{CUTplorations Creative Cuts} Carol Re-Visits the Eclipse Technique

Happy Wednesday, STAMPlorations friends! CUTplorations Creative Cuts is back to putting the spotlight on the thin metal dies we carry in the store. STAMPgirl Carol is sharing projects that showcase CUTplorations dies.

  

    

Carol here. Welcome to my fourth, and final, instalment of projects featuring STAMPlorations CUTplorations Creative Cuts. As you know, Shery has a plethora of thin, cut-like-butter dies in her shop. Words, phrases, tags/frames, images, cutting plates...possibilities galore. If you enjoying playing with dies as much as I do (and I DO!), please be sure to check them out! 

For my wrap-up showcase, I decided to re-visit the 'eclipse' technique. While I'm not doing anything particularly unique, sometimes it's good to be reminded about 'tried and true' ways of stretching our dies (especially when facing a time crunch and need something pretty, fast!) and, in this case, our paper goods, be they the awesome ones Shery carries, or other patterned papers in your stash. 

I added a bit of a twist to my first two projects: using the eclipse technique to create a card and an ATC. Twofers!!  In both cases, I cut the phrase dies from two paper goods - Coffee Backgrounds ATCs and Artsy Florals card fronts - and set them aside for the second project. Then, I selected a 'plain' cardstock - brown and white, here - and cut the phrase dies once again. After backing these with three layers of cardstock - for extra lift - into the opening they went.  The 'patterned' eclipse sentiment - also backed for dimension - went on to the mini project.

I'm babbling...how about we let the photos do the talking! 

Card 1:

Coffee Backgrounds ATC

Oh Frap! Phrase Die 

Pair this phrase with an 'I forgot your birthday', and you have a card that's guaranteed to bring a smile! 

ATC/Mini Card/Tag

ATC Tag Builder

This little mini would be fun tucked into a 'belated' or 'cheer-up' coffee-themed gift.

Card 2:
You Are My Sunshine Phrase Die
Quick Cards #5 - Artsy Florals A2 Card Fronts

Seriously, who wouldn't LOVE to receive this sentiment AND pretty florals, to boot?

ATC/Mini Card/Tag

ATC Tag Builder

Circles All Over Texture Cover Plate

Another mini...perhaps a lunch box note for the kids...so many possibilities for this little canvas.

Card 3:
Abstract Blooms ATC Ephemera
Flutter Zen 2 Layering Dies

Sentiments on the front aren't always needed; instead, we can *zhuzh up* our backgrounds using an image as our eclipse. Here, I've chosen the Flutter Zen solid die and, though hard to see on my photo, the added layers use different colours of cardstock, similar to those on the card fronts. Not a necessity, but a great way to use up scraps and add a bit of extra 'pretty'.  Plus, butterflies and flowers just go together, right!

Hopefully, I've offered inspiration for designing small works-of-art with your CUTplorations dies and assorted STAMPlorations products!