Have you ever tried die cutting and stamping on balsa wood? I’m learning that it is a fun and very flexible media to play with. It is thin; mine is the thickness of a sturdy card stock and die cuts easily. The surface is smooth enough to stamp on and the wood texture adds such a warm natural touch :D I die cut a Medium Tag from the balsa wood and stamped one of the butterflies from Butterfly Friends in Versamark before white heat embossing. The sentiment from the same set is stamped and white heat embossed onto vellum before cutting into a flag shape and stitching to the tag. The stitching does split the wood a bit but I solved this by adding washi tape to the back and then glueing a second tag to the back to hide this. The final touch was a little wood veneer star from Studio Calico.
I used the tag to decorate a little linen draw string bag I have; I thought the natural fabric was a perfect pairing for the wood. I attached the tag with some Hemptique twine, looping it around the bag twine and tying in a bow.
Supplies: Stamps – Simon Says Stamp butterfly friends; Die – Simon Says Stamp medium tag; Ink – Versamark; Embossing Powder – Hero Arts white; Card – Bazzill vellum; Balsa Wood; Wood veneer – Studio Calico stars; Twine – Hemptique aquamarine
Looks absolutely wonderful, Debby!
I love the look of the tag. Who would have thought of die cutting balsa? Oh, you would!. ;)
Wow, very fine! I love this material too, but I have not played with it in such great style.
I am a big fan of yours and thoroughly enjoy trying all the new tips, tricks and techniques you show us. I have a question about this beautiful tag you’ve created – is this the same kind of balsa wood I can purchase at a Lowe’s or Home Depot? I didn’t see anything listed in your supply list so I just figured it was hobby quality stuff. Thanks so much if you get a chance to respond.
Again, thank you for all the beautiful things you make – this tag is so very lovely. I plan on trying this and if I have any luck I also thought about using balsa tags for lots of other occasions!
Hi Kelly, yes definitely hobby quality sort of like thick card :D
Love your tag, it looks so organic and beautiful, and pairs perfectly with your linen bag! I’m a fan of wood in every possible form and shape… even trees :D.
I’ve tried some things with balsa wood, but the one I have is 3 mmm thick, it doesn’t cut completely with dies, but they leave an indentation that allows to cut with a scissors. However, it works well with embossing folders and a custom sandwich in my Big Shot :).
Lovely tag!
this is really pretty:-)
Great!!! I told you in the class forum but I really love the results with balsa wood in this tag!! It´s beautiful!