In the past I would have looked at dies like this Diemond Dies Deer Trio Die<\/a><\/span> and thought it could only be used as a silhouette and that a stamp would be more versatile. However, I wanted to try inking and watercoloring on dies to see if I could make them more realistic and dimensional. I wanted to stretch my creativity and stretch my dies! \ud83d\ude42 Creating this card is my stop on the 2016 Diemond Dies Summer YouTube Hop, where Diemond Dies is going to be giving away one $50 gift certificate and three $10 gift certificates<\/span> (rules and links to all the hop stops on in the description box of my YouTube video)!<\/p>\n

<\/a>I won’t go into the detailed process here since my YouTube Video shares that, but here is a list all the supplies I used — notice, no stamps!
\nDiemond Die<\/a><\/span>s<\/a><\/span><\/strong>: <\/a>Deer Trio Die<\/a><\/span>, Cross Stitched Squares Die Set<\/a><\/span>, Word Die Set #1<\/a><\/span>, Pine Tree Die Set<\/a><\/span>, Grass Border Die<\/a><\/span><\/span>
\nTim Holtz Distress Inks<\/a><\/span>: Scattered Straw, Tea Dye, Gathered Twigs and Old Paper\u00a0for\u00a0the deer and the pine tree trunks.
\nTim Holtz Distress Inks<\/a><\/span>: Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Pine Needles and Tumbled Glass for the trees, grass and sky.
\nTim Holtz Distress Markers<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(I price compare as I need these and currently MarkerPOP is having a great sale so that is the link I provided): Picket Fence, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Pine Needles, Tea Dye and Gathered Twigs to add depth of shadows, visual texture and details to the die cuts.
\nStrathmore 140 lb watercolor paper<\/a><\/span>, Big Shot die cutting machine<\/a><\/span>, Spellbinder Tool ‘n One<\/a><\/span>, Pentel water brush<\/a><\/span>, Tim Holtz blending tools<\/a><\/span>, sponge finger daubers<\/a><\/span>, tissue, white Sakura Gelly Roll Pen<\/a><\/span> (for the spots on the deer and fawn), Zig clear Wink of Stella<\/a><\/span> (for some shimmer on the sentiment and in the tree tops), and Glossy Accents<\/span><\/a> (for for the antlers, eyes, noses and hooves).<\/p>\n

I’m so happy this experiment was a success (IMHO), and it was all with just ink blending and watercoloring layers of colors! Plus, I often struggle with masculine or cards for boys or men, but I like how fresh and outdoorsy this came out. YAY!<\/p>\n

SUMMER HOP COUPON!: Now through July 10, 2016, Diemond Dies is offering 15% off and free worldwide shipping with no minimum purchase. Use the coupon code “hop15” at checkout for awesome savings!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The following is a tutorial video on how I created this card from start to finish:<\/p>\n