Before starting this project, make sure you have a general but clear idea of what you want to achieve as your final product, as well as the software titled "Magic Cut Studio" pulled up on the computer in the MakerSpace at the back of the room.

1. Once you have the software opened on the computer, click on the "New Project..." button and title your project something unique and appropriate to the product you are creating. Make sure you change the width and height of the paper size to match the paper you are using in the machine (it should be a roll of premium paper, which is 24 inches by 12 inches). Click the "OK" button to proceed to the workspace.

2. On the workspace menu at the top of the screen, click on the "Library" icon to select a design from the collection offered by the software. Try to start off with a simple design and progress further in difficulty based on your success with the resulting products.

3. Place the shape or design onto the virtual workplace mat and position it so that the design is about two squares away from either side of the mat (in other words, leave off about two to three squares on all four sides as margins before placing your design; this is to ensure that the cutter cuts the entire shape instead of leaving off a part).

4. Once you are happy with your design preview, hit the "Cutter" button from the software menu. Check to make sure the cut mode is set to "WYSIWYG" before proceeding.

5. Turn on the Magic Cutter machine and push the lever at the top of the machine back.

6. Move the blade to the far side and insert your paper into the machine so that the rollers on either side are sitting on top of the paper. Try to level your paper with the straight edge on the machine as best as possible.

7. Pull the lever back up and select option 3 for "Sheet" so that the machine can scan the paper and note the size dimensions for cutting.

8. Back on the computer, click the "cut" button and wait for the code to be sent to the machine to begin the cutting process.

9. Once the machine has finished cutting, push the lever back to remove your paper and retrieve your design. After you gently get your design out of the paper template, you are finished!

Since I do not have a success story of my own to share, I do not know how helpful my tips & tricks would be. However, I am sharing some basic things you might want to keep in mind!

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT!! Have a clear idea of what you want to make so that you can easily execute that idea.

2. CREATE SOMETHING SIMPLE!! If this is your first time using the Magic Cutter, start with a simple design to see if you are able to make that. If you are successful with the simple design, you can progressively increase the difficulty and complexity of your design!

3. BE PATIENT!! For me, this was so frustrating and annoying to use, but I'm sure that it is possible to successfully make something with the Magic Cutter, considering there are quite a few videos that show good final products. If you cannot result in a good product either, don't give up! It's okay to make mistakes, just try and try again :)