Betsy Veldman
Playing dress up is pretty much a daily occurrence here in the Veldman household. Rarely a day goes by without a superhero of some sort flying around the house. Even the name of my blog, Paper, Scissors, and Superheroes, attests to this fact.
Now that my girls are getting older, the fairy princesses are giving the superheroes a run for their money. But whatever it be — princess, hero or sometimes even villain (ahem…a certain two-year-old usually fills that role), someone is almost always in character.
Well, today it was my turn! No, I did not don my cape and mask…that would be downright silly. I got a little crafty and decided to play around with dressing up some die cuts. I love all of the options that come with die-cutting my own shapes…I can make them whatever color my heart desires, my electronic machine can cut them in any size and I can cut as many as I want…which saves me a little cash, especially if I’m making multiples of something.
But, sometimes these little paper wonders can feel a little…flat. So, I decided to put together a reference chart full of ideas for different ways I can dress them up. Here are just a few ideas you can turn to if you’d like to add some pizzazz to your die cuts:
- Stamp on them
- Paper piece and layer them
- Cover them in buttons
- Pierce them
- Emboss them
- Embellish them with brads
- Coat them with glitter
- Add stitching
- Distress them with paint, ink or sanding
These are just a few ideas to get you started! I’m sure there are a gazillion more ways that you can think of that I have not!
And, of course, when I got all of these pretty butterflies all dressed up, I had to put them to use on some mini note cards. I just added a strip of patterned paper and a stamped sentiment. Aren’t they pretty all dressed up?
Dressing up your cards can be so much fun!
And you know the saying…”All dressed up and no where to go?” Well, these little cards need somewhere to go! Leave a comment on this post and I’ll choose one winner to send this set of nine cards to. All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Friday, March 26.
Betsy Veldman,
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
Betsy, I need these cards! Not that I can do anything with them, but they having been made by you, I maybe can get a “miracle touch” out of receiving them
and if I get them I’ll send the thank you one right back to you 
I love to work with die cuts! Besides stamping die cuts are my passion. Thanks for those ideas, love your butterflies. specially the colors you use, those are my favorites. I hope to win this set.
Oh my!! These are all gorgeous!! Butterflies are my thing!! They are simply breathtaking!!
I love your cards! They are always so fresh and happy!
These are so cute! One of the things I struggle with is the embellishment part of a card, and this is something you do so well. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Can you share the butterfly die information? I’m wondering if it’s a metal die or cutout from your machine. Thanks.
What great ideas. I find that die cuts are so blaah and these ideas would rally jazz them up. Thanks so much.
Cheryl Sims
Those butterflies are stunning! What great ideas for enhancing die cuts… gotta go try ‘em all. Thanks for the inspiration.
I was never a butterfly gal then I started paper crafting and that changed. I just love butterflies on my cards and scrap pages!
These as all of your creations are beautiful! Love all of the different details and as always the color combos!
fantastic idea! I love the idea of using the same die cut – all dressed differently – on a set of cards too.
I love these! So creative and delicate looking. Thanks for the chance to win them~
Nancy in Baltimore
Love the butterflies…can’t wait to try some tonight. You could also embellish with a glaze pen, or emboss with versamark and embossing powder. Such fun. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, Betsy! So pretty… so inspiring! I love butterflies and your cards are just divine!
Great idea. fast card thats very easy to do. Love those.
These are so pretty. Your blog is one that I check often. Thank you for always providing such wonderful inspiration.
They are so pretty! Thanks for reminding me of uses…………and such nice ones! Rose
These are beautiful! My daughter would love these!!
Great job with the butterflies…I love butterflies. I want to win the cute things!
A garden full of beautiful butterflies, each one unique and a delight to the senses, just as in nature! Thank you Betsy for your always amazing creative inspirations
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Another great, beautiful, inspiring idea from “the” Betsy Veldman! Gorgeous cards! I would love to win them
These are amazing ..but that is all you do is amazing …thanks for the chance to get your cards ..Yippy
hugs diana
I need to get a thesorasus because I use the same words over ond over! Amazing, Awesome and Wow! and thank you so much for the inspiration!
You’ve done it again Betsy…you’ve created the cutest projects!!! Thank you so much for all your ideas of how to dress up die cuts–I can’t wait to try all of them. Have a great day!!
Thanks for the reminders! What a great article to jump start the creative slump I’ve been experiencing. Lori B!
Totally gorgeous! Love butterflies! What’s your die cutting machine of choice? I’m hopefully in the market…
Your note cards are adorable. I’m always in awe of your creativity and the wonderful cards you produce.
great ideas, love these butterflys! can’t wait to try this idea out!
~Rachel in Sacramento
your cards are so cute – beautiful butterflies. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love the beautiful butterflies…..just in time for Spring although we are supposed to get some snow in the next couple of days!
I love all the ideas and those sweet little cards you made!
The cards are so bright and cheerful! Love all the different techniques you used to make them so beautiful!
Betsy, I just looooove your work! This was a fun challenge for me – I’m glad you shared it. I’m kind of a beginner, so it was fun to try new things!
How delightful! I’ve fallen in love with 4 x 4 cards and love their potential for cute designs without a huge amount of thinking to fill up space….these are perfect with one embellishment and how much fun to think of ways to dress up the diecuts I do have!
what a great set! thanks for the ideas!
What great ideas! I have sometimes thought that my die cuts looked a bit drab. I can’t wait to give these a try.
Love your ideas. What great inspiration!
Great post and wonderful inspiration! These little notecards are perfect for small thank yous and gift cards. Thanks for the chance to win.
These comments are beautiful, would love to have them.
carol b.
Meant card.
carol b.
Those are so lovely!
Wow, these are stunning! Thanks for the inspiration…
Oh, I am loving these beautimous butterflies! You can definitely send them my way.
Betsy, you can literally take the most basic of supplies and make incredible cards! Those butterfly mini cards are simply adorable.
I like this butterflies. It is really nice and beautiful. Thanks for your info.
Online electronics
These are fabulous! Terrific ideas, and I love the sweet cards you made out of them!
DeniseB
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I think these are gorgeous. I think they would be perfect as invitations to a spring “Tea Party”. I love die cut crafts and your talents are inspiring. I would love to be the proud winner of these georgeous butterflies.
These little butterflies are SO gorgeously CUTE! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, them! Just starting out in paper crafting and these will be a great inspiration! Would love to be chosen to win these! Thank you so much!
I just loooooove butterflies…. They are my favorite insect… as a matter of fact I made a quilt square for my boss and I HAD to add a butterfly to it…. Your butterflies are so Beatiful and girly… I have so many girl friends and family I could give them to…. I could try to make these and I think I would be able to replicate them… But I don’t think they would turn out as Gorgeous as yours!!!!!
These cards are just perfect,So beautifull.I woud love to have them.Would you make them to sell?? Thank you