Fun with embossing

Hi guys,

Sorry for being so quiet over the last week or so. Things have been busy. Over a week ago I had my downlines over for the afternoon for some stamping. I wanted to show them some techniques and other things you can do with embossing rather than just embossing an image. It was also about giving them ideas and tips so they can share these fun techniques with there customers and add them to there next projects. So we made 3 fun cards. Here they are for you.

Card One - Faux Metal

I love doing the faux metal. The technique is all about building layers and layers of embossing. I generally do 6 layers. It gives you a nice thick image to give the illusion of metal but not so thick that it won't fit into a punch. The biggest tip I can give you with this technique is to work quickly. especially at the last layer. When your ding your last layer you want to have your image already inked up on versamark ready to go. As soon as your last layer has all melted you need to put your stamp on straight away and you need to push it down and hold it there for at least 30 seconds. This will give you a nice and clear image. If you don't get the image right the first time you can add more powder and re heat it to get another layer so you don't loose all the layers you just did. Here's a close up of what the technique will look like at the end...



And here's the card we made. Simple put I really like it. Silver and blues work great together and it's a great non traditional Christmas Card too.



Stamp Set: Season of Joy
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, 1 1/2" 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch

Card Two - Embossing Resist

Probably one of my FAVOURITE techniques. It's lots of fun, gets you nice and inky! This technique involves stamping your image randomly in versamark onto whisper white cardstock. Heating it. Then using sponges or daubers sponging on as many or as little colour as desired. I find this technique is great with kids. They love it. Tips for this technique is using lots of colour. The bolder your colour and the more you use the more the your image will stand out. It also works well with a backgound stamp (such as en francias) stamped first and then embossed over the top.

Here's the card we made. Simple and quirky! I used Wild Wasabi cardstock and ink as I am so excited about its return and wanted to give my downlines a sample with it.



Stamp Set: Priceless
Ink: Versamark, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, Elegant Eggplant
Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Accessories: Heat Tool, Scallop Square, 1 1/2" Square punch, Sponges, Clear embossing powder

Card Three - Cracked Glass

This technique I've never done before but it's so gorgeous and gives your card something different. It's great for vintage style which is very in atm. So this technique again requires lots of layers of embossing. First you stamp your image and have the whole area cut out and ready to go. Then you emboss layers and layers of clear embossing powder. 6 worked quiet well to give it a really good surface. Once it's done you need to cool it down. I found putting it in the freeze for a minute or so gives it enough cold to give it a nice crack. You then need to crack it as little or as much as possible. Give it a rub over with some darker ink (I used Close to Cocoa) to give it a 'worn' look and it should look a little like this....



And the final card...



Stamp Set: Upsy Daisy, Sanded BG
Ink: Rose Red, Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, Always Artichoke and Regal Rose Stampin' Write Markers
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Accessories: Heat Tool, Clear embossing powder, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Hemp Twine, Always Artichoke Brads

Thanks for looking and I hope I've inspired you to use your embossing powder in a different way next time you pull it out!

Dani