Turn the Negative into the Positive

Hello! I’ve got a quick video for you today. This is a technique that allows you to make use of every part of your intricate background dies. However, although easy, it can be a bit tedious. I won’t lie, and I’m not delusional. LOL

But, if you really want to maximize the use of your supplies this is perfect. It will give you the foundation for two cards from one die cut by using the resulting positive die cut and the negatives pieces that usually end up in the trash.

It’s definitely easier to show than tell on this one, so be sure to check out the video above.

I started by ink blending two panels. I used Distress Oxide Inks Spiced Marmalade and Abandoned Coral for one, and Cracked Pistachio and Broken China for the other. I then used our Trellis Background 1 Die and Trellis Background 2 Die to cut each panel.

This won’t work with every background die/paper/machine combo. But you can quickly test any die you have by running the die through your machine. If the die cuts completely through the paper and releases fully or mostly intact from the die, you’re golden. The magic combo for me here was Tim Holtz Watercolor Cardstock (this is a thicker card stock) and a manual die cutting machine. (The die cut did not stay fully intact for me using the Gemini Jr.) You can see in the picture below, the paper is completely cut through, but remaining intact. You’ll be able to use both the negative pieces and the resulting positive “outline” die cut.

I adhered the negative pieces to a standard A2 card base by applying liquid adhesive to the back, making sure to only add glue to the negative pieces. I then applied the entire panel to the card base, allowed to set for a couple of seconds and then peeled back the “outline” or positive part of the die cut. Any pieces that came back up or fell out, I adhered individually.

I used the Background Trellis 2 Die for the other panel in blue and green.

I finished off both cards using the Clear Cut Stackers: Hexagon Die and the Onward & Upward stamp set.

I hope you enjoyed today’s projects. If you already have these supplies on hand, test a few of your dies and see if you can maximize what you have. If you find that your pieces do not stay intact, you can always use the positive die cut as a template and individually adhere each piece. That way is a bit more time consuming and tedious, but yields the same results. Kelly has a video here where she shows how to take it a step further and use foam dimensional to adhere.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Featured Supplies

Some of the products used in this post were provided to me for free. I am not under any obligation to use or review these items unless otherwise noted. The following is a list of the featured supplies used in today’s project(s) along with links to purchase for convenience. Please note, this list contains affiliate links. Use of these links when shopping provides me with a small referral commission at no additional cost to you. Use is never expected, but always appreciated. Thank you for your support! ❤️

Wplus9 White Cardstock Shop at: WP9	Simon Says Stamp EMBOSSING POWDER GOLD Ultrafine Detail Shop at: SSS	Precision Heat Embossing Tool Gun Hero Arts Shop at: SSS	EK Success CRAFT TWEEZERS Precision Tip Shop at: SSS
Ranger MINI ROUND INK BLENDING TOOLS Shop at: SSS	WOW Super Fine Bright White Embossing Powder Shop at: SSS	Falling For Blue PURE COLOR Dye Ink Shop at: WP9	Inkadinkado EMBOSSING MAGIC Powder Bag Shop at: SSS
3M MICROPORE PAPER TAPE White 1 inch x 30 feet Shop at: SSS | EH	Tim Holtz 4.25 X 5.5 DISTRESS WATERCOLOR CARDSTOCK Shop at: SSS	Trellis Background 1 Die Shop at: WP9	Trellis Background 2 Die Shop at: WP9
Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad SPICED MARMALADE Shop at: SSS	Clear Cut Stackers: Hexagon Shop at: WP9	Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Cracked Pistachio Shop at: SSS | EH	Gina K Designs Connect Glue Shop at: SSS | EH | GKD
Onward & Upward Shop at: WP9	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad ABANDONED CORAL Shop at: SSS	Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink Pad BROKEN CHINA Shop at: SSS	Silhouette Pick Me Up Sticky Tool Shop at: SSS