Christmas Tree Edger Technique

One thing I like to do is to continue to expand the techniques I use in cardmaking. I keep a running list of techniques to try. I guess you could say it’s kind of a bucket list. With this project, I’m checking off one of the techniques that have been on my list for a long time. It’s using edge dies on top of a clear acetate card front. Have you tried this technique?

To complete this project, I purchased a die made specifically for it. It’s a Creative Expressions Paper Cuts Double Edgers die called Christmas Tree-o. I knew that the perfect cardstock for this type of card would be Stardream Metallic. It has a subtle glimmer and a light metallic finish. It almost glows and has dimension and a little bit of color shifting. The set has two separate edger dies so I cut the trees in Fairway and the sky design in Sapphire. I cut a piece of Curious Metallic cardstock for the back of the A2 sized card in Rose Gold.

For the acetate, I used a piece of transparency film cut at 4 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. Then I used my score tool to put in a 1/2″ score line on the 4 3/4″ side. This creates a flap that attaches the acetate to the back of the card. I applied 1/4″ double sided tape inside the flap. I would recommend a strong glue tape in this application to make sure it doesn’t come apart.

After attaching the acetate to the rose gold back, I used very small dabs of glue on the die cuts and aligned the trees to the bottom of the acetate and the sky to the top. Then I applied a sentiment strip to finish it. That’s all there was to it! It was very quick to put together but it has such a unique look. I cut a mat to fit the back side of the card using Neenah Solar White cardstock. This gives the recipient a place to write a message but doesn’t interfere with the pretty scene on the front. The picture below really shows the deep colors and glow of the Sapphire and Greenway cardstock. This cardstock also is heavy and at 105# cover weight, it provides the rigidity needed to avoid a bow in the middle.

Here’s a closer look at the cardstock on the acetate. Unfortunately this is hard to photograph well because of the acetate glare. Although the photo picks up on some of the surface flaws of the acetate, in person it is perfectly clear and quite beautiful.

So are you ready to try this technique? Now that I’ve done one, I know I’m going to make more because it is simple and quick with beautiful results. I hope you will be inspired to try this yourself. It will wow whoever you give it to.

As always, be sure and check out the CutCardStock Facebook page for more inspiration.