Have you tried a Stack & Cut before? It's a simple concept that really is genius. And if you like quilts, you're going to like this...and how simply the cards go together. There are any number of ways to do a Stamp & Cut. Some are simple and others just a little less simple. Simply stack up 3-5 pieces of 4" x 5 1/4" Designer Series Paper (DSP), cut it into several pieces in different directions, then mix up the pieces before adhering them to the card base. I chose to use the soon-to-be-gone Daffodil Afternoon for my cards.
Because of the busy-ness of the patterns of the DSP, I decided to dress it lightly. Just a label from the Pierced Blooms Dies, stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and the perfect stamp from the Special Moments Sale-a-bration stamp set, which through Monday, February 28, you can choose for free with a $100 order.
So for this Stack & Cut, which I call the Crazy Cut, I stacked 5 pieces of the Sale-a-bration DSP, then cut using the pattern below. Don't get wrapped up in measurements...just cut! Keep in mind that when cutting 5 sheets of DSP with your Stampin' Up!® Trimmer, it's a good idea to make a cut, then come back over the same cut to make sure to get all the way through the stack.
When you go to attach the pieces to the card bases measuring 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", then folded in half, it's time to shuffle the pieces of each section. the numbers in the pattern above represent the order of cuts. I will also refer to them as sections. You will want to leave all five Designer Series Papers stacked on top of each other. Then shuffle by doing the following:
Stack #1: Leave the DSPs in the order they lay
Stack #3: Take the top DSP and shuffle it to the bottom of pile 3
Stack #4: Take the top DSP and shuffle it to the bottom of pile 4, then take the next piece of DSP and shuffle that to the bottom, as well
Stack #2: Take the top DSP and shuffle it to the bottom of pile 2, then do the same to the next piece and a third piece
Center stack: Take the top DSP and shuffle it to the bottom of the pile, then do the same to the next piece, the third piece, and the fourth piece
By shuffling each section differently, you end up with the five different pieces of Designer Series Paper on each card. I used this same technique using the Sale-a-bration paper Sunshine & Rainbows. How adorable are these?? Those butterflies!
Want to simplify the Stamp & Cut? Keep the cuts parallel to the edges of the Designer Series Paper. I used two other Designer Series Papers you can choose for free from the Sale-a-bration brochure with a $50 order to create the next cards. Remember that however many pieces you end up with after your cuts is how many cards you'll be able to make.
Three pieces of Simply Marbelous Designer Series Paper, cut 4" x 5 1/4". Stack them up. Cut 2 1/4" off the bottom, then cut the top at 2 1/4" again. Shuffle as described above so you get three different pieces of the DSP on each card.
Four pieces of Friendly Hello Designer Series Paper (free bundled with a stamp set with a $100 order), cut 4" x 5 1/4". Stack them all up. Cut 2 1/2" off the left side, then turn it and cut the top of both strips off at 3 1/4". Again, shuffle so all four papers are different on each of the four cards.
So are you convinced? Is the Stack & Cut technique for you? Give it a try, and don't hesitate to contact me with your questions!
Stamping blessings!
Amy