Die cuts serve many purposes, including cutting out your stamped images so that you don’t have to fussy-cut them by hand. Then sometimes they can enhance and embellish cards on which you’ve used some coordinating stamps. But have you ever thought of using die cuts as focal points on your cards?
The Concept Is Easy!
Choose some die cuts that have a distictive shape, and cut those images in whatever color you choose. Here you will see that I kept with white, black and gold, but the possibilites are endless. Start with your card base and add a layer of card stock or Designer Series Paper (DSP) as a background. If your die cuts are large, you may only need one, otherwise you can certainly group two or more together. Choose a sentiment and either die cut or punch it out. Add it to your card front. Project done!
The card below uses the Beauty Of The Earth DSP on a Misty Moonlight card base. The two black die cuts from Poppy Moments, grouped to be the focal point, work very well under the sentiment. Many Messages stamp set and the Messages die is used to complete the card. How easy is that? And it looks stunning.
This beautiful DSP is part of the Beauty Of The Earth Bundle found on page 11 of the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. A small strip of it is used on the inside to carry over the design and colors.
The next card design is a similar idea, but another layer is added from the Stitched So Sweetly dies. This time, the scalloped rectangle holds the leaf and sentiment die cuts. DSP is from You’re A Peach, which is part of the Sweet As A Peach bundle found on page 61 of the Annual Catalog. Sentiment also from Many Messages.
Now if you plan ahead a little, you can save and re-use the card stock piece that you cut your dies out of! I placed DSP behind the negative space to fill in some color. I love how these greens are a natural choice for the leaves, but I could also see some other fun or bold DSP working as well, giving it a more funky look!
Other Ideas
Once you start using your die cuts as focal points, it will open up a new realm of creativity you may not have realized was possible! The next card in Rich Razzleberry demonstrates a basic use for the detailed die from the Penned Flowers set. A wide strip of the 6×6 DSP in the same color boasts a Gold Foil edge to add a little shine.
Now, look closely at the Pumpkin Pie colored card. DSP placed behind the negative space of the white cardstock allows the pattern to show through. The detailed image, cut in Gold Foil, looks great inlaid into the space. The sentiment and Gold Foil scalloped oval, punched with the Double Oval Punch, finish the look.
Lastly, look how the detailed die cut, adhered to the solid die cut, gives an illusion of embossing. Do them in the same color, of course, for this look. Or, try different colors for a totally different kind of look. The card base, in Calypso Coral, coordinates with the striped DSP from You’re A Peach. The large scalloped bottom edge, made with the Scalloped Contours dies, complements the scalloped rectangle (Stitched So Sweetly) with the sentiment (Pansy Patch). The Faux Linen Ribbon (Flowers For Every Season Combo Pack) finishes the card adding some dimension and softness.
Bold, Graphic Look
The last three examples show how you can use mostly black and white with a little pop of color (Cherry Cobbler) for a bold, graphic look to your cards. Add a little Silver Foil shine with the Stitched Rectangle die. Layer the die cuts and slightly off-set them for a shadowy look with a feel of depth. Die cuts are from Forever Flourishing, Stitched So Sweetly and Messages, DSP from True Love, and sentiments from Pansy Patch and Many Messages. I also used the Tasteful Textile embossing folder, the Banners Pick-A-Punch, Double Oval Punch and Black Baker’s Twine. The circle punch is retired.
Watch the YouTube tutorial for these cards here. Below, see clickable images and links to some of the products used.
Click here. to shop my online store.
Retiring June 30, 2021
