It is so good to have you here today! I’ve been playing around with a few different techniques lately, and I have this top-folding card to share with you showcasing some of it.

This project was a bit of an experiment using a mix of products from several different companies, and I am just so in love with how all these textures came together. If you’re curious about any of the specific supplies I used, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments or send me a DM—I’m always happy to help you find the exact match or a great alternative.

The star of the show today is really that textured background behind the cute typewriter. There can be three different ways you can achieve this specific look. For my card, I actually used a bit of a “happy accident” method. I chose a thicker cardstock and used some of my older, well-loved plates in the die-cutting machine. Because the plates weren’t perfectly flat, the die didn’t actually cut all the way through the paper. Only three tiny pieces fell out, which I just popped right back in! It gave the background areas this beautiful, recessed look without the hassle of piecing so many similar looking tiny parts back together.

If you want a bit more control over that process, a second way to do this is by using double-sided adhesive sheets. If you apply the adhesive to your cardstock before die-cutting, the release paper on the back usually helps hold all those intricate little pieces in place so they don’t go flying everywhere. It’s a great trick for keeping detailed dies intact.

The third way—and probably the most “official” way—is to try dry embossing with your die. Instead of your usual die-cutting sandwich for your machine, you can swap out the plates for an embossing mat or whatever is the embossing-with-dies sandwich recommended for your maching. This allows the die to press the image into the paper rather than cutting through it. I haven’t tried it yet with this specific background die, but I have a strong hunch it would look absolutely stunning.

I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of these techniques or if you’re planning to give this card a go. Let me know what you think!

Happy crafting!
~Varada