How to Make a Die Cut DIY Card

Learn how to stretch your card-making stash by reading this article on how to create a gorgeous DIY card with dies.

Altenew’s Easy Die Cutting Techniques class is jamb packed with six amazing lessons on how to use dies to make beautiful cards. This article touches on just one, stenciling with a die. For more cards created while taking this class check out How to Make Homemade Cards using Unique Die Cutting Techniques

For this technique, you use a die to create a stencil with heavy cardstock. The die that I use for the card creates a beautiful leafy frame that cuts out the center. I want to leave the center white for my card so I tape the center into place to make sure that I don’t get any ink in places that I don’t want it to be.

How to Make This DIY Card

Next, I tape just one side of my new stencil to my work surface and then slide a piece of cardstock into place underneath it. We do this so that we can lift up the stencil to check our progress.

Now, this is where the fun begins. I blend over the stencil using a circular motion making sure to blend in both directions so that I get the color into all the nooks and crannies of the stencil. I add a second color. As a result, the color adds some dimension to the background I am creating.

Because the background is quite busy I choose to use two flowers for the focal point. Alternatively, I could have gone with just one simple image. I create the image by stamping it onto white cardstock with watermark ink, making sure to use anti-static powder before doing so. I use the powder because it will keep the embossing powder from sticking in places it’s not intended to be. Then I use platinum embossing powder to add a little sheen and then color them using alcohol markers

To finish the card, I use liquid glue to fasten the flowers to the card base and then stamp the sentiment.

Supplies to Make Die-cutting DIY Card

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Class: Altenew Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Cardstock: Neenah Classic Crest 110lb Solar White; Accent Opaque Digital 120lb White

Stamp: Altenew Wild Hibiscus (no longer available); Altenew Many Thanks

Die: Altenew Leaf Frame Cover

Ink: Altenew Crisp Inks Frayed Leaf, Forest Glades; Altenew Pigment Ink Obsidian; Versamark Watermark Ink

Alcohol Markers: Altenew Artistic Alcohol Markers

Embossing powder: Altenew Platinum Crisp Embossing Powder

Adhesive: Bearly Art Glue