Technique of the Week: Die Impression Backgrounds by Dianne Johnson

I got the idea for this from Jennifer McGuire. I have posted techniques before showing how to use your dies to emboss. This takes that a step further and becomes the whole background. Jennifer's idea was to use nesting dies to create an interesting background.

In this case, I used the Memory Box 30069 Stitched Oval Layers, which we have in stock at Art 'n Soul right now!

I also used my Magenta Zen Dragonfly 44.018.K, and the Magenta sentiment "May life always allow you to fly high" 07.514.G.

First, I laid down 3 rows of scotch tape, sticky side up, and started placing the oval layers onto the tape. The tape keeps the ovals in place. You want them to be as evenly spaced as possible.

I used a panel of watercolor paper onto which I had splashed some Nuance color. I stamped the Zen Dragonfly in Versafine Onyx black ink. I centered the dies over the panel with the cutting side against the paper, and taped them down with washi tape. 

With my base plate configured for embossing (one tab open) I placed my metal shim down, then the dies against the metal shim, with the paper up (cutting side of the dies against the paper). I use this method to keep my dies from getting bent. Next I put a brown rubber embossing mat on top; one piece of cardstock for an additional shim; then both cutting plates on top of that.

The proper sandwich for this is the trickiest part of this technique. You want there to be enough pressure to make a good impression but not too much pressure so that the paper tears. Everyone's die cutting machine is a little different, so you will have to experiment. I had first experimented with regular 80# cardstock, and the metal shim provided too much pressure. Just one piece of additional cardstock for a shim was the perfect amount. However, with the much heavier weight of the watercolor cardstock, the metal shim was needed to give a good impression. The rubber mat is what prevents the dies from cutting.

I absolutely loved the look the embossed ovals gave to my panel! I elected to go one step further and die cut the very center of my panel with the smallest oval. This part of the panel was where most of the dragonfly image was stamped. I popped up the image in the center.

I stamped the sentiment and die cut it with one of the strip dies from Die-namics Blueprints 13. The sentiment was popped up and sequins were added.

The card was matted with So-Silk black cardstock. I hope you give this technique a try. It was easy and it really gives texture and interest to a card. 

To see additional pictures of the process of this technique, please visit my blog at Backporch here.

Great News!!
Our Ranger order is scheduled to be delivered on Wednesday! We will be receiving more of the great Enamel Accents in all of the colors; some Tim Holtz multi media dies with Halloween and Christmas themes; more Yupo paper and the new alcohol ink colors; THE TWO NEW SETS OF DISTRESS CRAYONS ARE COMING!!! WEDNESDAY! BE THERE!

Pam Nelson will be teaching her fabulous class on alcohol inks on Yupo paper. There are two spots left in the afternoon class from 2:00-4:30. Call in and sign up for this great class. You will be so glad you did!

Here is one of the gorgeous samples from Pam's class