5 Ways To Use Background Dies + Giveaway
Hi there! Today I show 5 ways to use background dies.
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]
For all of these projects, I used Neenah White Cardstock, along with My Favorite Things Blu Raspberry and Summer Splash Cardstocks. I also used a My Favorite Things Polka Dot Background Die for each card example. (This die’s release was delayed until August, but you can get similar dies, such as THIS one!) However, you can try these techniques with many background dies that you may already have.
#1: DIE CUT TRI-FOLD CARD DESIGN
Tri-fold card designs are always fun to do. Especially if you use a background die to make the front panel see-through…
(By the way, I am sorry I kept saying “gatefold” in the video. I meant “tri-fold” – so sorry!)
After die cutting the front of my tri-fold card with the background die, I added sentiments from the My Favorite Things Birthday Sentiments Stamp Set with silver glitter embossing powder. I also colored the My Favorite Things Beary Special Birthday Stamp Set bear with Copic Markers and added shimmer with my Wink of Stella Shimmer Pen. A thin coat of Glossy Accents on the cake’s icing and a bit of Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Dots on the eyes and nose were the perfect final touches.
#2: CREATE A STENCIL
You can extend the use of background dies by using them to create stencils. Stencils can be used for MANY techniques. I like to create my own stencils from vellum or acetate so I can see through them when using.
After creating my stencil using the background die and vellum, I added blue ink with a sponge dauber onto my card front. I also sprayed over the stencil with a bit of Shimmer Spray and let it dry. The sentiment is from the new My Favorite Things Celebrate with Cake Stamp Set… and is stamped on a My Favorite Things Double Stitched Circle Stax die cut. I again used the My Favorite Things Beary Special Birthday Stamp Set for the bear along with a bit of shimmer and Nuvo Nuvo Ebony Black Crystal Dots.
#3: DRY EMBOSSED BACKGROUND
Dry embossing with a background die gives wonderful dimension! Just put a piece of cardstock between an embossing pad and the background die… and run it through your die cut machine as you would an embossing folder.
I really wanted to keep this card simple so the focus would be on the background piece. Again, the sentiment is from the new My Favorite Things Celebrate with Cake Stamp Set.
#4: DIMENSIONAL POSITIVE PIECES
Often times a background die will create lots of small “positive pieces.” (In this case? A bunch of dots.) You can add these with foam tape for a dimensional background. Just use the die or the negative space die cut as a “guide” for placing the pieces.
For this example, I used the My Favorite Things Hog Heaven Stamps – this set is so cute! I even added a pom-pom to the top of his hat.
#5: GLITTER INLAY BACKGROUND
You can also create inlay backgrounds with background dies. Simply cut the background and adhere something into the open spaces, such as a different colored cardstock… or glitter!
After covering the front of a notecard with Be Creative Double Sided Adhesive, I added a die cut panel. This left just the dots with adhesive exposed. After sprinkling on and pressing in lots of Nuvo Diamond Pure Sheen Glitter, I cleaned up quickly with a Swiffer dusting sheet. (A must-have for glitter clean-up!) This pretty clear glitter allows the blue behind to show through. It is really cool how the glitter is inlaid into the background. Again, the sentiment is from the My Favorite Things Celebrate with Cake Stamp Set.
These are just five of the many ways you can use background dies. I hope you will give them a try!
NOTE: This die’s release was delayed until August, but you can get similar dies, such as THIS one. I apologize – I didn’t know of the delay until after my video and post were up. Stay tuned in August!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY FAVORITE THINGS!
My Favorite Things is celebrating their 10th birthday! I have been using their products for many, many years. I remember meeting the owner, Kim, and hitting it off right away. I am proud of the success she has had. I hope you will stop by the My Favorite Things site to celebrate!
By the way, you can see all the new products from their newest release HERE. Lots of great birthday stamp sets!
GIVEAWAY
How would you like to win a new die set from this newest My Favorite Things release? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 7/10/16 telling me your favorite in this release. You can see the whole release HERE. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
SUPPLIES
Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated Affiliate links used at no cost to you. Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisks. As always, this post was NOT sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), My Favorite Things (MFT), etc.
