Hi there, it's Cristina here with some embossing inspiration for you. Since I got into scrapbooking through digital scrapbooking, I missed out on a lot of traditional tools. I am gradually catching up, though, ever since I got into paper scrapbooking when I started Project Life. A couple months ago, I took the plunge and bought a manual die cutting machine. After considering other options (mostly the Cuttlebug, which is smaller and less sturdy, but cheaper), I decided to get the Big Shot. My main motivation to buy it was to use it as a cutting machine with wafer thin dies, but I also bought an embossing folder, just to try it out... and since then I have fallen in love big time with embossing!
I really love the results! Here are a few cards I made for my Project Life album. The process is so quick and easy, and works with pretty much any kind of paper. I love to add watercolors or stamping to the embossed cards, and I even tried the faux letterpress look.
Embossing and watercoloring
I love to use watercolors to accent my embossed cards. This first example uses a thick grid card from Studio Calico. Since I wanted to use watercolors heavily on this card, I needed thick paper that could hold that much water and paint.
Embossing folder: Amy Tangerine
This card was done using a cheap index card from Staples. My watercoloring is done in a few spots and using little water, so the paper held up well.
This next card was done on thicker paper. Adding a sticker and my photo, this card is ready to put in my Project Life album.
Embossing and stamping
As a big fan of stamping, I also love to combine embossed cards with stamped accents. Here's two examples.
Embossing folders: Cuttlebug (left) Tim Holtz (right)
Faux letterpress
Finally, since letterpress is all the rage and I love the look, but don't own any letterpress plates nor paper, I have been playing with creating a faux letterpress look with my embossing folders. I just used some Hero Arts shadow inks to make this card (index cards from Staples). I inked the embossing folder with the ink pad, and ran it through the machine. Next, I cleaned the folder, inked it up with another color and embossed again.
This one is probably my favorite plate set! By We R Memory Keepers
Seriously.. embossing, where have you been all my life?? ;) Are you a fan too?
