The cards this week have all used a different technique as their basis. Monday we had the cute Circle-Cut Fun Fold. Wednesday I used the "new-to-me" Bargello Technique. Today's card uses a Technique that I first used many, many years ago.
In fact it had been so long since I had used this technique that I could not remember how it was done! It was also WAY BEFORE I started creating tutorials for each of my cards, so, I had to do some research and experimenting to relearn it.
This is a great technique for those that like to send cards but like to keep them flat enough so additional postage is not usually required.
This technique that I'm calling Dry Embossing with a Shim creates a flat space in the middle of your embossed layer. So you get the pretty effect of embossing with your embossing folders, but you don't need to add an additional layer on top of it for your stamped images or sentiment.
For this card I used the Starstruck Sale-A-Bration (SAB) embossing folder and a shim that I made with the Nested Essentials Dies. If you look closely you will see that the area where I stamped my toadstools, bug, and sentiment is NOT embossed. But rather it is flat -- ready and waiting to be stamped.
To learn how I did that, watch this Learning with Friends video.
As I mention in the video creating your shim is the most "critical" part of the technique. And the thickness that you will need can be different depending on which Die Cutting & Embossing Machine you may have. You may need to do some experimentation for your particular machine. For my Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine I found that a shim that was approximately 1/16" thick seemed to work best. Also, depending if you are using a standard embossing folder or a 3D embossing folder your sandwich will need to be adjusted. Grabbing some scrap paper and running tests is my best advice.
For the inside of this card, I stamped a couple more toadstool trios and another little bug. Choosing color combinations for the bug was also something I needed to experiment with. My bug has a Crushed Curry body and his back shell is Cajun Craze. I've never seen a bug this color, but you gotta do what you gotta do to make your bug color-coordinate with the card and look cute. Live bugs aren't cute! Stamped bugs can be. LOL
Listed below are all the products that I used. Click on any image to learn more or to place an order.
No comments:
Post a Comment