Good Morning, everyone! This morning I want to show you a fun and quick technique to create a Scallop Rectangle Mat of any size using the Big Shot and the Scallop Square Die. This is so easy to do and adds such beautiful detail to your cards, scrapbook pages and 3-D items. When you cut a piece of cardstock using the Scallop Square Die, you will get a square that is approximately 4 3/8" square. Now, if you want to make a rectangle, instead of a square, it just requires that you run that cut piece, back through the Big Shot. The trick is to count the scallops that you want on each edge. Each scallop on the Die is approximately 1/2" wide. For my example, I wanted a rectangle that was 9 scallops wide (the longest you can get using this Die) and 6 scallops tall.
In this first photo, you can see that I cut it first using a piece of cardstock that is a bit bigger than what I want my finished mat to be (I wanted it to be 6 scallops wide which is approximately 3" so I first used a piece of cardstock that was 3x5"). Next, I simply lifted the cut cardstock up out of the die and slid it over so that the left side was lined up in the 6th scallop (from the right) of the Die, ran it through the Big Shot again, and there you go -- a perfect scallop rectangle to use on my project. You can make a rectangle of any size
using this technique. You can also make a variety of scallop square sizes. To do this, you simply reposition your first cut on the corner of the die to make your square. (click on the photo on the left to view it as a larger image). In this example, I wanted to make a Scallop Square that had 6 scallops on each side (approximately 3" square). So After making my first cut, I repositioned it so there would be 6 scallops on each side and cut it again, using the Big Shot. This is a little more tricky, because the cardstock tends to "rock" in the cut-out portion of the clear die. To make it a little easier and to hold the cardstock where you want it, you could put just a bit of re positionable adhesive on the back to hold it securely on the foam part of the die. That's it! I can't wait to see what you create with your new scallop rectangles and squares!
And here's what I created for you today! I love the way this card turned out and the colors are so beautiful together. I actually created this for the Late Night Stampers "Take It To the Top" Challenge which begins today. I used a card on page 80 of the Idea Book & Catalog as my starting inspiration. This card uses Kind & Caring Thoughts (a level 3 Hostess stamp set), Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper and a color scheme of Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Whisper White. The edges of the DSP layers and the stamped layer are all sponged, with adds a great deal of depth to the project. The stamped image is simply stamped-off -- ink it up once with Elegant Eggplant ink and then stamp it off two more times without reinking -- what a lovely effect. I added 3 Old Olive Brads on the left for a perfect finishing touch! And of course, I didn't neglect the inside of the card!
Well, I think that will be it for today. I've got a great new "Takin' It To the Top Tuesday" project ready for tomorrow -- my new Blog feature where I take one basic card and step-it-up two times with added embellishments, layers and textures. I do hope you'll come back tomorrow to see what I've been up to!
Don't forget to order your Frankie & Friends Halloween Treat Bags Class-Kit-on-the-Go or Tutorial soon so you will have them in time for October workshops and Halloween Gift-giving! You can order or find out more information on THIS post!
Beautiful! Thank you for the great tutorial also. You always do beautiful work.
Posted by: Tammy Jackson | September 28, 2009 at 07:24 AM
Gretchen, this is fabulous! This die was already next on my list. Can't wait to get it!
Posted by: Nan Goerlitz | September 28, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Oh my!! I honestly was thinking of this same thing the other day!! This is so awesome!! Thank you for the inspiration!!
Blessings
Posted by: Heidi Michel | September 28, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Gretchen - this is genius!! Saves me from having to buy all the different sized Nestibilities scallop dies. Opens up a whole new world of design possibilities and options. I can't thank you enough for this INCREDIBLE idea!! You're amazing!
Posted by: April | September 28, 2009 at 12:08 PM
How cool is this!! Thanks for the pics as I am a visual learner. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Posted by: Jan Jeffreys | September 28, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Awesome, Gretchen!! Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: Mary | September 28, 2009 at 03:20 PM
What a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Chrystal Amato | September 28, 2009 at 04:01 PM
I was just trying to cut a rectangle the other day with my scallop edge punch and it wasn't working out so well. This is the perfect solution. You're a doll for sharing this idea. Thanks!
Posted by: Rosemary Olson | September 28, 2009 at 09:13 PM
This is great Gretchen. I'm with April: no need to buy the Nesties. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea.
Posted by: Jen | September 28, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Beautiful card. Thanks for the tip re the square scallop die.
Posted by: lisa808 | September 29, 2009 at 06:07 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and talent.
Posted by: Tankergypsie | September 29, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Thank you for teaching me how to do this. I would have never thought of it myself! Sherrill Graff [email protected]
Posted by: sherrill graff | September 29, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Dawn Olchefske | September 29, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Gretchen, you are a papercrafts genius! TFS this wonderful tip.
Posted by: Sue duffy | September 29, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Gretchen, you are soooo smart!! What an awesome idea and you are a doll to share!! Have a great day!
Kay
Posted by: Kay Kalthoff | September 30, 2009 at 09:43 AM
You are a clever one!
Posted by: JanTink | September 30, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Awesome! Thanks!
Posted by: Lisa Brown | October 02, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Very Clever! Now, why didn't I think of that? Thanks for sharing! Erin Blair
Posted by: Erin Blair | October 02, 2009 at 03:38 PM
What a great tip! Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Mickey Tait | October 04, 2009 at 08:21 AM
You rock my world. This is just what I needed. Thank you, on bended knees.
Posted by: Beth Norman | October 31, 2009 at 04:45 AM
This is a great idea! Thanks
Posted by: Angie Cyrulik | November 15, 2009 at 10:01 AM
This is a really pretty card. I love the colors that you used ^-^
Posted by: Kierra | January 05, 2010 at 07:26 PM
This is just amazing!!! I love the colors and the tutorial is incredible. Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: Wanda Williams | January 25, 2010 at 08:26 PM
Came across this again today in a link from Jacki Wright's post, Gretchen. You are a genius! I would never have figured this out. Thanks so much for sharing your tutorials.
Posted by: Sue Duffy | July 25, 2010 at 08:15 AM
Thank you for sharing that info. What a great idea.
Posted by: TxJennyWren | September 27, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. You've described it so well and it was really easy to follow.
Posted by: Sandra | November 30, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Good evening Mrs. Barron,
Just a little while ago I came across your site, because I was looking for a square scalloped die...your info came from a gal in Australia. I have been all over the screen trying to locate a "big" scallop square die. All I found are the items from nestabilities and they do not look like your die.
Oh boy when I saw yours I got so exited and here I am asking you where did you purchase your black scallop die? Are you willing to share that information with me? Do you sell it?
When you have time can you drop me an e mail please Mrs.Barron.
Thanks.
Greetings from hot San Antonio.
Sandra Ord.
Posted by: Sandra Ord | June 16, 2012 at 08:30 PM
Good morning Mrs.Barron,
Last night I did send you an e mail about the GO KREATE SCALLOP SQUARE DIE....and as I had mentioned I got so thrilled finding your site, so I got up early this morning and googled the 'Die" up and found it....smile. I would never have been able to locate it.
Do you recommend the small die or the big one?
Are the scallops on both sets the same size?
Thanks.
Sandra Ord ( again)..........please do not post my e mail notes on the screen. T Y.
Posted by: Sandra Ord | June 17, 2012 at 01:09 PM