. I’ll do my best to answer by editing in the answers into this post. All {C’est Bon} entries feature products that I love to use and are my personal honest opinion. If you’d like to check out other {C’est Bon} entries that I’ve written…just click on {C’est Bon} in the Category section of my sidebar.

Edited to Add….

From Rachel….

I’ve had the circle cutter for about a year and never use it because the directions were very confusion. Your tutorial helped a lot! I do have a question for you. What kind of adhesive to do for the thin 1/8 circles?

I’m so glad it helped you out Rachel! I’ve found that using a Mono type adhesive leaves a gummy mess all over so I usually use one of two liquid glues… the Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive or the Sakura glue pen. Both of these adhesives are easy to apply in a thin line and hold well. Hope this helps!

Many of you have also mentioned to me that the Curvy Cutter was originally packaged with the cutter and oval templates together. They are now marketed separately and I purchased the Curvy Cutter, the Circle Templates and the glass cutting board as separate items. I can’t say for sure what the original packaging said about the cutting surface but the Circle Template instructions now read that a glass cutting surface is definitely recommended for a clean cut. Hope this helps!

24 Responses to “Curvy Cutter Circle Template {C’est Bon}”

Linda C.on 19 Feb 2008 at 11:21 am 1

Cool tool!
Lauraon 19 Feb 2008 at 11:29 am 2

Excellent review Julia! I have looked at this cutter from time to time, and now I feel much better making a decision. Your tutorial is clear and concise and your tips very useful. Thanks!!
Rachelon 19 Feb 2008 at 11:42 am 3

Julia

First of all, love your cards? And you always provide helpful tips and tricks.

I’ve had the circle cutter for about a year and never use it because the directions were very confusion. Your tutorial helped a lot!

I do have a question for you. What kind of adhesive to do for the thin 1/8 circles?
Rachelon 19 Feb 2008 at 11:44 am 4

Julia

I’m sorry about the question mark after the word “cards”. I mean to leave an exclamation mark!
Kate Hart-Sampsonon 19 Feb 2008 at 12:12 pm 5

Thanks for the tutorial about this product, Julia. I’ve watched a video about it at my LSS, but it didn’t convince me. I’ll have to check it out.
Susan (rainy)on 19 Feb 2008 at 12:24 pm 6

Great post Julie. I have wanted to get a new system.. You make it look easy.
Kirstenon 19 Feb 2008 at 1:01 pm 7

I have these, too, and love them!
Phyllison 19 Feb 2008 at 1:36 pm 8

I have been looking at these at one of the big box stores, but I have all these other circle cutting gadgets and couldn’t justify it. I did realize I could cut circles exactly where I need but was that enough?

But now that I see your samples, I am convinced it would be worthwhile - I can’t cut circles within circles or cut a circle on the edge with my Cricut. My punches only go up to 2″.

I did not look at it that closely, so I did not realize you need two parts! THanks for the heads up.

I LOVE your C’est Bon column!
Karenon 19 Feb 2008 at 4:02 pm 9

I have had the EK Circle and Oval templetes and cutting system for almost a year now and I just love it! I like the fact that I can adjust the cutting blade ever so slightly to make my circles or ovals just the right size!

Another great product with the user in mind!
Bethon 19 Feb 2008 at 4:42 pm 10

This is an awesome product. I agree with Rachel in that your tutorial is way better than the original instructions. I think some of the confusion actually keeps people from purchasing this great tool! Yes, it is pricey because essentially you might have to purchase as many as 3 products (if you do not have the glass cutting mat) BUT if you use a 40% off coupon and have patiences over several weeks, I feel it is well worth the price. I wish EK would have made the “starter kit” with the circle template instead of the oval but I guess that was smart business on their part- teeheehee! Thanks for the post. You’re fantastic!
Lilianon 19 Feb 2008 at 6:27 pm 11

Great tutorial Julia. I’ve had the Curvy Cutter for about a year now too, so much better than dinner plates, bowls etc.! LOL Though I didn’t find the instructions confusing, it seems to me they said you could use either a selfhealing mat OR glass mat. The selfhealing DOES NOT work at all and therefore you have to invest in a glass mat also, but it’s so much easier to hand cut small pieces on a glass mat, it’s well worth the investment. I didn’t like the way they packaged the cutter with the oval template at first, but I think you can now buy the cutter by itself and the circles by themselves too, so that works. Thanks for the great tutorials and ideas…love your blog.
Tami B.on 19 Feb 2008 at 9:40 pm 12

Thanks so much for your review. I have this, but use it rarely because it takes time to pull it all out and figure out the sizes. I also had problems with paper waste, since it doesn’t allow smaller pieces. I like the concept of this tool and your tutorial is excellent. I just need to use it more.
Linda Meyerkordon 19 Feb 2008 at 9:53 pm 13

Hi Julia,
I’m Lisa Silver’s mom. What a great tutorial. I love your cards and your site. -linda
KATon 19 Feb 2008 at 10:57 pm 14

I just love my Curvy cutter…. Earlier today I posted a card on my blog using it to make multiple circle rings…. If you get a chance Julia check it out on http://www.kattoys.blogspot.com…. I would love to know what you think!
Nancyon 20 Feb 2008 at 7:42 am 15

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with this cutter with us!! And thanks again for your sweet sweet words about my work! *blushing*. YOU are the one who’s inspiring me all the time!!!! Just looove all of your instructions and work! (this circle cutter seems so easy to use! I’m using the Orbis circle cutter.. that works perfectly too.. but sometimes I’m having a hard time turning the wheel.. oh well, maybe it’s just me.. whahaha) Have a great day! XOXO
Julia (artystamper)on 20 Feb 2008 at 10:46 am 16

Wonderful tutorial - it is so helpful to see how it’s done rather than reading an instruction book - this is great!
Rhondaon 20 Feb 2008 at 1:14 pm 17

OH my gosh!! Thanks for today’s dose of enabling!! Must go find one for myself!! Your blog is very insiring, thanks!!
Dawnon 21 Feb 2008 at 6:03 am 18

this is so cool Julia! I have another circle cutter (besides nestabilities) that is just too confusing, but this looks so simple…..one more thing to add to that list!!
Leahon 22 Feb 2008 at 12:35 am 19

I love my Curvy Cutter! I just wanted to say that I found mine at my local Target and not only was it much cheaper than at Michaels but it had the blade mechanism with it. I did have to purchase the glass mat seperatetly. I too love how easy it is to use and the range of circle sizes.

http://paperblossoms.blogspot.com
Susan Bajdekon 22 Feb 2008 at 9:25 pm 20

Julia, I purchased the curvy circle cutter, cutter, and glass mat. In your tutorial, your glass mat looked like a 12″. I could only find the Cutter Bee glass mat which is a 12×9. Is there another size out there? I was afraid I would not be able to figure this system out, but so far so good. If you could please answer my question on the correct glass mat to use and what size, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Susan
Belle Papier {pretty paper} » A Little Shabby…on 07 Mar 2008 at 12:55 pm 21

[…] focus your attention into the images on the design…I added a circle cut with my Curvy Cutter Circle Template and some fun […]
Nicoleon 24 Mar 2008 at 12:06 pm 22

Thanks for this tutorial. I’ve been looking for a circle cutter to cut large circles and have been debating on whether to buy this cutting system without seeing a demonstration. You have sold me on the product just from your experience.
Thanks again
wendyon 05 Jul 2008 at 2:42 am 23

Fantastic tutorial thankyou!! i found this last nite when i was reading someone elses blog,googled it read but still wasnt sure,then i found your blog,you have put my mind at rest,definately going to buy it
Wendy xx
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