Die Cut into Mini Albums

This is one of my favorite die cuts.  I just love this pocket for anything western or for guys of all ages.  First I adhere the denim material/paper to a heavy cardstock, leaving a space to insert the red stamped material for the handkerchief.  Using a bone folder, score and fold.  Placing the fold just inside of the dies left side cutting blade, I proceed to cut out the outside of this mini album, then insert the handkerchief.  I usually cut two more folded pages, sightly trim these pages to be a tad smaller to insert into the album using a liquid glue from Beacon Adhesives to hold the pages.  I complete the outside using a gel pen to put the stitching along the pocket.  I cut off the tabs of a brad and glue onto the corners.  You could also use eyelets on the material prior to adhering to the cardstock.

This pocket makes a great party invitation, dance card, or menu.  Having a western themed wedding ... use as a 'save the date' announcement. 

Hope you enjoy this idea.

Making Dies Work For You

Die Cuts are still popular.  Whether you use a decorative paper punches, Sizzix, AccuCut or a computer die cutter, they all help you to create fun elements for pages, cards or mixed medium art pieces.

I create die cut elements using papers that are archival, acid free, and fabulous.  Cutting die cuts and just applying them flat is one thing, but turning them into wonderful elements is quite another.

Layering flowers can be used both the front and back of the papers, or mix colors, mixed prints, or a combination.  Complete the stacking using either a decorative eyelet or brad.  I really like to make the petals of the flowers hold a curve and never flatten.  To do this, I first curl each petal using the blade of a scissor, a bone folder or other found object that will curl.  Using an eyelet setter or spoon, I hold the petals upside down in the palm of my hand to make a rounded indention.  My secret to hold each petal in the curve is to use cool melt glue drop in each rounded indention.  After the glue cools, stack the layers and your flower will stand up to just about anything ... united states mail ( but please ask for hand stamping), heavy scrapbook, or any other application.

When I was in Brazil working for a distributor of my product line, I met a wonderful store owner, Celi Mara and I was simply struck with the beauty of her work.  See the stacked flowers on this simply elegant scrapbook page.  Same idea could be used to create a greeting card.

Think of the wonderful gifts you could make.  A blank scrapbook filled with wonderful pages just ready for a new mom or bride to insert photos into for their memories.  If you are creating a card, just a smaller version and still a photo could be inserted or the area filled with a stamped sentiment.