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.  

Freshly Made Bunny

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!    The super sweet and talented Amy is our hostess this week.  I love the sketch she gave us.  The design team really came up with some fabulous ideas with it and I know you will as well.

Normally sketches with off-center things stress me out, but I enjoyed this one.   I think I've moved on to being stressed by tilted layers instead.  lol  

So much crazy in this one.  

Monday Inspiration from Prickley Pear

Monday again!  How does that happen so much?  lol  I have a little Prickley Pear card to share with you today.  I love this image so much and coudn't resist coloring it again.  It's such a fun one to practice using my Copics.  :)   I kept the rest of the card simple so that the image remained the focus.
Stamps:  HH0173 Boy with Airplane

I didn't get much stamping done over the weekend.  My shoulder has been bugging me so I tried to take it easy and rest.  It seems to feel a little better this morning, so I hope to get some crafty time in today.   My mom will be coming to visit next week, so lots of cleaning and getting ready for that to fill the week as well.

Be sure to check out the blog for more inspiration today!

TPD Handy Guy

Happy Friday!   I wanted to share a card I made for Two Paper Divas.  It uses a newer set called You Are a Handy Guy and it is perfect for those handy dudes in your life.  I love coloring the images and I think you will as well.  :)  They would also be fun to paper piece if you like that better than coloring.

She needed me to take her picture while I had the camera out.  lol  She's so silly!  We are off to Costco to pick up pictures and dinner.  I am getting ready to dive into Project Life, so stay turned for that!  I am pretty clueless, but I'm going to try.

FMS Party Animal

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!   The amazingly talented Narelle is our hostess this week and she has a great sketch.  I was so excited to play along with it because it worked so well with my new Blueprints dies!   I love when things work out like that.  I didn't think they were going to arrive in time to use, but they showed up on Monday!  :o)

The design team has a fun mix of cards for this week, so be sure you go by the blog and see all the great inspiration! 

Two Paper Divas Lucky Me

Happy St. Paddy's Day!   I hope you are wearing your green!  :)   Two Paper Divas is still celebrating, so I have another card for you using the Lucky Me set.  Don't forget to visit everyone and comment for your chance to win the set!   It's a good one!

1) Tracie Clary

2)  Rita Wright  (me!)

3)  Elina Pereira

4)  Jenny Ewing

5) Two Paper Divas

My card is pretty simple, but I love the bright pops of green.   I am enjoying using gray and green together lately.  Maybe it's all these top hats in this set?  lol  

Have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow with a masculine card for Freshly Made Sketches.

Monday Prickley Pear Inspiration

It's time for some Monday Inspiration from Prickley Pear!   It's almost time for Easter (my favorite holiday), so I thought I'd showcase this gorgeous tulip stamp today.   The sentiment is a part of the stamp, so it's so perfect for Easter cards.   I was in a purple mood, so we'll say purple tulips equals Easter, okay?  lol

Stamps:  GG0210 Easter Flowers

Be sure to check out the blog for a lot more inspiration.

Two Paper Divas Lucky Me

Today at Two Paper Divas we are celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a blog hop!  We are featuring the Lucky Me set and one lucky person who comments on the hop will win the set for themselves.  Super fun, right?!  Yay!  Will you be the lucky one?!  There's also a free template for a top hat over on the TPD blog, so you need to swing by and pick that up too!

Check out all the other inspiration:

1) Tracie Clary

2)  Rita Wright  (me!)

3)  Elina Pereira

4)  Jenny Ewing

5) Two Paper Divas

Good luck and gave a lucky day tomorrow! Don't forget to wear your green so you don't get pinched.  Ha!