Hi friends! I love to be inspired by new products but I don’t like to run out and but something that is trendy now only to have it look dated in a year. I had been seeing “stacked dies” used on cards and although I liked the look the sets are expensive and quite specific and I don’t get on well with intricate dies. I find them fiddly and unpleasant to work with. My Big Shot die cutter is about 13 years old and still going strong with near daily use and I don’t see the point in replacing it so I can cut one type of die more effectively especially since I have heard the newer models don’t last. *I do have the Sizzix precision base plate and that really helps cut those intricate dies in my old Big Shot. I recommenced it over spending $100 on a new machine because, as they say, they don’t make them like they used to.
Today I am going to show you how to layer up dies you already have to get the stacked die look. I will also offer tips on using up supplies before they go bad and how to get a faux foil look. This lesson is about using what you have. I will list specific supplies used below but you can likely find something close in your stash. Hot Looks we will do: Foil, offset die cutting, ink blending, ombre
Supplies:
- One intricate corner, border or background die. I used a broken tile die from Creative Expressions
- Any Background Stamp (I used a Stampin up stamp Corner Garden that seems to be retired)
- Ink blending brushes (or any blending tool you like)
- Hero arts ombre ink pad or pink, orange and yellow ink pads (if inking up a stamp with 3 pads to yellow first and then pink and orange where they overlap if needed. This is easier with mini pads.
- Gold rub ons (these can give you the trendy foiled look, you probably have some in your stash and they don’t keep so use them up!)
- Mirror cardstock Sometime you can save this from packaging, often beauty products come with foil cardstock inserts. *also great for the trendy foil look without the cost of foiling supplies!
- Enamel dots *DIY enamel dots tutorial here
I hope you use one or two of these techniques in your next card. Til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 