Mmmm... look at the stunning colours I have used with the Layers of Beauty Bundle - scrummy!  But how did I die-cut only part of the beautiful bouquet?  That's a fun partial die-cutting technique!  But first...

Bundles: Layers of Beauty Stamp Set + Layers of Beauty Dies + Layers of Beauty Decorative Masks (photopolymer: 163519). Ink: Bubble Bath (161664), Petunia Pop (163811), Berry Burst (147143), Summer Splash (163809), Shy Shamrock (163808), Tuxedo Black Memento (132708). Card/Paper: Summer Splash (163798), Petunia Pop (163802), Basic White (159228), Country Woods 12” x 12” Designer Series Paper (163393). Accessories: Linen Thread (104199). Tools: Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (147653), Paper Trimmer (152392), Small Blending Brushes (160518), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430).

This card began with a piece of the blond or lighter shade woodgrain patterned paper from the Country Woods Designer Series Paper that was cut the same size as my card front.  I stamped the beautiful big bouquet in Tuxedo Black ink in the middle of the patterned paper and then used the coordinating masks to add layers of colour.  These five stencils overlay and perfectly align with the stamped image, each adding more and more detail.  I started with the first mask and used a Small Blending Brush to lightly apply Bubble Bath ink over the flowers.  The second and third masks also add colour to the flowers and I used Petunia Pop and Berry Burst inks with them.  The final two masks are for the leaves, for which I used Summer Splash and Shy Shamrock inks to give depth and detail.

At this stage, I could have used the matching die to die-cut out the coloured bouquet.  However, I wanted to show off more of the woodgrain patterned paper and leave a nice border down the left side of the card.  This partial die-cutting technique is quite easy.  First, you need to understand that the only parts that will die-cut are those that are sandwiched between the plates of the die-cutting machine.  So, place your stamped image on the bottom plate of the die-cutting machine then add the die and align it with the stamped image.  When you lay the top plate on top, only cover part of the die, leaving (in this case) approximately a third exposed.  When you run these layers through the die-cutting machine, the section of the die that has pressure from the plates will cut, and the section that is exposed will not.  Then I used the Paper Trimmer to cut down from the top of the patterned paper to meet the end of the die-cut image.  I also cut up from the bottom using the Paper Trimmer to leave a lovely patterned paper border on the left edge.

The stamped, coloured, and partial die-cut patterned paper from the Country Woods Designer Series Paper pack was added to the front of a card base cut from Summer Splash cardstock.  I used lots of Stampin' Dimensionals behind the patterned paper so it sat firm on the card front and didn't sag.

Good news!  You too can try this fun partial die-cutting technique at home.  To get you started, the Country Woods Designer Series Paper is currently on sale at 15% off in the Designer Series Paper Sale.  But only until the end of August.

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