Collab Metal Die Cards by Zsoka Marko

 Hey crafty friends, Zsoka Marko here today with a bit of a different post for you! I know a lot of you are scrapbookers but I still think this might be of interest to you too :) You probably know by now that I've been a huge fan of Paige's work for many years and I've been lucky enough to be on her Design Team. A couple of years ago I started my own small business called A Pocket Full of Happiness and last year I finally added my favorite product to my shop: my own steel dies! Since Paige has been creating cut files for a long time, and I love her style, I had this idea of turning some of them into dies! Paige loved the idea and now with each release there are some beautiful Paige Evans designs in the collection. I can't lie, these are always my favorites to work with! You can use them on any type of paper projects really, not only cards. The samples I'll share today are all cards, because that's what I love making the most - but you can create wall art, PL pages, scrapbook pages, and more, with our dies!

Let me show you the newest ones first. They are called Quilt Background and Stitched Quilt Background dies. They work on their own or together!

Here I've used them in a variety of ways: layered together, so you see the faux stitching peeking through, with inlay technique to add lots of colors, and on the right card I actually used the Quilt Background die to add gold foil! You just have to use your Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System (or similar) and you can add foiled outlines to your paper with any dies.

Now imagine these projects with scrapbook papers! Wouldn't they look lovely? I certainly will create some in the future!

In the previous release we had the Heart Bouquet Die Set.

For these cards I used Paige's Bungalow Lane collection to create monochromatic designs. These are super quick cards, easy to mass produce even. Depending on what colors you use, they totally work for men too, in my opinion.

Going back in time, the next two cover plates are from the Christmas release.
One is called Sweater Weather the other is Nordic Christmas.

They both feature the same pattern, but they look quite different on your projects! Sweater Weather is probably my all time favorite die, it came out so beautifully! You can stitch different patterns on this panel or use it as is. Since it's a super detailed and intricate die, you'll need a metal shim and you'll need to run it through your machine multiple times. I will say though, if you don't use a shim and only run it through the machine once, you'll get a gorgeous, textured, embossed looking design!

I used simple back stitch on all my cards, but you can get creative and try something else, of course! Same die, but in rainbow colors! So many options with colors!

I'll also show you a card that I did not stitch and you can see how pretty this die is on its own!

It looks like lace! I absolutely love it!

Here's some cards with the Nordic Christmas cover plate as well! I like dies that allow me to add lots of colors. Again, the sky is the limit here. My biggest tip: add double sided adhesive sheet to a 4.25x5.5" piece of cardstock, then add the die cut on top. This way you'll have glue in all the little squares, so it doesn't take long to do inlay technique.

Playing with colors and patterns is my most favorite thing!

Next up, the very first dies we did together, Floral Border and Floral Corner! These florals are so Paige!

 These dies look stunning with inlay technique (first duo) and just as gorgeous in all white on their own (second duo).

Then there is this simple card I made for my cousin's wedding! I die cut the border from both sides of an A2 size card stock first, added double sided adhesive to an A2 size cardstock, and adhered my die cuts on top. Then I poured glitter all over it, pressed it all in with my fingers, and last but not least I brushed off the excess glitter.

What do you guys think? Have you ever worked with steel dies? Do you like them? I love the beautiful edges they create! I'll be back with a layout next time hehe! But I hope you enjoyed this post anyway! Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day!

SUPPLIES: Metal dies: Quilt Background, Stitched Quilt Background, Heart Bouquet, Sweater Weather, Nordic Christmas, Floral Border and Floral Corner by Paige Evans and Zsoka Marko from A Pocket Full of Happiness; Some of the patterned papers: BUNGALOW LANE

Blog: apocketfullofscrap.blogspot.com // Instagram: @zsoka_marko // Facebook: Zsoka Marko // YouTube: Zsoka Marko