Welcome to my blog post today. I love to find simple techniques for using up paper scraps and today I want to share a quick and easy one that turns nested or layered circle dies into some pretty fancy cards. When I saw a masculine card on Pinterest created by Sue Vine of Miss Pinks Craft Spot I knew I had to try this out. There are lots of different versions out there but I liked the simplicity of her card. Here's Sue's card: Here's My Version of a Layered Circle Masculine Christmas Card: I have a couple of gentlemen friends that love getting my Christmas cards, so I'm always challenged to come up with a special masculine designed card. Because they like rich but neutral tones, I chose a mix of non-seasonal designs from the Classic Christmas DSP in Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Sahara Sand. I've been using these papers a lot since they released the Curvy Creations bundle and I love them so much I just might have to order another package before they are sold out and gone forever. The card base is an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock scored at 4 1/4". The first layer is a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Sahara Sand and the second layer is a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Whisper White, that's been embossed with the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder to give this layer a bit of depth. For the swirling circle design I die cut three progressively sized circles using the Stitched Shapes Circle Dies. These circles were cut in half then layered together and adhered with Tom Bow glue starting at the circle's edge. It's best to use a liquid glue rather than snail, because you may have to shift the circle into place. Once the half circles were glued together I lined up each half of the circles on the center of the Whisper White layer and then glued them down with Tom Bow adhesive. Note: I didn't realize until I had them down that I should have layered the second half circle in the opposite layer so when they were put together the wave would be continuous. Oh well. Live and learn. The Stitched Shapes Die set is one of those classic "must haves" for your stamping tool kit. It has nested dies for ovals, circles and squares so you can do a lot with it, not to mention spruce up your designs with the lovely stitched edges on your die cuts. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from the Curvy Christmas stamp set. Its stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink on a scrap of Whisper White and I cut it out with the Rectangle Stitched Dies dies. The sentiment was mounted on a 5 1/4 x 1/2" piece of Crumb Cake card stock............ and yes, this is another goof up. It should have been Sahara Sand, but I grabbed the wrong scrap. Anyway before adhering this strip I embossed it with the Tasteful Textile embossing folder. To finish off the card front I stamped two of the holly leaf images from the Christmas Gleaming stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on scraps of Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake and then fussy cut out both images. These were glued together then attached to the card face with dimensionals. A few Cherry Cobbler leaves were cut with a die cut from the Sunflower Die set and added to the flower bunch. To complete the card face three Cherry Cobbler rhinestones were added in the top right corner. I'm so happy Christmas Gleaming stamp set was transitioned into the Annual Catalogue from last year's Holiday Mini. I love the sentiments and the ornament images and holly sprig stamp so clearly. I think this is a classic stamp and I'll be using it for years to come. I kept the inside of the card very simple. A sprig image from the Curvy Christmas Celebrations set was stamped off in Cherry Cobbler ink and then I stamped the Merry Christmas again across the sprig. I also created a matching envelope by stamping the Holly design a few times in the bottom left corner of the card front in Crumb Cake and I covered the flap with the coordinating designer series paper. Supplies Used: Stamp Sets: Curvy Christmas for the Sprig and Merry Christmas sentiments, Christmas Gleaming for the holly berry image Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake DSP: Classic Christmas Embossing Folder: Tasteful Textile 3D Dies: Stitched Shapes Dies - Circles Card Stock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler Elements: Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels I made a second card for a November birthday using the same technique. This feminine version shows the versatility of this quick technique. Here is my card: Supplies Used: Stamp sets: Very Versailles #149275 for both sentiments on the card front Graceful Garden #143849 Retired. For Rosebud on card front and inside and for the lattice on the envelope. Here's a Card #149438 for the Happy Birthday on the inside of the card. DSP: Peony Garden #152483 6 x 6 sheet for three circles, Envelope Flap 2 1/4" x 5 7/8", 5 1/4" x 5/8" strip for inside of card. Inks: Momento Black and Gray Granite inks. Light/dark Petal Pink and Gray Granite Stampin' Blends. Dies: Stitched Shapes Circle Dies - largest of four dies Card Stock: Gray Granite 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for base and strip 3/8" x 5 1/4". Whisper White, 5 x 3 3/4" for front layer and 5 1/4" x 4" for inside layer. Accessories: Basic Rhinestones I love this Birthday card. I didn't make the same mistakes putting the circles together as I did with my first sample and it really makes a difference when you can see the proper flow. I'm astonished at how quickly this card comes together, with the hardest part being the choosing of papers and colours. The combination of Petal Pink and Gray Granite together is ultra soft and feminine and I'm impressed with the designer paper. This card could have just as easily been for a wedding. I hope you enjoyed today's post and the Layered Circles technique. It's such a great way to use up your scraps. Let me know if you try it out. HAPPY STAMPING! 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