Fabulous Die Cut Tips: Working with 3D Die Cut Shapes

Don’t you just love all those amazing 3D Die Cut projects you see around? I like them so much I even started a 3D Die Cuts Pinterest Board to inspire me.  Feel free to come check it out and pin some of your favorites too.

Lately I have been working on some 3D projects for the upcoming holidays to decorate my house. I enjoy creating tablescapes using items I make and mixing them in with some store bought finds. With Halloween coming up, I wanted to make this adorable Halloween Ground Bat Wing Tin from the Silhouette Online Store.  The Tin fit in perfectly on my entry hall table with all the other glittery, spooky things...hey, may be I should off the Trick or Treaters something from the Ground Bat Wing Tin or the Candy Bucket ? LOL  

Working with 3D Die Cut Shape Tips:

• select a medium to heavy weight paper as it will help keep the structure and not tear as easily when scoring and folding
• double-sided patterned paper helps give the 3D die cut shape more interest since most shapes show not only outside but inside as well
• have a bone folder handy to help with folding and creasing the paper shape
• use dry or quick drying liquid adhesive to avoid long drying times                            I am a big fan of using double-sided Scor Tape. It tears easily, is a strong secure grip, not messy and comes in a variety of widths for any project

Bat Wing Box Tutorial:

1. Place the die cut image on your Silhoutte mat

2. Select the papers to cut and place on the Silhouette Mat in appropriate places. I like to use the grid turned on my mat so I can line everything up easier for cutting.

(this photo shows the die cut shapes cut out.  I did cut out 4 circles of the green cardstock for the circles and not just the two I show in the photo. I do love how cleanly the Silhouette Cameo cuts even heavier weight cardstock and patterned papers).

3. Form a circle by adhering the two edges of the bottom of the tin together using Scor Tape.  The mutli-colored patterned paper in the photo above was the bottom for my box. Adhere the bottom of the tin die cut to one of the circles by folding up the pointed edges as seen in the photo.  I used ATG Tape Runner around the circle and then pressed the pointed edges around the circle.

 

4. Adhere the other die cut circle over the top of the pointed edges to complete the bottom of the tin.

5. Repeat same steps to complete the top of the lid. I used the Green cardstock for the top of the tin base.

 

6 .Add the decorative piece die cut shapes to the mat next.Notice I just moved the other pieces off the first mat and pulled the top box decorative pieces onto the mat to prepare to cut.

7. Add the papers for the top decorative pieces to the mat. Cut out the top decorative pieces. I used orange cardstock for the insert and black glitter for the word circle.

 

8. Ink the edges for the tin’s top. I used a black ink to match my theme paper. Tip: I like to use a distress holder and pad to give me more control over where I am adding the ink.

9. Adhere the top decorative pieces to the inked top piece of the tin. Layer the orange piece first, then add the glittered die cut piece on top of that.

Tip: while the Silhouette cleanly cut out the black glitter paper, be extremely careful when you are removing the pieces between the letters since it is a thin font used.

10. Add the completed top of the tin to the completed bottom of the tin.  I also adhered a few color matched sequins with glue dots to the sides of the tin for added sparkle.

This 3D project went together fast and is something I can use again and again in my Halloween Decorating.  I am excited to work on more 3D Projects now for the other holidays coming up so stay tuned for me project tutorials from me soon.

So, what 3D project are you wanting to put together?  There are so many nice ones for many different die cut types. If you have any questions about putting together 3D die cuts let me know and I will try and help you.