How To Make Quick & Easy Handmade Cards with Die Cuts

I always like getting multiple uses out of my crafting tools.  It helps me feel like I can justify my purchases!

I really like the look of shaped cards, and discovered a quick and easy way to create shaped cards using dies from my stash of supplies.

Do you want to learn how?

Supplies:

• Spellbinders® Nestabilities 6 Die Set – Classic Scalloped Circles – Large
• Spellbinders® Nestabilities 6 Die Set -Dahlia Flower
• Spellbinders® Grand Calibur Die-Cutting & Embossing Machine
• Darice® Embossing Folder – 4.25 x 5.75 in – Scroll
• Sizzix® Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Dots & Flowers
• EK Success Medium Punch – Fern
• Core’dinations Sand It Gadget with Sandpaper
• Core’dinations Card Set – A2- Pastels 4.5 x 6.5 – 35 Cards & Envelopes
• White Hang Tags
• Core’dinations Vintage Collection 12 x 12 Cardstock – Retro Mod Squad Asst Pack

Let’s get started!

Directions:

Select a pre-made A-2 sized Core’dinations card from the multi-pack.

Align your selected die so part of the die extends over the folded edge of the card, and WILL NOT cut through the card. This will allow part of the fold of the card to remain, so when the card is opened it will still be intact.

For this sample card, I used a scalloped circle die.

Here is a close-up, of the die extending over the top of the fold of the card:

Run the card through your die cut machine.

Pull the excess paper away from the cut die.

(Save the remaining scrap for later use.)

What you will be left with, is a shaped card!

Ready for embellishment!

After the card it cut, you can easily run it back through the die-cut machine in an embossing folder.

The Core’dinations card sets can be sanded and distressed just like the Core’dinations paper collections!

(I only emboss the front side of my cards, so when I write on the inside, it isn’t too textured.)

I then die cut a circle, that fit the center of my scallop card base. I cut the circle from a turquoise Core’dinations cardstock.

I embossed it, and sanded all of my elements to expose the core of the Core’dinations cardstock.

I love the look of machine stitching on my cards.

I stitched the circle die-cut onto the card base with white thread.

Don’t ask me to sew something out of fabric, or hand-stitch a button back on….but paper, yes please!

Next step is die-cutting the flower for the center of the card.

I cut two medium sized flowers, and one small.

I cut these out of Vintage Core’dinations.

I love  this paper collection, it looks like soft, well-worn denim. (Without sanding!)

I still sanded the edges of the flowers a bit.

Then, go ahead and crumple those flowers up!

This will add dimension to your finished flower.

Gently unfold the flower pieces, and stack them together.

Using a paper piercer, make a hole through all the flower layers, and add a brad to the center.

Adhere the finished flower to the center of your card.

Remember your paper scrap?

Using a fern punch, cut two leaf stems for your flower. Before adhering the stems to your flower, bend each leaf in half, to make it look dimensional.

It is the little details that make a card stand out!

I love the tiny jewelry tags from Consumer Crafts.

They make adding a sentiment really easy.

Tie the tag onto the center brad. That’s it!

Here is the finished shaped card:

You can create shaped cards with any brand of die, and any shape.

You could also create mini-shaped cards using craft punches.

The possibilities are endless!

This card was created with some graduated butterfly dies:

Don’t forget when you are making shaped cards, that you can be creative about the placement of the dies. You can hinge a card on the side, bottom, or top.

(Just remember to leave part of that card fold.)

Have fun!

Shaunte

Shaunte is a 30-something, chocolate-loving, SAHM from Utah. She has been scrapbooking since 1997, the dreaded era of photos cropped with deco scissors. Since then, her work has evolved into a clean, linear, photo-focused style. Her favorite subjects to scrap are her husband and five kids (never a lack for subject material there).