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I am so confused. I've looked and looked at these dies, but for the life of me, I don't get it. Seems straightforward. A tag that slips onto a ribbon. Great. The center is embossed to pop up a bit and give the look of being matted or stacked. Fine. I get that part. However, I am seeing lots of cards in the gallery that look like that center part is a whole other piece of cardstock, not just embossed to look like that. It is actually matted, and that's what I want. Until now, I've always just cut out a freehand piece for the center to put my sentiment on, but it never comes out perfect. If there is a way to actually die cut the center piece, I would love it! Is there a coordinating set that I need to cut the center part?
Here is a link to the ribbon tag trio so you know what I'm talking about:
A couple of them look like they were cut out but I think for the most part they color or sponge the edge and leave the center alone to give the illusion of matting. I have this set but haven't played with it much yet.
To me the first and the last look cut out, the second one is the labels not the tags, but is definitely just sponged, and the third looks sponged, to me. When cutting out, I find it easier to turn the diecut over, and draw a light pencil line round the embossing, letting the pencil follow the embossing. Then I use that as a cutting guide.
When you sponge around the inside of the die it will give the illusion that it's a separate piece that you matted on top because that part will be popped up due to the embossing.
As well as the trick of sponging, you can also add ink to the die before you do the cutting so you get an inked edge and a plain raised centre. Here you go - Sharon Harnist has pictures of how to do it if you scroll down a bit on this post on her blog.
When you sponge around the inside of the die it will give the illusion that it's a separate piece that you matted on top because that part will be popped up due to the embossing.
Yep, I get that part IF the sentiment area is colored and the edges are white. What I was not getting was how, if the edges were colored and the inside was white, how they sponged it so perfectly on just the edges. Must be what the post above says about putting pigment ink on the die before cutting, then the ink colors the edges automatically without the need to sponge. I'll have to give it a try.
GinaK has a fun card that she made with the die - threading two ribbons through the tabs...
She also has a great video on STV that shows how to shade the cardstock while it's still nested in the die - as several others have suggested doing. It really makes everything pop!
Oh yay - Gina's here! I LOVE those cards of yours!
But you forgot to share the link of how you embellished the Cuttlebug folders by inking them first too! The shading and depth you get with that technique is amazing!
Thank you all so much! I got a lot of great ideas on this thread. Just goes to show there is more than one way to skin a cat (where did that saying come from, and WHAT in the world does it mean?!). Anyhow.....I will give these methods a try and quit with the trying to cut a perfect mat to go into those tiny tag dies.
Just thought of one more thing......I have a bunch of tags, slides, and such which are not Nestabilities. They are either Cuttlebug or Sizzix. They do not have the embossing element to them. How could I get an even sponge job with no die to guide me? Any ideas from you pros???
Sandy, you might be able to make a template with a hole in the center using an exacto knife or die cutting something a tad smaller that you can lay over the top and sponge through. Other than that, I would have to play around with the idea. That's one of the reasons I love nestabilities so much. LOL!
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The way I would do it to make another layer--cut out a rectangle slightly smaller than the ribbon tag on my paper trimmer, then use a corner rounder.
Yep, I've done that and it works great if the shape of the tag is square or rectangular. The problem I have is some of mine are round or oval. I have the round and oval Nestabilities sets, but the sizes don't really match up well to the size of the tags. Oh well. I'm gonna experiment with just sponging the edges of those and see how that looks.
Sandy, you might be able to make a template with a hole in the center using an exacto knife or die cutting something a tad smaller that you can lay over the top and sponge through. Other than that, I would have to play around with the idea. That's one of the reasons I love nestabilities so much. LOL!
Me too! Love those Nesties. I've spent a small fortune, and I do my BEST to not look at any more of the new stuff. I've got to start using what I have and quit with the "collecting".
Your idea is great; thanks. I will give it a try. Your cards are beautiful, BTW!
Ok I kind of skimmed...but did anyone mention using a punch?? I usually just find a punch that's close if I want a true mat with no inking on the edges. Nope...no perfect shapes, but I still think it works fine for a lot of shorter sentiments.
Angelnorth, I will give the method of inking the die edges BEFORE cutting, and see how that goes. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I tried this with my SU dye ink, and it does not work very well. I don't have any pigment inks, which I think would work much better as they are heavier. Drats!
Spellbinders ribbon tag trio
