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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Embossing makes the difference...

I've been thinking lately about what card-making techniques I like to use most, and dry embossing is at the top of my list. It's quick and easy and adds so much depth to a card design. Once you have the Cuttlebug or Big Shot or whatever you use to emboss, it's pretty inexpensive to add embossing folders to your collection. I have even picked them up on sale for as little as $1 each!

Here's a card I made with an embossing folder that came with my last issue of Cardmaking & Papercraft magazine. You can see all the craft tools I received with that magazine in this post.

This card was SO simple to make, but the embossed strip across the middle makes all the difference.

I have added a little chalk coloring to my embossed flowers with a Q-tip. This is so easy and fun to do, and if your chalk gets "outside the lines," you can take a soft eraser (I use a malleable one) and erase it!

You can see in this photo that my chalking is by no means perfect, but I think that just adds to the look. Once I am satisfied with how my coloring looks, I spray my embossed/chalked piece with a finishing spray to affix the chalk. Otherwise, it might rub off over time. This step isn't absolutely necessary, but I do it because I don't always use my cards right away.


I also added a couple of punched hearts to the front of my card, which reflect the tiny hearts in the DSP.



















On the inside of my card, I added a matted strip of the DSP with a couple more of those punched hearts. My sentiment was stamped with a stamp set that is all individual words, so that you can put together your own individual phrases.

What techniques are at the top of your list? It's fun to learn from each other what works, what doesn't and what's both affective and affordable.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.
Cheryl

7 comments:

Glittered Paws said...

Pretty pretty - I get this magazine too and have yet to use the embossing folders. Love the magazine - (all except the measurements being in metric). I have way too many favorite techniques to limit it to one!!! Great card.

designbydonna said...

Cheryl, I love the chalk coloring. It is so soft and pretty. I agree with you about the embossing. It can make a plain card not so plain. I use it quite a bit.

Patti J said...

Beautiful card, Cheryl! I, too, love the dry embossing technique! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous creation!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

So pretty, love your use of the chalk. Yes I agree on the embossing. And this is a cute design. I am not familiar with a finishing spray, will have to check it out. Have a fun day. We lucked out on missing the Iowa storms.

Lynne in NI said...

Ahhh this is so pretty, I love the touch of colour to your embossing :)

Mona Pendleton said...

Such a pretty card Cheryl! The little delicate flower garden looks so beautiful!

Taunya Butler said...

I am with you about the awesomeness that can be achieved with embossing folders!! Love them!! You have done an incredible job with this card - so pretty and the way you chalked it makes it stunning!!!