Nesting dies don’t have to stay flat or predictable – today’s cards take them in a slightly different direction.
If you enjoyed my first nesting die card idea, I’ve got two more designs to share with you.
Ready to take a quick look at today’s cards?
Psst… before we start: This post is part of a fun Altenew Release blog hop (with a giveaway – yay!), so be sure to check out the full hop list below and leave a comment for your chance to win.
Also, this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to click and shop, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a lovely way to support both me and the crafty shops we all love.
Thanks a bunch 🥰!
Today’s cards both use the same nesting arch dies, but each design takes them in a completely different direction.
Card #1 – Frame in a Frame
You may already know how much I love using frames (and framing things) in my card designs, but have you ever tried creating a frame within a frame? Nesting dies are perfect for this idea, and you can customise it as much as you like – thin frames, wide frames, or even more than two if you’re feeling adventurous.
Of course, I popped the frames up… because dimension 😉
I did briefly consider adding a background frame using gold cardstock between the layers to step it up even further. Let me know what you think – would that extra detail work here?
I stamped the sentiment directly onto the outer frame, which helps it feel like part of the design rather than an afterthought. Just be sure to stamp it before popping the frame up.
Card #2 – Nesting Frame for a Shaped Card Base
For this card, I used the largest nesting arch die to create a shaped card base, cutting along the straight edge so the curved side becomes the opening of the card.
Turning the design on its side gives it a landscape feel and instantly makes it a little more unexpected – although I think it would be just as fun as a top-fold card too.
To keep the design modern, I added a few simple stripes across the card front and stamped the sentiment directly onto the white strip. One of the darker stripes is popped up using black foam tape, adding just enough dimension without overpowering the design.
Both cards are finished with a modern-style die cut floral bouquet and leaves.
PRO TIP: For shaped card bases, place the cutting edge of your die just slightly over the folded edge of the cardstock. This keeps the fold intact while still giving you a clean, shaped opening.
Giveaway Prizes
$300 in total prizes! To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $100 gift certificate to 1 lucky winner and a $50 gift certificate to 4 winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Blog and/or each designer’s blog post on the blog hop list below by March 12th for a chance to win. Altenew will draw 5 random winners from the comments left on each stop of this blog hop and announce the winners on the Altenew’s Blog Hop Post on March 13th 2026.
*The winners of the $100 gift certificate will be chosen from comments left on the Altenew blog.
Ready for More Inspiration? Let’s Hop
I hope these nesting die card ideas inspire you to look at your nesting dies a little differently. Whether it’s frames or shaped cards, there’s so much you can do with them.
If you try one of these ideas, let me know in the comments or tag me – I’d love to see what you create!
Happy Papercrafting!
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
Other Supplies: SHOP THE ALTENEW RELEASE HERE!
Simon Says Stamp: SHOP ALTENEW HERE
Altenew Stamps: Thinking of You
Altenew Enamel Dots: Tea Party | Red Cosmos.
Altenew Cardstock: Pastel Sunrise | Coral Bliss | Ruby Red | Honey Drizzle | Peachy Glow | Misty Sage | Green Opal.
*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
 Nesting Arches Die Set ALT |  Botanical Waltz ALT |  Lenten Grace ALT | SSS |  Altenew Cardstock ALT | SSS |
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |  Obsidian ALT | SSS |  Tea Party Enamel Dots ALT | SSS |
Red Cosmos Enamel Dots ALT |  Bone Folder ALT |  Tweezers ALT | SSS |  Fine Blade Scissors ALT | SSS |
 Stampwheel ALT | SSS |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Sticky Grid Mat Ultra ALT | SSS | SB US |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 Platesaver OTH | 9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ |  Precision Glue Press AMZ | SSS | Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |
 Glue Tape ALT | SSS |  1/2″ Ultra Sticky Tape ALT | SSS |  Black Foam Tape ALT |  Satin Masking Tape ALT |
Love your ideas! The frame in a frame is a great technique and especially with the sentiment stamped directly on the outer frame!
Thank you Karen, I’m so happy you like them!
The nesting arches are a fabulous element in this new release and you’ve done a beautiful job using them in your card creations. The dimension and design are amazing! Love the color palette that you used as well. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration! I also love your dry embossing video that I caught recently. Thank you!
How wonderful Carmen, thank you so much for your lovely words, you have made my day!
I love just what you’ve done – no gold needed for me! Both are crisp, fresh and delightful, Therese!
=]
Mwah! You know you are my fave x
Your color palette is so beautiful! Thanks as always for your inspiration.
Thank you so much Nan!
These designs are beautiful and I love the shaped card! Gorgeous flowers and colors!
Yippee, thank you Lauryne!
beautiful card designs – love the arch dies
Thanks Dee!
I absolutely love your cards. The one that is the shape of the arches is so inspiring. Thank you.
So glad you liked them Lora!
I LOVE the arches and gorgeous flowers! GREAT colors!
Thanks Meghan!
Great cards and ideas. I love the double arch card idea and the card base shaped card idea. I will be used them both in the near future. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so very much Michele!
Oh being lost in paper definitely resulted in a GORGEOUS paper garden! These are FABULOUS! I love the soft color palette – just as inspiring as can be! Thanks for sharing!
You are the sweetest, thank you Kelly!
Beautiful cards, great inspiration
Thank you Carol!
So pretty , I like the added arch dies!
Thank you so very much Kathleen!
Love these two die sets together – awesome cards!
I love the colors. My favorite to work with.
Thank you so much Dawn!
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed 😊
beautiful cards! i realy love the colors you picked, the color for the background realy make this stunning!
Thank you so very much ❤️
Great cards. Unique style. I like the first card as is without a gold frame in between. The orientation of the shaped card is terrific.
Thank you so very much ❤️
Beautiful cards. I really love the arches, especially the frame in frame one. Thanks for sharing
So glad you liked them Frances!
Great uses of the arches!!
Thank you so much Donna!
Layers of loveliness, Therese and the colors are delightful!
Thanks Lisa x
I love the modern flowers with the graphic arches, Therese. If one frame is good, two are better and yours look fabulous.
Thank you Bobby x
Beautiful creations! Fab florals! I do love an arch die for sure! TFS!!!
Thank you Donna!
Gorgeous and inspiring cards, as always! I’m loving the new nesting arches die set. Their sizes and dimensions are unique and I can see many cool uses for them. I love the inspiration you’ve provided, especially the original design of your “hello” card0. You’ve made it VERY hard to resist adding these to my collection. 🤣
So glad you liked them Sue!
Nice design shares! I like the ideas for the frames.
Thank you so very much ❤️
Love how you use the arches.
Thank you Juanita!
Those arches are a must!. I like your cards, very feminine.
Thanks Catherine!
LOVE the arches, the colors you used, the flowers…. it all gels perfectly together!!
‘Thank you Lori!
These arches are so versatile!! I don’t have anything like them in my stash. I think they need to jump into my cart.
I like the ‘thinness of them… does that make sense?
LOVE your creativity!
Thank you so very much ❤️
Your cards are so lovely. The nesting die set is going to be such a well-used set in my craftroom.
Isn’t it fabulous!
Such lovely details, Theresa! Love your creativeness. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration.
Thank you Lori x
Lovely projects!
Thank you Rema
Beautiful card. Love the colors and design. Perfect!
Thanks Jeanne x
Love the frame in a frame idea!
Thank you so much Cheryl!
Awesome layering and colors! Love the style of these pretty flowers!
Thank you so very much ❤️
Your cards have convinced me that I need those nested arch dies. I am blown away by your card designs and the colors that you used. Love, love, love both cards!
You are the sweetest, thank you Sandy!
Love your card – great use of the arch dies. I need to use them more, so I love this idea!
Hope you have fun creating Melissa!
Love your color choices. That is what I love about these hops, a chance to see how to use different color combinations. And of course to see beautiful cards. Thanks
Thank you so very much Janice ❤️
Lovely!!! I love that shaped card, so beautifully done.
You are the sweetest!
Lovely cards Therese. The frame in the frame looks great in the background with the pretty floral die-cuts!
So glad you liked them!
I really like shaped cards, so glad to see different ones. The colors you chose are perfection. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so very much ❤️
You picked such wonderful colors! I just love this look.
Thank you Sharon!
Such pretty and clever concept, the colours are so beautiful. I’ve missed you over the WordPress site, I don’t always get your posts on the feed. Least I’m here now, sending hugs to you my friend. xx
Yes… it may be because I’ve moved over to WordPress.org a few months ago… traumatic but I think worth it lol. So happy to see you here!
Love arches in card designs. Your cards are beautiful
Thank you Anna!
Love the shaped card. Your cards are great
Thanks so very much!
Beautiful cards! Love your designs.
Thank you Jeanne!
These cards are so pretty! I love the new arch dies.
Me too, they are such a great ‘arch’ shape!
Very lovely cards–the different ways you have used these arch dies is so inspiring! Adding pretty flowers makes them very special. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you so very much Sheri ❤️
Beautiful cards!! Love the colors and your use of the arches!!
Thank you Patty!
Wow, luv both of these cards and the colors you chose!
So glad you like these Kathy!
Always beautiful cards, Therese! I love them 😍
Yay! Thank you Mari!
Love how you used the dies to take the center portion out of a die cut!
Thank you so very much ❤️
So creative with the new arch die!! LOVE the color combo and can see doing this with so many different ones! Thanks for the inspiration! This one is in my basket already and now I have more ideas to use them!
Yay! I know you will love creating them!
Love the new Frame nesting dies, and I really enjoyed seeing your three-dimensional-looking card example!
Thank you Amy!
More gorgeous cards and fab tips! I haven’t made a card for ages…..