Get the Embossed Look Without Embossing With Die-Cut Backgrounds! | Celebrate Love With Cards and Crafts

Welcome to Celebrate Love With Cards and Crafts, where we highlight crafty ways to recognize the many faces of love and affection – whether it be for yourself, your family, friends, or the community! Discover endless inspiration and spread love and appreciation this season!

Hi, it's Therese, and I am back with another edition of Take 2 with Therese. Today, I'm sharing two card ideas using die-cut backgrounds to create a beautiful embossed look!

It's all about love here this month at Altenew, and it's time to celebrate our besties who make life sparkle. Think about what card would you give a friend.  Maybe they would like a dramatic floral design like one of these?

Die-Cut Background Techniques!

Both of today's cards were made using The Blossom of Life Die Set, but this technique could easily be stretched to many other outline die sets that are available.

The Blossom of Life Die Set

Do you love our Wild Hibiscus Stamp Set? If so, you will adore these dies! Featuring some of the iconic blooms from the original design, this set allows you to create layered elements from your favorite colors of cardstock. The unique hand-drawn style will surely stand out on your next handmade project! There are 14 dies in this set.

Large die-cut outline flowers, such as these, can really give a dramatic look to a card design and today I have 2 ways to use this set as a background.  Starting with…

Technique No.1 – Faux Embossing!

Do you love the look of 3D embossing folders and, did you know that it is easy to recreate a similar look using die cuts?  It's very easy and fun to do. 

WANT TO KNOW HOW?  Simply attach a panel of colored cardstock to the front of a card base then die cut images with exactly the same color of cardstock.  Adhere these directly to the front of the card ensuring that some of the image hangs over the edges.  Then, remove these by flipping the card over and cutting them off with a pair of scissors.

BONUS IDEA!

For a quick, fun easy faux embossed card front why not try die cutting a ‘Cover Plate' design and attach it to the front of a card!

To create the focal flower I made some alcohol ink backgrounds using the Artist Marker Refills.  You can play with any combination of colors that you prefer, but I was in a teal mood (again) today.

Another, even faster, option would be to use Alcohol Ink Design Paper.  

And since it is all about love this February, I added a sentiment for one of my beautiful friends from the Classic Greetings Stamp Set.

Technique No.2 – Colored Dimensional Die-Cut Background!

Let's change it up a little.  For the next card design, I wanted to add dimension to the background, but this time I decided to add some color.

I used some of the ‘leftover' alcohol-inked backgrounds to die cut some blooms and leaves and adhered them directly to the front of the card.  I also added a panel of Dark Gray cardstock for some drama, but this could be optional.

To continue the love theme, I die cut a Halftone Hearts Nesting Die and heat-embossed a sentiment from the Eclectic Bouquet Stamp Set.

PRO TIP:

I like to use liquid glue to adhere the die cuts but, if you prefer a quicker option simply add Double Sided Adhesive the back of the cardstock before die cutting it.

Watch the video below:

I hope you are inspired to create some dimensional die-cut backgrounds with either of these techniques today. Also, it’s the season of love, so let’s spread the warm fuzzy feels!

Who will you give this card to? Tell us in the comments or share this inspiration with them and maybe you’ll end up exchanging cards this season! Have fun crafting, and have a lovely day!