Creative Tip of the Day | 3 Ways to Make Your Dies Work Harder

Sometimes the best creative inspiration comes from taking another look at supplies we already have.

For today's Creative Tip of the Day, we're revisiting three projects from the STAMPlorations archives by STAMPgirls Monika, Shirley, and Vicki. Each card uses CUTplorations dies in a completely different way -- and together, they're a great reminder that a die can do much more than simply create an embellishment.

Creative Tip: Look Beyond the Obvious

When you pull out a die, don't feel limited by its most obvious use. A die-cut can add texture to a background, become a repeated design element, or take center stage as the focal point of your card. Here are three ways our STAMPgirls did exactly that.

1. Add Texture + Pattern with a Border Die

On Monika's beautiful floral card, the Art Border #3 Die creates a delicate patterned panel behind the flowers. Rather than competing with the focal image, all those tiny die-cut details add texture and interest while still allowing the flowers to shine.

Creative lesson: Detailed border dies don't have to be the star of the card. Try using them as supporting layers whenever a background needs a little something extra.

2. Turn a Die-Cut into Your Own Pattern

Shirley took a completely different approach with the Dragonfly Layering Dies. Instead of using all the layers, she used the solid dragonfly shape repeatedly across that fabulous orange background. The repetition transforms a single die-cut shape into an all-over pattern  -- almost like creating your own patterned paper.

Creative lesson: Layering dies don't always have to be layered! Try using just one component repeatedly to create a completely different look.

3. Let a Silhouette Take Center Stage

Vicki's card shows just how powerful a simple silhouette can be. The Perched Bird Die becomes the focal point against the large glowing circle and dramatic black background. There aren't a lot of elements competing for attention, so that recognizable silhouette gets to do all the work.

Creative lesson: Sometimes a strong die-cut shape is all you need. Pair a silhouette with a bold background or simple geometric shape and let it become the star.

Why We Love It

These three projects couldn't look more different, but they all demonstrate the versatility of dies. A die can be a background. It can become a pattern. It can be the focal point. So the next time you reach for one of your dies, instead of asking, What is this die supposed to do? try asking: What else could I do with it? You might discover an entirely new way to use something that's been sitting in your stash for years.

Rediscover Your CUTplorations Dies

If these projects have you wanting to play with dies again, August is a great time to do it. All CUTplorations thin metal dies are instantly 15% off throughout August -- no code needed.

Take another look through the CUTplorations collection and see what new possibilities you can discover.

Until next time, keep creating and discovering what's possible with the supplies you already love.