Trendy Tuesday – Expression Die Cuts

Paper Crafting with Die Cuts
By Aliya White

Hello and welcome to my first article as a Paper Crafter’s Library Trend Reporter.  In future blog posts, you will get to know more about me.  One little tidbit about me is that I have questionable handwriting.  It has looked the same since the third grade when teachers still gave out Cs for penmanship.  That might be why I love expression stamps so much.  But sometimes I want to include curvy fancy “handwriting” style words on the front of my paper projects.  I was thrilled when browsing online to see how many expressions I could use that are ready made.  

Now we all can, with awesome die cut words and expressions.   This first lovely card is from the Simon Says Stamp blog.  I love the way it seems to float above the card and the elements she used.  The trickiest part I have found is how to adhere it to your project.  I have tried glue pens which are great if you are neat (which I am not).  I have also tried sticker sheets that work better, but are kind of messy to remove from the page (by marcy).  My old reliable Xyron machine seems to work the best and produce a perfect sticker every time.

  

Card by Shari Carroll photo courtesy of Simon Says Stamp

Now look at this same die used with the negative cut!  It is a great way to stretch your paper and create more projects.  

Card by Debby Hughes photo courtesy of Simon Says Stamp

  Jackie used her Silhouette Cameo and purchased the online Monogram Flourishes to get this look.  She highlighted the B and the letters YOU in yourself with watercolor.  The effect is lovely.  This card is totally frameable. 

Card by Jackie Rockwell photo courtesy of Rockwell Designs 

Well hello again.  This lovely images was not even completely punched out.  The die was used to create an embossed impression and Christina used Copic markers to color the embossing in.  The colors and simplicity are awesome.

 Dielet from Simon Says Stamp

Card by Cristina Kowalczyk photo courtesy of My Paper Secret

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas with these lovely Christmas projects.  This beautiful Christmas tag was made with a Cottage Cutz die.  It is a lovely way to incorporate a fancy spiral and fancy font in a project.  While keeping the sentiment the focus of the tag, the triple punched flower at the bottom of the tag with glitter is a show stopper as well.  Carol outdid herself on this tag.  

Tag by Carol Hurlock photo courtesy of Chocolate Crafts and Bears oh my

It’s easy to get in the spirit when you have cards this beautiful!  Everything is glitter and silver and light in this lovely Christmas card.  The glittered snowflake can be used in the background so the sentiment can stand out on the light inspired background paper in this clean Christmas card from Amy.

Amy O’Neill photo courtesy of Freshly Made Sketches

You can mix stamped words with die cuts and create a banner effect like Lynn did with this adorable snowman. The snowman and Merry are both die cuts from Papertrey Ink.

Lynn from the Queen Scene 

  Now, here are some die samples I want to share with you.

The first one is from Papertrey Ink Counting my blessings die collection.

  Papertrey Inks Counting my blessings die collection

Simon Says Stamp has created a fun die they call the Big Hello.  Well named.

Big Hello die cut by Simon Says Stamp

Spellbinders sentiments include words : Believe, Love, Happy, Birthday, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sisters, Happiness, Inspire, Journey, Destiny, Friend and Hope.  These would look great on a range of paper projects.

 

Sentiments by Spellbinders

Because customization is the key to creativity, you can just get this great alphabet die cut set from Paper Smooches and create your own words or phrases.

Alphawhimsy Wise Dies by Paper Smooches

For those of use who are lucky enough to have a fabulous Silhouette die cutting machine, you have the mother load of script options.  This Pretty Words collection is wonderful.

Pretty words from Silhouette Online Store

Fab Scrap has done the die cutting for you in chipboard.  All you have to do is customize it and make it yours.  I can imagine this with lovely multicolor glitter or using a fun spritz spray.

Die CutGrey Chipboard Word by Fab Scraps

So no more worrying about less than stellar handwriting.  Enjoy the premade expressions from all of these companies or put together your own with alphabet letters and stamps.  You are sure to love the results!

Go on, … make something pretty.