Die cutting is one of my favorite techniques in card making. I think I use it in some way or another on almost every card I create. Today I thought it would be fun to share five ways to use basic nesting shape dies.
Nested basic shape dies are some of the first dies I usually suggest to beginning crafters. I think circles, hearts, stars and even rectangle dies are staple items in any crafters craft room. There are so many things you can do with them. I'm going to walk you through five of those things today.
- Peek-A-Boo - Use your basic shape dies to create a window on your card.
- Frame It Up - Use your basic shape dies to create die cut frames.
- Be The Boss - Use your basic shape dies to emboss or deboss patterns on your card front.
- Back It Up - Use your basic shape dies to create a die cut or embossed background for your card.
- Shape Up - Use your basic shape dies to create shaped cards.
I've created three cards featuring these techniques. I'll give you some tips and tricks and show these techniques in action in the video tutorial below. Be sure to check it out.
All of today's cards feature a sneak peek at the newest Essentials By Ellen release....coming very soon. Keep your eyes peeled. You won't want to miss this release...TRUST ME! Julie has outdone herself again. Love that girl!
The first card features both the window and frame technique. I've created a window on my card base. I then used the same die, along with one just a little larger, to create a frame for this window. I stamped a gorgeous flower on the inside so that it's visible through the window. A layer of vellum with some Copic coloring makes for a colorful flower when the card is closed and reveals a stunning black and white image when the card is open.
The second card features both embossing with dies and creating a background with your die. I've chosen to emboss my background on this card, but you could also use your dies to die cut a background with several shapes. I used different sizes of circles and created an embossed pattern on my card front. It's the perfect tone on tone, textural background for my adorable monkey. I'm sure this would cheer even the gloomiest of days.
Finally, I've used my basic shape dies to create a shaped card. Shaped cards are a lot of fun. There are a couple different ways you can make them...and I'll show you both of them in the video tutorial below. I also used the same circle that I used for my card base to cut a strip of patterned paper for my card front. This gives me the same curves along the edge that are on my card base. I also used another circle to create a layer on top of my shaped card. And aren't those pineapples divine?
Remember, today I'll be using just some basic circle dies, but you could have a hay day using other basic shapes with these same techniques.....stars, hearts, rectangles, squares...really the sky is the limit. You can even think beyond the basic shapes, and use some of these techniques with more intricate dies, including sentiments or even dies that coordinate with stamp sets!
You can take today's ideas one step further. There are so many possibilities, but here are a few...
- Keep 'em in stitches. Using stitched dies with these techniques can really step up the wow factor on your cards. These little details can really pack a punch on a basic die cut shape. And they add texture to your card.
- Be edgy. Think beyond stitches. There are many dies with fun edges, including scallops, pierced edges, pinking edges and more.
- Mix and match. Try creating a circle window within a heart, or combine a scalloped circle and a regular circle to create a fancy frame.
- Don't go all the way. Use partial die cutting, along with the window technique to create a fun hinged window on your card front.
I'm so glad you stopped by today. For seasoned crafters, these ideas may not be new to you...but nonetheless, I hope you'll walk away inspired. For the newer crafters in our audience, I hope I've opened up your imagination to all the possibilities for your basic shape dies.
Leave a comment below and let me know one way you plan on using these techniques OR one way you think you can change up these techniques a bit. I'd love to hear what you come up with!
Watch The Video
You can watch the video in HD on our YouTube channel by clicking HERE.
