Die cut negative stencil technique cards are such a fun way to stretch your supplies and create soft blended backgrounds without needing extra stencils. In my Live on 14th May, I shared how to use the leftover pieces from your die cutting as masks and stencils to create these elegant fern-inspired cards using the beautiful Fern & Flora bundle.
Sometimes the “leftover” pieces from crafting can end up being just as useful as the main die cuts themselves. Instead of throwing away the negative pieces after die cutting, I used them with blending brushes to create soft layered fern backgrounds. The result is a quick and effective technique that adds depth and interest while still keeping the cards simple and elegant.
I used the Fern & Flora bundle from the Moonlit Flora Suite, and it felt especially fitting for us here in New Zealand with the beautiful fern imagery. The soft greens paired with the detailed stamped fern create a calm, natural look that works beautifully for birthday cards, thank you cards, or just a simple note to brighten someone’s day.
Using Die Cut Negatives as Stencils
One of the things I love about this die cut negative stencil technique is how versatile it is. You can make the blending very soft and subtle or go bolder with stronger colour around the edges.
During the Live, I used Granny Apple Green with blending brushes through the die cut negative pieces to create the layered fern background. I then stamped the detailed fern image over the top using the new Peaceful Pine In Color ink. The soft stencilled background helps frame the stamped image without overpowering it.
Different Ways to Finish the Same Layout
l shared a few different ways to finish the cards:
- Circle punches
- The retiring Labeled With Love punch
- Ribbon tucked behind sentiments
- Different embellishments including butterflies, dots, and dew drops
Even though the card layout stayed similar, those small changes made each card look a little different. Check out these three cards:
Here are the supplies I used.
If you enjoy using blending brushes, you might also like this post where I shared more ideas for blending and colouring techniques using simple stamping. Check it out here.
Fern & Flora Bundle Inspiration
The Fern & Flora bundle includes beautiful fern dies, detailed stamps, and coordinating products within the Moonlit Flora Suite. The embossing folder and papers coordinate beautifully too, although the Designer Series Paper has already been incredibly popular.
I also talked during the Live about looking through your existing dies to see what other shapes could work as stencils. Leaves, florals, geometric shapes, and large bold dies can all create really interesting blended backgrounds using this same idea.
Crafting doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful, and this technique is a great reminder that simple ideas can still create stunning results.
Watch the Video Replay
If you would like to see exactly how I created these cards and how the stencilling technique works, be sure to watch the replay of my 14th May Live video below. I shared lots of tips along the way, including blending brush techniques, stamping tips, and ways to use your punches and embellishments to finish the cards.
I’d love to know which version was your favourite. Do you prefer the circle sentiment or the Labeled With Love punch? And do you like the softly sponged edges or the crisp white look better?
If you give this technique a try, I would love to see your creations. Have a look through your dies and see what die cut negatives you could turn into stencils for your next card project.