Custom Colored Die Cuts

I have a couple of bright and cheerful cards to share with you today featuring custom colored die cuts and products from our April 2015 Release.

This technique is one that I do often. I love the flexibility of having any color card stock I need without having to invest in colors that I may not need very often. By sponging my die cuts using my PURE Color Dye Inks and a sponge dauber, I know I've got the perfect color every time. Not to mention that I can create custom color blends and ombre effects with this technique.

The first card features the Love Mom stamp set and Love Mom Layers Die. The multiple nested shapes within this die make it a perfect candidate for shaker cards. I knew that I wanted the inside of the shaker window to be quite busy, so I opted to leave the rest of the card very clean and simple.

I die cut several of the flowers and leaves from the Love Mom Layers Die and colored them using a sponge dauber and PURE Color Dye Inks in Miami Spice, Lake House, Sweet Nectar, and Nautical Navy. I filled my shaker window with some of these along with sequins from Pretty Pink Posh and Martha Stewart micro-beads.

The sentiment was created using a combination of the Love Mom stamp set and Love Mom Layers Die. I stamped the first and last part of the sentiment in Stayzon ink onto the acetate window and finished it with the "love" die cut - also from the Love Mom Layers Die - sponged with Lake House.

This next card is a 4-bar card (3 1/2 x 4 7/8") featuring the same technique and the the Stitched Heart Border Die. I cut the die several times from White card stock and colored each one in a rainbow of colors - from top to bottom: Cranberry Crush, Wild Mango, Beanstalk, Bo Peep, and Cockleshell.

To create the stitched panel, I used the Holiday Apertures Die. The faux stitching mimics the stitching in the Stitched Heart Border Die and compliment each other perfectly.

Matting these bright colors with a bit of black patterned paper provides a wonderful stark contrast and really makes these colors pop!

Design Team Inspiration

Looking for more inspiration featuring our newest products? Be sure to check these out as well:

• Kara Vrabel - Kara has a very creative use for our new Encouraging Words stamps and dies. Her monster tags are just so clever!
• Joni Nina Andaya - Joni is also featuring the Encouraging Words stamp set, but with an elegant and sophisticated spin.
• Maureen Merritt - Maureen is sharing an ombre effect featuring the Stitched Heart Border Die as well.

Giveaway Alert

Are you loving the Love Mom stamp set and Love Mom Layers Die and the Stitched Heart Border Die as much as I am? I have one of each to give to one lucky commenter! If you'd like to win them, just leave a comment below by 11:59 p.m. EST, Tuesday April 14, 2015. The winner will be posted on our Releaser Winners page by noon on 04/15/15.

Featured Supplies

Wplus9 White Premium Cardstock Wplus9 Miami Spice PURE COLOR Dye Ink Wplus9 Sweet Nectar PURE COLOR Dye Ink Wplus9 PURE COLOR Nautical Navy Dye Ink Wplus9 Lake House PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 PURE COLOR Cranberry Crush Dye Ink Wplus9 Wild Mango PURE COLOR Dye Ink Pad Wplus9 Beanstalk PURE COLOR Dye Ink Wplus9 Bo Peep PURE COLOR Dye Ink Wplus9 Cockleshell PURE COLOR Dye Ink *Hero Arts Memories Rubber Stamp DYE Ink Pad BLACK AF101 Wplus9 3x4 Love Mom Stamp Set Wplus9 Love Mom Layers Die Wplus9 Stitched Heart Border Die Wplus9 Holiday Apertures Die Avery Elle THE NEUTRAL COLLECTION 6x6 Paper Pad P-15-04 Sizzix MAGNETIC PLATFORM FOR WAFER-THIN DIES Accessory 656499 Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Powder Blue & Teal 657900 Crafter's Companion HEAT RESISTANT ACETATE Pack CC-HRA-5PK Tsukineko Stazon JET BLACK INK PAD SZ-31 *Martha Stewart MICROBEADS 12 Pack M114015 Spring Bright Tsukineko 25 SPONGE DAUBERS Tools stdab025 Pretty Pink Posh 4MM ONYX Cupped Sequins Pretty Pink Posh 4MM MARSHMALLOW Cupped Sequins Pretty Pink Posh AQUAMARINE Flat 6mm Sequins Pretty Pink Posh 4MM AQUAMARINE Cupped Sequins Pretty Pink Posh MARSHMALLOW Flat 6mm Sequins EK Success CRAFT TWEEZERS Precision Tip 54-04000 EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors EKCB01 Ranger .5 Oz. MINI MULTI MEDIUM MATTE Glue Adhesive Paint INK41511 3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent Tombow MONO Adhesive PERMANENT Tape Dispenser *Tonic Studios 12"" INCH PAPER TRIMMER Guillotine Cut Trim

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Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

VIDEO: Easy Backgrounds with PURE COLOR Spray Mists

Today's video features a fun and easy technique for creating watercolor backgrounds with PURE COLOR Spray Mists and stamp storage sleeves. You could also substitute a piece of acetate or any slick material.

Watch above or watch in HD at YouTube

This is a fun alternative to color "squishing" or "smooching" as the results are a little more controlled but retain the same loose style. Not too mention, a little less messy. This is also a great look at some fun ways to use our new PURE COLOR Spray Mists.

In the video I demonstrate two ways to achieve similar results on both card stock and watercolor paper. So either way, you're covered. I originally saw this technique in some mixed media videos, but can not recall exactly where to give proper credit. But I did change up/add a few things that I think really compliment the original technique.

I use the same basic supplies on each card to create two similar but different looks. I was thrilled with the way that Just Geometrics: Triangles paired with Encouraging Words. If you are interested in any of the products that I used, you can find the complete supply list below.

More Design Team Inspiration

If you'd like to see more fantastic inspiration featuring our April 2015 Release, be sure to visit the Design Team:

• Joni Nina Andaya
• Kara Vrabel
• Maureen Merritt

Giveaway Alert

I've got an Encouraging Words stamp and companion die set that I'd love to give away! If you'd like to win it, just leave a comment below by 11:59 p.m. EST on 04/12/15 to enter and I will select one random winner from all comments. Winner will be posted on our Releaser Winners page by noon on 04/13/15.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Featured Supplies

Wplus9 White Premium Cardstock Wplus9 Coal Mine Cardstock Wplus9 Cashmere Cardstock Canson XL Watercolor Pad 140 lb Wplus9 PURE COLOR White Pigment Ink *Versamark WATERMARK Rubber Stamp Emboss Chalk Resist INK PAD *Hero Arts Memories Rubber Stamp DYE Ink Pad BLACK AF101 Wplus9 PURE COLOR Shimmer Spray Mist Wplus9 PURE COLOR Sweet Nectar Spray Mist Wplus9 PURE COLOR Lake House Spray Mist Wplus9 PURE COLOR Bloomsberry Spray Mist Wplus9 Just Geometrics: Triangles 3x4 Clear Stamps Wplus9 Encouraging Words 4x6 stamp set Inkadinkado EMBOSSING MAGIC Powder Bag 05847 *Fiskars Compact STAMPING PRESS Stamp Entire Project at Once! 02958 3M Scotch DOUBLE-SIDED FOAM TAPE Permanent *WOW Embossing Powder OPAQUE BRIGHT WHITE SUPER FINE WL01SF Tombow MONO Adhesive PERMANENT Tape Dispenser Simon Says Stamp Clear STORAGE SLEEVES 50 Quantity *Precision Heat Embossing Emboss Tool Gun Hero Arts PW200 *Canvas Corp MINI Clothespins NATURAL CLS2136 *Studio Calico HEARTS & ARROWS Wood Veneer Shapes 331051 Fineline 20 GAUGE APPLICATOR Twin Pack Standard Tip 2022 *Ranger Inkssentials GLOSSY ACCENTS Glue Dimensional Adhesive

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