They Are to Die For!

It seems like shaped papers, aka die-cut papers, are one of the latest things in the world of scrapbooking. When browsing through online shops or galleries, you’ll notice that square isn’t the rule anymore. Your eyes will be caught by circles, scallops and heart shapes. There simply aren’t any rules when it comes to the shape of your background paper. The more creative, the better! The best part of all is that you don’t even have to go out to buy these sometimes rather expensive die-cut sheets; you can make them yourself! Grab your punches, use a die-cut paper as a template or punch holes with your eyelet tool to give your layout a simple, but very effective touch. In this article I would like to show you just a few of the endless possibilities that will make your creative juices flow.

Let’s start this creative journey through the world of handmade die-cut papers with Lisa. She used an already existing die-cut paper as an example for the shape that she wanted to create for her layout. What I love about her gorgeous page is the fact that the die-cut paper doesn’t cover her entire layout, but is positioned in the right corner of it, so that the beautiful images on her background paper are still visible. Gerry used a heart shape as a template for the two die-cut papers that she used on her layout. These die-cut hearts, decorated with adorable fussy cut flowers, really make the love shine through on her page. Gabi used a beautifully handmade shaped paper sheet for her layout too. The loopy punching that she added is such a wonderful, playful touch and makes her page look even sweeter.

Adore by Lisa Nazario-Gregory

Supplies: Paper: Webster’s Pages, Flowers: Petaloo, Prima Marketing, Stickers: Pink Paislee, Ink: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Pens: Zig Writer (EK Success), Thread: Coats and Clark, Software: Photoshop CS4. Tools: Electronic Cutter, Cartridges: Cricut (Provo Craft), Border Punches: Fiskars, Scissors: Cutter Bee (EK Success), Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: I created the butterflies in a file, to download and cut out and they can be found on my blog. I used the shape from another paper and made a template to create the shape on the lay-out.

Love by Gerry van Gent

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet Stickers, Flowers: Webster`s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboard: The Dusty Attic, Specialty Paint: Tattered Angels, Ink: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Markers: Copic, Other: black pen. Tools: Stamps: Inkadinkado, Tattered Angels, Templates: Fiskars, Other: distressing tool.

Design Notes: This layout has white cardstock as a base. I used Glimmer Mist paint and I stamped the black stripes from packaging. I hand-stitched everything you see on the layout. The little hanger comes from a packaging as well.

Journaling: The best things in life aren’t things.

Style by Gabrielle Pollacco

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet Stickers: Webster’s Pages, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Flowers, Bling: Prima Marketing, Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Ink: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Other: tulle, ribbon. Tools: Border Punches: Martha Stewart Craft, Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: To create the ruffled edge on the edges of my die-cut design I simply punched a long strip of white paper with an edge punch, lightly misted it with water and lightly pleated the inner edge of the strip, this allows you to bend the edging to fit the contours of the die-cut design.