AECP Level 1 Easy Die Cutting Techniques

by Karen Ferrante

written by Karen Ferrante

This is my submission for the Level 1 Easy Die Cutting Techniques class taught by the incredible Yana Smakula! There were so many amazing and creative techniques for using die cuts shared in this class and I really enjoyed it! This was one of my favorite cards that I made using die cut inlays.

Techniques and Design Principles

Gold card stock to add shine
An alcohol ink background for beautiful color blends to showcase the open areas
Using negative die-cutting to create the inlay pieces
Inlaid die cutting with gold cardstock and vellum
Popped up sentiment for additional dimension
Frames around the card and sentiment for a finished look
Gold embossed sentiment to coordinate with the gold inlays.

Steps

Create the background with Altenew alcohol ink refills on Yupo paper. I used Sea Glass, Emerald, Sapphire, Razzleberry, Rubellite, and Deep Iris. I used a Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Air Blower to move the ink around for some beautiful blends.
Lightly mist the backgound with isopropyl alcohol for some additional bubbles to add more interest.
Add foil over areas that are still a little sticky in order to add some additional shine in the background.
Die cut black card stock, gold card stock, and vellum using the Dainty Blooms Cover Die.
Remove the pieces from the black die cut, but keep the gold and the vellum pieces together and save for inlaying. It’s helpful to put a piece of Press & Seal over the die cut when removing from the plate in order to keep the piece intact.
Glue the gold pieces between the flowers and vellum pieces for the leaves.
Stamp the sentiment on black and emboss with Altenew Antique gold embossing powder. Cut out a rectangle strip around the sentiment.
Cut a slightly larger gold piece to frame the sentiment.
Pop up the sentiment with some foam tape to add some additional dimension.

Supplies

Altenew Alcohol ink refills – Sea Glass, Emerald, Sapphire, Razzleberry, Rubellite, and Deep Iris
Dainty Blooms Cover Die
Altenew Thinking of You Sentiment
Yupo paper, black cardstock, gold cardstock, vellum
Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Blower or Straw to move the alcohol inks around