Open your mind to apertures!  Technically speaking this would be a hole, an opening, or using the negative part of the die cut.  Its really pretty easy and makes fabulous results, as you’ll see.  Spellbinders’ Die Templates work wonderfully for this technique, their thin profile makes it easy to slide into a card and even emboss the edge around the opening.

So we’ll start with  piece of paper, I’m using a piece of double sided paper.  Fold the paper to make a card.  Place the die template on top of the card, cut side down, line it up to the exact spot you want the opening and tape it down with some low tack tape. (I use regular household tape, touch it to my jeans to make it less sticky.)

Now, with the die template in place, fold the card the opposite way so the inside of the card is on the outside and the die template is in  the middle of the card.  Slide the spacer plate into the card.  Place this between the Master Mats and feed it into the Wizard. Notice that the die is now facing cut side up!

Now you have an opening cut into the card.  Remove the Spacer Plate.  I usually put a piece of scrap cardstock between the die and the back of the card, the scrap piece will emboss slightly instead of the card back.  Leave the card folded as above, but this time place the tan embossing mat on top of the card.  Place in between the Master Mats and feed the sandwich into the Wizard again.

Carefully remove the die template from the card and fold the right way again.  You have an embossed opening!

You could embellish the opening by reverse stenciling, ink the die template before hand.  You can use the die template as a stencil and color through the holes in the die.  You can use the die cut to embellish the inside of the card.  You can use the opening to make a shaker box.

Check out these beautiful examples from our Design Team Members!

Linda Duke used chalk to stencil through the S5-005 Decorative Frames die template, and further embellished with glittered S3-146 Butterflies 2.

Holly Craft used stamps to further embellish her oval aperture.

Donya cut the frame opening and embossed the larger sized S5-006 Mega Curved Rectangle frame as well, to really accent the opening.

Jeni Calkins used the S5-005 Decorative Frames set to highlight this photo for a Fathers Day card.  See how using masculine colors can bring a whole new life to this flourishy and flowery die template?

This was a Make and Take from our CHA Winter 2008 show, isn’t it stunning! We used the S4-137 Classic Scalloped Hearts to cut the front of the card, and layered S4-136 Classic Heart die cuts on the inside.  The patterned paper is from Kaleidoscope Kreator Software.  Here is a tutorial on this Layered Heart Card!

Your cards and projects will take on a new dimension when you open your mind to apertures!

Have a wonderful day!
Beth

We are still having a blast. The marathon continues but we’re in the last lap. We ate our Larabars (Coconut Cream Pie is my absolute favorite), drank our protein shakes, put on dry socks and we’re headed to the finish line. Day 15 bought us the Dahlia die template on Linda Duke’s blog. Gorgeous work, Linda. Love those stacked flower frames. So, brace yourself for today’s PILE O’ LOOT:

Another day with over 2,000 entries. Random.org=

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

589

Timestamp: 2009-01-21 19:01:41 UTC

That brought us to congratulate:

Sylvia of Taylors, South Carolina

Her response was fabulous:

Thanks again to everyone who has participated so far. I know I’m feeling some withdrawal pangs that there is no release die tonight. But just remember that there will be more news in a few days…If you are coming to CHA, be sure to visit our booth #4873!!

See you soon, Eli

Lets go to sunny California to visit with Linda Duke today.

As a child, Linda always had a pencil and paper in her hands and she doodled whenever possible. Her father was a very talented artist and was her first teacher. “I would sit and watch him make beautiful creations of landscapes, objects around the house, or anything that caught his eye,” she says. “I would then try to duplicate what he created”.  In school, art was her favorite subject and she decided at a young age she wanted to study animation. Fourteen years ago, Linda attended a stamping party and has been stamping ever since. This medium now trumps all her other art interests. She is a several year member of Splitcoaststampers.com and feels that her stamping abilities have improved tremendously through the talented artists that share their work there.  In April 2007, Linda became part of the Splitcoaststampers Design team, a.k.a the Dirty Dozen. For six months, she truly loved being a part of this elite team. Currently, she is a Redevelopment Specialist in California’s Central San Joaquin Valley. She can’t wait to retire and concentrate on full-time paper crafting.

You can still win today’s die template, along with all the previous reveals, by visiting Linda Duke’s blog Linda’s Works of Heart and sending in your entry.

Linda does an amazing job of making paper die cuts look real with her signature technique of shading.  She put together this tutorial to show us how she does it.  I can’t wait to try this myself, take it away, Linda!

I wanted to share the technique I use when shading projects. I’m going to start at the very beginning, step by step and shade this lovely sunflower die.

Shown in Photo 1, supplies are Ranger Dye stamp pads, Glimmer Mist from Tattered Angels, flower and Leaf Die Template and cotton balls. I have so many people ask me about the cotton balls, so when asked to do this tutorial I was thrilled.

Hold the cotton ball like you would hold a sponge.

Photo 3: Rub cotton ball on inkpad, I used Latte.

Photo 4: The cotton ball holds a lot of ink, so I use my craft paper pad to take some of the ink off. Practice on scrap paper until you become familiar with the amount of ink cotton balls hold.

Photo 5: Always start in the center of the flower because it will not been seen when finished, this help me know how much ink is still on the cotton ball and I won’t have a glob of ink where someone can see it when finished. NOTE: If I were working on a project that is very small, I would start on the paper pad underneath and drag over the edge.

Photo 6: Work out from the center of the flower to the tips of the petals. (Lightly).

Photo 7: The flower on the left is completely shaded, while the flower on the right only has ink in the center.

Photo 8: Working with darker ink (Sunset Orange) can be a little scary because you will see every little mark. Just remember to work most of the ink off the cotton ball before you start working on your project. You can always go over it again.

Photo 9: You can see how the color of the flower starts to build.

Photo 10: Using Sunset Orange for a second coat.

Photo 11: Using Red Pepper.

Photo 12: Using Rust.

Photo 13: Using Cranberry.

Photo 14: Shows what the flower is starting to look like.

Photo 15

Photo 15: Using Espresso (only in the center).

Photo 16: Shows Glimmer Mist applied with the cotton ball.

Photo 17: Assemble as shown and you are done.

Photo 18: The finished product.

Because of all the ink, the flower needs to dry completely before adding dimensionals in the center. If you want to use a sponge you can, but I find they can streak your project. Cotton leaves a soft look.

I hope you have fun making your flowers; I have so much fun making mine.

Linda Duke

Thank you so much Linda!  When you try this technique, show us your results with a link in the comments, and don’t forget to click on the stars to rate Linda’s tutorial.

Happy Shading!

Beth

Many thanks to Linda for agreeing to tell us more about herself and her art!

Tell us how you got started crafting.
As long as I can remember, I have always been interest in art.  My dad was a very talented artist, and I would spend hours watching him draw.  I always had paper and pencil in hand and tried to draw the things he did.

Do you have an art or design background?
While in high school, I took every art class I could, and continued in college as an Art Major.  Although I never received a degree, I enjoyed a few years of learning to work with all mediums.

What is your favorite die? Favorite technique? Favorite Preferred Product?
As for my favorite die, that’s difficult because I really enjoy them all, but my favorite would be the Nestabilities.  They are perfect for card making and stamping.  My favorite technique would have to be coloring with either PrismaColor Pencils or Copic Markers.  Both are great for achieving a realistic look and perfect for shading.  My favorite Preferred Product would be WorldWin card stock.  It comes in so many different colors, and excellent quality.

Do you prefer to make cards, scrapbooks, or altered items?
I love to make altered items.  It is so much fun to give something plain, texture, and depth.

How many hours a week do you craft?
Unfortunately I do not have much time during the week because of my day job.  However, on the weekend I spend every minute I can in my little room.

What time of day do you usually craft?
Most of the time I am up until three or four in the morning on Friday and Saturday nights playing.

Do you craft by yourself or with others?
I usually craft alone.

Do you shop locally or online?
I do shop at Michael’s, but mostly online.

What kind of craft studio do you have?
Since it is just my DH and I at home now, I was able to turn one of our spare bedrooms into my craft room. I could just live in there LOL!

What are some tools that you could not live without (aside from Spellbinder’s products)?
Scissors: Love the 3D look that requires a lot of cutting.
Magazines: I collect all of them. Since I live in a small town, they help me stay up to date with what’s going on in the industry.

Linda is sharing some of her favorite art pieces.  Don’t you just love the way she shades the die cuts?  They look so real!  Coming up on Savvy Saturday Linda will show us just how she shades and inks the die cuts so  you (and I)  can embellish like this!

Flower Basket

Sunflower Box

Field of Sun Scrapbook Layout

To learn more about Linda, see her bio and her personal blog!  Thank you Linda!  I can’t wait for Saturday!

Beth