Nestabilities: Tip #2

All my lofty plans for yesterdays entry went out the window when my daughter decided she didn't want to go to bed last night... In any case, tonight's "Why I love my Nestabilities" episode is all about matting!

Matting is probably the most common way you will see Nestabilities used. Their fabulous design makes them and ideal background for your stamped images or even photographs if you're a scrapbooker. Because they "nest" you can put several layers of graduated sizes together to make an interesting backdrop for your stamped images. For the best layered effect, use a combination of large and small sets. Don't worry that you have to go out and buy them all at once though - start with one size and build you collection from there. When I first purchased Nestabilities I bought only the large dies, then I added the small sets later.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill, Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up!), Stamps (Whipper Snapper), Copic Markers, ribbon, epoxy tag (Making Memories), ink (SU! - white craft, Adirondak), Diecut (Nestabilities Scalloped Square small and large, Classic Square)

Here's another card that uses layers of the same shaped die in different sizes (in this case the large and small label dies). To add some dimension and visual interest I've cut out two smaller poinsettias and popped them off the background. To create different levels in your images, use one layer of dimensional adhesives (such as pop dots) for one image and a double layer for the other.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill, Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up!), Stamps (Savvy - poinsettias, Stampin' Up! - sentiment), ribbon, Ink (Stampin' Up!, VersaMark), Diecut (Nestabilities Labels Small and Large)

You don't have to always use the same shape of die to mat your image. This card matches a Classic Square diecut with a Long Rectangle die cut. To add some texture to the long mat I ran it through an embossing folder. The label is also by Spellbinders.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill, Papertrey Ink, Stampin' Up!), Stamps (Elzybels from Amuse Artstamps, Sunshine Designs - sentiment, Stampin' Up! - background snowflakes), embossing folder (Cuttlebug - snowflakes), embossing powder, brads, Copic markers, diecuts (Nestabilities: Classic Square, Long Scalloped Rectangle, Label)

You can mix it up by layering completely different shapes together. Here I've used a Classic Scalloped Oval with a Labels One die. The ribbon slide is also a Spellbinders die.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill, Stampin' Up!), Stamps (Paper Salon), Ink (Stampin' Up!), markers (Stampin' Up!), flock (Doodlebug), diecuts (Nestabilities: Label One, Scalloped Oval, Ribbon Slide), ribbon, clear snowflakes (Heidi Swapp), rhinestones (Hero Arts)

You can also layer your dies horizontally or vertically across your card rather than one on top of the other in a stack. The background mats are all the same size but I've alternated red and white die cuts across the length of my card to mimic the look of a candy cane.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill, Stampin' Up!, Papertrey Ink), Stamps (Sunshine Designs - candy cane, Stampin' Up! - sentiment), punch (Stampin' Up! - tab), Bella Baubles (Stampingbella), chalk, Copic markers, Ink (Palette, VersaMark), embossing powder.

There are endless ways to use Nestabilities to mat your images...experiment a bit and have some fun!