add dimension to handmade die cuts

I love using handmade die cuts on my scrapbook pages and other paper craft projects. But I also love dimension on my projects, so I've come up with a few tricks for adding dimension to handmade die cuts. You can see them in the layout below I created using the awesome new Echo Park Pirate’s Life collection!

The first trick for adding dimension to a die cut is using foam squares to pop up selected parts of the image. I adhered the eye and wing of this adorable Parrot Set Die with foam squares. Using tweezers really helps when picking up and adhering small die cut pieces.

The next tip for adding dimension to die cuts is stacking several die cuts one on top of the other like I did with the Pirate Octopus Die on my layout.

I cut 15 octopus bodies and used a glue stick to adhere them together to avoid extra bulk. You can stack anywhere from 10-15 die cuts, depending on your desired thickness. This is great way to use up small paper scraps that would normally be thrown out.

The final way to add dimension to die cuts is dry embossing. I used the Layered Scallops Embossing Folder on the sails of the pirate ship to give them some more texture and dimension.

To finish off my page, I added some paper strips behind my photo, a long title made from alpha stickers, and some wood veneer stars.

The next time you use handmade die cuts, try one of these easy techniques to add some fun dimension to your project!

To catch the original post with my three tricks for adding dimension to handmade die cuts, visit the Echo Park Paper blog HERE.