Independence Day Clean and Simple Style, and die-cutting with a twist!

It's the weekend again!  And today I have a very 'clean and simple' card to share.  I typically don't attempt 'clean and simple', but with this red, white & blue color pallet and the die-cutting techniques I wanted to feature seemed to work together really well.

I've used 3 different die-cutting techniques in this card - cutting an opening or window; using my die to create my card shape, and a fun technique that I've wanted to try for some time now that I'm calling 'die emboss'  first here's a look at my card -

 

 I started with a top folding 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card in white.  I created the shape of my card, by using the largest of my nested flag dies - placing the top edge off the fold of the card and only cutting through the front layer I achieved the look I was going for. 

 

Next I took my star nested dies, and using the smallest die- I cut a star in the upper center of the card front this second part is the fun technique where you leave an impression with your die without cutting through the all the way.  For my card I used the next size up in my nested stars, to frame around the diecut opening. This is easy to do by just setting up your diecut sandwich for embossing and not cutting replacing one cutting pad with an embossing rubber mat.  Here's a closeup.

 

For my inside I simply cut 3,  1/2" strips of paper using the 6x6 paper pad Patriotic Picnic from the kit and layered them in a row to fill in the star opening.  As you can see above.

 

Here's the inside view...  I also framed the strips in with 2 sentiments from the stamp set Let's Celebrate included in he kit.

 



 

 I used more paper from the pad to cut the individual flags and adhered them to the red twine also in the kit.  I tied them in place to once side in a bow.

 

A banner cut label stamped 'Happy Independence Day' filled the lower half and I randomly adhered sequins down to finish my card.

 

I hope you'll give this die- embossing trick a try one thing that helps with your success is to use a heavier lb paper - the white in the kit feels like 110lb wt.  Water color paper works well with this technique too!

 

 

Supplies:

Stamps:  The Rubber Cafe'- Creative Cafe' Kit - Home of the Red, White & Blue
Paper:  The Rubber Cafe'- Creative Cafe' Kit - Home of the Red, White & Blue- 6x6 Doodlebug pad -Patriotic Picnic
Ink: Memento Paris Dusk
Adhesives: tape runner and glue dots
Embellishments: red twine; sequins - from the kit
Tools: Star diecuts Sizzix thinlets; Fish tail pennant die set; Big Shot