Paper Weaving With Die Cuts by Laura Fulcher

Greetings friends.  When I first saw the Diagonal Stripe Collage die, I knew that I wanted to try paper weaving with it.  When you cut out the die, you are left with this:

It cuts diagonal stripes on your card, but it doesn't separate the bottom of the card from the top.  You could put decorative paper behind the lines, but I decided to weave some paper.

Before we get to the weaving, I want to talk about the process of cutting out the die.  I wanted a top folding card, so when I ran the die through the machine, I had to run it through like this:

This is not the ideal way to run a long die through a machine.  Ideally, you want to run it the other direction (horizontally) so that the roller slowly moves across the die as you cut.  I had to run the die through the machine though because of the layout of my card.  Another hint...  tape the die down to your plate so that it doesn't shift as you cut. 

Next, I chose some left over strips from the new Garden Folly paper pack:

The advantage of using a paper pack is that you know all of the papers will coordinate and work well together.  The papers are all 65lb, which is perfect for weaving.  It is thin enough to weave in and out of the openings without creasing or tearing.  Heavier cardstock is really hard to weave.  You could measure the strips, but I just randomly cut pieces of various sizes.

Once I wove all of my strips, I glued down the pieces at the edges and then used my paper trimmer to cut everything nice and even:

To be honest, I kind of liked the card "as is" because it really focused on the weaving.  I also like that the weaving on the outside of the card matches the weaving on the inside of the card.

I did go ahead and pop up a peony flower and added a sentiment to finish the card:

To color the peony, I used Copic markers (YR21, YR23, YR24, G82, YG95) and added the sentiment in Blue Spruce ink from Impression Obsession.

How would you have finished the card?  Would you have left the weaving alone?  Just added a sentiment?  Add a flower and sentiment?  I'm curious.

 

 

Supplies

 

94401 Diagonal Stripe Collage

PP1005 Garden Folly 6x6 pack

CL5255 Peony Garden Corner clear stamp and die set

Comments

[marilyn bailey]

Clever idea and yes I probably would have just added a sentiment & let the weaving be the star! BUT your peony looks great as well...so a win win situation... Wonderful card and so easy IF you have that die...which I don't. So I can't.

[Judy]

Great idea...love the weaving. It’s perfect with or without the flower!

[Janelle Graham]

Greatest idea. Thanks for sharing.

[Patt H.]

Hreat idea, Laura, & an awesome way to usepaper strips! ( I cant seem to throw them away after watching a Jennifer McGuire video using strips!) :) I lovr the flower added to the woven border & would have also added a flower or other addition there.

[Cindy M]

Love the weaving!! Such creativity. I wish my brain worked like that... I would not have thought to put a flower. I would have stopped with a simple sentiment and let the weaving be the star of the show. The flower is a nice addition. Changes it from a masculine card to a feminine card just like that! I don't have that die but I do have an exacto knife and a ruler... maybe I will give this a try - or not. Some days are better than others...

[Connie Griffin]

very cool technique with that die and the flower is very pretty with it!