Let's Have Some Fun, Now!! Letterpress Emboss Tutorial

Good morning, fellow stamp-a-holics,

It was so great to see you this past Saturday at the market. It was definitely chilly...hoping for an Indian Summer...so we can at least have some kind of a summer, here in Two Rivers. Everyone seems sooo excited about Ronnie's grand opening to her scrapbooking and craft shop in the fall. I have gotten a few of your suggestions for demos on what you'd like to see or learn to do. Anything you'd like to see, just let Ronnie or me know. This is going to be all about YOU, and what you want. So, if you want artificial flower making, or unique backgrounds for your cardmaking, or altered art projects, (of which Ronnie does such amazing work with)....you've got it! I have a link to Ronnie's blog, here, and we will keep you up to date with the progress.


Let's have some fun, now, with a SUPER challenge! We all love our Cuttlebug Embossing Folders. I think they are the neatest thing since rubber met wood, (or now, acrylic). But let's take it a step further...

Have you ever used your Cuttlebug embossing folder and buffed the raised edges just a bit with a sanding block? (Just to get it to POP a bit more) Or have you tried daubing some color onto your embossed background? This is sometimes difficult to do, without getting ink on the recessed edges. Well, here is an idea that is a lot easier on your fingers, and saves you quite a bit of time.

You can add a touch of color to your embossing, even before you run your paper through your die machine. Yes, it's that easy! For this you will need an ink pad using a color that is complimentary to your color of cardstock. If you have them, Dew Drops Ink Pads or SU's Stampin' Spots are ideal for this. Simply, bounce or dab your ink onto the backside (reverse image) of your Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. (This is the side without the Cuttlebug logo on it) Your raised edges of the back side of your Cuttlebug Embossing Folder will be colored with your ink. Lay your cardstock onto the folder, run through your die machine....and Woila!!!

Be sure to wash your Cuttlebug folder with some soap and water. You don't want the ink to stain your folder. Your die ink will not dry quickly onto plastic. Or you may use chalk ink, which washes off very easily.

Also, just a reminder...By doing this technique, you are using the negative side of the embossing folder. So, any folder with wording will not work, because the image will be backwards, along with the wording. Folders where the embossing is more condensed work best. Large open spaces have a greater chance of getting smudged. I have not tried this technique with the Sizzix Texturz Plates, yet...but I' would think they would work, as well.









Now, if you are up to the challenge...let's see YOUR finished creations. I will post mine here, also, within the next few days. Either email your pics to me, at skatzung@charter.net or bring them to the Two Rivers Farmer's Market by this Saturday, August 29th. I'll have some neat card candy for those who do. It will be well worth your while. The first to get theirs to me, will receive a free Stampin' Up stamp set.

See ya' at the Market....inky fingers and all. Now go have some fun!