For Example...

Remember how I mentioned my conflicting styles the other day? Today's card is a perfect example of how my brain can switch from super-shabby to symmetrical and precise at the drop of a hat. :)

Rather than use the shaped die to determine the shape of the card, I used a rectangular 6x4 card as the base. This particular set of dies has the option to emboss outside the cut lines, and that works well for this technique. I originally decided to use the three largest dies in the set, but after cutting them all, changed my mind and took the smallest of the three out of the mix, and substituted the fourth, label die.

To make placement easier, I first taped the three largest dies together with low-tack painter's tape, and used the embossing pad to emboss all the designs at one time onto a 6x4 piece of cardstock (no cutting yet).  I permanently adhered this embossed piece to the front of my 6x4 card.

Then I ran the dies through a second time (still taped together) with another separate piece of cardstock, to cut the frame pieces, and then a third run to emboss the frames I had just cut.  This way, I could adhere the frame pieces with varying heights of foam tapes, using the first embossed piece as my guide to placement.  (I hope this makes sense!)  The label piece was cut and embossed along with these three taped-together dies...I love that the Grand Calibur with its larger mats makes cutting/embossing multiple pieces so much faster.

Here's the card, and maybe what I just explained will make more sense...

The large flower was made with the Grand Peony Creations dies...the two smallest dies in the set. A little contrasting ink around the edges of the petals makes the edges more defined...the white stamens were dipped into a few drops of Mustard Seed Distress Ink + water on a craft sheet...

Little sweetheart blossoms were added, with some leafy branches distressed with white painted edges...

Since I already had an idea who I'd be sending this card to, I went ahead and finished the sentiment on the inside. On the 6x4 piece on the inside, I embossed only the largest of the three dies, to create a decorative  edge. The sentiment is stamped onto that third piece I originally cut for the front, but pulled out and substituted with the smaller label.  It worked out perfectly inside the card...

Supplies:

Dies:   Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles, Grand Peony Creations;   Sizzix Flowers Branches & Leaves

Sentiment stamps:   Papertrey Ink          White sweetheart blossoms, flower stamens:   Wild Orchid Crafts

Pearls:   Recollections          Hug Snug Seam binding

Thank you for visiting today...have a wonderful weekend!