Cutting Die & Stamp Sets, The Best Of Both Worlds
Hi Everyone, winter is in full bloom and the days can seem long and dark. I was inspired by one of our readers, Linda, who wrote about January being her time to “craft, organize, journal, do things that rejuvenate me and my spirit.” I LOVE that way of thinking and have decided to take it right into February! I’m taking advantage of the quieter days at our house and using the new Spellbinders Owl and Koi Stamp & Die Sets to make some new cards to share with all of you.
I made a card similar to this one for my Father-In-Law’s Birthday last week. Don loves the outdoors and I found the Owl Stamp & Die Set and Spectrum Noir™ Illustrator Earth Set worked well for the masculine look I was going for. He was particularly impressed with the textured wood grain background!
I cut a 2 1/2″ wide circle, using 8 Circles and Scallops Cutting Dies, to make a hole in the center of tan cardstock. Then I used the Wood Texture Embossing Folder to add wood grain to the cardstock. To add some contrast, I used the surface of a brown ink pad over the embossed areas and then inked the edges.
When stamping the owl image, it is important to use Memento ink with the alcohol based Spectrum Noir™ Illustrator Pens to prevent a reaction with the alcohol pens. Finally, after coloring the owl and bugs I added a little gold glitter glue so he knew it was from me before he opened the card!
The Koi Stamps & Die Set inspired me to use Mirror Dazzles™ Sheets to add some sparkle! If you aren’t familiar with this product, the sheets are the same material that we make our Dazzles™ stickers from. So really, when I stamp and die cut the sheets, I’m making my own stickers!
The surface of the Mirror Dazzles™ Sheets are slick and not porous so it is necessary to use a permanent ink like Black StazOn®. I used white cardstock for the water lily flowers and colored them with yellow and pink Spectrum Noir™ pens and, of course, added a little gold glitter glue to the center of each.
Depending on the type of stamps you are using, clear stamps for example, it is better to die cut first and then stamp the image. However, some sets, like the ones above are cling rubber stamps (you can’t see through them to see where to stamp the image precisely on the die cut piece) and you are meant to stamp first and then die cut the image. If you have ever had difficulty using Stamp & Cutting Die sets check out this little video.
Have you started on those Valentine’s Day cards yet? Don’t worry Paper Wishes is looking out for you! Here is a special Valentines treat to help you make all of those wonderful cards. Click on the image for a Free Download of Valentines tags. Click on the image to print.
Before I sign off I want to let you in on one of the latest craft trends that Paulette and Bethany learned about at the Creativation show last week. Edible Art is all the rage and designers and manufacturers are making it so easy to learn and master. Let Paper Wishes know what you think about this yummy Sweet Sugarbelle’s Cookie Decorating Kit from American Crafts. Would you like to see more? What kind of edible crafts do you enjoy making? Let us know in the comment section. We love your feedback!
Now I’m inspired! I think I’ll make some Edible Art cookies as a Valentine’s Day treat for my family. Until next week, happy crafting everyone!
LeNae Gerig
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