Black Card Embossing

 

Whilst browsing on Pinterest, I came across some birthday cards using black cardstock, embossed and then highlighted in gold or silver ink.

So thought I would have a try too!

These were all made using long-forgotten embossing folders that have been languishing at the back for too long

Not the best photos, they look better in real life!

Embossed Christmas

 

This embossing folder was a freebie with a magazine ages ago and has not been used much. The sprig of holly die was bought back in Nov 2021, and was used for a couple of years and then forgotten about. 

So I have teamed them up together to make some quick and easy Christmas cards for this year

Using slightly different colour schemes for them and the embellishments

Forgotten Embossing Folders

 

Moving on from my forgotten stamps post, I dug out and dusted down some embossing folders that were lurking at the back.

Made a couple of birthday cards suitable for children

 And this wedding card - think I need to get a bit more texture in my future cards!

Heat Embossing on vellum

 

I haven't done any heat embossing for over 2 years, in fact I struggled to find my embossing powders and ink pads in my craft room - and I very rarely use vellum on my cards.

However, I did make a lovely card using white embossing powder on clear velum at the recent Honey Doo workshop that I attended and thought it was time to have a go at home. I found some patterned vellum that has been sitting at the bottom of a pile for well over 5 years.  I was pleased how the gold on the red vellum came out  - would look good on a Christmas card too.

The pearly white  leaves on the green was more subtle, but still made a nice texture. I tried to also do some flowers, but that was not a success and they ended up in the bin!

Embossing again

 

The freebie embossing folder from Simply Cards Magazine is proving to be very inspirational, here are another couple of cards using a different colour scheme and incorporating the stamps that were also free with issue 213

And then this simple  'Thinking of You' card shows how it looks debossed on the other side

Not Going Out

 

I am happy to comply with government instructions and stay indoors, when it is snowing like this outside. Snow that lays is a bit of a novelty in Suffolk and we may only get it a couple of times a year.

Of course, the other good reason to stay inside, is to sit in my lovely craft room and play with my new embossing folder. I have used it in several different colour schemes and styles now.

This could be a popular addition to my stack of embossing folders!

Stocking Up

Well, I wasn't the only person who headed to to Hobbycraft to stock up on card making essentials, as I had to queue for 20 minutes to get in, but at least I won't run out of double sided tape or card blanks now.

I also treated myself to Creative Stamping Magazine (issue 89) to inspire me through the next few weeks of lockdown.

It has encouraged me to do a bit of heat embossing - a technique I have sorely neglected for a while.

Floral Hearts from Simply Cards Mag

A couple of cards using the new Floral Hearts cut and embossing folder free from this months Simply Cards magazine. 

Love the embossing effect and the heart cuts out cleanly. Made in a pale green colour scheme as a change from Valentines Day red!

Covering up a mistake!

I decided to do some heat embossing to make some Christmas cards - unfortunately I was a bit slow with the stamping and the embossing ink had started to dry before I put the power on!

The card was supposed to look like this, but was too faint and blurry

So I had to cover up the sentiment and used the new Merry Christmas die that came with Simply Cards & Papercraft Mag this month, luckily I has just cut some out in different colours to try it out!

Me Time ..

It's lovely having some time to sit and experiment  with different inks and embossing techniques. I am hoping to have more time to do this in the future, if I can reduce from working full time to only 2.5 days a week.

Not all experiments were successful - but I am pleased with these cards - all with unique backgrounds

I even made an ATC out of one of the scraps!

A bit of heat embossing ...

I haven't done any heat embossing for ages , so it was time to get out the gold powder and heat gun!

This card was inspired by the blooms die and stamp set from this month Simply Cards & Papercraft Mag

I also dug out some old stamps that haven't seen the light of day for a long time!

I bought this  Woodware stamp 'Gone To Seed' back in 2013. It also featured on my blog in 2016. Plus it was also used on one of the most re-pinned cards I have on Pinterest!

Costic Shimmer Metallic Gilding Polish

I must confess I have had these pots of Metallic Gilding polish  by Cosmic Shimmer for some time, but never really got on with them - I found the paste sticky and difficult to apply.

But them I spotted them being demonstrated on Hochanda the other day and realized what I had been doing wrong - apparently you need to create a 'ski slope' of the paste with the applicator at the side of the pot to get it out! And give a spritz with water before you close the lid.

A quick whiz over embossed  card gave a great effect with a lovely shimmer - so now I must get them out more often!

Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope that everyone appreciated your Christmas cards and other home made crafted goodies!

I made over 450 Christmas cards this year - 400 of which went to various local charities to help with their fund raising. With a bit of a push I hope to exceed that total next year but find it hard to get in the festive mood until September.

Just to finish with card to you all, made with a freebie embossing folder and bauble die from a magazine and silver bow saved off the crackers last year!

Happy Christmas everyone.

Playing with my new toy

Yes, I have spent the weekend playing with my new Big Shot Plus - I've been digging out embossing folders that I haven't used for years and rediscovering lots of dies too!

All my stamps have been put away, whilst I concentrate on getting the most out of my new machine!

Embossed ATC's

I've joined in with the technique swap at Docrafts - this months technique is Embossing.

It made me realize that it was ages since I got out my embossing powders and hot air gun.

I enjoyed making these, so perhaps I should make the effort more often!

One Embossing Folder - Three cards

This square  leafy border embossing folder is free with issue 153 of Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine. For the sunflower card, I inked inside the folder before putting it through my trusty Cuttlebug.

The plain kraft paper sets off the lovely Craftwork Cards orchids and hummingbird toppers and, although it is not very clear on the photo, the lilac background on the other card has a soft sheen to it.

I think I shall be using this embossing folder quite a bit in the future!

Sea Breeze Embossing Folder - 3 Colour Ways

This is the embossing folder that came with the Sea Breeze Cardmakers Collection (previous post).  It gives a lovely crisp embossed finish, so I tried it out in 3 different colour combinations today.

Although my photos don't do them justice - I am please how they have come out in real life. Plus as as added bonus, I realised that if you embossing it on black card and cut out the circular motif, it looks very much like a car tyre and can be used for cards for petrol heads!!