Magnetic Big Shot Platform ... best thing ever?

The title of this post might seem a little over-enthusiastic - perhaps the Magnetic Platform isn't the best thing ever, but it's certainly going to be a big help with all the framelits I have been accumulating :-)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this beaut new item (now available in the NEW 2013-14 Annual Catalogue!), here's the lowdown...

My Magnetic Platform, clinging tight to that strip of cardstock and the Bitty Banners Framelits

In the past, when using your Framelits, you laid down your Big Shot Multi Purpose Platform, with all tabs closed, then a Cutting Mat, then your cardstock, then your Framelit, then another Cutting Mat, crossed your fingers and hoped that the Framelit stayed in one place while you cranked the whole lot through the Big Shot.

It was a bit touch and go, and while it wasn't so bad if you were just cutting random shapes, it could be tricky if you stamped your cardstock and were using the framelit to cut out the stamped image.  You could use post-it notes to hold the framelit down, but there was no guarantee that the slippery little thing wouldn't move just a fraction - enough to ruin your cardstock.

But if you happen to be the proud owner of a Magnetic Platform, your worries are over!

You create your "sandwich" as normal, but instead of using the Multi Purpose Platform you use your Magnetic Platform (no tabs to worry about).  This gadget has some heavy duty magnets in it (so much so that I would be wary of putting it near a computer, TV or even a pacemaker!) which will cause the framelit to cling even through a Cutting Mat and a layer of cardstock.  Trust me, once you have your framelit in place over your cardstock, it is a snap to make sure it's in exactly the right place - and it's not likely to move!

Here's a close up of my Platform, with a strip of cardstock and some little framelits.  Remember that they will be placed cutting edge *down*, which is just as well because they would be pretty hard to peel off otherwise.

I have read that you're better off using relatively flat Cutting Plates, although my nasty old "well loved" ones worked just fine when I was experimenting the other night.  Better make sure I have my newer set to hand, just in case.

And remember, this will not replace your Multi Purpose platform ... the Magnet Platform is only for use with framelits, not the many other cutting tools available for the Big Shot.