Rethinking Die Cuts
Hello! Today’s episode doesn’t share a technique, but rather many tips for “rethinking” your stamps and dies to get new, fresh looks. I had a load of fun making LOTS of examples and I hope they inspire you to do the same!
[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 may be used at no cost to you.]
This video has 22 cards… and is packed with tips and tricks. Even though I am sharing my cards here, I do suggest watching the video for the ideas! I was in need of lots of cards, so decided to share the process.
For all of my cards, I creatively used stamps and dies together. I started with a stamped background and pulled in “silhouette” dies to create unique looks.
My first card features the Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette Stamp Set (SSS | C9) to create the stamped background. I then cut it with a house Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette Die (SSS | C9). After backing it with die cut craft foam, I added it to the card along with several white die cut flowers and a sentiment from the same stamp set. All of today’s envelopes are decorated with a sentiment from the The Stamp Market Hugs and Hello Stamp Set (SSS |TSM).
I like how the cluster of tiny die cuts behind the house adds interest to this simple card.
Here is a similar card but with different colors and a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 Stamp Set.
Another way to use a patterned die cut is to add it to a tone-on-tone die cut background. This card showcases the Lawn Fawn Portrait Heart Backdrop Die and a sentiment from an old My Favorite Things stamp set.
This next card uses the negative piece from my first card. (It is always fun make two cards at once!) I backed the house with a piece of embossed cardstock using the Creative Expressions Bountiful Blossom Embossing Folder… and added a Mama Elephant Hello Friend Die Cut (SSS | EH) and Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 Stamp Set sentiment. Sometimes a little bit of texture makes a big difference!
You can also use silhouette-type dies to create a window that allows stamping to show through.
Adding dimension with craft foam is key to this design to highlight the window feature.
I also liked using these Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette (SSS | C9) stamped backgrounds with the Essentials by Ellen Hand Dies. So cute! I added a die cut heart… and a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 Stamp Set.
The Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette Die (SSS | C9) has other shapes besides houses… including this cute elephant. I combined the elephant die cuts with a Sunny Studio Dapper Diamonds Embossing Folder background.
The first card has sentiments from the Concord & 9th Floral Print Silhouette Stamp Set (SSS | C9) (including “you amaze me” on the inside).
The matching card has a sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 Stamp Set. I made a little party hat for the elephant. 🙂
You can also use coordinating dies without the matching stamps… and instead use them to cut out stamped backgrounds for a silhouette look. Here, I used the dies that match the Altenew Birds of a Feather Stamp Set (SSS | ALT). The sentiments are from an older My Favorite Things stamp set.
I added the bird to a Sunny Studio Sunburst Embossing Folder background.
Here is another card featuring a coordinating die… from the Altenew Crown Blooms Stamp Set (SSS | ALT).
Behind the leaf die cut, I created a window with the Memory Box Bright Hearts Die. I really like to combine unexpected products together!
You would be surprised how many coordinating dies work for creating silhouette shapes! For my next card I used a heart balloon die that matches a stamp in the Concord & 9th Monster Love Stamp Set (SSS | C9). I also added heart confetti that was left over from the Lawn Fawn Portrait Heart Backdrop Die I used above.
I also found many dies that were perfect for silhouettes in layering die sets. This leaf die is from the Altenew Hibiscus Garden 3D Layering Die Set (SSS | ALT).
This card shows covering the background with white die cuts for a bit of dimension. Love that sentiment from the Simon Says Stamp Simple Sentiments 2 Stamp Set.
I used the matching piece for a simple die cut inlay over a notecard heat embossed with Hero Arts White Satin Pearl Embossing Powder and a new Simon Hurley Background Stamp.
The card designs I share today are also great for using up leftover stamped backgrounds or “mess up” pieces. I had this large colorful piece leftover from THIS video (featuring the Birch Press Shining Mandala Stencil and Stamp Bundle) and decided to not let it go to waste! The sentiment is from the new Avery Elle You’ve Got This Stamp Set (SSS | AE).
And here is the matching card with a background created using the new Avery Elle Ray Die (SSS | AE).
If you open the door to any of these die cut houses, there is a tiny die cut heart inside!
My next two cards are good examples of how well a coordinating die works for this technique. This die is meant to match up with a lovely stamped image from the Altenew Dainty Bouquet Stamp Set (SSS | ALT) but it looks great without! I used this die along with a background I created with the Concord & 9th Happy Plaid Stamp Set (SSS | C9).
This die cut is a great example of how helpful it is to die cut craft foam for the added dimension. Trying to put foam squares behind that would have been a challenge! I added the piece to a Avery Elle Quilted Frame Die (SSS | AE) background (swoon!).
I also added the negative space plaid piece with die cut craft foam… and a sentiment from the Avery Elle You’ve Got This Stamp Set (SSS | AE).
You can also allow stamped backgrounds to peek from behind border die cuts. This card features the Concord & 9th Hey Turnabout Stamp (SSS | C9) and the Concord & 9th Peek Through Pattern Dies (SSS | C9). Love these colors!
My final set of cards shows that you can do these tricks with word dies… and leftover backgrounds made of scraps. I had this rainbow scrap background left over from THIS video and I thought I would use it along with the cool new Birch Press Simple Love Dies. It worked perfect!
Again… this shows the benefit of die cut craft foam for dimension…
And my last card! (Whew!) This has an Avery Elle Scalloped Frame Die (SSS | AE) background.
I love that this card has TONS of details… but required little work!
Whew! That was a lot of cards. 🙂 But I hope the inspire you. Time for me to get these in the mail…
CHECK IT OUT
Many of the products I used today are from the newest Concord & 9th release. It is a good one (you can see it all HERE)… and you can get this stamp set FREE with a $60 purchase at Concord & 9th!
Also, be sure to check out the guest artists over at Concord & 9th this month! One of the guests is my good friend Jeff Lindberg. You can see the guest post HERE… but be sure to follow him on Instagram HERE. I love seeing more guys craft!
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you for your support! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except the products with asterisks which were received from the company with no expectation. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.
|
