Step-by-Step Graduation Card Tutorial with Classic Mouse Dies

Hello cardmaking friends! It’s Lisa Tilson here with you today to share a card featuring the Classic Mouse Graduation Etched Dies from the Classic Mouse Graduation Collection. I am going to be taking you through making this card with a step-by-step photo tutorial. Although the design is simple, I’ve included plenty of steps to guide you through the process. With this die set, I found that the order really matters. There are so many lovely little details that bring the mouse to life — a front and back for the gown, plus sleeves, trims, and other accents — and assembling them in the right sequence makes everything come together much more easily. There is also a guide on the website that you can refer to.

So, let’s get started with the card.

Bravo!

For all of the die cutting, use the Platinum SIX Die Cutting Machine with the die cutting sandwich as follows (from bottom to top):

• Plate A – Platform Base
• Plate B – Platform Top
• Plate C – Cutting Plate
• Plate C – Cutting Plate

The cardstock/die will be inserted between the two cutting plates with the die sitting on top of the cardstock, cutting side down.

Die Cutting the Mouse, Gown, Shoes, Hat and Award

Note: the dies are turned cutting side up in the photographs to make it easier for you to see what is being cut. Your dies will need to be placed onto the cardstock, cutting side down.

1. Place the head, body, arms, eyelashes, and tail onto Raven ColorWheel Cardstock.
2. Place the mouth and ribbon dies onto Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock.
3. Place the face and award/scroll onto Alabaster ColorWheel Cardstock.

4. Flip them over and tape them to the cardstock using Best Ever Craft Tape.
5. Run them through your die-cutting machine.

Tip: Use a Craft Stax to keep all your die cuts and dies in one place.

6. Die-cut the gown trims from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock.
7. Die cut the front of the gown, the shoe trims, the shoe laces, and the top of the hat from Waterfall ColorWheel Cardstock.
8. Die-cut the main part of the hat from Seaside ColorWheel Cardstock.
9. Die cut the back of the gown, the sleeves, and the shoes from Teal Topaz ColorWheel Cardstock.
10. Die cut the inner sleeves and hat tassel from Blue Spruce ColorWheel Cardstock.
11. Run them through your die-cutting machine.

Assembling the Mouse

1. Pop out the pieces from the face die cut using the pokey tool from Handy Craft Tool Set.
2. Add some Bearly Art Glue onto the back and adhere it onto the black head die cut. There are etched lines on the head to help you position the face.

3. Turn the head over and add some glue around the mouth area.
4. Using tweezers, adhere the red mouth die cut in place.

5. Add some liquid glue onto the circle area of the tail and adhere it behind the body.

6. Add the two front gown pieces to the body using liquid glue. There is a v-shaped etched line on the body which you can use to guide your placement of the two sides of the gown.

7. Add liquid glue to the back of the body, stopping just above the feet.
8. Adhere the body down onto the back of gown die cut.

9. Adhere the right sleeve onto the right arm.

10. Add tiny dabs of glue into the left section of the inner cuff piece, and then add it behind the right arm. So, the arm itself will end up sitting in between the sleeve and inner cuff.

11. Add glue to the left arm piece and adhere the left sleeve on top.

12. Add glue to the larger section of the left inner cuff and then place the left arm down on top. Again, the arm will sit between the sleeve and inner sleeve.

13. Add Bearly Art Glue onto the circular area of the eyelashes die cut and then adhere it behind the head.

14. Next, add the collar trim onto the front of the gown.

15. Add the two trims to either side of the centre of the gown. So that they follow the curved lines on the gown, when you adhere the trims, the top of each trim will sit just on the edge of the collar.

16. Add a tiny dab of glue onto the right arm piece and adhere the body down on top.

17. Add glue to the top part of the left arm and adhere it onto the body.

18. Adhere the two shoes in place.

19. Adhere the shoe trims.

20. Adhere the shoelaces.

21. Adhere the head onto the body.

22. Adhere the top of the hat onto the base and then glue the tassel on top.

23. Adhere the red ribbon onto the award/scroll.

24. Adhere the award/scroll under the left hand.

Making the Striped Panel

1. Die cut the Stripe Right Etched Dies from an A2 panel of Classic White and Poppy ColorWheel Cardstock. You will be using the very thin strips of red and white cardstock for your striped trim.

2. Use your Adhesive Tape Runner to add adhesive onto a piece of lightweight white cardstock (or printer paper) measuring 4.25” x approximately 0.75”.

3. Adhere the thin red and white strips along the cardstock, trimming off the excess as you go until you complete the entire 4.25” strip.

Creating Your Sentiment

1. Take the “Bravo” press plate from the Classic Mouse Sentiments Press + Foil Plate & Die Set and place it onto your BetterPress Letterpress System chase (magnetic platform).
2. Ink it up with Black BetterPress Ink.
3. Tape a piece of Porcelain BetterPress Cardstock to the platen (clear top plate) using small pieces of Best Ever Craft Tape.
4. Flip the platen back over and pop it back onto the chase.

5. Run the system through your die-cutting machine.
6. Clean your sentiment and chase using some Archival Cleaner.

7. Cut out the sentiment using the coordinating die.

Assembling the Card

1. Take an A2 heavyweight white note card created from Classic White ColorWheel Cardstock (11” x 4.25”, scored and folded at 5.5”) and round the top corners using the Corner Rounder/Notch Punch.

2. Adhere your striped piece to the bottom of the note card using liquid glue.

3. Take an A2 panel of Classic White Cardstock, and trim a small section off the bottom.
4. Use the Corner Rounder/Notch Punch to shape the corners.
5. Adhere it onto your note card using liquid glue.

6. Add White Foam Squares onto the back of the mouse, hat, and sentiment.

7. Remove the backing from the foam squares and adhere your mouse onto your card, followed by the hat (as if he is throwing it into the air!). Position your sentiment temporarily so that you know where to place the mouse and hat.

8. Pop the sentiment in place.

9. Finish by adhering some Silver Mix Color Essential Gems to the bottom left of the body and just above the hand.

I hope you find this step-by-step tutorial helpful as you create this sweet and clever little mouse, proudly celebrating his wonderful achievement! The design may be simple, but the thoughtful details make it truly special. If you would like to see more of my cards, I would love to have you join me over on my blog, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube. In the meantime, thank you so much for joining me here on the Spellbinders blog today. I hope that you have a fabulous day!

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