Scrapbook die cuts are fun and easy to use.  You can buy pre-made cutouts, or make your own, using one of the die cutters on the market.  

If you have been staring at the glossy pages of craft books, wondering why your layouts and cards look boring in comparison, you may be surprised at the reason- it may be those cutouts you are using.  If you are using your scrapbook die cuts without embellishing them, they may need a little makeover.  It's time to have fun with them, and once you do, you may find that your scrapbook layouts and handmade cards rival the ones in magazines and books.

Here are five simple ways you can embellish your cutouts, taking them from ordinary to extraordinary:

1.  Emboss your die cuts.  Embossing is easy, especially with all the different embossing tools available to crafters.  If you don't have an embossing machine, take a look at either the Cuttlebug or the Sizzix Texture Boutique.  Both of these machines are not very expensive and are very simple to use.  To emboss your die cuts, all you have to do is place them in an embossing folder, add the embossing plates, and run through the embosser.  The machine applies pressure, which transfers the pattern on the folder to the paper cutout.

2.  Add buttons, beads, brads, or other baubles.  Another way to easily transform die cuts and add more dimension is to add everyday items, such as brads and buttons, to your cutouts.  For example, if you have a die cut snowman, you could add real buttons going down the front of him, and maybe a fabric scrap around his neck as a scarf.  

3.  Use stitching on your cutouts.  It is not unusual to find that when people get bit by the paper crafting bug, their sewing machine ends up in the corner, gathering dust.  However, sewing machines can be used on paper too!  Stitching is a great way to add detail to die cuts.

4.  Ink those edges.  One way to help die cuts stand out is to apply ink to their edges.  Inking ensures that your cutouts won't blend into their backgrounds, and is a great way to add a distressed or grungy appearance to your paper piecings.

5.  Layer your cutouts.  If you make your own cutouts using a die cutter, use any of the extra features it offers.  For example, many of the Cricut cartridges have features which allow you to create additional accents for layering.  Paper piecing is an easy way to jazz up your cutouts.

These are just a few ideas to get you started embellishing your scrapbook die cuts.  Another way to come up with even more ideas of your own is to find projects you like and scraplift them.  Many talented paper crafters have learned by imitating what others have done.  Once they become comfortable with the different techniques, they easily come up with original ideas of their own.