Filling in negative space is nothing new, but it's fun nevertheless.
You can use all sorts of different things to fill in negative space for almost any shape...washi tape, designer paper, stamping, embossing, vellum, etc. You can even make a shaker card using a transparency and a whole lot of dimensional tape. Negative shapes are fun!
And another reason for me to keep the washi tape in my stash.
The heart on my card was cut using a Fiskar's ShapeCutter system like the one shown below:
In fact, it was cut with precisely the ShapeCutter shown. This is because I am epically uncool and don't have a die-cut system.
Which reminds me of a funny story.
Over the holidays, I placed a large-ish order at Ellen Hutson's shop. If you've ordered from her, you know she includes a little thank-you card with your order. The holiday thank-you card was...wait for it...a partridge with A PEAR IN ITS MOUTH. Of course. It's now on my cork board.
Pictures will be forthcoming.
Anyway, when I pulled my order slip out of the box, I noticed that someone had written "You Rock!" on it.
Isn't that sweet?!?!? I wondered--because sometimes my head gets too big for my britches--if someone at Ellen's warehouse was a fan of Simplicity. I felt all warm and popular.
As I unpacked my goodies from the box, however, I found a Limited Edition You Rock die by Julie Ebersole.
Of course. The notation on my order slip just indicated my freebie for such a large-ish order. Because a fan would know that I'm epically uncool and without a die-cut machine, right?
My head fits back in my britches...or something like that.
And I've got a really cute die to give away!
If you want to be considered for the give-away, leave a comment about my epic uncoolness and use the words "I like Dies." If you don't want the die, please still leave a comment but don't type "I like dies."
Comment by midnight EST Friday, January 9, 2015. I'll randomly select a winner and announce the lucky person's name this weekend.
Supplies
stamps: none
ink: none
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: washi tape, Fiskar's ShapeCutter heart template and cutter, dimensionals
Susan, that die is awesome if it's the one I'm thinking of by Julie Ebersole. Is it the word, "you" with a diamond rock? I like dies because I have a Big Shot and think it's very cool to use. However, Susan, you are very cool be ause you find ShapeCutters and scissors to fussy cut your images. WTG!
ReplyDeleteThat is precisely the die I'm giving away. Adorbs, totally!
DeleteYou're human ... made me smile! "I like dies" ... perfect for cards for my grandsons.
ReplyDeleteHow funny is that! Especially the pear card...bwahahahaha!!!! I like dies, but must also be uncool, as I didn't realize Julie Ebersole designed them! Good luck to all of your fans that like dies and agree that you DO, indeed, rock! Fun post...thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteSusan, that story is so funny. You really do rock! :-) I love Ellen Hutson service. I wish I could order more (time to win the lottery...). Your Christmas card arrived yesterday, and it is one of my favourites! Thank-you!
ReplyDeleteOh that is a funny story! That's like the writer/motivational speaker who was in another country's and as he was ready to leave one of the staff said, Are YOU Mr. Dooley? He was feeling so good that someone even in another country recognized him but before his head got to big, the young man handed him his cried card and said, you left this lying on the table! LOL. I Like dies!
ReplyDeleteSupposed to say credit card. Stupid auto correct.
ReplyDeleteI hate when freebies are something I can't use! If I didn't have a big shot, and gt a free die that I loved, I think I would break down and get a die cutting machine (i love mine!). But I think it's much more creative to use old fashioned tools sometimes...
ReplyDeleteI have two electronic cutting machines I was convinced I needed...and I barely use either one. I like dies, no..I LOVE dies. You do rock!
ReplyDeleteI like dies and, I have a die cutting machine!
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are cool. And I do like dies. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like dies and I am totally uncool. I think it is our uncoolness which makes us so cool :)
ReplyDeleteI like dies, and I also love that nobody is perfect!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun post! I think you rock! I love dies ... and scissors and die cut machines!
ReplyDeleteI too like dies but then I was given a CB machine by a friend and some dies from other friends and family too. Otherwise I would be die-less! We need to be reminded of our need of humility.... how wonderful when God points this out in a humorous way! LOVE your cards with washi, TFS!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletesorry - wrote a comment - but deleted by mistake - haha -love the cards with washi tape , I am SO impressed that you can use a cutter -I have one in my "hoard" but never managed to use it successfully so Im afraid it will stay hidden in my hoard .happy New Year to you
ReplyDeleteEpic uncoolness or not, you DO rock! I love dies, especially flower and word dies. They always seem to go together so well.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I have that thingy that you picture today but never have been successful in using it. I should send you all of the templates that I have. I think that I will try it one more time before I do.
ReplyDeleteI like dies. Ah let me rephrase, I LOVE dies!
ReplyDeleteAnd you do rock. Thanks for the opportunity of the gift.
I like dies (and you should,too:))Are you sure that you want to give it away? Now would be the perfect time to get a Big Shot, cause it would just ADD to your coolness. Cause you know it is so uncool to be cool. Anywayyyy....
ReplyDeletePS i love your musings and your cards and yes ,you are super cool and You Rock!
Seriously though, you really do rock and we all know it!!!
ReplyDeleteAt times my head doesn't fit in my hoodie. You still rock and I like dies. Stamp (and Fiskar) on, sister.
ReplyDeleteYou rock, even though you don't have a die-cut machine, and I LOVE dies. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day.
I like dies! And I think it's cool to be uncool.......... that means you're cool, no matter what!
ReplyDeleteLaura Holt
[Google will call me "unknown"]
I don't think you are uncool because you don't have a die-cutting machine. I like dies, even though I don't have any!
ReplyDeleteI like dies! I don't have many; because I have a Cricut and can't justify the additional expense. I would love to convince you that you would like a die cut machine; but it would take away from your stamping allowance and you wouldn't be able to buy so much inky goodness. That would be a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though; we all have that moment where we realize our very small piece of this great big world. Although, I am continually surprised just how small the world really is.
And you are "famous" by the way. I met a group of card makers at a weekend crop up north. We were discussing our favorite bloggers and you were at the top of the list!!!
What a hilarious story! I like dies! Love my die cut machine,as well.
ReplyDeleteI Like Dies!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so fun! Even though the note was about the die, they probably ARE a fan and think you rock! :) I am WAY impressed that you were able to cut such a gorgeous heart from the Fiskars system. YOU TOTALLY rock in my book! :)
LOL Between the pear and the You Rock I chuckled. Thanks for the smile~
ReplyDeleteOnce I finished reading your comment it brought a smile to my face. Let's face it we all want to think we are being read and appreciated on our blogs.
ReplyDeleteI like dies!
stamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/
I like dies! I too did not have die cutting machine and refused to buy one for the longest time - then along came a sale - did I mention I am a sucker for a sale - but it was a decision that I never regretted - the die was cast!
ReplyDeleteI like dies, too!! If you're happy without a die cut machine, then that's all that matters...so there.
ReplyDeleteWell, first of all, you DO rock! I've learned so much from you. Keep up the good work. I have a Big Shot (which I use much more than my electronic cutter), and I LIKE DIES!
ReplyDeleteYou rock Susan!
ReplyDeleteI like dies! HAHA! So funny that YOU got a free die. I might have a small collection of those cutting things, unless I gave them away in The Move Purge. If I can find them, they're yours.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, your post today is funny on so many levels! Can't wait to see that Partridge card .
ReplyDeleteHA - too funny; I love when you tell these kinds of stories!
ReplyDeleteI like dies.
Truth be told, I love dies; thinking this one sounds perfect to use specifically for my kiddos!! :D
Thanks for the chance to win. Meanwhile, I'll be waiting for that pear image!!
Your post is so funny. Can't believe you don't have a die machine. Look at all the additional $$$ you could be spending. I like dies A LOT!
ReplyDeleteYour cards are very cool! I love your design sense. Myself, I do like dies. As a matter of fact I love dies! Just sayin.... :P
ReplyDeleteI am totally impressed that you can get that shape cutter to work as well as you do. I have one and was never able to get good results...therefore, my need for a Big Shot and a Cricut! I think of you every time I see a pear image!
ReplyDeleteOf course you rock! Awesome mom, wife, blogger, creative crafter - don't doubt your awesomeness! I do like dies!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is funny. You do rock, of course. You made that Fiskar's thing cut the heart shape. I never could get mine to cut right and ended up giving it away.
ReplyDeleteI like dies. If you ever start using them, you will be hooked.
ReplyDeleteI like (no really LOVE) dies - and I am in awe of your cuts with "just" scissors because my cuts look like my grandsons made them. I also bought the Fiskar shape cutters when I first started making cards... and promptly gave them away. i blamed it on my left hand handicap. Thanks for all your great card ideas you do rock!
ReplyDeleteI like dies. And I love to read your blog posts, even if you think you're uncool. You have the best posts and I look forward to reading them! Every single time I see pears I think of you. Every. Single. Time. Ahh, you make me smile! Thanks for the chance to win. :)
ReplyDeleteI like dies and have a shape cutter too! However, you rock with your shape cutter and other supplies. Thanks for sharing and for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI have a cricut but get overwhelmed sometimes with how it can complicate things. I like dies and the ease of just running them thru my Cuttlebug. Kudos for you for using what you have and resulting in awesome cards!
ReplyDeleteI like dies! or love them. I have too many of them, I want more of them! Thank you for the inspirations over and over, YOU ROCK.
ReplyDeleteIf this is a duplicate message I apologize.
ReplyDeleteI like dies. However I also have an electronic cuttter. I still use dies because I really like the rounded edge that they give. It makes the cutout look so professional. I am enjoying your series on using Washi tape. I have a hoard of it and I need to use some of it. I have a question, though. I find that it doesn't stick too well and begins to curl after awhile. Do you have a trick to keep it flat on the paper?
On another note, I saw a tag first thing this morning and it so reminded me of your stories about 'the pear' image. It is tagged as a masculine valentine's tag and guess what is on it! It is a beautiful tag but I can't think of anything else because ..... It is on Lime Doodle Design. I love her cards and she is a wonderful artist but I don't think she knows your story.
I like dies! Judging from the number of comments today you are definitely 'cool' and also 'ROCK'. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I would love the chance to win because... wait for it... wait for it... "I like Dies."! Thank you for the awesome giveaway. :)
ReplyDelete"I like dies." Actually my statement would be "I LOVE dies!!!!!" I've gone pretty much die crazy in past couple of years. There are so many great ones out there. I do also own that Fiskars shape cutting tool you used here, but have to admit that I've never used it. I think back when I first started making cards I must have bought that and then found Spellbinders dies. My die collection started with their basic shapes of square, circle, rectangle, heart, etc. And now with so many more companies putting out the wafer thin dies it's hard to decide which ones to buy.
ReplyDeleteI like dies. Susan, this is not epic uncoolness. In contrast I think it is absolutely cool that you are making stunning cards without any die-cutting systems. I wish I could cut as nicely as you do. You rock!
ReplyDeleteI like dies, but because of you, I don't like pear stamps!
ReplyDeleteI still have my Fiskars shape cutting tools too-- packed away in the basement -- unused now as I do use my big shot- I wonder if they still make the blades . . . hmm -I'll have to look. Anyway -- love your card - too cute about your order. Hope someone else really gets this die. I have enough - but thanks for the good read.
ReplyDeleteI like dies!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your inspiring posts and creativity day after day! I do like dies...
ReplyDeleteSusan, you dont need to be told 'you rock' cause you know in your heart of hearts you do. Who else would have us coming back again and again for your simple yet eye catching cards. Must admit I tried using that type of cutter, we were given the pieces from someone who found at a garage sale. After tearing card stock after card stock I decided it was a craft skill I would have to do without. Garage sale to me to Salvo's to someone hopefully who would know how to use it or have better luck than me. I love my cuttlebug and I like dies, so much easier.
ReplyDeleteI like dies. Thank you for your blog & all the inspiration you provide. Thank you too for the opportunity to win Julie Ebersole's die. I haven't seen any of them here in the UK. Gill
ReplyDeleteYour comments really spoke to me this time with the "epically uncool" note...Never had seen, much less used, "epic" in its adverb form, so had to look it up to make sure I was right! Turns out I've been epically uncool for quite some time, but in weak moment last year, bought a Big Shot and have been transformed into one of the cool people now....even though it took me a month to actually open the box and play with it! It really has been a source of great pleasure as I continue to buy die after die. So....I LIKE DIES!
ReplyDeleteI like dies, Susan. Your card is epically cool :)
ReplyDeleteI like dies, Susan - but I love your card and your using of this old shape cutter. You are definetely NOT uncool - at least not more than I am ;-)
ReplyDeleteNearly three years ago for my 40th birthday my husband promised to buy me an electronic cutter (Silhouette, Cameo or so). I asked him for ages to get one because I thought this would give me sooo much more potentials than the Big Shot I already have.
And do you guess? I still don't have any electronic cutter. Not because my husband regrets his promise but because I am not sure if I really still want one anymore and would use it really that much that it will amortize this high prize.
So I am definetely uncool, too.
And for all my stamping friends (those who don't have a Cameo/Silhouette yet but want one so badly) I am crazy and nuts :-)
Awwww, that story started out so exciting, and then the big let down. Anyway, I think it's kind of cool that you don't have a die cutting machine, just because it means you're not getting sucked into the hype of every trend, and you are evaluating which supplies will work for you. Also, sometimes limiting your options forces you to come up with a creative way around the absence of certain tools. I do have a Cuttlebug, and I use it quite a lot, but I don't have smart phone, and have no desire to get one. Some people think that's completely crazy because they are so addicted to theirs. I don't want to turn into one of those people who is lost without their phone, you know? Dependent. Not my style.
ReplyDelete