Hey, hey! It’s Cathie back to share a tutorial I demoed at the Spring Retreat – dry embossing with stencils. This technique is so easy so let’s get started.
You need a die cutting/embossing machine like a Big Kick, Big Shot or Cuttlebug. If you’re using a Big Kick, you need the cutting platform, cutting plates, Premium Crease Pad and Silicone Rubber, a stencil and a piece of paper. If you don’t have the Sizzix Pads don’t worry, I’ve got a work around for you.
First, let’s assume you do have the Sizzix pads. Make an embossing sandwich starting with your cutting platform (use TAB 1), the Premium Crease Pad, Silicone Rubber, paper, stencil and one of your cutting plates.
Then run the stack through your machine and you have an embossed piece of paper. It’s that simple.
If you don’t have the Sizzix pads you build your embossing sandwich like this: cutting platform (use all the layers), a sheet or two of paper to act as a shim, one cutting plate, your paper, the stencil and the other cutting plate. Run your stack through your machine and you have an embossed piece of paper. The only difference is that your paper isn’t as deeply embossed.
And now the fun begins. You can leave your embossed paper as is or you can add color. I, of course, added color. Specifically, the new Peacock Feather Distress Ink from the Spring Season Distress Collection.
I like to tape my stencil to my paper when adding ink – keeps it from moving around while I use the blending tool. Here’s what it looks like when you take the stencil away. Gorgeous, right?
For even more color and a tone-on-tone effect, go in again with your blending tool.
It is that easy. You can use any 6×6 (or smaller) stencil or mask with any paper you have. I like to use watercolor paper because I use paints, inks and sprays with my stencils but this works just as well with cardstock, patterned paper and Coredinations cardstock.
I used this technique to make this page…
…and the title block on this page.
Finally, I must give credit where it is due. I first saw this technique in a video by Paula Philips, aka Journal Artista. She’s a Canadian art journaler and mixed media artist. Check out her website: www.iamjournalartista.com
The possibilities are endless so give it a try and show us your take on this fun technique. Just post your project to The Paperie Community Page on Facebook. Don’t forget that the Mojo Monday Challenge posted this week is a two-weeker, so hopefully you feel inspired by the projects that Krista and I made with the May Club Kit – we’d love to see some scraplifting!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cathie
Ps: Have you heard? I’ve got a blog where I make things and share tips and take on way too big projects like Week in the Life and LayOut A Day. Come visit me at www.cathiereed.blogspot.com
