Perky Penny Paper Arts: My Monthly Hero April 2018 featuring One Die 9 Ways

As of this writing this kit is still available at www.heroarts.com while supplies last so if you would like the set hurry on over to purchase.

Have you ever needed a bunch of cards quickly? I find in those situations a good cover die can go a long way. There was a wonderful bonus in the April 2018 My Monthly Hero Kit, a full size cover die! And this one is really special. I created several sets of cards and a few singles--31 in total--in one day thanks to this timesaver, and I thought I would share them with you just in case you are ever in need of some quick cards for a gift or charity, to sell or just send out individually. There are 9 different ways I used the die in total. Most of these cards won't be decorated or have a sentiment yet. That way I can customize them later, when I need them.

The products used in today's cards were minimal. I used the kit, which included a huge, adorable stamp set; coordinating dies for many of the images; the aforementioned cover die; 3 special mini ink cubes in fun fiesta colors; some ribbon; and some pretty handmade papers in purple, green, and turquoise. In addition, I needed scissors, a paper trimmer, liquid glue, and paper (6 colors (pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) of 8 1/2" x 11" card stock, white card bases, and some gold mirrored paper).

Enjoy this video showing how I made the cards. I have included measurements, other ideas and inspiration, and a supplies list below.

I started by die cutting all of the colored card stock into four 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" pieces and divided them into 4 sets, each with all of the colors. I used the cover die to cut out 2 of the colored stacks and a number of white as well. I think you could just cut this out whenever you have a scrap of paper that fits. I will also be stamping a number of images and storing them with the stamp set so that they are ready to color when I have some time. Those, along with the pre-cut covers, will be wonderful for making quick and easy cards in the future.

Way #1 -- This is an A2 sized, vertical, top folding card. The front panel is a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of Bristol Smooth card stock. I ink blended Salty Ocean and Mowed Lawn Distress Oxide ink to create my outdoor scene. I cut the bottom off my white cover die cut and colored the outside in a brown Copic marker to create a pergola. I colored the flowers in with pink, orange, yellow, and green Copics. After gluing the pergola to the front of my card, I took Fiesta Time from the stamp set and applied it with Onyx Black Versafine Ink and then some clear embossing powder, which I set with a heat tool. I also stamped and colored the images from the kit stamp set with Copic Markers.

I first attached my pinata by using some white and gold hemp cord which I glued behind the pinata and then covered with another die cut. I then glued it to the center flower of my pergola, wrapping it through the hole for some support. I arranged my die cut images and popped them up with foam adhesive.

Way #2 -- These are fun mini cards I like to make for a short note or quick thank you. I take a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of card stock and fold it in half to create my card base. I created a frame with the cover die by cutting it in the middle and then layering the 2 sides on top of each other to fit the space. I also think this would be fun if you used them like this as curtains on a window.

To complete the card, I simply attached the pretty frame to the front of my little card.

Way #3 -- This is the same size card base as Way #2. In this instance, I folded the die cut in half and attached it over the top of the card so that there are pretty flowers on the front and the back. I think these would make spectacular place cards! I could also see folding this card inside out to have the prettiness inside as a nice surprise.

For these next few cards, I took the cover die cut and cut it down both sides which created 4 separate border pieces. Using these pieces I was able to create 14 different cards, 2 individual and 2 cute sets that would make great gifts. With the exception of Way #5, the card base size for the cards using the flowered border are 3 3/4" x 5 1/2", and the scalloped border are 4 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Way #4 -- This card was created by stacking the flowered edge. I only applied glue to the top line of the cut out; that enabled me to tuck the next die cut underneath. This is one of my favorites and I can't wait to try it in plain white.

Way #5 -- I trimmed a quarter inch off the front of each of these cards and then ran a thin strip of liquid glue along the edge of the card and applied these cute scalloped edges. I trimmed off any access with my scissors.

Way #6 -- I took the rainbow of scalloped borders and stacked them diagonally across the page. This could be done in a number of ways. I chose close together. I might cut the bottom part off and put the sentiment on the exposed inside. Another idea would be to adhere a few, stamp a sentiment, and then adhere a few more.

Way #7 -- I took these card bases and trimmed off 1 1/4" of the front side of the card. I ran glue along the short edge and attached these pretty borders. Again I can't wait to try this in just plain white; I think it would be beautiful!

Way #8 -- I had many center pieces from cutting out all the different colors and thought this would be a fun way to use them. I took a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of orange card stock and centered and glued the cover die cut in white over it. I chose the pink center piece because I really loved that but I also tried green and yellow and they were equally as pretty. I also think this combination would be fun if the cover die cut was in yellow. Wow, that would pop!

Way #9 -- The card base was created by taking a 4 1/" x 11" piece of card stock and scoring it at 2 3/4" from either side. I then folded in the sides and made sure they matched up perfectly before burnishing the folds. I glued one of the cover die cuts into the center of the card and then cut the other one in half. I made sure to round the cut edges nicely and then attached them to the front of the card. I did not put glue behind the center flowers so that I could take ribbon( that was also included in the kit) and run it through one side, wrap it around the back, and run it through the other side. I then lifted the flowers, applied some glue and, after weighting it down with an acrylic block, set it aside to dry. Wouldn't these make beautiful party invitations!

And, of course, like any great fashion show I included a stunner at the end. This beautiful gate fold card made by cutting gold mirrored paper with the die. Who doesn't love shiny!

And that completes my 31 cards made using this beautiful cover die 9 different ways. I hope you enjoyed it. Please watch the coordinating YouTube video for further instruction.

If you make a project inspired by this post please tag it with #perkypennypapers on

Instagram and I will be able to see it :)

Feliz Stamping,

Joanne and Penny

Please feel free to share this blog, subscribe and follow me on Instagram at PerkyPennyPapers. It means so much to me and inspires me in my card making.