The Write Stuff

This tutorial came about after an ongoing discussion with Roxie at SCS about our methods of doing the Out of the Box Nestie Technique. We each were using this technique, we just went about it differently.  (6/23/10 Edited to add: Roxie now has a blog and here is her version of this technique.)  I promised I would take some pictures to show my method.

(Click on any image to enlarge.)

Step 1

For Step 1, I stamped my image(s) and selected the Nestie shapes I might want to use. I selected the sizes of the circle and rectangle that were slightly smaller than my image in order to get the Out of the Box look I want. Usually, I just cut this frame out of white copy paper, but I’m using a light blue in order to be more visible here. The only reason I use a cut template and not the actual die is because of the 1/8″ difference in size. The inside of the die will be 1/8″ further into your image than the template. Most of the time this won’t matter, but on some of the more intricate ones I’ve done, it did make a difference.

Step 2

Penciled Frame

For Step 2, place the frame around the image and lightly trace the frame with a pencil.

Step 3

In Step 3, I use a craft knife to cut the areas which will be Out of the Box. In order to insert the Nestie die under this area, I have to start the cut inside the circle. I cut very close to the image outline and continue around the image to other side.

Top Cut

The Out of the Box area is cut. Note that the very top is just a rough cut for now. I don’t want it to be too unstable when I insert the Nestie die. I will go back and finish trimming this area with detail scissors after I’ve cut and embossed the Nestie circle.

Step 4

In Step 4, I insert the die under the Out of the Box area I’ve cut out. With the die under this area, it will not be cut or embossed. Test fit your die before cutting to make sure you have cut your image deep enough to allow the die to be inserted on your pencil lines.

After cutting & embossing

Now I will remove the die and finishing trimming the top area.

After top is trimmed

My Out of the Box is ready for coloring. It doesn’t really matter if you color your image before or after. I have done it both ways. With this method, it has worked the first time for me and I haven’t had to do it over. If my Out of the Box area has a lot of cutting inside the shape, I will usually add a little scotch tape to the back after it’s cut and embossed. This just stabilizes the area and really makes the cut disappear.

Detail scissors

I’m including this picture to show you my detail scissors. Quite a few people have commented on my detail cutting so I wanted to include this. The little orange pair of scissors have small, curved blades. You can see they are only about 4″ in length but the small curved tips make cutting a breeze. I’ve done a lot of decoupage and these scissors are invaluable. Fiskars made these, but cuticle scissors work, too. Another trick is to remember to turn the paper, not the scissors, when you are cutting.

All done! This was colored with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS (odorless mineral spirits, aka Gamsol).

Thanks for looking and I hope you try this fun technique. Here’s the finished card I made with this fun image.

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