Stampin’ Up! has a number of larger dies that can be used to create backgrounds or main elements for your paper crafting projects. I used the large die from the Two Tone Flora Dies to create this shimmery die cut card. The dies include the large die, as well as smaller dies that coordinate with the large die and with the Two Tone Flora stamp set. Right now, they’re available in a discounted bundle, but that option will disappear after 1 May 2023. The individual products will still be available for purchase, though!
For this quick and elegant shimmery die cut card, I used the large die with the Fine Shimmer Paper Pack (also retiring – available until 1 May 2023/while supplies last). I love the shimmer paper for adding some bling but not being over the top (and also not leaving glitter/shimmer everywhere). To make this even easier, I applied strips of the adhesive sheet to the back of the Fine Shimmer Paper before die cutting.
Tips for die cutting thicker layers/detailed dies: I make the “sandwich” according to the instructions on the cutting plate, and run it through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine a couple of times. I also have found that if I have the die/paper on a slight angle (rather than lining it up straight on the cutting plates), it tends to cut more efficiently (plus it’s easier to feed through the machine). I definitely use both of these approaches if I have adhesive sheet on the back. I usually find that it may not cut all the way through the liner, but when I pull the adhesive liner off my die cuts, the little bits also tend to pull away at the same time.
I added a Stylish Shape die cut label and stamped “Celebrate” in Crumb Cake ink, which I thought complemented the tone of the Shimmer Paper. The sentiment is from the retiring Framed Florets stamp set (see previous disclaimer about retiring product…).
You could make a whole bunch of these shimmery die cut cards ahead of time, but just add whatever label was appropriate for the occasion!!
If you’re looking for more card making inspiration, information and tutorials, be sure to be signed up for the YamStamps Newsletter! New subscribers get a free video tutorial as well. Sign up using the box at the top of the website, or click here.
A bit of ink gives these die cuts a cool effect for this floral card!
I’m all about flowers right now….because I’m ready to stop shovelling snow! This is a floral card that I made for a recent Demonstrator only card swap. We used products from the January-April Mini Catalogue, so I chose to use the Dainty Delight stamp set and dies – which you can purchase separately or purchase together in a discounted bundle. A quick reminder that discounted bundles are often available only for the sales period of initial catalogue in which they appear – something to keep in mind, especially as we draw closer to the end of the Mini Catalogue sales period!
I may have mentioned it before, but I am not a gardener. Inside plants, outside plants – doesn’t matter – they are lucky to survive a few months at my home. That’s why I really like paper flowers and plants!! I decided that these die cuts reminded me of Queen Anne’s Lace, though they may actually be based on a different flower, but the beauty of paper flowers is that you can customize them however you’d like.
To make them more like the flowers (okay, I believe they’re actually considered weeds around here, but they’re pretty weeds), I made the blossom portion white. This was actually the most time consuming part of this floral card, and even at that, it didn’t take long. I placed the die cut onto a silicone sheet, and then squeezed some White Craft Ink refill onto a spare Clear Block. I used a dry Water Brush to apply the reinker onto the blossoms, did a couple of coats to be sure it was opaque enough for my liking, and then left them to dry. Once they were dry, I added them to the card. Easy peasy! I have to try it, but I think you could probably add some coloured reinker on top of the white blossom to make coloured blossoms if you want!
floral card closeup (you don’t have to be an expert painter!)
Die Cut Your Patterned Paper to make this beautiful and EASY card!
Stampin’ Up! Canada has a number of coordinating dies and stamp sets – which I love. What I have grown to love even more, though, is the coordinating dies and Designer Series Papers! When you die cut your patterned paper, you’ll be amazed at how professional your results will look – check it out:
For this card, I stamped the sentiment in Granny Apple Green, and used the Something Fancy Dies to cut the labels. (Using my thrifty trick of cutting the backing label layer from the centre of the backing cardstock). I then die cut a bunch of images from the sheet of DSP that has images just waiting to be die cut…
…and took those die cut pieces and arranged them around the border of the frame! I adhered a different piece of the DSP to the backing cardstock to cover up the hole, and the create a background for the sentiment and die cut flowers. Added some Rhinestone Basic Jewels for a bit of bling and patted myself on the back! Die cut your patterned paper for an easy, professional looking card.
I also used this paper and dies to decorate one of the cards in my Fantastic Florals Online Class – and I made a few prototypes, so you know that there’s plenty of cards to be made with all the die cuts you can get from one package of paper!
Have you seen the Give it a Whirl Dies in Stampin’ Up!’s Annual Catalogue?
I think the Give It a Whirl dies are one of those buried treasures in the catalogue! Quietly hanging out on the back pages of the book, potentially overlooked – but I would like to correct that! This is a fun set of dies to create interactive spinner cards easily! Interactive cards are always a sure way to grab someone’s attention, and they always impress!
This is the card – designed to send happy thoughts to someone who could use some cheer in their day.
I designed this Give it a Whirl Card for February’s Stampers Club, so we did use a couple of Sale-a-Bration items on it (Dandy Designs Designer Series Paper and Beautifully Happy stamp set) which are no longer available, so if you didn’t pick them up during Sale-a-Bration, you could always use something similar from your stash! When I cut the Designer Series Paper to fit the piece on the cardfront, I actually ran it through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine with the same die so that it would have the same stitched element around the outside edges – I think it makes it look more finished!
This die set has a number of items that can be used to cut out the window portion, or that could be used to embellish the finished card! You will want to have brads on hand – this card uses one of the Round & Square Brands – to attach the wheel, but other than that, all the components are in the die set.
I love the number of coordinating shapes in this die set! I did add an extra cut out in the actual card front, using a stitched circle from the Stylish Shapes Dies, just to make it easier to spin the wheel. I think it also highlights that there’s an interactive feature that way!
If you’re looking for an easy way to make a spinner card – Give it a Whirl! You can shop online, 24/7 for delivery to your door anywhere in Canada in the YamStamps Online Stampin’ Up! Canada store – shortcut for shopping is yamstamps.com/shop. You can message me for assistance placing your order, or if you’d like to pay by etransfer. Please note that while I’m travelling, I will still be able to access emails but there may be more of a delay than usual due to time zone differences and schedule!
A monochromatic clean and simple Hello Around the Bend Card
I like clean and simple cards and I like elements that tie together – so this Hello Around the Bend card features both of those design elements!
I used the Around the Bend stamp set (available in red rubber cling mount or clear photopolymer verisions) and Around the Bend dies. There are also discounted bundles available with the dies and stamps – you can choose from the cling bundle or the photopolymer bundle to create this monochromatic card in Soft Succulent. I have been using a lot of that colour lately, since it’s a 2021-2023 In Color, so it’s slated to retire at the end of the Annual Catalogue sales period (30 April 2023). I like it and I want to use it while I can!!!
That being said….Stampin’ Up! has told us that there is a Colour Refresh going to be happening, which means we will see some new / returning colours in the new Annual Catalogue, and some colours will be retiring…so if you have some favourites, you may want to consider stocking up just in case…
Back to the Hello Around the Bend card!
I really liked the curved, leafy border die, so used that on the Soft Succulent cardstock on the front of the card, and then echoed that angle using the stitched curve die for the Very Vanilla cardstock on the inside of the card. I used a stitched square from the Stylish Shapes Dies for the sentiment stamped in Soft Succulent ink – figuring that the stitched edge tied in to the border dies. I aded the leafy die cuts behind the sentiment to give a little texture and balance to the cardfront.
Another reminder that discounted bundles are often only available for the first catalogue in which they appear – for example, the Around the Bend bundle is available right now from the January-April Mini Catalogue. We will know better which products are retiring and which may be re-appearing in future publications near the end of the month, but often, even if the individual items carry over, the discounted bundle does not. You may want to keep that in mind as you plan out your crafty spending over the next few months.
Budgeting your Crafting Dollars?
If you are interested in maximizing your crafting budget, consider joining my Stampers Club! It’s an online monthly craft class that you can attend “live” via Zoom or watch the recordings at your leisure. Each month, members get a packet of card supplies and we go through the construction of the cards together online. Crafters join club for a 6 month membership period (and can start in any month). During that membership period, each crafter places a $33CAD monthly product order, and once during their membership cycle, will receive Stampin’ Rewards (aka free money to spend on product) for that month’s club orders. A lot of members find it helps them keep crafting on a regular basis, and helps to budget out their spending – plus who doesn’t like free stuff?! We usually meet the third Monday of each month, though in March, we are meeting on the fourth Monday due to my trip with the Burlington Teen Tour Band!
If you’re interested in joining Club, please message me for more details – we’d love to have you join us!
Add some colour to this easy and elegant die cut card!
Stampin’ Up! Canada has some beautiful larger dies in the catalogues. The Two Tone Flora dies include dies that coordinate with the Two Tone Flora stamp set plus a larger detailed die that leaves a border around the cut section which I featured on this easy and elegant die cut card.
easy and elegant die cut card
The die is used to cut the detail in the cardfront, and then there’s a pop of colour in behind! Plus some Rhinestone Basic Jewels because who doesn’t like a little extra bling on their card?! I also added some Wink of Stella for some extra sparkle on the diecut (but it doesn’t photograph very well).
easy and elegant die cut card – insert
So as you can tell….you don’t need a lot of skill to create the coloured panel for this card….haha – that’s what helps make it an easy and elegant die cut card! If you can scribble, you can do this. I just did linear colouring, but you could do more organic blobby shapes (technical term…) or circles, or whatever. If you would like the details on how I created this card, click here to download the free tutorial pdf.
If you like crafting tips, tricks and tutorials, be sure to sign up for my newsletters! At the beginning of each month is the multi-project newsletter, then each week after that it’s smaller updates, with tutorials, tips or information, released each Tuesday. I’ll be releasing the February multi-project newsletter early, since the 31st of January falls on a Tuesday – and I don’t want you to have to wait until a week into February to get all the goodies! You can sign up the top right of the YamStamps blog page, in the box near the top of the YamStamps home page, or just click here.
In the meantime, if you’re in Ontario, hope that you are staying safe and not having to shovel TOO much snow right now!
