The Heat is On...Let's Emboss!

Summer is heating up all over and its a great time to start experimenting with embossing powders and our stamps. I've found some great websites that will help you to not only enjoy your stamps more, but also create some gorgeous cards, bookmarks, boxes and other projects.

For the fundamentals of embossing you can't beat Redstick's RubberStamp & PaperArts Page. This site will take you through the basics and beyond in clear detailed instructions that are easy to follow. The url is http://www.intersurf.com/~redstic/R101/E...

In a variety of sites I found some fun experiments suggested for embossing. One was to try mixing your embossing powders. Suggestions included using 1/2 orange and 1/2 black for Halloween, 1/2 green and 1/2 red for Christmas, 1/2 blue and 1/2 green for water or 1/2 green and 1/2 brown for earthy tones. Use a tiny scoop or spoon, such as those given out at ice cream stores for samples, (darn, I have to go to Baskin Robbins!). Start small and test your mix before making a big commitment of powders. Add glitter or white powder for extra sparkle. When you hit on a combo you like use a clear embossing powder on a 1 inch square piece of paper and emboss one side with the color you've created. On the back write your "recipe". Then tape this paper onto an empty 35mm film container and you have your specialty powder ready for the next time you need it!

Some tips for troubleshooting with embossing powder. Embossing powder is very sensitive to static, causing it to cling where you don't need it. There are several ways to combat this problem. Static Magic and Embossing Magic are just a few of the commercial names for a small packet of powder you can rub over your stamping surface before stamping and embossing to insure the embossing powder will cling only to the stamped image and not to the other surfaces of your card. Suggested alternatives include fabric softner sheets, drafting bags, (found in art supply stores) and coffee filters. Check out these tips and more at http://www.sentiments.com/

Investing in an embossing gun is a great idea because the tool will heat your project evenly and you don't need to worry about burning your fingers. Twisted Stamper, an expert on stamping who frequents several internet sites, gives this tip as well. Invest in a small clipboard, (although not one from a dollar store!) and cover it with foil. Clip your card to the board and the foil will act as a heat retaining source and speed up the embossing process.

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