3 Ways to Add Interest to Die-Cuts | Terrific Tags with Michelle (with Video Tutorial!)

by Michelle September 16, 2023

written by Michelle September 16, 2023

Hello there, Michelle here with Terrific Tags With Michelle.

Today, I have a card to share with you, showing three ways to add interest to die-cuts. It is no secret that I love die cutting! It is one of my favorite things to do, and I am always looking at ways to step up my die cutting game!

1. Add Interest with Ink Blending

I started off my card by die cutting the wood slice from the Wood Cookie Die Set using scrap pieces of brown cardstock. I wanted some leaves to add to my arrangement, so I die cut the leaves from the Craft-A-Flower: Open Peony Layering Die Set from Green Meadows Gradient Cardstock Set (Sweet Leaf).

I placed the die cuts on my Stampwheel – Low Tack Sticky Mat: Grid and added ink blending on top. This really does add a lot of interest to die-cuts and makes them look less flat.

I blended Coffee Break Crisp Dye Inks (the three darkest shades) onto the wood cookie and Green Meadows Crisp Dye Inks (the three darkest shades) onto the leaves. Depending on the areas, I used both a Small Blending Tool and a Mini Blending Brush.

2. Add Interest with Specialty Papers

For the ladybug, I die cut the body from Jet Black Cardstock. I cut the bottom layer of the wings from Translucent Vellum Paper and the top part from Pink Brilliance Glitter cardstock Set (Tourmaline). The layers were assembled and adhered using liquid glue.

This is another excellent way to add interest to die-cuts, by adding different textures!

3. Add Interest by Changing the Use of Dies

I stamped the sentiment from the Magnolia Ballerina Stamp Set onto Classic Crest 110lb Solar White Cardstock with Obsidian Pigment Ink using the Stampwheel.

I then took the Ornate Nesting Die Set and die cut the sentiment using the smallest of the dies. I took the hole die from the Labels & Tags 2 Die Set and cut this at the top of the shape to turn it into a tag.

I thought this was not only a great way to add the sentiment onto the card but also a great way to get the most from your dies!

To bring the card together, I adhered the leaves onto an A2 white card base first, followed by the wood cookie using the Instant Dimension Foam Tape.

I added Silky Lilac Metallic Thread through the tag and tied it into a bow. It was adhered to the card using more foam tape.

I cut the body of the ladybug another two times and adhered them together to add dimension before adhering with liquid glue. To finish off, I added a few clear droplets.

You can watch the full process video below or on YouTube.