TIPS AND TECHNIQUES:

CLEANING METAL STENCILS
Most of the time, a little soap and water clean up the stencils. However, over a period of time, they can become discolored. Wipe rubbing alcohol (I prefer 91%) over the stencil with a soft cloth. Then rinse in water. If necessary, repeat.

CREATING REFLECTION DIE CUTS
*Using a Spellbinder’s die, cut and emboss one die cut as usual.
*Use the same die and cut another die cut, but do not emboss it.
*Rather. remove the die cut and flip over the die so that the cut edge is face down.
*Align the die cut on top of the die.
*Put the embossing mat on top of the die cutand then the final mat. Emboss as usual.
*Remove the die cut from the die, voila, you have a “mirror” image die cut. 

PUNCHES 
      Before purchasing a punch from a shop/store, ask to try it it out. I make it a practice to do this at the shop as every so often a punch is defective and despite the suggestions below, it won’t work.  This will save you from having to spend your time and money on gas to return the punch.       
      Also, check with the shop owner about the punch’s ability to cut through cardstock.  Some punches, especially the intricate patterns, are designed to only cut through text weight paper.  This information is usually not on the package, so if the shop owner doesn’t know, then s/he can contact a company rep.  
      I so enjoy working with punches, but will admit that occasionally they can be “challenging” to use, especially when paper gets stuck.  Here are some suggestions compiled from my own experiences and research to consider when a punch is:

Clogging - This tends to happen when one is using very thin paper (i.e. wrapping paper).  Place a piece of photocopier paper on top of the “thin” 
paper and punch through both layers.

Jamming - Perhaps the paper is too thick.  First, try turning the punch upside down and thumping the “button” several times on a hard surface. 
If that doesn’t work, then pop the cover off the punch.  Take the punch apart so you can remove the stuck paper.  Put the pieces back in this order:  spring, button, outer cover.  Press cover down to connect with the bottom piece.

Stiff -  punch through waxed paper several times. This helps to loosen it. I also use Punch  Doctor spray or Paper Cutter by Paper Glide on stiff punches.

Tearing - If paper is being torn, not cut, then punch several times through layers of aluminum foil.

     Keep punches in a dry area.  Some people recommend using silica sachets that are in new shoes or purses as these  absorb problem causing moisture.
     Did you know that you can punch polymer clay to make embellishments?  The clay needs to be rolled thin enough to fit through the “slot”.  Dust both sides lightly with baby powder before inserting into the punch

UNSTICKING PAPER FROM DIES
     If paper tends to stick inside a die (especially very intricate dies), put a piece of wax paper between the die and paper before you run the die through the machine. Voila! The paper pops away from the die.

USING INK PADS TO CREATE WATERCOLORS
     Gentle press a water based ink pad cover so that the inside touches the ink pad. Open and remove the ink off the cover with a wet brush. When you’re finished painting, wipe the cover clean before placing over the ink pad.