Creating Dynamic Die-Cuts

With all the three-dimensional accent items out now, you may be looking at your portfolio of flat plain shaped die cuts and questioning, Why do I still have these? What can I do with these? Should I just unload them? How can I make them more 'current', dimensional, and FUN!?? The article this month is just for you as we examine how to make those boring plain die cuts POP with originality and life again. From A to Z, all those shapes can be spruced up for active duty on your pages. Given the chance and a little simple attention, die cuts can STILL do the job!

No die cuts in your supply files? Get some freebies here! Donovan's website offers free online shapes to cut your own basic shaped die cuts.
Print the shapes directly out onto colored cardstock and cut them out (just inside the lines) in your spare time watching TV, on vacation, or supervising the kids in the sandbox or pool.

Look over these examples and pick out a few new treatments for your die cuts. Stretch your imagination and let the shapes guide you in new directions. These inexpensive simple shapes offer a wide variety of creative possibilities.

Mat a few of them and line them up as a bold border. Don't mat every die cut. Mat only one or two for accent and variation.

Chalk them to make items look shadowed or smudged with dirt.

Use a white pen to highlight accents for high spots.

Use a black pen to create outlines, pen stitching, and a gray brush pen for a quick method of shadowing over black lines. In this example we also used double-sided Magic Tape or liquid adhesives with seed beads. Beads shimmer and shine as they emphasize formal occasions, feminine touches, or water elements.

Cut and re-glue and layer them to create realistic dolls or features. Paper doll die cuts can be dressed in clothing to match your subject. Be sure to add chalk and detailing for realistic faces and features.

Use patterned papers for a stylistic change of pace! Use themed papers that match the page theme. Layer papers, punch art or small details in the right places to make it realistic.

Punch art shaped and pop dots help add dimension. Highlight and shadow with chalk again to create dimension.

Even stickers and punch out printed shapes can be layers emphasizing your themes. Small bits can add just the right accent!

Charms can reflect the shape of the die cut

Punch holes or shapes in the die cut and add paper BEHIND it for more color.

Gems sparkle up almost any clothing or jewelry item!

Die cut letters, vellum, and fibers get in on the action to create great titles on a tag. Cut your die shapes from vellum, crimped paper or other specialty papers for a change.

Plain die cuts are great journaling boxes! Add a few arrows with any travel die cut! And don't forget your rubber stamped wording works well on a smooth flat surface like this die cut tag.

Use these new twists on your stash of die cuts. Use up some of these classic supplies in new and ingenious ways. All they need is a little forethought and about 5 minutes of creative time to make them stunning! Incorporate them into your upcoming layouts soon. Your own dynamic die cuts are just waiting for you to discover them! Go for it!