Spotlight die-cutting is an extremely useful technique for creating clean and simple cards, and works brilliantly with stamps that come with co-ordinating dies. Using the stamp and die combination creates a great focal image on your card and can really help the forefront images stand out. You can however also use just dies for this technique. The most common effect using just dies is to feature a camouflaged word within the sentiment; you cut the word directly from the background, then stack more of the same die-cut word underneath to give the required height.

I’ve designed all the cards in this feature in the same style to demonstrate the different kind of images that can be used with this technique and to show that you can use it to highlight specific images from a cluster of images too. The great thing is any brand of co-ordinating stamps and dies works! Whether the die gives a wide border or cuts right up to the image, because we’re cutting the image straight from the background, the size of the border is irrelevant and not particularly noticeable as it is camouflaged into the background. This technique can even still be done with solid dies, just simply cut a template from scrap paper, line it up around your image, place the die in the negative space and die-cut.

How ever you chose to try out this cool technique, I’m sure you’ll be looking at your dies and stamps differently, especially if you like creating one-layer cards, as applying this technique will allow you to introduce subtle dimension into your designs.

1

Stamp the image onto cardstock using Ranger Archival Ink

2

Watercolour the background using a couple of tones of blue watercolour paint, then leave to dry. You don’t have to be too neat – this will add to the overall effect

3

Once dry, add extra pattern using a background stamp. Ink the stamp randomly and press onto the card in a few different areas

4

Watercolour in the main image, leaving it to dry slightly between colours. For extra opulence, add copper watercolour paint. It can create a nice effect to load up your brush with metallic paint and splash some in the background

5

Use the co-ordinating die to die-cut your coloured image. Be careful where you place your low tack tape when die-cutting, because we want to keep both pieces for our card

6

Add the background panel to your card blank, then raise the die-cut with 3D foam pads to create the spotlight die-cut look

7

You can see the dimension that the 3D foam pads give. This also enables you to tuck a sentiment banner underneath the edge if you wish

Amazing Birthday Watercolour Feather Card
Combine stamping and die-cutting techniques to create this contemporary mixed pattern feather birthday card
Stamping1 min read16 Oct 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • 14.5cm-square white card blank
  • White cardstock
  • Spellbinders Spring Love Stephanie Low Feather Fireflies die & stamp set
  • Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Mix and Match Friendship die set
  • Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set
  • Lawn Fawn Smitty’s ABCs stamp set
  • Hero Arts Lia Griffith Irregular Arrow stamp
  • Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink
  • Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
  • Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint
  • Golden Sunset Nuvo Glitter Drops
  • Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue
  • 3D foam pads
  • Paintbrush
Hexagonal and Floral Friendship Card
Learn how to make this colourful die cut floral card
Die-cutting1 min read16 Oct 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White 14cm-square card blank
  • White cardstock
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp & die sets
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Butterflies die set
  • Creative Expressions Crafts Dies by Sue Wilson Mix & Match Friendship die set
  • Spellbinders Happy Grams #4 By Tammy Tutterow Nothing But Love stamp set
  • Sizzix Framelits Hexagon dies
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolour paint
  • Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink
  • Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
  • Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen
  • Golden Sunset Nuvo Glitter Drops
  • Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue
  • Paintbrush
  • 3D foam pads
  • Post-it notes
  • Gold gel pen
Floral Die Cut Thank You Card
Create this thank you card inspired by nature!
Die-cutting1 min read16 Oct 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • White 17x12.5cm card blank
  • White cardstock
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp set
  • Creative Expressions Craft Dies by Sue Wilson Mix & Match Friendship
  • Spellbinders Nothing But Love Stamp Set Happy Grams #4 By Tammy Tutterow
  • Spellbinders Snail Stamp and Die Set from the Earth Air Water Collection By Stephanie Low
  • Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink
  • Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
  • Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen
  • Golden Sunset Nuvo Glitter Drops
  • Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint
  • Paintbrush
  • 3D foam pads
  • Post-it notes
Sympathy Die Cut and Stamping Watercolour Card
Create this water-coloured card with spotlight die-cut effects
Stamping1 min read16 Oct 2019
DISCOVER

You will need

  • 14.5cm-square white card blank
  • White cardstock
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Butterflies stamp & die sets
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Layered Florals stamp & die sets
  • Card Making Magic The Christina Collection Complete 5x7” Card and Box die set
  • Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy stamp set
  • Tonic Studios Will’s Hand Miniature Moments Love die
  • Spellbinders Happy Grams #4 Tammy Tutterow Nothing But Love stamp set
  • Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink
  • Peacock Lawn Fawn Fawndamentals Premium Dye inkpad
  • Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss Sparkle pen
  • Golden Sunset Nuvo Glitter Drops
  • Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue
  • Paintbrush
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolour paint
  • 3D foam pads