How to make a fancy card blank with Tonic Header Dies.

Hello again,
Here are the new Header Dies by Tonic Studios. There are six in the range so far, each comprising of two parts, an outer cutting die and a more detailed inner cutting die. After seeing them for the first time on Create and Craft I thought they were a must for making some quick but lovely looking cards.

As most dies are a considered purchase they need to be versatile, so in the course of the next few posts let's explore the ways in which they can be used. Here is a step by step tutorial explaining how to make a fancy card blank from a sheet of A4 card. Firstly, score and fold the card in half as if you were making a normal A5 card blank, then unfold and mark the half way point on the score line with a pencil.

Place the outer cutting die just above the score line, positioning the centre of the die in alignment with the pencil mark. Tape into position with some low tack tape. (TOP TIP ~ de-tack your tape to prevent it sticking too well to your card.)Then run the whole thing through your die cutting machine, you will need one of the larger A4 machines (Grand Calibur, E-Bosser) for this technique.

Next place the inner die just under the cut that has just been made with an even border around it. Tape into position and run through your cutting machine.

Die cutting machines don't have as much pressure on the centre of their plates as at the sides which results in the die not cutting perfectly. To remedy this, place a piece of card over the section that didn't cut and run through again.

This is what we have so far. I used 300gsm cardstock for my card but the a lighter 240gsm would have been more suitable. As you can see, because the card is so thick, running it through the cutting machine has embossed the shape of the die into the card.

This would make a nice card blank as it is, but why stop there?

This time line up the inner die so that it is just touches the previous cut, tape down and pass through the cutting machine.

Align the outer die, leaving a small border as before, tape and cut. Repeat on the other side.

Fold the card in half and it really coming together now but there are a couple of extra bits of card that need trimming from the top and bottom.

Again, you could leave it there but let's make the back of the card the same shape as the front.

Take the outer die and place it right up against the die cut side of your card and tape into position.

Carefully open the card back out and run through the cutting machine. Repeat on the opposite side.

Again, there are some little bits of card that need trimming off.

Ta -dah! There you have it. A lovely, fancy card blank ready for you to decorate.
Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you next time. 
Wendy.