Colorful Inlay Birthday Card

Welcome back! Mary here today to talk about creating cards using inlay dies. Whether you are new to card making or looking to try something new, this tutorial will walk you through the process step-by-step. Let’s get started!

Materials You’ll Need:

~Colored card stock in your choice of colors. I chose a few pearlescent card stocks and vellum for variety. For this project, I used Black Licorice, Amazon, Flamingo, Gold Metallic, and Translucent card stocks.

~Mystic Moth Inlay die from Concord and 9th

~Double-sided adhesive sheets (highly recommended) or liquid glue

~Die cutting machine

~Reverse Tweezers

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Die Cutting

Prepare Your Card Stock: Select a variety of colored card stock and cut to 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″. For this project, I used Black Licorice, Amazon, Flamingo, Gold Metallic and Translucent card stocks.

Cut Adhesive Paper: Cut a piece of double-sided adhesive to slightly under 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ and set aside.

Die Cut: Place the Mystic Moth Inlay die into your die cutting machine. Cut the die in multiple colors to have a wide range of pieces to work with. I recommend cutting at least three different colors to add depth and interest to your design. Because the die doesn’t cut an outside border, it’s helpful to center the die onto the card stock. Furthermore, don’t you love all of the pretty stitching detail on this die?

Step 2: Organizing the Pieces

Separate the pieces: After die cutting, carefully separate the different pieces by color. You can use small containers or bowls to keep them sorted and to help to avoid losing any small pieces. I use a sectioned cafeteria tray.

Step 3: Assembling the Card

Remove the backing from one side and attach it to the back side of one of the “frames.” Now you can easily stick each die cut piece in place. Start by adhering the moth body, then add the main wings, and finally the smaller detail pieces.

At this time, remove the backing from the card panel and adhere it to an A2 card base.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Add a Sentiment: To complete the card, add a sentiment of your choice. I used a precut, sentiment strip to keep the focus on the intricate moth design.

Final Adjustments: Review your card for any loose pieces. Lastly, add final touches, such as sequins or additional embellishments, to make your card unique.

Tips for Success:

~Use double-sided adhesive sheets and reverse tweezers for assembling your inlay cards. This makes the process quicker and easier. Also, this method works beautifully for adhering vellum die cuts.

~Choose colors that compliment each other. By all means, experiment with different color combinations and see what works best.

~Precise placement of your inlay pieces ensures a polished and professional result.

Creating cards with inlay dies is a fun and rewarding process! Above all, I hope this tutorial inspires you to create your own beautiful cards using card stock from Cut Card stock.