May A Cut Above Creative Team Reveal

Hello, friends. I am so excited to share my Creative Team Reveal layout for May at the A Cut Above Challenge Blog. If you haven't checked out the blog yet, head over here for all the crafty inspiration. The theme for the monthly challenge is always Anything Goes, but the twist is that at least one die-cut needs to be included in your project. So, whether you’re a seasoned scrapbooker or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the wonderful world of die cutting.

For this challenge, I wanted to create something truly special to showcase two of the most important people in my life—my daughters. The photos I chose were taken when they were just a few days old, and when I looked at them side-by-side, I couldn’t help but notice how similar they looked at that age. It was such a sweet and precious moment, and I knew I wanted to capture it in a meaningful way with a scrapbook layout.

The first thing I decided on was the theme and colour palette for the layout. Since this page was going to feature my two little ones, I wanted to keep the colors soft and gentle—think light pink, peach, and a soft minty green. These colours evoke the softness of newborns and add the perfect balance of calmness to the page. However, I didn’t want it to feel too plain, so I decided to incorporate a pop of darker purple / blue for some contrast and visual interest.

I wanted to draw the eye to the photos of my daughters while also creating something visually captivating. My solution? A lovely, eye-catching floral arrangement that would lead the viewer’s eye down the page and direct their attention toward the precious photos at the center bottom of the page.

Here’s where die cutting came in! For me, die cuts are the magic behind transforming a layout from “okay” to “wow!” With just a few simple steps, you can create beautiful embellishments that add sophistication and dimension to your work. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert to get stunning results!

For my layout, I used die-cut flowers, but I wanted to make sure they didn’t just look flat or boring. To add dimension and make them truly pop, I made the flowers 3D. I die-cut multiple shapes of flowers and leaves and then assembled them by layering them on top of each other. But, instead of leaving them all flat, I used a few fun techniques to add shape and life to the flowers.

If you’re new to die-cutting or want to improve the dimension of your embellishments, here are a few tips that I swear by:

* Layer Your Die-Cuts: Start by cutting multiple layers of the same flower shape. Layering the pieces will give your flower height and fullness.

* Curl the Petals: Before assembling, curl the edges of each petal using a pencil, paintbrush, or bone folder. This gives the petals a natural, lifelike curve that makes them stand out.

* Add Water for Extra Curl: For an even more dramatic curl, lightly mist the cardstock with water before shaping the petals. The water helps the paper hold its shape, and it adds a beautiful texture to your flowers.

* Mix and Match Colours: Don’t be afraid to use different shades of cardstock. By layering petals in varying shades, you create depth and dimension, making your flowers look more realistic.

* Assemble and Attach: Once you’ve curled your petals and layered them together, attach the layers using foam adhesive or pop dots to create the illusion of a 3D flower.

For my layout this month I used the simple curl method for the large flowers, where after I cut them out of the cardstock I wrapped the petals around the wooden handle of a paintbrush so that they curled up and around. These simple steps transformed my flat die-cut flowers into vibrant, dimensional elements that draw attention to the photos and bring life to the layout. The flowers not only add interest but also help tie the whole page together beautifully.

If you're a beginner scrapbooker and haven't yet explored die cutting, let me tell you—it’s a game-changer. Die cuts can take your layouts from flat and plain to dynamic and eye-catching without needing too many extra supplies or tools. All you need is a die-cutting machine, dies, some cardstock, and a bit of creativity, and you’re on your way to creating incredible pages.

Once you get the hang of it, you can start experimenting with different dies, colors, and textures to create endless embellishments for your layouts. Whether you’re adding flowers, shapes, or even intricate backgrounds, die cutting is an essential technique that opens up a world of possibilities for scrapbookers at any skill level.

I hope my layout has inspired you to try your hand at creating beautiful die-cut embellishments for your own pages or cards. Don’t forget, you can join in on the A Cut Above Challenge this month; it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your creativity.

Thanks for stopping by, and until next time, happy scrapping.