PPRS Inlaid Die Cut Tutorial

Today I want to share a tutorial for inlaid die cuts.   If you mail a lot of cards, this can come in handy because it will decrease the bulk of your card while also creating a really cool look!  You'll need at least one die, but you can layer multiples if you like.

Supplies:
Die Cut
Die Cutting Machine
Adhesive
Card stock
Stamps/Embellishments to finish the card

For this technique, you need to have an idea of what you want your finished card to look like so that you cut your paper correctly.  I wanted to recreate a card I'd made before, so that part was quick for me.  When you are starting from scratch, it might take a little longer.  The first step here was to cut the die cut from the colored card stock and then cut my base and layer.  I used watercolor paper for my second layer; with intricate dies like this beautiful Circular Pendant, the heavier paper seems to make this technique easier. 

Now you need to decide where you want your die cut on the second layer and lay down the die.  I used a bit of Post-It tape to keep it where I wanted it and then ran it through my Big Shot.

At this point I have my base, the watercolor paper layer with the die cut out, and the extra die cut that I did in the first step.   I also have the little pieces left from cutting the die from the watercolor paper.  You want to save those as you'll use them to fill back in.

There are a lot of options for this step, but for me the easiest way is to cover a piece of copy paper with some adhesive and add it behind the watercolor paper layer.  I then added the purple die cut and the little pieces of watercolor paper.  

And here's the result.  The die cut is completely inlaid in the watercolor paper!   Less bulk, less weight and kind of a wow! 

I stamped and cut out one of the cute circles from Circle Sets-Sentiments and added a sentiment from that same set.  A bit of ribbon and I have a cute, simple card that I can quickly mail off to a friend. 

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and I hope you'll give it a try.  

Watercolor Background Tutorial

Today I wanted to share a tutorial on three different ways to make a watercolored background.  I am such a big fan of these and I think you will be too once you start making them.

Suppies:
Watercolor paper
Water
Distress Ink
Markers (not alcohol-based)
acrylic block
dye ink
paintbrush

Using the distress ink is super easy, especially if you have a Ranger silicone craft mat.  Just swipe the ink pad on the mat, spray it with water, and lay your paper in it.   You can use a few different inks to get a multicolored background as well, Just swipe the ink pads near one another on the mat and then spray with the water.  This is what it will look like after; it will be much softer once it dries.

The second method is using reinkers. This one feels so very artsy to me.  I am not a painter, but this gives me a chance to play one.  Just drop a little ink on your mat, spray your paper with water, and then paint!

     

Finally, the last one uses markers and an acrylic block.  Super easy.  Just color on the block with the markers, spritz with water, and "stamp" it on your paper.   

Here's a look at the three panels once they've dried.  You can get many different looks depending on the colors and shades of inks/markers/reinkers that you choose.   You are only limited by your imagination.  

I ended up going with the first panel for my project because I wanted to cover it with vellum and it seemed to be the best choice for that.   For my card I just embossed the gorgeous JJ0017 Believe stamp on the vellum and then layered it over my watercolored panel.  I added some other blue and silver details and I am loving how it turned out. 

I hope you'll give this a shot and come share a link to your project in the comments! I'd love to see them. 

Tutorial Time :)

During Convention, my awesome roommate, Jackie Topa, challenged me to work up a tutorial to add to my blog.   So...here it is!   Button Buddies is my favorite new stamp set, so I focused on it and the Brights collection.   The cards are designed to use for a stamp-a-stack or as a class.  Or if you just like the set, get it and make the cards for yourself!    The ink pads and markers are unique for each card so that you can easily set up stations.    All the measurements and directions are included.   But wait!  There's more!  Each of these cards also has a stepped up version and the measurements and instructions are included for those as well!   It's almost like getting two tutorials for the price of one.  :)  

So for $7.50 you get:
A picture of each card, both the simple and stepped up versions.
Measurements for each card.
A supply list for each card.

No materials are provided, just directions.  Please see my Stampin' Up! website to order.  :)

The .pdf will be sent out within 24 hours of purchase.   See my sidebar to get going!

Now that I'm finished, I can go stamp for fun!  This has been quite a bit of work.  :)