Wednesday Trends- Dry Embossing

Hi there! This is Gretchen hostessing today's Wednesday Trends. One of my favorite trends in card making at the moment is dry embossing. I just love all of the texture and dimension it adds to a project! There are a lot of different products on the market now that help you achieve the dry embossed look. I have chosen just a couple to share with you today.

My first card uses an embossing folder from Stampin' Up! You just place your card stock between the layers of the folder and run it through your favorite die cutting machine (being sure to follow the directions for your particular machine so you don't break any plates!). This card also features a bit of embossing using nestabilities. For this effect you need to follow the "sandwich" directions for your particular machine to get the nice embossed edge around the oval. I use the Big Shot by Ellison so my sandwich goes (after much experimenting I might add): the multipurpose platform with Tab 1, a clear spacer plate, my oval nestabilitie (?) with the card stock cut out already but still in place, 2 tan silicone rubber mats (one on top of each other) from Spellbinders and finally the second clear plate. Amazingly, the die does not cut through the tan mats even though I have to crank hard to get the entire "sandwich" through the machine!

My next example also uses an embossing folder but in a different kind of way! To achieve this look, I took my fall embossing folder by Provo Craft, opened it up and took my dusty durango ink pad and brushed it over the side of the embossing folder that is not raised. In other words, the ink does not go into the valley's of the embossing folder. Then I carefully placed my card stock on the side without the ink and, even more carefully, closed the folder! Then I ran it through my Big Shot and the ink transfers to the card stock without distorting the dry embossing! Cool huh? You could even do it the other way by applying your ink to the raised side of the embossing folder and creating a totally different look!

Many different companies have introduced embossing folders recently including Quickutz, Provo Craft, Sizzix and Stampin' Up! There are many different styles and designs to chose from. I've also used my Score-pal to dry emboss lines and grids on my cards! Of course there is the "old" way of dry embossing too with a brass template and a stylus. Just experiment with your tools and see what you can come up with! I would love to see your creations so be sure to leave a link here on this post so I can check them out! Happy embossing!

"beautiful"

stamps: Act of Kindness

ink: not quite navy

paper: not quite navy, kraft

accessories: SU! embossing folder, oval nestabilities, ribbon, silver brads

"blessings"

stamps: HSH Halloween Additions

ink: momento rich cocoa; dusty durango

paper: very vanilla, dusty durango; textured brown from DCWV

accessories: MS border punch; leaf button; prismacolor pencils; dusty durango ribbon; fall embossing folder