Background check – Use background dies
Hello and welcome to the next card design in our #vsbackgroundcheck series. Today is tip #8 – use background dies to enhance the background.

As you can see in the card above, having the swirls on the background just adds a whole new level to the overall card design. This design is actually meant to look like snow swirls, I think. But I think it can be used on even a non-snowy card. {Use what you have, right? :-) }
Rest of the card is made us of couple patterned paper rectangles layered using foam tape. I used the colorful hearts paper on the bottom to pull in more of the design from the row of colorful hearts at the top of that top rectangle. I also rounded corners on both these rectangles.
To add a little more interest and bring in the coffee theme, I added a sentiment strip that says love you a latte. The adorable shape sprinkles, a couple sparkly stars and little “happy valentines day” sentiment formed the whole focal point. Finally I adhered the whole background panel on a pink top folding card leaving a little bit at the top to show through. I also trimmed the card itself to make its width same as the background panel.
Easy peasy, right? Here’s another card where I used the same die, also for a non-snowy design:

Supplies List
This particular Simon Says Stamp card kit was sold out. But for your convenience, I am sharing links to the supplies I’ve used for these cards – click on the picture or link to go directly to the product. Wherever available, I have used affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, I receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you) which I use to run this blog. I truly appreciate your support!

Simon Says Stamp STITCHED WHIRL BACKGROUND Wafer Die S308 DieCember

Doodlebug LATTE LOVE Sprinkles Shapes Assortment Cream and Sugar 5456

Crate Paper CUTE GIRL Embellishments 680512

Doodlebug CREAM AND SUGAR 6×6 Paper Pad 5530

Simon Says Stamp Card Stock 100# DOLL PINK DP17

[Amazon] Fiskars 9 Inch Bypass Paper Trimmer

Scor-Tape 1/8 Inch Crafting Tape


Sizzix BIG SHOT MACHINE Powder Blue & Teal 657900

We R Memory Keepers TRIM AND SCORE Board 71337-1
More background dies on my wish list

Wplus9 ROSE BACKGROUND Designer Dies WP9D143

Wplus9 STARRY BACKGROUND Background Die WP9D128

Penny Black PETALS Thin Metal Creative Dies 51-042

Simon Says Stamp FALLING HEARTS Craft DIE S141

Simon Says Stamp FALLING STARS Craft DIE S140

Hero Arts CIRCLE CONFETTI Fancy Cuts Dies DI330

Penny Black HEART DROPS Thin Metal Creative Die 51-298

Memory Box SPLASHING PUDDLES Craft Die 99062

S6-023 Spllbinders LABELS ONE CARD FRONT Die Set

Birch Press Design DAZZLE LAYER SET Blueprint Craft Dies 57022

Birch Press Design AMOUR LAYER SET Craft Dies 56042

Birch Press Design DELFINA LAYER SET Blueprint Craft Dies 57029
Giveaway
This month onwards, I will be hosting giveaways! To win a $20 gift card to a craft store of your choice, leave a comment here by 11:59pm CST on 2/28/2017 telling me if you like to use background dies for your card design. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected and emailed after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)
Please do spread the word about this for me. If you post about this on social media, please use the tag #vsbackgroundcheck
Big thank you and warm hugs! ~Varada

#ssscard #vsbackgroundcheck #Backgroundcheck #SimonSaysStampFeb2017cardkit