|
With all the three-dimensional accent items out now,
you may be looking at your portfolio of flat plain shaped die cuts
and questioning, “Why do I still have these? What can I do with
these? Should I just unload them? How can I make them more
‘current’, dimensional, and FUN!??” This article is just for you!
Let's examine how to make those boring plain die cuts POP with
originality and life again. From A to Z, all those shapes can be
spruced up for active duty on your pages. Given the chance and a
little simple attention, die cuts can STILL do the job!
|
No
die cuts in your supply files? Get some freebies here!
Donovan’s website offers free online shapes to cut your own
basic shaped die cuts. Print the shapes directly out onto
colored cardstock and cut them out (just inside the lines) in
your spare time watching TV, on vacation, or supervising the
kids in the sandbox or pool.
http://bydonovan.com/Shapes.html
Look over these examples and pick out a few new treatments for
your die cuts. Stretch your imagination and let the shapes guide
you in new directions. These inexpensive simple shapes offer a
wide variety of creative possibilities. |
|
|
|
Mat a few of them and line them up as a
bold border. Don’t mat every die cut. Mat only one or
two for accent and variation. (right) |
 |
|
|
|
Use a white pen to highlight accents
for high spots. (below) |
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Chalk them to make items look shadowed or smudged with
dirt. (below) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Use a black pen to create
outlines, pen stitching, and a gray brush pen for a quick
method of shadowing over black lines. In this example we
also used double-sided Magic Tape or liquid adhesives with
seed beads. Beads shimmer and shine as they emphasize
formal occasions, feminine touches, or water elements.
(right) |
 |
|
| |
|
 |
|
Cut and re-glue and layer them to
create realistic dolls or features. Paper doll die
cuts can be dressed in clothing to match your subject.
Be sure to add chalk and detailing for realistic faces
and features. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Use patterned papers for a stylistic change of pace!
Use themed papers that match the page theme. Layer papers, punch art
or small details in the right places to make it realistic. (left) |
 |
Even
stickers and punch out printed shapes can be layers emphasizing your
themes. Small bits can add just the right accent! (left) |
|
|
| Punch art shaped and pop dots
help add dimension. Highlight and shadow with chalk again to
create dimension, as you can see in the picture on the right. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Charms can reflect the shape of the die cut, as
you can see in the pictures to the left. |
|
|
|
|
Punch holes or shapes in the die cut and add
paper BEHIND it for more color. (right)
|
|
 |
|
|
Gems sparkle up almost any clothing or
jewelry item! (below) |
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Die cut letters, vellum, and fibers get
in on the action to create great titles on a tag. Cut
your die shapes from vellum, crimped paper or other
specialty papers for a change. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Plain die cuts are great journaling boxes! Add a few
arrows with any travel die cut! And don’t forget your rubber
stamped wording works well on a smooth flat surface like this die
cut tag. (below) |
|
|
|
|
|
Use these new twists on your stash of die cuts. Use
up some of these classic supplies in new and ingenious ways. All
they need is a little forethought and about 5 minutes of creative
time to make them stunning! Incorporate them into your upcoming
layouts soon. Your own dynamic die cuts are just waiting for you to
discover them!
Go for it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy Scrapping!
Rockester |
