Die Cutting – Getting Started with the Basics Step By Step Photo Tutorial

Hi there crafty friends! I’m Rebecca Keppel. This month Spellbinders is celebrating National Craft Month and I'm thrilled to contribute a die cut only card using the On the Farm collection dies. I love die cut only cards because there is no stamping or ink necessary!

Let’s look at how to create this fun card step by step, starting with the basic die cutting sandwich used with the Spellbinders Platinum 6 Die Cutting & Embossing Machine.

• Set up your die cutting sandwich using the Spellbinders Universal Plates. The basic die cutting sandwich starts with the Base Platform labelled A, then the top platform labelled B. Next a Clear Plate labelled C. Then your cardstock with die on top of that placing the raised cut edges of the die facing down towards the cardstock. Then another top Clear Plate C

• If you’re cutting more than one die at a time, I recommend you add Spellbinders Best Ever Craft Tape to temporarily hold the dies in place. The platform is 6 inches wide, but I like to cut multiple dies on A2 (4.25x5.5”) pieces of cardstock since I tend to have cardstock cut to that size.

If you are cutting a border die place it vertically or lengthwise on the platform because it will fit that way and will run through even the larger Platinum a lot easier.

• To cut multiple borders make sure one is taller than the other so you can layer them on top of each other to create a two border grassy background.

When using the Best Ever Craft Tape, try to keep the tape on the paper on the side of the die cut that you are not going to use this way it doesn’t stick to the side you are using.

• For the die cut parts of the cow (like the spots, belly, and inner ears), Spellbinders has added some elements to the die that will deboss several lines on your cardstock to help you line up those smaller pieces on top of the cow body.

• Place a small amount of liquid glue on the cow body and use an embellishment tool to pick up the cow spot and place it on top of the adhesive.

• To add color behind the cow’s eyes, Spellbinders includes a die that cuts out a rounded rectangular bar. Simply add some adhesive on the back of the cow’s head between the eyes and place the bar (which here is cut out in Raven cardstock) on top.

The cow’s hooves are tiny so Spellbinders makes it easy to adhere them to the legs. Simply add a small dot of glue to the circular piece above the hoof and then place the leg on top of the glue.

• The back legs of the cow also have debossed lines that show where to place the cow body. Simply place a small amount of adhesive on the leg and use the line to easily add the cow body on top.

• Of course you can cut your image dies out of any color combination of cardstock that you want!

• To create the background, adhere the tallest grassy border down to the A2 piece of Breeze cardstock. Then adhere the hilly Rainforest border on top.

Add some Foam Squares to the top of the cows and adhere to the card.

Tip: To make your sentiment stand out, die cut two layers of the Hello Die (from the A Little Hello Sentiments Stamp and Die Set) and adhere those together with liquid adhesive. This just adds a bit of extra dimension.

Lastly, adhere the hello sentiment to the card panel to finish up your die cut only card!

Thanks so much for joining us today! If you are looking to see more of my Spellbinders projects, I share lots of them on my Instagram and Youtube Channel and would love to connect with you there! Happy National Craft Month!   Other Supplies: Altenew Perfect Picker Embellishment Tool