Die-Cut Inlaying with Fancy Dies

Good morning! Jess here with a card using one of my most favorite Bold Print stamps ever that just happens to pair beautifully with one of this month's add-ons, the Crowned Swan Fancy Die!

I just love all the details of the Crowned Swan Fancy Die and I thought she'd be perfect for some die-cut inlaying! To start I die-cut the swan twice from Hero Hues Dove White cardstock. Next I placed a full-sheet post-it note underneath one of the die cut swans, sticky side up so it was temporarily adhered to the back of the swan. Then I used a craft pick to gently poke each detail piece of the swan out and adhere it to the post-it note. A few pieces were also stuck to my die-cutting plate and I just used tweezers to transfer them to the post-it note. 

When I have a really detailed image for inlaying I like to use post-it notes, washi tape, or painters tape to hold the pieces in place in roughly the same layout as the main image so that I don't get them mixed up.  For example, the navy blue leaves are slightly different sizes so it'd be easy to place it into the wrong opening of the swan if I didn't know exactly where it came from!  Once all the pieces were adhered to the post-it note it was easy to color them with Copic markers. I used RV29 for the flowers, Y35 for the dots, B39 for the leaves, and R00 for her blushing cheek. I repeated the process on the second die-cut swan but only on the top of her wing. Then I apply Spectrum Noir clear sparkle to all the pieces for a little extra shine!

Next I removed the swirls from the swan's wing and stuck them on a different post-it note. I pressed the Embossing & Watermark Ink pad over them and heat-embossed them with Gold Embossing Powder. Then I took the second swan and cut off her crown. I pressed the Embossing & Watermark Ink pad over the crown and heat-embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. Then I glued it in place over my first swan. Then I colored the beak of the second swan with Copic markers, cut it off, and adhered it to the first swan. Finally I used a blending brush to lightly apply Soft Navy ink over the edges of the swan.

Now it was time to make the image come to life! I started by apply scotch tape behind the swan die-cut. I find this method easier than using liquid glue when you're working with tiny pieces.  After I adhered scotch tape behind the swan I turned on a mindless tv show and started transferring each colored piece to the swan with tweezers and a craft pick. It's not quick work but I feel like the end result is worth it for a special card! It's also much faster to just adhere the pieces to the tape behind the die rather than having to add glue to each opening. Once I was finished I placed a piece of scrap paper over the die and used my hands to really press the pieces in. You could also use a brayer. This just makes sure all the tiny pieces are adhered to the scotch tape.  And just look at that beautiful detail! :) 

I used foam mounting tape to adhere the second wing behind the swan for a little dimension. Then I stamped the Garland Bold Print stamp onto a piece of Hero Hues Nautical cardstock with Embossing & Watermark Ink and heat-embossed it with Gold Glitter Embossing Powder. I adhered the swan with foam mounting tape and then added a sentiment from Shine Bright heat-embossed with Gold Embossing Powder. Finally I used the Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen to add a little shine to the yellow dots on the swan to finish the card!

And that's it! I really love how this card turned out and I hope you like it too!  Thanks so much for stopping by and have an amazing day! 

Click on products to shop:

CG684 Garland Bold Prints - Hero Arts
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DI822 Crowned Swan Fancy Die (D) -...
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CM454 Shine Bright - Hero Arts
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AF419 Clear Embossing & Watermark Ink...
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PW100 Gold Embossing Powder - Hero Arts
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PW123 Gold Glitter Embossing Powder -...
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AF234 Navy Mid-Tone Shadow Ink - Hero...
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NK350 Crystal Clear Lacquer Pen -...
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PS325 Hero Hues Dove white - Hero Arts
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PS316 Hero Hues Premium Cardstock...
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  • Lynn Gauthier

    OMGosh, I LOVE your Swan. I will have to give this a go!!!

  • Veronica Fairbrother

    Jessica, this card is STUNNING!! Thank you for your inspiration.

  • Laura Peddicord

    The swan is very elegant and the background is perfect with her because it adds something to her background but still keeps the swan the focus. Love it!

  • Patricia Wilson

    These new intricate, inlay dies are so pretty especially the swan. All the cards I have seen with these dies have been outstanding. Love them.

  • Cindy C.

    It’s so beautiful!