Die Cut Swing Card

by Norma Lee

Create a swing card using a shape or label die.

Supplies

Cardstock cut to 8 1/4" x 5 1/2"
Designer paper cut to 8 1/4" x 5 1/2"
A shape die template (Spellbinders Labels Five used here)
Die cutting machine
Scoring board
Removable or low-tack tape (3M Scotch used here)
Pencil, ruler and craft knife (or paper trimmer)
Adhesive (craft glue used here)
Other supplies as needed to finish the card

Step-by-Step

Step 1

On the 8 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock, lightly pencil 2 vertical lines at 2 5/8" and 4 1/4" (white pencil used here for better viewing). Set cardstock aside.
Step 2

On the 8 1/4" x 5 1/2" designer paper, lightly pencil 2 vertical lines at 2 3/4" and 4 1/8" and a horizontal line midway at 2 3/4".
Step 3

Center the die around the cross formed by the horizontal line and the first vertical line as shown. Secure in place with 3 or 4 pieces of removable tape.
Step 4

Die cut the paper. DO NOT remove the tape pieces or the die itself, but remove the die cut piece from the center leaving a window on the designer paper.
Step 5

Place the designer paper exactly on top of the cardstock, lining up the paper edges. Secure in place with the removable tape pieces that are already there.
Step 6

With the die blade-side down, place the papers between the two cutting plates. Ensuring that edge of the top cutting plate is lined up along the 2 5/8" vertical line (drawn in Step 1 above) as shown, run the sandwich through the die cutting machine.
Step 7

Now turn the papers around 180 degrees and repeat Step 6, this time with the edge of the top cutting pad up lined up along the 4 1/4" vertical line.
Step 8

Remove the die and tape pieces from the papers.

Place the cardstock upside down on the scoring board and score at 2 3/4" as shown, from the paper edges to the die-cut lines only. DO NOT score in the middle part.
Step 9

Turn the cardstock right-side up and score at 4 1/8", from the paper edges to the die-cut lines only. DO NOT score in the middle part.
Note:
If using the Scor-Pal, place the left edge of the paper at the 1/8" mark and score at 4 1/4" as shown.
Step 10

Valley-fold and mountain-fold the cardstock as shown.
Step 11

To create a narrow border around the outside of the designer paper, trim off about 1/16" from each of the four sides using a craft knife and a ruler, or a paper trimmer.
Also trim at both sides of the vertical lines as shown.
Step 12

Glue the designer paper pieces to the cardstock. Erase all pencil lines.

TIP:
Any sticky residue from the removable tape can also be rubbed off with the eraser.
This is how the card base should look when closed.
Step 13

Adhere images and/or sentiments to both sides of the swing panel.
Step 14

Embellish as desired to complete the card.

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Die Cut Swing Card. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

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Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

Love the technique and video...could you give instructions for those of us using electronic die cut/embossing machines like Ebosser?

Julianne Weeks | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 2:17 PM

Thanks, Lura, for replying, but I know Step 11 trims 1/16th" on all 4 sides of the CARD. I want to know how Norma created the brown/green edge on the DIE CUT image (kneeling little girl) on the front and the sentiment (It's the small things...) on the inside. Most nested die sets do not have die that are only 1/16th" different. The border is so nice, Norma, but I could never neatly trim the DIE CUT with scissors.

Karlene Frances | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 4:25 PM

Thanks, Lura, for replying and trying to help. Step 11 says to trim the designer paper on all four sides so the card base color shows. I want to know how Norma made the DIE CUT pieces (little girl image on front and sentiment on inside). Norma used the card stock die cut as a base for the swing piece. She added the designer paper on top, leaving 1/16th" all around. I could never hand trim the designer paper that neatly. I'm hoping Norma has a magic way to trim.

Karlene Frances | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 5:00 PM

Hi Karlene. I did have to create the thin border around the diecut piece by trimming off about 1/16" by hand with a small scissor. Sorry, there's no magic way...tee hee.

Norma Lee | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 5:46 PM

For Fran MacDonald: Yes, you would use the same measurements for placing the die no matter what die you use, same cutting and scoring lines.

Norma Lee | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 5:50 PM

Hi Karlene, it appears to me on the video that the edges of the die cut with the little girl have been sponged with green and I think the 'inside' die has also been sponged. I paused the video to get a better look. Hope I'm right on this one! lol

marie0112 | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 5:53 PM

For Julianne Weeks: Sorry, Julianne, but I don't have an Ebosser or any other electronic cut/embossing machine, so I don't know how it works to write up the instructions for it. Only have the manual Big Shot and Grand Calibur.

Norma Lee | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 5:55 PM

You are an amazing teacher...Thank you so much for the tutorial! Merrily

Merrily | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 6:48 PM

Precious card...Mahalo Again Norma for everything... Keep up the great creations. you did a awesome job with the writing and tutorial along with the help you gave me. I can't wait for your next one

vicki Kanakaole | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 6:59 PM

Norma Lee, thank you!!! I'll try cutting, but... If it looks horrible, I'll use Marie0112's idea of sponging the edges. That's a good suggestion, Marie. Many thanks to both of you.

Karlene Frances | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 7:02 PM

Awesome tutorial and card.

Judi Markel | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 7:33 PM

Love the video and makes it look so easy, I will definitely giver it a try

Linda Coon | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 8:22 PM

Wonderful! Thank you so much

Jan Stroh | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 8:27 PM

Karlene, what about tracing the inside edge of the die with a pencil while the panel is still in it? That would give you a line to cut on.

Dina K | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 9:51 PM

Hi. I tried this but failed. Everything proceeded according to directions until step 7. The die I used is much smaller than the one in the tutorial, so I couldn't even see the pencil line underneath the designer paper. Then of course the score lines on the card stock didn't match up with the parts that were die cut.

How do you make the adjustments for a smaller card? Thanks very much.

joyce | Wed Jul 16, 2014 at 11:09 PM

Your card is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing this technique. Your tutorial is very easy to follow.

Shelly H | Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 12:03 AM

For Joyce: The placement of your die should still be the same--around that first vertical line. If your die is smaller than the one used in the tutorial and doesn't go over the 2nd vertical line, then you won't have to do the 2nd diecutting to that line--you can skip Step 7 (since you can't see the line anyway...tee hee).

Hope that makes sense.

Norma Lee | Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 5:40 AM

This is absolutely awesome, new uses for many of my dies.. I will be trying this soon. Thanks for the clear instructions.

Gail | Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 8:10 AM

Thank you for the excellent tutorial.

Jean Bullock | Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 1:09 PM

Love this card and your easy to follow instructions. Can you share what "Font" you used for your message. It is really nice.
thank you
Karol

karol Hall | Thu Jul 17, 2014 at 2:42 PM

Page 2 of 4 pages < 1 2 3 4 >

Die Cut Swing Card

by Norma Lee

Supplies

Step-by-Step

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10

Step 11

Step 12

Step 13

Step 14

Video!

Your Turn

Questions and Comments

The Author

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