Die Cuts and Dimensional Magic

Whoops......I only realized I'd forgotten to put any text with this picture when I checked that it had posted late last night.......and then decided I'd rather go to bed and fix it in the morning......and it is still technically morning.

Its a lovely time of year and I've just come in from the garden where we have an abundance of berries to pick this year.  We didn't have so very many last year and totally neglected the plants with a view to removing them this winter.....obviously this is the key to success as the strawberries, raspberries,  and currants (black, red and white) are all outdoing themselves this season, with lots of bramble berries to come (if we beat the birds to them).

Anyway (who can tell I'm in holiday mode?) this is not "Garden trek" but "Papertrek" and this weeks sample are a couple of little motifs made with a combination of Cuttlebug die cuts (from thick cardboard/chipboard), and Dimensional Magic.  I've used scrapbooking paper on the top one, and Kaiser pens (I assume any alcohol marker would work) to add colour to the bottom.  the end result is quite a solid little ornament that could be adapted for jewellry or to hang on the tree next year!

PATTERNED PAPER AS INSPIRATION

There have been a lot of lovely patterned papers around lately.  Quite apart from various ways they can be used in their own right , sometimes they can provide the inspiration for other projects.  The thought process for these quick cards was provided by Kaiser's Sweet Pea range - even although they haven't really ended up as "obviously related".  As you can see, I'm loving the look of  stamped Versamark Dazzle on Botany/Kraft paper for backgrounds at the moment.

DIE CUT FOAM STAMPS

Super-easy "background in a hurry" idea - three thin foam die cuts (using an old Cuttlebug die set) stuck to a clear block, inked up with Versamark dazzle and stamped at various angles onto Kraft card - about 5 minutes work, even including cutting out the stamps.  I really must experiment more with using die-cuts with ink and paint - if only the Time Fairy would wave her magic wand and create a few more hours in the day!!!!!!

CARDS WITH WOVEN FEATURES

"FREESTYLE WEAVING"

"FORMAL WEAVING"

Here's a different style of paper weaving using slits cut into the middle panel of a 3-panel card as the base.  The fist example is fairly random, and the strips are torn , with the ends visible.  I've just added 3 die-cut shapes across the panel to finish.

The second example is more formal, with the ends hidden on the back and the border emphasized with different sizes of diecut daisies.

In both cases, after weaving, I added tape to the back to make sure everything stays in place.  The messy back is hidden when the third panel is secured over the top.  These examples have both been kept monochromatic - they are made from Botany (Kraft) card, (browner than they appear on screen)  but it would be fun to experiment with different colours.