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Wednesday 29 May 2013

Wednesdays Trends: using negative die cuts

(Please scroll down for my All That Scraps DT post!)


Hi everyone, it's Mary J here with this week's Wednesday trends.  Today I want to show you ways to use the "negative" pieces from die cutting.  I've been using this technique more and more recently as I love my dies but wanted to get more out of them.  You may want to get a cup of tea and settle in as I have a few examples to show you! 

So, first up is this very simple form of this technique...

You know, I think this is one of my most favourite images EVER!  This cheeky monkey is from the Jungle Out There set by illustrator Melyssa Connolly.  As you can see, I simply lined up a couple of die clouds using low tack tape on a piece of white cardstock, put it through my die cutting machine and then popped it on foam pads over some blue patterned paper for extra depth.  I then layered a couple more cloud die cuts to create a bit more interest.  I am entering this card into the Simon Says anything goes challenge.

Now on my second card (using the same Jungle Out There set) I did a similar thing but I first die cut the label, used a wood grain stamp on it and then die cut the leaves.  The trick here is to keep the die as simple as possible otherwise intricate die cuts can get "lost" in the patterns. 


So I have one more example to show you.  This time I used the beautiful Blossom By Blossom set by illustrator Torico.  I die cut a large flower from a piece of white cardstock and then ran it through my machine with an embossing folder to create more interest...



Well I hope I have inspired you to try this technique to get more from your dies.  If you have any other way you use this technique, please leave me a comment here with a link to your project as I would love to see it!  See you tomorrow with my Bellarific Babe card - ttfn!

 

42 comments:

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous card Mary and I just love the idea of showing the negative dies..my favourite has to be that little monkey he's just so adorable

Anne

Pöydän kulmalla näpertelijä said...

What a fun idea! Gorgeous cards.

Inky Angel said...

Hi Mary,
These are awesome. I've almost never used the negative die cuts on my card. Now I see how beautiful they can be, I will give this technique a try. Thanks so much for your great inspirations.
Have a wonderful week.
Hugs,
Katie

debby4000 said...

WOW what a gorgeous selections of cards do love the monkey one best of all.
luv
Debby

theCook said...

Love your cards, especially the one wit hthe monkey! Made me smile!

Jacqui's little piece of England said...

Lovely cards Mary J love what you do with your dies
jacqui x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

These are all brilliant Mary J and I will certainly have a go at this what a fab technique!! Susan x

Doreen said...

Gorgeous cards Mary....fab idea.xxx

Jay Gee said...

Gorgeous cards Mary - thanks so much for the inspiration... I need to do this more often :)

Cazza said...

All gorgeous Mary J, LOVE that cheeky monkey too!!
Hugs
Cazza
x

Sue said...

I love this technique. Your cards are wonderful the images are gorgeous, coloured beautifully and you always match your papers to your designs so perfectly.
Thank you for so much inspiration.
sue xx

ScrapSoon said...

Hello dear Mary,

After a long time not being on the blog or on your site i have been visiting you finally.

Oh wow!!!
You have amazed me with all those awesome and cute cards.
And also such different layouts and technics and images.
You have been a busy and talented lady these days!

And what a clever idea to use the negative die cuts for the cards.
I love it very much.
I do now get a little bit butterfly's to make something just like that.
Unfortunately i haven't been able to make anything at all these day's,weeks going on in to months.
But when i see these cards of you i hope i can be inspired enough to make something.

Have a wonderful day!
Hopefully the weather is better by you.
Here in the Netherlands we did have 2 great day's,but this morning it was raining so hard you almost forget these 2 warm day's.

With love Soon Han X

DesignerDiva said...

I'd already picked up on your negative die cuts Mary it looks fantastic on all 3 of these beautiful cards. That monkey is adorable and now firmly on my wish list!
Had a busy week at work and not got over as much as I'd like to, I missed your paddling pool By Lori card - it's the cutest little thing EVER!
Hugs Laurie xx

Sasha said...

I love this technique, Mary. All three cards are as fabulous as ever.....and beautifully created xx

Marjorie said...

Fabulous inspiration Mary, lovely ideas must give this a try, lovely examples... you make it look so easy:)
Have a lovely day..
Hugs,
Marjorie
xx

Dianne said...

Oh my goodness Miss MJ, you are a going concern, I came to comment on Monday's post and here you have 6 more cards wow your amazing girly,well they are all beautifully created and your coloring is always perfect, I love the girl in the air ballon, thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day..Big hugs to you..

JanR said...

Awesome ideas and awesome cards! TFS

Tracy said...

I really do love the look of this technique and you always pick such great images to match up with the cuts. I definitely want to put this idea to use. Thanks for sharing it Mary! Hugs!

Marcy said...

Wow Mary J! These are all so super cute! I love negative dies! Awesome idea and I want to try this technique for sure! :)

Annette Allen said...

you are an amazing card maker.. these are so cute..

Rachel Parys said...

Wow, you covered everything from the jungle, to a sweet little girl! You have been busy! These are all so cute!!

heidy said...

These are all fabolous MaryJ,but that cute little monkey is my favorite!!
XXX Heidy

heidy said...

These are all fabolous MaryJ,but that cute little monkey is my favorite!!
XXX Heidy

Meihsia Liu said...

Wow... Mary, all three cards are just gorgeous! Love your perfect coloring and cute images. ^_^

Elena said...

WOW, your so creative! Every card is unique. Perfect!

Fabiola said...

elles sont toutes superbes, très sympa ton utilisation des découpes, il faudrait que je m'en inspire plus, biz

pinky said...

Oh my word Mary your cards are just amazing and so so inspirational!!

Donna Mosley said...

Mary, these are gorgeous as always. Love them. :o)

Donna x

Julie said...

Wow - some fab ideas - thank for taking the time to share!

Congrats on the Pollycraft DT by the way!

Hugs

Julie x

Wishcraft said...

Love them all Mary! Love how you've used the dies and the images are all so cute. FAB :o) Hugs, Lisa x

coops said...

these are fabulous mary,your designs and images are stunning ;D

xx coops xx

Tress said...

Fabulous as always! And thank you for such amazing examples of "negative" pieces! Cannot wait to try the technique!

SemSee said...

Brill cards - love them all! Can I ask where you got your cloud dies from please - I've been trying to work out who they are by, but can't get it, lol! xx

Melissa said...

Eeep! I think I'm going to be staring at these all day! I just discovered your blog and what a find!!! :) Your cards are absolutely gorgeous and so lighthearted! I think I know where to come if I need a smile! :)

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous cards Mary but I have to say the monkey one is absolutely fantastic ! what an inspiration !

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge
luv
Lols x x x

Shannon White said...

Oh! I Love All of these Mary!! Have always loved how you use the negative die cuts on your projects!! Definitely going to have to give it a whirl! 8-)

Hugs
Shannon

Lisa Minckler said...

OH MY WORD.....AWESOME!!! Each of them adorably wonderful. If I was the grumpiest person on the face of the earth, I know I'd be smiling when I left your blog....SO FUN! :)

Paula said...

really really loving this technique...so simple but SO GOOD!!!
all amazing cards!!

xxx

scrapsnsuch@gmail.com said...

Fab cards all around, but that monkey is da cutest! LOVE it!!! I am sooo casing this one - eeeks!!!

Joy said...

Way to cute, your colouring and design are amazing.. thanks for joining us at Simon Says Challenge blog

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