Hello, let’s talk about making backgrounds using small dies. There are many backgrounds dies on the market, and while they are great, most of the time they can only be used for that – for the backgrounds. I love to make my own backgrounds so today I have several card ideas featuring repeat die cutting technique to create unique backgrounds for cards.
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VIDEO TUTORIAL
Watch my video tutorial below or on Youtube to learn how I made the cards I’m sharing today.
BACKGROUNDS WITH CRITTER DIES
This card features Spellbinders July 2019 Small Die of the Month – “Besties Forever”, the most adorable set with a cat and a dog. I am a cat person, I have two black cats living with us so I wanted to create a card with a bunch of adorable cat faces. For this, I die cut the cat’s heads from black and white cardstock and arranged die cuts on a Cool Pool background cut to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2”.
I struggle with coloring critters, a lot of people color their paper pets to look like their real-life pets, my pets are black and therefore there’s not much coloring to be done. I did, however, want to make my cats all a bit different so I used the other die cuts bits to color the critters – I added pink and white spots around their eyes.
I used “So Many Sentiments” die set to create sentiments for this and another card shared here. This set coordinates with the Spellbinders Truck die, but it can also be used on its own. I die cut “U R GREAT” 3 times in a small cardstock panel cut to 2 1/2 x 3 1/4” and stamped “Love you Fur-Ever” in black ink twice in between the die cuts to add an additional sentiment to this card. Using foam adhesive I adhered it to the card.
To embellish this card I used Jewels from Pretty Pink Posh and Glossy Accents for eyes and noses. To make whiskers I cut thin strips of black cardstock and adhered them to my kitties.
BACKGROUNDS WITH PART DIES
Next, I have a card featuring the same technique, but using a different die. The Spellbinders July 2019 Large Die of the Month is an adorable 3D bike that also collapses and fits inside an envelope for easy mailing, I have another video with the die coming soon. Today I wanted to show you how you can look at your die cuts in a different way and use them in a different way on your cards. I used a wheel die-cut and while it does look like a wheel, of course, when layered it can also make a fabulous background. I die cut a bunch from Cool Pool and Bubblegum cardstock from FSJ to make a background for this card.
To adhere these I used Journey Craft Glue – this is my new favorite glue to use, it’s nice and thick, the applicator comes to a nice fine point.
To make a sentiment panel I used a Fun Times die cut, it’s done in the same style as the one I used for my cat card, but comes with the bicycle die from Spellbinders. After cutting it 3 times, I stamped “Enjoy Every Moment” in black ink. To dress up this card I die cut flowers and branches using the same colors of cardstock plus also Pineapple Smoothie.
BACKGROUNDS WITH LAYERING DIES
Lastly, I used layering flower die to create a fun die-cut background. This is “Colorful Blooms” die from Spellbinders (April 2019 Small Die of the Month), still available for purchase even for non-Club members. I used Bubble Gum, Sweet Berry, and Peony cardstock for flowers, Lemon Grass and Green Apple for leaves.
Sentiment panel used the same “So Many Sentiments add on die set and die cut “Get Well” from Sweet Berry cardstock. I love this die cut sentiment look, it’s very clean and modern looking. And it looks especially great when cut from colored cardstock. I also white her embossed “You Are In My Heart” sentiment. The sentiment panel was foam mounted onto the background.
SPELLBINDERS CLUBS
Spellbinders Club is a membership subscription program, you can join or cancel anytime. There’s no yearly commitment and you can also skip a month if you don’t like specific designs. It’s a very flexible Club and there are many Club options available, there are single, individual clubs and Value Clubs if you want to join several subscriptions at a time.
Spellbinders Small Die Of The Month Membership Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders Large Die Of The Month Membership Shop at: SB |
Die Hard Value Club Membership Shop at: SB |
Kit & Caboodle Value Club Membership Shop at: SB |
SUPPLIES
Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!
Spellbinders Small Die Of The Month Membership Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders Large Die Of The Month Membership Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders Die Hard Value Club Membership Shop at: SB |
Layered Colorful Blooms – Small Die Of The Month Club Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders So Many Sentiments Etched Dies Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders Deep Sea Die Cutting Machine Shop at: SSS | SC | SB | AZ |
FSJ Cool Pool 8.5×11 Cardstock Shop at: SB |
Neenah 110 Lb Solar White Cardstock Shop at: SSS | AZ |
Simon Says Stamp Black Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
Pretty Pink Posh Sea Glass Jewels Shop at: SSS | PPP |
FSJ Pineapple Smoothie 8.5 x 11 Cardstock Shop at: SB |
FSJ Bubble Gum Cardstock Shop at: SB |
FSJ Sweet Berry Cardstock Shop at: SB |
Hero Arts Hero Hues Premium Cardstock Peony Shop at: SSS | SC | HA | AZ |
Simon Says Stamp Green Apple Cardstock Shop at: SSS |
FSJ Lemongrass 8.5 X 11 Cardstock Shop at: SB |
FSJ Grand Pro Shears Shop at: SB |
FSJ Details Pro Shears Shop at: SB |
Spellbinders Tool ‘n One Shop at: SSS | SC | SB | AZ |
Simon Says Clear Stamps Summer Time Shop at: SSS |
Simon Says Clear Stamps Tiny Words Shop at: SSS |
Simon Says Clear Stamps Punny Animals Shop at: SSS |
Tsukineko VersaFine Onyx Black Ink Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ | TS |
Ranger Glossy Accents Glue Dimensional Adhesive Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ |
Tonic Studios 8.5 Inch Paper Trimmer Shop at: SSS | SC | AZ | TS |
Crystal Ninja Crystal Katana Pick Up Tool Shop at: SSS | WP9 | AZ |
White Foam Squares Shop at: SSS | SC | SB | AZ |
Scor-Tape 1/8 Inch Crafting Tape Shop at: SSS | AZ |
Journey Craft Glue Shop at: SB |
FSJ Grid Paper Shop at: SB |
Cool and gorgeous..love the card
Such cute cards
Wow these are so fun and beautiful!!
Great idea. I’m going to look through my small dies (spellbinder’s to-go coffee cups, foliage, etc) and try it. I love your “wheel” card, esp the colors you used.
Really Fabulous cards!!! Such great ideas for backgrounds!!!