Create & Treasure

How to Die Cut Metal Shapes & Letters

Die Cutting Shapes From Metal

1. Cut and run a 4 1/2" x 1 3/8" wide sheet of cardstock through
the sticker maker (or use spray adhesive).
2. Unroll ArtEmboss metal sheet, secure cardstock pieces and
cut metal to the same size.


3. To make your metal shapes self-adhesive, first run the backed metal
through the sticker maker again (metal side up) adding adhesive to
the cardstock.


4. Follow instructions for Sizzix or Big Shot machine and
die cut shapes with the metal side touching the black cutting
foam side of "thick style" dies only.
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Mary's Birthday Journal


1. Follow Basic Journal Instructions steps 1-4 above to prepare
background paper with a punched out window.


2. Center paper on book cover and trace window opening.
Cut window just OUTSIDE the lines-from book cover (or a
page) using a metal ruler and craft knife, working
over a mat. Cut a window in the next 3-4 pages
of board
book in the same manner,placing mat
under only the page you are working on.

3. Make a dimensional window frame: Trace window of cover
scrapbook paper onto a small piece of poster board.
Measure and draw a larger square, 3/16" from the window square.
4. Using a metal ruler and craft knife, cut out square opening
directly on the line.
5. Now cut outer square with heavy scissors. Cover frame with 4 strips
of foil tape, cut to 1/4" longer than each side of window frame.


6. Die cut letters (Sizzix Doodle Block Set), 2 small Flower-Daisies (#22316)
and 4 Photo Corners (#380145 ) from cardstock backed Pewter metal.
(See "How To Die Cut Metal Shapes" above).
7. Secure background paper to book cover. Mat photos with solid
cardstock and secure to cover using adhesive tape dispenser.
8. Secure window frame over window using Tacky Glue and let dry.
Secure self-adhesive metal shapes in place.


9. Cut and add a Peel 'N Stick embossed metal border along the book
binding. Burnish with back of fingernail along side
edges being careful not to press the design flat!
10. Cover back of book with a 7 7/8" sqaure of same or coordinating paper.
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How To Color Metal

1. Apply StazOn ink from pads using applicators in a pouncing motion
for deeper color, and less ink in a swirling motion for a tint.
This ink will work on ArtEmboss metal, foil tape and
Metal Accent Sheet Designs as well!

2. If an antique effect is desired, lightly wipe excess ink with
paper towel right after applying. Do not try to wipe ink
that has already started to dry.

3. To add depth, shade around shapes with desired color.

4. If you wish to completely remove ink that has completely dried,
dip a cotton pad or swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe clean. Use a
gentle touch if metal is embossed so pattern remains raised.
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Accordion Book ~Die Cut Embossing Technique


1. Cut two strips of thin cardstock to 4"L x 2 1/4" wide.
2. Run one through the 250 sticker maker (or use spray
adhesive), then press strips together. Repeat this
step to make a second double layer strip.
3. Now, it is important to run the doubled cardstock through the
sticker maker 250 once again so the cut shapes will
be self adhesive.


4. Die cut desired shapes from cardstock (paper side up!), and secure
on board book cover. The Rose design is Sizzix #380209,
the Hearts are Sizzix #380158 and Dragonfly
(placed on the back side of book) is Sizzix #380232.


5. Cut one Aluminum metal sheet 1/2" larger on all sides than
the length and width of front AND BACK covers.
Spray with with adhesive (or use Xyron 900), and secure
right over shapes on the cover. Fold edges to
the back. These will be covered with page
background papers.


5. Emboss around shapes carefully with wood tool only (not metal) to
avoid piercing through metal. Add embossed details to
shapes with wood tool and color metal as
described above.
6. Add a color tinted flat wire spiral shape to cover as described in
"Flat Wire Accents" below.
7. Add paper and photos as described in Basic Journal Instructions above.
8. Add foil tape around all book edges for a nice finished look!
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Flat Wire Accents

1. Shape a Soft Metal Rod into desired design using pliers and hands.
2. Hammer flat over an anvil or metal block, and color tint with
ink if desired (see instructions above).
3. Position wire piece on page and mark holes. Pierce holes with heavy
needle or punch tool.


4. Cut a 1 1/2" piece of thin wire and tint with ink if desired.
5. Bend in half and secure over flat wire, insert both ends down
through hole and twist on back side of page to secure.
Ends can be concealed with background paper or a photo.
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I'm Ready To Go ~ Book Cover Frame

1. Cut a 7" x 8" pewter rectangle. Cut a 6 1/2" x 7 1/2" piece
of cardstock.
2. Secure in center of metal sheet using extra sticky tape, folding
metal edges to the back side.
3. Secure 1/2 sheet of cardstock to the same size piece of metal
using spray adhesive (or a Xyron 510 if you own one).
Die cut a Pewter wavy frame (Sizzix die #380166)
and a medium Bookplate (Thick Cuts #22314) from
backed metal sheet.
4. Add designs to metal edges using a stencil or scrapbook template
with pointed tip of provided wood emboss tool (in metal roll).
5. Emboss circles at corners of die cut frame, and title onside
bookplate area as shown.
6. Brush metal surfaces with black paint and wipe excess with
paper towels. When dry secure brads in book plate holes.
7. Cut the width of sticky tape in half and attach photo (I use
color copies) to back of small frame.
8. Secure frame and book plate pieces with adhesive foam shapes.
9. Secure frame to cover of journal with extra sticky tape.
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Basic Machine Embossing
1. Place pre-cut metal "tag" into the Ellison Design Easy
Emboss folder. Dad book tag uses Corner (#22121).


2. Run through the Big Shot machine and remove. It's that easy!
To bring out the design further, antique with blue StazOn ink using
Fantastix applicator.
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"DAD" Photo Journal

1. Sponge paint the cover with copper and blue Lumiere paints, and let dry.
2. Die cut a metal mesh Sizzix Original "Rectangle Frame" (use thin,
tightly woven wire mesh only) on a Sizzix or Big Shot machine.
3. Note: My copper metal is a bit thicker then the pewter and aluminum
metals, so back with THIN carstock only. Die cut DAD letters
(Sizzix Original "Shadow Box" Alphabet Set), and
Ellison Design "Tags Traditional" (included with Big
Shot) - and "Leaves" (#22310) shapes from
THIN cardstock backed copper sheet metal (see die
cutting metal shapes above).
4. Texture top of metal letters using a pouncing motion, and write
"dream" on tag using wood point of wood tool.
5. Antique metal shapes with blue StazOn ink and Fantastix applicator.
When dry, add small lengths of fibers through tag hole if desired.
6. Secure photo behind mesh frame using tape dispenser dots.
Secure frame to cover with same dots 1/2" from left book edge.
7. Secure self-adhesive tag, letters and leaves to cover and let dry.
8. Follow Basic Journal instructions above to decorate pages and enjoy!
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