Mastering Die-Cutting and Embossing: Card-Making Basics

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This week wraps up our card-making basics series with a focus on die-cutting and embossing! Whether you’re using dry embossing for texture or heat embossing for a polished look, these techniques add a special touch to handmade cards. In this tutorial, I’m sharing two beautiful cards and a mini envelope using the Grow with Love stamp set and coordinating dies, along with the Woven Textures patterned paper. Don’t forget to check out the video replay below for step-by-step instructions!

Tips and Tricks for Embossing and Die Cutting

If you missed it, here's the video tutorial where I shared exactly how to do embossing and die-cutting - and share lots of tips and tricks!

Handmade Thinking of You Card

This card features both dry and heat embossing for a rustic, textured look. I started by stamping Crumb Cake cardstock with the Elements of Text stamp set, then embossed it with the Mini Corrugated 3D embossing folder. To enhance the distressed effect, I brushed the edges with a Crumb Cake ink pad and tore the bottom edge. The sentiment is heat-embossed on Early Espresso cardstock with white embossing powder for a crisp contrast.

Measurements for this Handmade Thinking of You Card

• ​Early Espresso (base): 11" x 4 1/4", scored at 5 1/2"
• Early Espresso (layer 1): 3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
• Early Espresso (layer 2): 2 1/8" x 3 3/8"
• Early Espresso (scrap) for sentiment
• Pecan Pie: 2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
• Crumb Cake: 2" x 3 1/4"
• Woven Textures DSP: 3 3/4" x 5"

Handmade Thank You Card

This masculine-inspired thank-you card features rich tones and elegant gold embossing. I stamped and heat-embossed the frame and sentiment on Early Espresso cardstock using gold embossing powder for a touch of sophistication. The plant images are stamped with Granny Apple Green ink on Crumb Cake cardstock for a natural feel.

Measurements for this Handmade Thank You Card

• Early Espresso (base): 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
  
• Early Espresso (scrap) for stamping and die-cutting
  
• Crumb Cake (scrap) for stamping and die-cutting
  
• Pecan Pie (layer): 5 1/8" x 3 7/8"
  
• Pecan Pie (strip): 1" x 5"
  
• Woven Textures DSP: 5" x 3 3/4"
  

Complete Supply List for these Projects

Mini Shipping Envelope

The Grow with Love dies include a sweet mini envelope die, perfect for holding a gift card. I die-cut the envelope from Basic Beige cardstock and added an embossed Crumb Cake strip for texture. To embellish, I stamped a plant image and frame on Basic White, then die-cut them. The sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso ink and cut out using the coordinating dies.

Measurements:

• Basic Beige: 6" x 6"
• Basic White: Scraps for stamping and die-cutting
• Crumb Cake: 3/4" x 2 3/4"

​I hope you’ve enjoyed this beginner-friendly series on card-making basics! If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can earn the Creativity Made Simple card sketches and tutorial bundle with a $60 order. Want even more? Place a $75 order to earn next month’s free card class kit as well! Let me know in the comments which technique you’re excited to try first. Happy stamping!