Negative Die Cut Background

Hi everyone! It's Nina-Marie here today to share with you some negative die cutting techniques using the Birthday Triple dies and Mini Birthday stamp set!

This is also my last Design Team post for Create a Smile... it makes me sad that I am going to be leaving.  I am so thankful to Christine for allowing me to be part of her Create a Smile family.  <3 Christine is a true sweetheart and all the girls on the Design Team are just as kind and talented as she is... it's been so much fun being here! 

So onto more happy things right??? And what could be happier than a birthday card!

 




I love using dies in creative ways; when I saw the Birthday Triple set, I thought it would be a lot of fun to create an entire background of the word birthday. This technique takes a bit of time because you have to run the die through your die cutting machine many times to cover the cardstock panel, but it is totally worth it in the end!







To see how I created this card, be sure to check out the video below, or over on my YouTube channel. And if you enjoy, be sure to give it a thumbs up and subscribe to my channel... I post new videos every week! :)

When doing a lot of die cuttng like this, it really helps to have a magnetic platform underneath the dies to hold them in place. Products such as the Big Shot Magnetic Platform (Big Shot and Vagabond machines only), the Lifestyle Crafts QuickKutz Genius Magnetic Platform (compatible with Big Shot and Vagabond machines, as well as ProvoCraft Cuttlebugs), or the Spellbinder's Magnetic Platform (Spellbinder's machines only), all work well for this technique. 

Note: they are not required for completing this type of card, but are recommended for holding your dies in place.









If you are interested in any of the products used in this post, I have them all linked below to Simon Says Stamp. Affiliate links used when possible.

Birthday Triple die set Create a Smile	Mini Birthday (Mini stamp set) Create a Smile	My Favorite Things BASIC STITCH LINES Die-Namics MFT777	6mm Ocean Spray Sequins Pretty Pink Posh	6mm Sunshine Glow Sequins Pretty Pink Posh	6mm Fairytale Fuchsia Sequins Pretty Pink Posh
Silver Mini Star Confetti Pretty Pink Posh	Pretty Pink Posh 6MM CLEAR DROPLETS (medium)	Pretty Pink Posh 4MM CLEAR DROPLETS (small)	*Ranger Embossing Powder SUPER FINE WHITE	Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark	US Artquest MATTE Perfect Paper Adhesive
Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Gray And White 660425	Bazzill 40 LB VELLUM 8.5 x 11 White 25 Sheets	Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# BLACK Black8	American Crafts GLITTER 6x6 Cardstock	EK Success POWDER TOOL Applicator 54-04002

InLinkz.com

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today and spending some time with me! Remember to link up any projects you create with Create a Smile stamp, dies and embellishments over in the link-up area on the sidebar... we love seeing what you create with our products!

Happy crafting! :)
xoxo, Nina-Marie

"Bleached" Distress Ink Background with Nina-Marie

Hello everyone and Happy Wednesday! It's Nina-Marie here with you today showcasing our soon-to-be-retired Uplifting stamp set. We have limited quantities left in stock, so be sure to stop over to the shop and pick it up before they are all gone! 

I love distress inks; they are so much fun to work with and you can achieve so many fabulous effects! For my card today I wanted to create a bright and colorful background using Worn Lipstick and Scattered Straw inks, as well as the Create a Smile Swirly Stencil.

I did a "bleaching" technique using water and a baby wipe to create the swirl design on my distress ink background... the effect is beautiful, don't you think?

To see how I created this card, be sure to check out the video below or over on my YouTube channel! If you enjoy, be sure to give it a thumbs up and subscribe... I post new videos every week!

  

A few tips from today's card to keep in mind when working with your distress inks: 

•  dry between layers; this will help keep your colors from blending too much and becoming "muddy" or less defined. 
• when rubbing a baby wipe over the stencil and paper to bleach the color, use a light, circular motion. Rubbing too hard will lift your stencil off the paper, especially if it is a delicate one like the Swirly Stencil used here. 
• I love shimmer...  and I really love the look of shimmer paired with distress inks! I always keep a spray bottle of Perfect Pearls mixed with water on my desk for adding shimmer and shine to my distress ink backgrounds, watercoloring, blending, etc. Just fill a misting bottle with some water and a couple pinches of Perfect Pearls to create your very own shimmer mists... super fun! 

 

  

Don't forget to share your projects using Create a Smile products! There are many ways to connect with us... link projects in the monthly gallery over in the sidebar of the blog, tag us in social media using #createasmilestamps and visit our Facebook and Instagram sites for more inspiration! 

Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with me... See you again soon! 

xoxo, Nina-Marie :)