This project walks you through building a multi-layered house card using the Everyday City collection from Spellbinders. You will die-cut parts for the main structure, windows, curtains, awnings, flowers and trim, then assemble them into a dimensional panel that mounts to a card base. The workflow emphasizes careful die placement, consistent cutting sandwiches for accurate results, and simple tricks to add depth, like using foam squares and layered cardstock.
The tutorial covers both tools and finishing touches: from using a Platinum Six Die Cutting Machine with the correct sandwich to hot foiling a sentiment with the Glimmer Hot Foil System. Along the way you’ll see tips for organizing tiny pieces so nothing gets lost and options for color choices that make the facade feel fresh all year round. Expect a detailed sequence rather than a rushed overview—this is about thoughtful construction and a polished final look.
Materials and die-cutting workflow
Gather the die sets: the City Holiday Etched Dies for the building shell, the Everyday Windows, Curtains and Flower Boxes Etched Dies for window treatments and greenery, and the Everyday Awnings Etched Dies for striped or shaped awnings. Use a selection of ColorWheel Cardstock tones—examples include Fairy Tale, Lavender, Seaside, Beeswax, Chiffon, Rainforest, Classic White, Lilac and Peridot—to create contrast between base pieces and decorative layers. Secure each die to the chosen cardstock with Best Ever Craft Tape so the small shapes cut precisely without shifting.
For consistent results, run each die through your machine with the same sandwich: Platform base, platform top, cutting plate, cardstock with die (cutting edge down on the cardstock), and another cutting plate. Repeat for the required number of windows, flower heads and foliage pieces—the design calls for multiple repeats to produce full window groupings. A helpful storage tip: place finished die cuts into a small container such as a Medium Craft Stax so tiny bits stay organized while you work.
Practical die-cutting tips
When cutting multiple layers, label or keep matching color piles together so assembly is faster. Use tweezers or a pick-up tool to handle delicate shapes. If you plan to add dimensionality, cut multiple window frames and top layers so they can be stacked. Remember that die cut plates are shown in reference photos face-up for identification, but when you cut, place the cutting edge down against the cardstock. This small detail avoids reversed impressions or miscuts and gives crisp edges for glue-up.
Assembling windows, flower boxes and awnings
Start by building the window units: add precision glue to curtain centers, attach tie-backs, and adhere layers within the window frame. Use a thin layer of Bearly Art Glue for small pieces and complement it with thin foam squares behind curtains or shades to create an authentic recessed look. When gluing window frames to their base panels, align with the faint debossed guides on the building die cut—these guide lines make placement almost foolproof.
Assemble flower boxes by layering foliage and rose heads, using glue for the base foliage and foam or adhesive dots for the blossoms to add height. For awnings, glue the top patterned layer to the white base and add foam behind the finished awning piece so it stands away from the facade slightly. Carefully trim overlapping bricks or trim pieces at the edges with scissors; working from the back of the cut panel gives you a straight edge to follow.
Mounting elements to the building
Adhere the door, doorframe, steps and brick details to the apartment base using glue and small foam tabs where you want depth. Apply glue to windows and center them within the debossed window placements. For the cat or other small accent pieces, use a small black foam square for a subtle lift above the doorstep. The roof and additional trim pieces are glued last to finish the structure so nothing shifts while you position decorative elements.
Foiling, card base and finishing touches
Foil your sentiment using the Glimmer Hot Foil System and a Welcome Home Press + Foil Plate & Die Set. Place Opaque Black or gold foil on Classic White cardstock, secure the plate and foil with tape, and run through the hot foil machine. When the platform-ready light indicates completion, add a thin shim and spacer pad and pass the stack through your Platinum Six Die Cutting Machine to cut the sentiment. Layer a plain white die-cut behind the foiled word for dimension, then glue the sentiment above the awning.
Create a shaped panel or mount the finished apartment on a standard card base—one option is a 3 9/16″ x 5″ Fairy Tale ColorWheel Cardstock base; a top-folding 5″ x 7″ base also works if you want more background room. Add a tiny gem such as a Prism AB Color Essential Gem to act as a door handle for a final sparkle. Expect assembly to take around two hours for a detailed version, though simpler approaches will be faster. Experiment with color combinations and patterned papers for different seasonal looks—this system is designed to be mixed and matched for year-round use.
