Love embossing

Have you tried embossing?

Today I will talk about two ways of embossing. There are variations and further ways to improve on these techniques but I will be talking about the basics today of heat embossing with powder and dry embossing with folders. I love both equally and have a project using both techniques.

I remember heat embossing when I was a child with my mother. We didn’t have the heat guns back then. What we used to do was turn the toaster on and hold the card stock above it. That idea still works today so if you can’t afford a heat gun just whip out the old toaster and give it a go.

To begin have a piece of a4 paper with a fold in the middle handy. Stamp your image or sentiment with the Versamark Stamp Pad. Then using one of the embossing powders cover the stamped image with powder. Tip the excess onto the a4 paper and tap the back of the card to ensure all excess has left the area around the image. Then pour the powder back into the container. By having the fold in the paper to begin with that acts as the funnel and ensure it is easy to pour back into the container ensuring you are not wasting any. Then using your heat gun heat the powder so it melts.

If you are using a toaster then do heat from underneath. Also remember when using any heat instrument keep the paper from an element as it can catch fire. Sorry just had to put that here as I don’t want to be responsible for not adding a warning.

When dry embossing most crafters will have a big shot or a cuttlebug. I have the big shot and find that it is extremely sturdy for all my needs. Do not fret if you do not own one of these machines. You can still use embossing folders. All you need is a rolling pin and a hard surface. Place your card stock in the embossing folder and press heavily on the rolling pin to add pressure as you roll it over the entire card. That is all those expensive machines are doing anyway.

Give it a go and see if you can get the same results. Have you got any other tips like this you want to share with me? Either comment below or email me at tanya.armitage@me.com and share your tips on what you use.

Below is a card that I have used both heat embossing and dry embossing on. I have left a blank space in my embossing to stamp and heat emboss the sentiment. If you would like the instructions to make it simply make a purchase from My OBA before January 31 2016and I will email them to you. There is no minimum order requirement for this.