Big Excavator

Hello Everyone! It is Zsofi here today with a fun construction themed card which would be perfect for a little boy’s birthday. I love to combine a stencilled background with die cuts, it is my favourite combo these days. Let me guide you through the process.

First I created the background, which was super easy with the Layered Street Signs stencils. I used Squeezed Lemonade Distress Oxide ink for the base and randomly blended in a bit of Mustard Seed Distress Oxide ink for shading. Then I used the second layer of the stencil set with black pigment ink. I made sure they are dry. I like to dry each layer with my heat gun for a few seconds, to make sure it will not smudge.

Then I die cut all little parts of the Big Excavator die set from coloured cardstock scraps and asssembled them on a Wonky Stitched Rectangle panel, which I die cut from thick, heavy weight vellum. Tip: if you don’t have heavy weight vellum, you can simply cut the die twice from light weight vellum and layer them. It will give the same effect. I really enjoyed adhereing all the little pieces in place, it was like playing Lego.

On the upper left corner I black heat embossed a sentiment from the Utility Vehicles stamp set. I usually use black Versafine ink with clear embossing powder, but this time I opted for clear embossing ink and black detailed embossing powder. The results are very similar with both techniques, I personally find the black powder a bit deeper black.

To complete the sentiment I added another one from the Simple Sentiments stamp set, which I white heat embossed on grey cardstock and die cut it with an oval banner shape from the Big Excavator die set. I love layers, so I added two colourful banners under it, using the Sentiment Strips dies. 

When I was assembling all elements, I used liquid glue and simply hid the dots of adhesive behind the die cuts and banners. I also added a few dots of glue behind the heat embossed sentiment, so it stays completely invisible. As a finishing touch I added a bit of glossy accents to the screws and handles of the vehicle. It adds a bit of extra to the final look.

I hope you like this idea and got inspired to combine your stencils with die cuts. I cannot wait to see your beautiful creations, make sure to share them in our Facebook group! 

Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you soon,
Zsofi