Textured Backgrounds Using Die Cuts

The Group of Seven is playing with a technique to get more out of our dies - using die cuts to create a textured background similar to an embossed background.  Because it is tone-on-tone, it is basically faux dry embossing.  Unlike an embossing folder, using die cuts allows you to arrange the embossed sections as you wish.

My first example is simply white-on-white.  I followed this video but simplified it a bit.

I die cut a variety of small stars and glued them to my panel for my faux dry embossed background.  Then die cut the large star three times, twice out of scrap cs and once out of white shimmer cs, and glued them together.  I "hung" it on the card with fine silver thread that I also wrapped around the star.  Added a sentiment die cut with a banner die, and put the whole piece on a matching white card base, and I was done.

For my other example, I followed this video that uses the same technique but with a blended ombre background and a matching ombre piece for the die cutting.

With various green Distress inks, I blended two A2 size panels in an ombre of greens.  Then I die cut the holly from one of them and added it to the same colour sections of the other panel.  I left an open section where I wanted to add my sentiment.  I splattered with a bit of gold acrylic paint and die cut a few gold holly leaves to tie in with the gold die cut sentiment (cut twice and glued together for dimension.  It's on a cream shimmer card base.

It's a fun technique so please give it a try and link your card up over at Group of Seven to add to the inspiration.

Supplies for card 1:
Stamps - unknown sentiment
Ink - Versafine Onyx Black
Paper - white cs, white shimmer cs
Size - A2
Accessories - various small star dies, MFT large star die, banner die, fine silver thread

Supplies for card 2:
Ink - various green Distress inks
Paper - mixed media cs, cream shimmer cs, gold cs
Size - A2
Accessories - Sizzix holly dies, Penny Black holly jolly sentiment die, gold acrylic paint