6 WAYS: Layered Background Dies + Giveaway
Hello there! I have fallen in love with layered background dies and am thankful they are becoming more popular. However, I know they are pricey. So I am here today to show you how to get more out of the investment… with 6 techniques.
[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.]
I know that background layering dies are higher priced than most crafty products, so I wondered if I should do a video showing fun ways to use them to get different looks. I asked on Facebook and most everyone said yes. So here are six ideas to get you started!
For all of the cards, I used new layering dies from Altenew. These dies are sold separately but work great as pairs. I used the Altenew Medallions Die A, Medallions Die B, Floral Die A, and Floral Die B.
#1: DRY EMBOSSING
Dry embossing (making an impression) with dies is an excellent way to get more from any die. And it works great with layered background dies! I first impressed SSS Audrey Blue Cardstock with my Embossing Mat and Altenew Layered Medallions Die A. I then added a Altenew Layered Medallions B die cut from Lawn Fawn Mermaid Cardstock. The texture is fabulous! The sentiment is a combo of Altenew Inline Alphabet die cuts and Altenew Hug Me Stamps on vellum. I did add a few details with my white gel pen, too.
#2: FAUX DIE CUT INLAY
Die cut inlay has been another favorite technique of mine. (You can see videos on how to do it HERE, HERE, and HERE.) However, doing die cut inlay with an entire background with lots of detail can take a lot of time! So I came up with a fun trick to give a similar, almost-smooth look with a simple trick. After gluing Altenew Layered Medallions A and Medallions B die cuts onto a cardstock panel, I put it inside a folded piece of typing paper and ran it through my die cut machine a few times. This flattens it and gives it a smoother look. Again, the sentiment is a combo of Altenew Inline Alphabet die cuts and Altenew Hug Me Stamps on a vellum circle.
#3: CUT OUT PATTERN
Many background dies have some sort of distinguishable pattern or image in it… allowing you to easily cut out a portion for a new look. For this next card I layered the Altenew Layered Floral A and Floral B die cuts in coral and green cardstocks and cut out flowers and leaves.
For the sentiment I used the Altenew Halftone Circles Stamp Set. (Isn’t that sentiment the best?!) Check out that texture on those flowers…
#4: DIE CUT WINDOW
Who says you have to use layered background dies as a background? Here, I die cut a heart from a layered background and added it to a simple card. And the best part is I can use the negative space for another card to create a window. (I will make that card another day – I ran out of steam!) Again, I used the Altenew Layered Medallions A and Medallions B dies. One of the layers is cut from Silver Glitter Cardstock for added fun. The sentiment is from the Altenew Painted Butterflies Stamp Set.
#5: MASKS & STENCILS
Stencils are wonderful for creating smooth, inked backgrounds with the look of dimension. And you can create your own stencils with background dies! I decided to use Masking Paper for my stencils due to the detail. Over the Altenew Layered Floral Die A “stencil” I applied Abandoned Coral Distress Ink and then over the Altenew Layered Floral Die B “stencil” I inked Fired Brick Distress Ink. The results are gorgeous! And think of the different colors you could do!
Those Altenew Inline Alphabet Dies are so classy. So pretty. And that small Altenew Hug Me sentiment is so sweet.
#6: SPECIALTY PAPERS
An easy way to get a new look from background layered dies is to use specialty papers. For this card I used vellum sprayed with Shimmer Spritz with the Altenew Layered Floral Die B and Gold Foil Cardstock for the background panel. Layering the vellum on the gold paper is so cool! You could use a variety of specialty papers such as cork, glitter paper, etc.
I simply can’t get enough of the Altenew Halftone Circles Stamp Set sentiment! I have used it a lot lately. And check out the shine and texture on that background…
There are many other great ways to use layered background dies. You could use them with a clear acetate card… for a tri-fold card… add color with markers…. etc. They are fun! And worth the investment to me.
BLOG HOP
Today I am part of the Altenew April Release Blog Hop… celebrating the release of their new layering dies and New Day Card Kit. You can see the new dies HERE and find out more about their card kit HERE. (Be sure to check out the kit – it contains many unique goodies!)
The next stop on the hop is the blog of Erum Tasneem. She is an absolutely amazing artist – be sure to check it out! (You can always start at the beginning of the hop on the Altenew Blog.)
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate this release, I have a $30 Altenew gift certificate for one of my blog readers! For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 4/14/17 telling me which today’s layered background dies sets is your favorite. (To leave a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post and click the green “leave a comment” button. The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
Also… Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners on their blog! Be sure to head there, too.
SUPPLIES
Want to find 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. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those from Altenew. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Altenew (ALT), Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), etc.
