Check out some fun ways to make cards using your die cut words and phrases!
Today I have created a little collection of pretty cards that all use the same card base/layer construction and are different only in their colors and how I used my die cut words and phrases. You can see that using just a couple of fun and easy die cutting techniques combined with small details can give you endless creative opportunities! And if this post looks a little familiar, you are correct! I used this same basic idea in this post some time ago and I love that the techniques I shared back then have endured. There’s nothing like a classic! For these cards I used Spring Word w/ Shadow,Friend Script w/ Shadow, Hello Script w/ Shadow, Happy Script w/ Shadow,Birthday Script w/ Shadow, You Script w/ Shadow, Flower Buds, Flower Stems and Build a Phrase #1.
Hello Friend
For this card I used the die cut words without the shadow pieces.
Cut the Hello and Friend words using purple cardstock.
Use white cardstock to cut the scalloped layer.
Place the scalloped layer back on the cutting platform and secure the Hello and Friend in place and cut. Pro Tip: I used a magnet platform to line up and hold the words in place. If you don’t have a magnet platform you can secure the dies in place with a few pieces of tape.
Carefully remove the scalloped layer to make sure to keep all the tiny negative pieces.
Place the scalloped layer face down on your desk and apply double stick tape to cover the word openings. Pro Tip: I performed this task on a craft sheet to avoid the tape sticking to my work surface.
Turn the scallop layer face up and secure the Hello and Friend to the tape in the openings.
Insert the tiny negative white loop pieces to fill in the words.
Attach the scalloped layer to the card base using strips of mounting tape.
Cut the tiny flowers and form the tiny flowers using a small tipped stylus.
Use green cardstock to cut the stems, cut a few small leaves and attach them to a few key spots on the words using glossy accents.
Finish by attaching the tiny flowers to the green leaves using glossy accents.
Happy Spring
For this card I cut the white layer using the shadow die cut and inserted it back in the opening. .
Cut the Spring shadow piece out of the white scalloped layer, turn the white face down, apply double stick tape to the opening and secure the shadow back in place.
Stamp the Happy word on the white layer using black ink.
Cut the Spring word using yellow cardstock and attach it to the shadow using glossy accents.
Cut the tiny flowers and leaves and secure in place using glossy accents. Note: I used different pastel colored flowers to add a an additional springy touch.
Happy For You and Happy Birthday
For both of these cards I popped the shadow pieces up using mounting tape.
Cut the shadow sections using white cardstock and the script words using colored cardstock.
Attach the script words using glossy accents.
Pop the shadow and words up on the card bases using mounting tape.
Finish both cards with the tiny flowers and leaves.
I have to say that when Rubbernecker creates die cut words and phrases, I jump on them! When I last checked there were five of our original die cut words and phrases still at 50% off in the Spring DeStash Sale so you can grab those plus the new ones shown here and create an entire card design around nothing more than these fabulous die cut words combined with just a few detail touches.
Use this idea as a base for your handmade garden greeting cards!
I was working away on this project and stopped before I added all the details to show off how you can use this as a base for your handmade garden greeting cards. This pretty summery garden gazebo with it’s adorable fish scale roof creates a lovely foundation for all your summer themed cards. You can add more flowers, vines, a large greeting, any other summer themed die cut designs…..it’s truly a versatile look! To make this card I used the Rubbernecker Gazebo, Spring Tree, Grass, Tiny Flower Buds, Small Ivy and Small Butterflies.
Card Base, Grass and Trees
Use light blue cardstock to cut the A2 sized card base.
Cut the grass sections and tree tops using green cardstock and the tree trunks using Kraft cardstock.
Apply ATG adhesive to the back of one grass strip and attach it to the card base.
Apply a thin strip of mounting tape to the back of the second grass strip and attach it to the card base.
Use dark brown ink and a mini applicator to color the tree trunks.
Place the tree top sections face down on the molding pad and gently push down and roll to create a slightly rounded form.
Attach the tree trunks together using glossy accents. Set them aside for later.
The Gazebo and Flowers
Cut the gazebo sections using white and Kraft cardstock.
Apply dark brown ink to the roof section using a mini applicator.
Attach the white gazebo sections together using glossy accents.
Apply thin strips of mounting tape to the back of the gazebo sections, tuck it behind the front grass section and attach to the card base.
Tuck two trees in behind the gazebo and attach using pieces of mounting tape. Note: I attached the trees behind the gazebo to create the appearance of looking straight through from the front of the gazebo and seeing the tree out in the back of the gazebo.
Tuck the the front left tree to the card base using a piece of mounting tape.
Use green cardstock to cut several sections of small ivy and pink cardstock to cut the tiny flowers.
Place the tiny flowers face up on the molding pad and form them using a small tipped stylus.
Attach the flowers to the ivy sections using glossy accents.
Tuck the ivy/flower sections in behind the grass and attach them using glossy accents.
Cut the butterflies using pink cardstock and attach them to the card using glossy accents.
The first section of this tutorial was to show the basics of how easy it is to create a lovely garden card with the gazebo. Since it was rather basic I decided to add the Half Tree covered with Small Ivy leaves and Flower Stems covered with Tiny Flower Buds to create a more detailed card.
Additional Elements
Cut the Half Tree using Kraft cardstock and apply light brown ink using a wet baby wipe.
Cut the branches off the tree trunk to modify so the tree can be placed on the right of the card.
Use green cardstock to cut several of the tiny individual ivy leaves in the ivy set and attach them to the branches using glossy accents. Note: The Small Ivy die not only cuts the ivy branches but it cuts ten individual leaves. I always save those when I’m using the ivy branches to use on other projects.
Cut length off the branches and attach them to the tree trunk using glossy accents. Pro Tip: It’s easy to modify die cuts to make them work better on your card. The branches were too long to fit well over the roof of the gazebo.
Apply a thin strip of mounting tape to the back f the tree trunk and a few rolled up glue dots to a few key spots on the branches and attach to the card base and over the roof.
Cut several Flower Stems using green cardstock and attach the tiny flowers using glossy accents.
Attach the stems and flowers up the sides of the gazebo and around the tree trunk using glossy accents.
Add a few additional flower stems behind the gazebo and along the flower bed and attach using glossy accents.
If you are like me and you use your handmade garden greeting cards for lots of summer occasions, grab this cute die and save this idea because you will return to it over and over when you are doing your summer stamping. Check out my Garden Side Step Card to see another one of my garden cards.
Today I have a two part video tutorial showing how to make paper flowers step by step to use on your cards!
I am very excited to be sharing this video today where I use all the new flower dies in my collection to show you how to make paper flowers step by step. Once you master these basic skills – and they aren’t difficult! – you will be able to create paper flower bouquets of all kinds! You can see all the new dies in the What’s New category at Rubbernecker.
Ok – now you’ve seen the “magic” behind how to make paper flowers step by step – are you ready to try it out? And believe me, the more you make the better you get at it and soon you will be able to make a stunning paper flower arrangement at a moment’s notice! Please let me know what you think and if you have any questions! You may enjoy checking out all my Videos and Tutorials.
I am always a little surprised at how much coloring die cut flowers can completely change how they look. In this project I just added a teeny bit of shading to specific areas on these darling little die cut tulips and you can see how it adds so much visual interest. Read on to get my tips! For this card I used the Rubbernecker Large Fence, Tulips and Stems, Stacked Butterflies, Grass and Rectangle Combo #2 OPC. Be sure to check out the What’s New section at Rubbernecker to see all the flower and garden dies are back in stock and discounted.
The Framed Card Base, Fence and Grass
Cut an A2 sized card base, frame and fence using white cardstock.
Use green cardstock to cut two grass sections.
Cut a light blue layer to fit behind the scene and attach it to the card base using ATG adhesive.
Attach one grass section to the card base using ATG adhesive.
Attach small pieces of mounting tape to the top back fence sections and ATG adhesive to the back bottom sections and attach to the card base. Pro Tip: Applying small pieces of mounting tape to the top fence sections creates dimension. Attaching the bottom section of the fence flat to the card base alleviates bulk for the frame to fit evenly all the way around. The two side fence sections were also attached flat to the base.
Apply double stick tape to the back bottom section of the frame and attach the grass section.
Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the frame and attach it to the card base.
Tulips and Butterflies
Cut the tulip tops using pink, yellow and purple cardstock and the stems using green cardstock.
Use mini applicators and pink, purple and yellow ink to apply shading to the tulip sections before assembling them. Pro Tip: Dab off your mini applicator on scrap paper before applying light touches of ink to the flowers to avoid undesirable blotches.
Assemble the three tulip sections together using glossy accents and attach them to the stems using glossy accents.
Apply small pieces of mounting tape to the back of each tulip top and glossy accents to the back bottom of the stems and tuck them in behind the grass and attach to the fence.
Cut the butterflies using yellow cardstock and apply shading using yellow ink and a mini applicator.
Attach the tiny circles to the butterfly bodies using glossy accents. Note: I keep all the negative die cut circles from cutting eyelet dies to use for flower centers, butterflies, falling snow, etc.
Gently bend the butterfly wings and then attach them in place using small pieces of mounting tape.
Now that you have some tips on coloring die cut flowers are you going to try it out? Let me know how it works for you and if there are other tips you’d like to see on dressing up die cuts on your handmade cards.
Save this in your homemade birthday card ideas file!
I am always playing around with homemade birthday card ideas because I feel like those are one of the kinds of cards we always need. I love simple cards designs with touches of detail and this idea is definitely a keeper! For this card I used the Nested Circle Scallop with Holes, Branches and Leaves, Flower Buds, Nested Circles and the sentiment from the It’s Spring Time.
The Card Base
Use white cardstock to cut the A2 sized card base and white scallop layer.
Stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment on the card base using Nocturne ink.
Cut a strip of pink cardstock and run it through your straight crimper.
Apply ATG adhesive to the crimped pink strip and attach it to the card base.
Apply pieces of mounting tape to the scallop layer and attach it to the card base.
The Wreath
Cut a circle wreath base using two small circle dies.
Use green cardstock to cut the two small leaf sections of the Branches and Leaves set.
Place the leaf branches face up on the molding pad and gently form them using your leaf tool or small tipped stylus.
Begin attaching leaf branches to the base using glossy accents and over lapping the branches all the way around to fill in the wreath.
Use pink cardstock to cut tiny flowers.
Place them face up on the molding pad and push down in the center of each using a small tipped stylus.
Attach the flowers to the wreath using glossy accents.
Apply a generous amount to glossy accents to the back of the wreath base and attach it to the scalloped layer.
I like creating simple card designs that are fast and easy to make yet pack a big creative punch. My project today is very feminine but you can check out my Sweet and Simple Birthday Card Ideas to see a project perfect for anyone.
I hope this is one of those projects that makes it to your homemade birthday card ideas folder! It’s so flexible and adaptable! And I would love to hear what you think of this and what you do to make it your own!
Make a Pop-Up Explosion Card Just For Your Train Loving Friends!
A pop-up explosion card is a super fun way to add tons of details and multiple versions in a theme and this vintage train with all its different cars seemed like a perfect fit. There are lots of train fanatics out there – I know a woman who bought her business because it was right near a train station! – and of course, little ones love these kinds of things. What better for a small fry than a special “Choo-choo” card? To make this card I used A2 Pop Up Box Card Kit, Train, Pine Tree Forest,Tabbed Mountains, Grass #2, and Small Birds. The Pine Tree Forest is one of the many dies and stamps ion sale in the Rubbernecker Destash Sale.
Assemble the 3D Pop Up Box Base
Cut the light blue paper layering pieces.
2 2″ x 5 3/8″
6 2″ x 2 5/8″
Attach the paper layers to the inside and outside card base using double stick tape.
Apply double stick tape to the box tab, line it up and secure the box closed.
Cut the green sections to fit the tabs included in the kit and attach them with double stick tape.
Apply double stick tape to the tabs on both sides and insert them inside the box.
Attach a mountain section to the inside front of the box using double stick tape.
Attach additional mountain sections to the box flaps using double stick tape.
Pine Tree Forest Sections
Cut the pine tree forest sections using green cardstock and cut sections apart to fit the box background and flaps.
Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the tree sections and attach them to the box background.
Apply pieces of mounting tape to the back top tree sections and glossy accents to the bottom of the trees and attach them to the flaps.
Pro Tip: Using pieces of mounting tape at the top of the trees allows them to stand away from the flap. Using an adhesive at the bottom of the trees on the flap keeps them flat to fit behind the train cars.
Apply glossy accents to the front bottom of a few trees and attach them to the back of the insert tabs to fill in behind the train.
Assemble The Train
Cut the train and track pieces out in the colors of your choice.
I used glossy accents, rolled glue dots and mounting tape to assemble and attach all the pieces.
I modified one of the train cars by using the top roof portion of the engine housing to create a caboose.
The Train and Birds
Attach the track sections to the top and flap sections using glossy accents.
Apply glossy accents to the back of the engine wheels and attach it to the train track section.
Cut two 1.50″ strips of black cardstock to use as brackets on the back of the train.
Apply glossy accents to the brackets and attach them to the back of the train and ground sections.
Pro Tip: Always add extra reinforcement to large pieces like the train engine when using them on a card with moving parts.
Apply pieces of mounting tape to the upper back section of the train cars and glossy accents to the back of the wheels and attach them to the flaps.
Use red cardstock to cut the birds and color their beaks using a black marker.
Apply small pieces of mounting tape to the back of the birds and attach them to the sky areas of the card.
You can see from this tutorial that making a pop-up explosion card isn’t really all that difficult and gives you lots of little spots to create. Start with a pre-scored card from the Card Kit and just go wild! Check out this Pop Up Box link to see lots of pop up boxes with all kinds of themes.
I have moved all my free tutorials to a special tab at the top of the blog. Please visit this page to see nearly four dozen free tutorials for projects I have created. Enjoy!
FTC Declaration – FTC16CFR, Part 255. In the spirit of full disclosure, I declare that I am a freelance designer. I currently receive or have received in the past products that I promote and endorse as a freelance designer for free or at a discount. Any product that I endorse is a product I have used in my designs and recommend with complete honesty.
I participate in affiliate programs and may receive small compensation, at no additional cost to you, when a purchase is made using my product links. I share products on my blog that I love to use!
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