Double Embossed!!

Double trouble, not with this technique. I love embossing with my masks, the texture, the dimension and the array of effects you can create. But I always thought it was a once type of technique, I have heat embossed on top of embossing, but never embossed embossing. Well until now!! Having seen the stunning effects a lady got at a workshop when she re-embossed her card because she was not happy with it, I knew it had potential as a planned technique! So when I got my inky mitts on the new snowflake frame, I knew this was the mask to play with! Now in order to create the full effect with this one I did need to use my Grand Calibur, and all I did was emboss the mask on the middle of a piece of stamp and colour paper, I then rotated the mask, so it lined up with the embossing to create a full wreath effect, and embossed it again. At this point the first embossing can look a little flat, but don't panic, ink it (my motto in life, if in doubt ink it!!) Then watch the depth appear, it really appears that the second embossing is in front of the first, I love it!! When happy with the inking I brushed a bit of mica on to add something extra, stamped and die cut a Christmas stamp, matt and layered it all and, there you go!! Simple!!

I am also pleased to give you some dates for your diary (so you can avoid me if you want!!) I have Create and Craft shows on 6th July, 12th July and.......drum roll please.... Paper Clinic 16th July!!

Ok folks happy crafting

Ali xx

What do you do when you don't have what you want?

Well make it yourself off course...
I was making card samples for my show on Create and Craft and I wanted a fancy doily to matt my embossed design on to but I had a problem (one of many I hear you shout!) I didn't have a doily. So while out walking the dogs I was pondering
this quandary and thought "doilies are die cut tissue, so if u could die cut tissue I could make my own". As I had plenty of kitchen towel (being a messy crafter one needs plenty around) I thought I would give it a go. So when back from walking the dogs I grabbed my edge dies and cut myself a fancy kitchen towel. But it still looked like kitchen towel, so I inked it with distress ink, while it was still damp sprinkled on embossing powder, heat set, brushed on some mica, hear set again and voila I had my fancy doily! And I could finish my sample. Below is the one I made on air but I live these colours more, my beautiful gathered twigs distress ink. So apologies that it is a Christmas card but had to share the technique!!

Happy crafting

Ali xxx

Busy Busy

Well it is going to be a busy few weeks, we have soo many exciting products being developed it is great. We have new stamp designs and masks, I don't know where to start. But I can say I have beautiful natural stamps on Create and Craft this Friday and new transport stamps on 28th June!! So watch this space!
Right back to current things, as you know I love to experiment with my masks and see what effects you can create with them. And I have to say I do love the vintage look you can get by combining inking and embossing with a smidge if mica! Simply ink up your mask with a pale distress ink (antique linen works a treat), then emboss it into some card, so the ink is lifted off the mask. Now select a slightly darker distress ink, but not too dark (pumice stone or similar)! And ink the design working the ink well in, then move to a slightly darker colour, I like Spanish olive, and build up some of that, then finally end with a good dark colour such as walnut stain, just enough to highlight the embossing. While the ink is still damp, dust with a lovely mica powder, and watch the design just pop. You will never know it started a plain white card.

Happy Crafting

Ali