partial die cutting

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PARTIAL DIE CUT VALENTINE CARD

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ANNOUNCEMENT

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I’m always looking for alternative ways to use my tools and supplies and this idea has been rolling around in my head for quite some time:

Less is More . . .

This is one of those “looks-more-complex-than-it-actually-is” kind of cards—the partial die cutting on the card front gives the appearance of more layers because of the colorful, stamped pattern . . . Always a winner in my book!

Full video tutorial below:

HOW TO:

  1. Score a 4.25 x 11” piece of card stock at 5.5” from the short end to make a horizontal side-folding card.

  2. Fold the card and place into the MISTI (the original sized MISTI works best for this because you get more platform area and can move the paper for repeat stamping.

  3. Stamp the longest paint stroke image in a series of stripes, some overlapping, some 2nd generation impressions and some reinked and stamped again to intensify the color.

  4. Use the partial die-cutting method to cut the cityscape through the card front only; trim away the negative piece with scissors or a craft knife (if you’re unsure, just watch the video above).

  5. Gold emboss images from Love Notes onto watercolor paper and watercolor using Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and a waterbrush. Die cut when dry.

  6. Mount images to card as shown, taking care to position so that the card still swings open freely.

  7. Gold emboss sentiment onto scrap of red card stock; 3D mount to card front.

If you haven’t yet, this is a simple but fun die cutting method to try! Thanks for stopping by!

FREE ONLINE CARD MAKING EVENT

Last week I let you know about the Card Maker Success Summit, which kicks off next week. You’re going to hear from me on Day 1, Feb 17 2:00pm Pacific about Beginner-friendly digital die cutting for card-making.

You’ll also hear from some of my friends, including:

  • Daniel West

  • Therese Calvird

  • Laurie Willison

  • And a whole lot more!

These presentations are totally free to you for the first 24-hours, as long as you’re registered.

You can also get your hands on the VIP All-Access Pass for a reduced price right now. With it you’ll get:

  • VIP All-Access Pass to all 25+ presentations - no waiting!

  • Lifetime access to all 25+ presentations ($1,200 value)

  • 275+ page Card Project Digital Workbook with a card project planning calculator ($59 value)

  • 1 Live Virtual Crop over Zoom with fellow VIP attendees ($59 value)

  • Premium bonus content from our speakers and sponsors, including a Craft room Organization Guide Workbook, SVG Bundles, Free Card and Technique classes, exclusive discounts to your favorite craft stores, and much more! ($600+ value)

 Check out more details HERE! 

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EASY SWING VALENTINE CARD (INTERACTIVE)

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Swing (a.k.a. flip) cards have been around for a long, loooong time—nowadays, you can, of course, purchase dies that make the cuts and score lines for you, which is always nice! However, if you’ve never made one and want to give it a try, they’re quite simple/easy to do; just make sure that the shape you’re using is symmetrical (equal on both sides opposite each other, i.e. a circle, a butterfly, a square, a rectangle, an oval, a star and, in the case above, a heart) for best effect. Anything asymmetrical will be problematic.

BASIC SWING/FLIP CARD INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Start with a card base measuring 5.5 x 8.5”.

  • At 2 1/8” from the left short side, draw a faint pencil line.

  • Center a symmetrical shaped die along the pencil line and use washi tape to anchor in place.

  • Position the top cutting pad over the die and paper, aligning the edge with the pencil line; this insures that there will only be pressure applied up to that point.

  • After completing the die cut, remove die and tape and erase pencil line.

  • Score card base at 2 1/8” from the left short side (in the same position as your original pencil line), taking care not to score through the shape itself (start from the top of the card base and score right up to the top of the shape, skip over the shape, and then continue to score from the bottom of the shape down to the bottom of the card).

  • Score another line at 4.25” from the left short side (this will be the gutter/main fold) of the card.

  • Fold the card in half along the gutter, creasing well, then fold the smaller section back on itself, creating a “z-fold”.

  • As you open and close the card, the shape will swing or flip back and forth; embellish each side as desired.

  • Finished card is A-2 (4.25 x 5.5”) size when folded.

TIP:

If you plan to create a similar “Conversation Hearts” with a knock-out text effect, it helps to use alphabet dies that have extra letters, OR use phrases that don’t require multiples of the same letter. Here are some “Valentine” phrases that don’t require multiples of any given letter:

  • HUGS

  • HEY GIRL

  • WINK

  • U R HOT

  • CUTIE

  • U R LOVED

  • SWAK

  • U ROCK

  • HUG ME

  • ILYSM (Acronym for “I love you so much”)

  • SOUL MATE

  • LOVE BUG

  • XO

You’re welcome!