Fun with die cuts with Allison Cope!

Die cutting and digital cutting are all the rage right now in the paper crafting world.  If you have jumped on this marvelous band-wagon, then you will truly understand the addiction!  There is something spectacular about starting with a simple piece of shaped cardstock and bringing it to life... Ahhhh!  It's become one of my paper passions indeed.  So today I'm going to share a few fun ways of taking those paper shapes and making them come alive.  Grab a cuppa joe and come along for my creative journey...

My journey began with some simple cardstock...

• First I digitally die cut my shapes out of cardstock.  The above shape is the base for my layout's title block.  I used a light green as my base colour of cardstock.
• Then I stamped the top part of the die cut using the pine branch and for the bottom part of the die cut I used the a cute camping image or two... awww!
• Then I added Distress Ink to all the edges and I also air brushed some Copic onto the top portion of the die cut for a pop of colour.
• For the final touch, I added some simple machine stitching using a yellow thread for added texture.

Don't you love how in only a few short steps your cardstock just becomes magical!?!

To complete my title block, I needed to add my actual title...

• The first step was to cut out my title.  I used a bright and cheery yellow cardstock.
• Then I stamped some of the cute stars in orange ink.
• I then took my Copic air brush and applied Copic Y35 & Y38 to give it that “campfire glow”.
• Then I added some foam adhesive to the back of my title and adhered it to my title block.  Voila!

So super simple and now I've created a fun and dimensional embellishment all using cardstock and stamps!

Next I wanted to added another source of the yellow and orange colours to my layout so I created another unique die cut shaped embelly for my layout...

• First I die cut this beautiful Flourishes Perfectly Pierced Classic Frame from the same bright yellow cardstock from as my title.
• Leaving the cardstock inside the die, I then airbrushed the back ground using the same Copic markers as my title.
• Again, I stamped the beautiful star stamp repeatedly all over the back ground of my die cut.  Those pretty little paper pierced patterns are actually built right into the die and they go so well with the “fire” theme of the design! 
• Finally, I added a touch of machine stitching around the edge of my die cut shape.  I cut my die cut to allow me to place it in two different areas of my layout ~ another great way to stretch out those die cuts (no pun intended! LOL).

I knew I needed one final addition to my page so...

• First I die cut my multiple pieces of cardstock that will create my final embellishment. 
• For my green circle, I stamped the compass part of the Antique Map stamp set onto it.  For the rounded corner rectangle, I stamped the cute sentiment and the marshmallow sticks using brown ink.  I coloured each image using Copics to make them pop!
• I added one final bit of machine stitching and some fussy cut marshmallow sticks and it was ready for my layout!

At last... all of the elements were complete for my layout.  Here is what I created with my die cut embellishments...

So the next time you are stuck for a perfectly themed embellishment or a clever title, think about using your die cuts or your digital cutting machine and creating your own!  And if you didn't join us on Monday, I shared just how I created the background and coloured it HERE.

Happy stamping and creating everyone!   ~ Allison Cope

Thank you Ally for joining us this week!  For those of you that have followed our blog since the beginning will remember that Ally was the one who actually helped us to get this lil ole blog started in 2008!  Love this sweet girl!  You can follow Ally's blog for great inspiration HERE.

We are putting the finishing touches on our celebration happening this Friday with the release of our summer issue.  Our 30th issue!  How time flies when you're having fun!  Don't miss it  :)

~  Catherine

Comments

[Laura G.Turcotte]

That's a gorgeous layout!

[Debbie B]

Wow! Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. Ciao :)

[Gisele]

Ally has such talent!!!! And part of the Lets Capture our Memories :)
Way to go girlie!!!

[JoAnn B.]

Wow, fabulous layout. Love how you used the die cuts for your title and different embellishments. Thanks for sharing how you did them.

[Michelle Liimatainen]

WOW great layout. You just added one more thing to my list of things to do with die cuts! :) THANKS!

[Dorina D]

Exquisite layout with so many wonderful details and a fabulous tutorial on using your die cuts in more than one way. Great job. Love those dies you used, too, THANKS for sharing.

[Karen L K]

That is a great layout and you did a fantastic job of creating the pieces.

[Maryann]

Fantastic job here from Ally, and great LO. Stnning creation, really beautiful.

[Jean Bullock]

Great project. Love those die cut frames.

[Donna Rawbone]

Excellent layout. i love the piecing to make the shapes. I think I will use my cricut machine to do likewise.

[Iris Soscia]

Such a cute layout.

[Trisha]

Awesome layout. Thanks for sharing the details.

[Dawn m]

I love this layout

[Michelle Price]

This is gorgeous!

[jan m]

Love the creativity and fun colors!

[Kelly Goree]

Allison, that's just AMAZING! I LOVE it! And SO need to stash this away in my inspiration file for all my camping photos! WTG! :D

[Mary Moore]

great ideas for using tools you have to create embellishments without over-taking your page space.

[Aphra]

This is absolutely gorgeous!!!

[Joan]

Loved the finished LO! Great job... and all from die cuts... who knew - lol