Frosted Designs - Embossing Challenge

When I saw that the next Frosted Designs challenge was focused on embossing, I was sooooo excited!  I just love embossing...heat embossing, dry embossing (with an embossing folder or template/stylus), as well as using dimensional materials that give the illusion or texture of embossing.

I had already started working on a Halloween project and I was a bit "stuck" for ideas, so the embossing focus really helped me along.

As you'll see, I've used a few different embossing techniques and I can't wait to share them with you!

Let's start with some of the details, kind of like a "sneak peek"...

Here, I've started with a Tim Holtz embossing folder.  Then I sanded the orange paper off a bit to show the white core.  After that, I decided to lightly rub an embossing ink pad over the embossed area and sprinkled some silver embossing powder on the areas that the embossing ink hit.  I then used my Heat It tool to complete the heat embossing.  I just LOVE the random effect of the silver embossing powder.  I added a few Graphic 45 stickers to the space to give it even more of a "halloweeny" feel.

Now on to the next "sneak peek":

Here, I used some star stamps from the Technique Tuesdays "Eek" stamp set.  I heat embossed the stars using silver embossing powder.  I also used the Tim Holtz "on the edge" scalloped die cut.

Next:

Using a piece of corregated cardboard and another Tim Holtz die cut (rickety house), I cut part of the house and went over the "embossed" or raised areas with black soot distress ink.  then I randomly covered the raised areas with embossing ink and covered with silver embossing powder and heat set.  I love the way this turned out!

Now let's take a look at the completed project:

As you can see, I used a few more stamps from the Technique Tuesday's "Eek" collection as well as a few more Tim Holtz die cuts (the tree and the hinges on the purple door).

I also heat embossed the trinket up in the upper right of the printers tray.  It is a MME "dog tag" that was a distressed coppery color and I brightened up the embossed areas with silver distress powder...yes, you can heat emboss metal, too!  I also added embossing ink/powder to the outside of the printer's tray and heat embossed.  I do have to say that it takes alot longer to get the "heat" to melt the embossing powder on wood...but it was definitely worth the wait!

I added quite a few Graphic 45 stickers and chipboard pieces to complete the project.

The last "surprise" is what is behind the door...

I love to use inspirational quotes and think that the font on this quote definitely goes with a Halloween theme.  The quote itself is also a good fit for a Halloween project, don't you think?

I want to show you how the stamp comes out so you can see how I altered it a bit to get it to fit in the printer tray section.

Hopefully, I've given you a few good tips that you can use in your crafting projects.

Now get on over to Frosted Designs and play along.  I'm sure you have an embossing idea or two that you can share with us all:)

Don't forget that for those of you who play along, you have the chance to win a most wonderful prize...now go on over and check things out.  I can't wait to see what you make!

enJOY!

Supplies:

Patterned Paper:  Authentique "Charmed"; Graphic 45 "Hallowe'en in Wonderland collection"; the girls' paperie "toil & trouble" line; the rest is ramdom pieces from my stash
Stamps:  Tim Holtz "Just Thoughts"; Technique Tuesdays "Eek"
Embossing Ink: Ranger distress embossing ink
Embossing Powder: PXS (probably have had this a REALLY long time)
Die cuts:  various Sizzix/Tim Holtz
Border Punch: I think it's a Martha Stewart border punch
Other:  aluminum foil over chipboard,, brads, silver leafing pen all from my stash

Frosted Designs - Fabulous Friday Challenge

This week's Fabulous Friday challenge will have you all digging through your stash for all those journaling cards you have.  You know you have them:)

I have a tendency to make my own journaling cards because, well...I'm the "Frugal Scrapper", right?  Over the past few years, crafting paper manufacturers have made it easier and easier to make homemade journaling cards!  There are many patterned papers that resemble either old ledger paper or graph paper.  With even lines going across the sheet in subtle colors, it is easy to use these papers for journaling or stamping.

Here are a few ways I've used my homemade journaling cards:

The card above actually has ALOT of awesomeness going on, but I want to focus on the "journaling card" I made using some graph paper and a paper edger punch.  By adding the border on my journaling card, this spot blossomed, huh?

Here are a few othe ways I used my homemade journaling cards:

What I really like about the card above is that I'm showing that you don't always have to use journaling cards for journalings.  I think this Unity Stamp is really cute and is a perfect fit for my journaling card.

This next card is a nice example of how both the patterened paper I used and the journaling card can be altered to fit different card layouts.

As you can see, it really isn't necessary to add too many embellishments to make a really cute homemade card.  As my skills develop as a "frugal scrapper", I find that I like my cards more when I concentrate on using paper and less "non paper" embellishments.  Using layers of paper and stamps adds dimension and interest to my cards without adding alot of bulk and expense.

This last card is very basic, but I wanted to show that even the simplest designs can produce really cute cards.

Feel free to head on over to the Frosted Designs Blog and play along with our Fabulous Friday challenge this week.

We have a GREAT sponsor, Words or Whatever (WOW).  Hop on over and visit them:)  They will be giving away 20 pieces of chipboard pieces that you get to choose!  How cool is that?

EnJOY your day!