Die Cuts - A Fresh Perspective

I remember the day like it was yesterday; the day I bought a book at my local scrapbook store on how to enhance die cuts with chalk. I consider it the turning point in my scraplife. Before that, all of my embellishments were flat die cuts or shiny stickers. With that one book, my eyes had been opened to a new world of beautiful, creative embellishments.

But the fast-paced scrapbooking industry raced on and the chalked die cuts were quickly replaced by cool new embellishments and mixed media accents. A year ago, I re-discovered that using die-cut shapes is even more fun, creative and artistic than ever. Get out your stash of old shapes, or your favorite die-cutting machine, and try some of these ideas for fresh new embellishments.

Create dimension and texture

Forget flat shapes of paper. One of the fastest ways to jazz up your die cuts is to add some dimension and texture. One of my favorite ways to do this is by embossing or corrugating a die cut. QuicKutz offers texture plates called GooseBumpz that emboss your shapes in your choice of different fun patterns. I also like to run a shape through a crimper, such as the hand-held tool made by Fiskars or the texture plates also offered by Fiskars. After you have added the texture, add ink or paint to create highlights and shadows in the paper to further accentuate the texture.

Some different ways to texturize your die-cut shape are layering, folding, crumpling, sanding, or tearing. Also consider using foam tape or dots to pop the shape or a portion of the shape away from the layout.

Mix with other embellishments

There are so many neat little mixed media items that you can use to accent your die cuts. Try silk or paper flowers, brads, buttons, ribbon, clips, glitter, wire, charms or beads. Use an embellishment in place of a part of the die cut. For example, if you are using a purse die cut, use a real button on the flap or a strip of leather for the purse strap.

Use material other than paper

Why stop with plain paper? Pull out some foam, shrink plastic, metal, fabric, cork or other materials. You will have to experiment with your die-cutting machine to see what will work in it. I have found that I can at least make most of the cut, and then I take scissors to snip the remainder of the shape.

Combine with new techniques

Enhance or mix die cuts with current hot techniques for a fresh look. Look to some of the techniques that are popular right now, such as stamping, computer-generated text, doodling, patterned paper, sewing and rub-ons. Try stamping a piece of paper with a background stamp, then cutting your shape. If you are a seamstress, sew lines onto your shapes after you have cut them. (Or do what I do and use rub-on stitches.) Doodle images on the shapes with Sakura Soufflé pens and get some dimensional texture! Cut a shape, then hand cut an outline around the negative for a whimsical outline shape.

In addition to all these wonderful ways to enhance your die-cut shapes, consider how you use the shapes on your layout. Instead of using just one or two small flowers, try an entire row of flowers stitched onto your background. Cluster shapes as a photo corner, or combine them with pre-made embellishments. Create a repetitive background paper with shapes as your pattern.

However you decide to use your die cuts, be creative and shake the old perception that die cuts are flat and boring. Hey, I might even get out that old book and re-discover new ways to use chalk on my die cuts!

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