4 Ways: 2-For-1 Backgrounds
Hello! It can be a lot of fun to create stamped backgrounds. But it is even more fun when you can use one background to make two cards. So today I am sharing four ways to use backgrounds for 2-for-1 cards.
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Multiple stores are also linked in the parentheses following the product name. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]
Yep – I had so much fun using the new Concord & 9th stamps to create gorgeous backgrounds! I then used each background to create two cards.
Here are the four ways I show for using one background for two cards….
#1: DIE CUT INLAY
One great way to take one background and create two cards is to use the die cut inlay technique. For my examples, I stamped and heat embossed the Concord & 9th Plaid Background Stamp (SSS | C&9). So pretty! I then used the large Concord & 9th Ornamental (SSS | C&9) die to cut out an ornament. I also die cut the same from kraft cardstock. On one card, I inlaid the kraft die cut ornament into the plaid background. On the other I inlaid the plaid ornament into the kraft background.
I also added gold-heat-embossed ornament toppers, gold string and sentiments from the Concord & 9th Ornamental Stamp Set ( SSS | C&9).
The Concord & 9th Ornamental Die Set (SSS | C&9) also includes dies for adding detail on the ornament. Look at how pretty it is…
Using the die cut inlay technique, I created two more cards using one background. I again stamped and heat the Concord & 9th Plaid Background Stamp (SSS | C&9)… but instead cut it with the Concord & 9th Trim the Tree Die (SSS | C&9). On one card I added a die cut “cheer” and on the other I silver heat embossed a sentiment from the Concord & 9th Trim the Tree Stamps Set (SSS | C&9).
The plaid background stamp is fun to use… especially with heat embossing. Oh – and the Studio Katia Silver Foil Crystals make perfect holiday card accents!
#2: DIE CUT WINDOWS
Another great way to use one background to create two cards is by creating a window die cut. I started with a colorful floral background made with the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9). I then used a shape die from the coordinating Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Die Set (SSS | C&9) to die cut from the stamping.
For the first card, I also cut the window in the same spot on the front of a top-folding white notecard. I adhered another notecard inside of it but upside down… so the card flips up and then down to open. (Watch the video for a better explanation.) I also gold heat embossed a sentiment from the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9) and added details to the flowers with Nuvo Drops.
I used the extra die cut piece for my second card. I stamped the background with a strip border image from the Concord & 9th Trim the Tree Stamp Set (SSS | C&9) and added the die cut along with a die cut flower cluster. The gems are Studio Katia Silver Foil Crystals and the “thank you” is from the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9).
#3: WONKY BACKGROUNDS
A third way to get two cards from one stamped background is to do a bit of wonky die cutting! I started by creating a background using the fun Concord & 9th Christmas Cheer Turnabout Stamp (SSS | C&9) and Distress Oxide Inks. I die cut (crooked!) a portion of it with a Lawn Fawn Rectangle Stitched Die. This creates two pieces for two cards. I used the outside piece on the first card and added wonky-die-cut-white-piece on top with craft foam… and stamped “making spirits bright” from the Concord & 9th Christmas Cheer Turnabout Stamp Set (SSS | C&9). On the other card, I added the wonky-stamped piece on a white notecard and stamped “merry” from the Concord & 9th Ornamental Stamp Set ( SSS | C&9). Fast and easy.
#4: SPLIT BACKGROUNDS
The final idea for making two cards from one stamped backgrounds is to simply split it! I chose to cut my backgrounds at a diagonal for a bit of added interested. And I made several cards!
This first set of cards features a background made with the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9). I glued the two pieces to top folding notecards and added a white piece cut with a faux stitched edge. This white piece covers up the area that is missing the floral background. And by using the faux stitching and craft foam for dimension, it has some added interested. I stacked a few “wonderful” Concord & 9th Wonderful Words (SSS | C&9) die cuts and stamped “hello” on each.
My next pair of cards feature a CZ Design Hellos die cut and a “you matter to me” stamped sentiment. These colors make me happy!
This next pair of cards makes me swoon! The Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9) with gold embossing powder is so very pretty. This time I skipped the faux stitch die cutting on the edge of the white cardstock and instead added a peach cardstock strip.
The “hello” die cuts are from the CZ Design Hellos Die Set.
You may be wondering why I don’t have two cards using the pool floral background. That is because I got an inky thumbprint on part of it, so I just hid it with this technique. Worked great.
Next I have a few examples using the Concord & 9th Plaid Background Stamp (SSS | C&9) for the background.
This next pair features gold and silver embossing on red cardstock… and “cheer” die cuts using the Concord & 9th Season of Cheer Die Set (SSS | C&9).
The plaid background pieces can be used for holiday or non-holiday cards. The floral cluster on the left card is from the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9).
I love the detail in that background!
BONUS CARDS
I also have a few bonus ides for using stamped backgrounds. For this next pair of cards, I stamped two backgrounds – one with the Concord & 9th Plaid Background Stamp (SSS | C&9) and one with the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9). (Doesn’t that background look great in black?!) I split the two backgrounds and paired them up with each other to create two fun cards…
And last but not least, I wanted to share an idea for using a stamped background on a card in a simple way. Here I used the Concord & 9th Blooms Fill-In Die Set (SSS | C&9) to die cut a flower cluster from a stamped Blooms Fill-In Stamp Set (SSS | C&9) background. I then adhered it with foam tape back in it’s place. The added dimension makes the card even better!
I hope these inspire you to create a bunch of stamped backgrounds.
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used?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 Concord & 9th. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Concord & 9th (C&9), etc.
