Friday 19 April 2019

Hunkydory Product Review - Moonstone Dies #2

Good Morning Everyone

Today I'm back with another review using the last of my die cutting sets from the UK company Hunkydory Crafts (HC).  If you didn't read my last review, here is a little background --- I was approached approx a month ago by Hunkydory Crafts asking if I would consider reviewing some of their products. So of course I said yes as long as I could give my honest opinion about the quality and usage of the products. HC happily agreed. I was given carte blanche on my choice, so I opted to use some of their Moonstone dies as I'd never them before in either my personal crafting or as a member of the 'For the Love Of Stamps' Design Team. 

As I mentioned in my previous review I selected the 3 sets shown below. I received these dies as a gift, and I will be giving you my personal, honest and sincere opinion from a crafter's point of view. I previously stated I will review the dies packaging, how they cut and how I feel the finished product looks. I used the first 2 sets in my previous review and you can see it here. (warning -- this is a long post)


Here are the links to the products, the prices and sizes (taken from the Hunkydory website) should you wish to purchase them (the information was correct on 11/04/19) --

Deck The Hall - Fabulous Frames - £19.99 (or any 2 for £34.98)
Largest die size is: 12.5cm x 12.5cm and the smallest die size is: 2.6cm x 2.6cm

Blooming Lovely Sentiments & Frame Die Set - £14.99 (or any 2 for £24.98)
Largest die size is: 12.5cm x 12.5cm and the smallest die size is: 4.5cm x 3.1cm

Fabulous Flowers - £14.99 (or any 2 for £24.98)
Largest die size is approx: 5cm x 5cm and the smallest die is approx: 2.2cm x 2.2cm

For this review and my card I used 'Deck The Halls' which I know is technically a Christmas set, but to be honest the only thing that looks remotely Christmassy is the centre circle as it has a cut out holly decoration. This makes this set really useful as it can be used all year around. I also used the 'Forget-Me-Not' stamp set by 'For The Love Of Stamps and 'Garden Treasures' Matt-tastic card and Copic pens.

MY PERSONAL REVIEW ---

(1) PACKAGING
As mentioned in my previous review the overall appearance of the packaging is really attractive in shades of blue and lilac with the white text and die description printed over the top, making everything easy to read and see. This is typical of all the Moonstone die products. The clear plastic packaging makes the products inside very visible and is easy to cut open with a strong pair of scissors. I did find that that if I cut along the top of the packet I could easily slide the die storage sheet in and out, which was brilliant to keep the dies intact and safe.

The die storage sheet was white indexed with the die shape so it made it easy to return the dies to their correct spot.

(2) CUTTING
Firstly I cut out the large frame from matt-tastic card (350gsm) using my trusty manual Grand Calibur die cutting machine and A4 plates. I found it better rotated the frame 45° (to a diamond shape) so it would cut from a single point; this cut through with one pass. Much of the waste from the cut out design just fell away as in the other dies I used; a few areas did need poking out with a tool though. The design of the frame is very pretty and intricate making it perfect to place different colour card behind it, as in my card. This frame die removes the centre so make a lovely frame.

It’s also useful to recut the frame and just use the centre portion for a stamped images etc, as in my card.

(3) MATERIALS
I cut the frame using Hunkydory matt-tastic 350gsm card and super smooth colouring card (200gsm) and it cut through both beautifully with one pass.

To test the dies further I cut out some corner embellishments using different types of materials. I used – vellum, glitter card (coated backing), black card (300gsm), glitter card, mirror card, matt mirror card, kraft card. I only needed one pass through my cutting machine when using the above material, apart from the glitter card (coated backing) which needed two passes. You can see the cut samples below.

4) APPEARANCE
The set includes 2 square dies (5" x 5" & 3¼" x 3¼"), 2 circle dies (2¼" x 2¼" & 1" x 1"), 2 corner dies (1" x 1¼" & 1" x 1½") and 2 border dies (3¼" x ¾" & 3½" x ¾") all are in a pretty intricate patterns, apart from the centre circle which has a cut holly design.

The inside area of the large square frame is approx 3½" square which ideal to add a sentiment, stamped image or flowers on and the small square has a 2½" x 2½" circle cut out.

MY VERDICT

In my sincere opinion I think that the set of dies I tested and used are attractively designed, cut brilliantly on all the materials I tried, and the finished result is very pretty. As with the other sets I tested out I really enjoyed working with them, and will definitely be using these on more of my projects, and would recommend them to my crafting friends. The cost point of the die set is equivalent to similar dies on the market.

As in the other sets I used I would prefer to see them packaged in a cardboard envelop or strong pouch system instead of the usual plastic case. I just feel that this would make storing the dies better, and help to reduce the need for plastic which is such a big issue at the moment.

If you have any questions about the products I used or would like me to test a particular l material just let me know. #ad #gift #craftproductreview

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.

Regards

X Janine X

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