A Cut Above September Design Team Reveal

Welcome to my September Creative Team Reveal for the A Cut Above Challenge Blog. If you haven’t met this fabulous die-cut-loving community yet, let me give you the scoop:

A Cut Above is a monthly die-cut challenge blog founded and lovingly run by Vicki, a dedicated paper-crafter with a passion for turning shapes into art. Every month, starting on the first Monday at midnight Eastern, a new “Anything Goes With A Die Cut” challenge goes live and yes, that means any project using at least one die-cut (manual or electronic) can be entered.

My Creative Team page for September celebrates Paige’s unforgettable day as a Junior Zoo Keeper, a dream come true for this animal-loving teen. And what better way to highlight her wild adventure than with a geometric wolf die cut, a flurry of triangle confetti, and a few arrows to point out just how awesome it was?

Here is how it all came together: 

I began by running my geometric wolf metal die through the cutter with black cardstock. This die has been sitting in my stash for quite a while, so this was actually the first time I’d seen it cut out. I have to admit, it looks good. It’s not one I’d use constantly, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to let it shine.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d make the wolves work on the page. I originally cut three (because — design principle: the rule of three), but fitting them all onto a 12x12 layout and squeezing in four photos proved tricky. It still felt like the page needed something else to pull it together and balance the wolves, so I cut a few funky arrows.

Here’s where a happy accident happened. I hadn’t cleaned my cutting mat after making the wolves, so when I went to cut the arrows, I had to scrape off all the tiny diamonds and triangles left behind. Seeing that little pile of shapes gave me an idea…

For the background, I cut several double-ended fishtail banner strips (roughly 20 cm x 3 cm) and layered them horizontally across an 11x11 piece of white cardstock. Before attaching them, I distressed the edges and drew an outline for extra texture. I also distressed and outlined the edge of the white cardstock, then adhered the whole thing to a blue 12x12 base — offset to the left so the blue only peeks out from the top, right, and bottom.

Next, I positioned the photos over the patterned paper background. I placed one wolf in the top left and one toward the bottom right. Then came the fun part, my confetti explosion. I scattered those leftover diamond and triangle bits so they burst around the wolves, creating movement and (hopefully) drawing the eye straight to them.

Not sure if it reads like “focal point” or “wolf just shook herself dry after a swim,” but either way, I love it. It gives the page energy, makes me happy, and means I’m throwing out fewer scraps. No scrap left behind.

To finish the layout, I added my title and then went arrow-crazy; not one, not two, but a whole quiver full of funky black arrows. This metal arrow die is one of my favourites for adding direction and interest. On this layout, I love how they mimic the wild energy of the day and guide your eyes toward the elements of the title, the photos and of course, the wolves.

One last look, I’m so happy with how this turned out: bold, wild, and full of movement thanks to the combo of metal die cuts, leftover confetti bits, and funky arrows. If you’re playing along with the A Cut Above Challenge this month, I highly recommend dusting off those metal dies and giving your scraps a second chance at fame.