Japanese Musicians - Dry Embossing, Part 2

Hello Everyone,


Karen McAlpine from Dreaming and Creating visiting with you at the Blockheads Design Blog. And, as promised, today I will share part two of “Adding Texture with Embossing Folders”. I will go through the steps to show you how to use embossing folders with Spellbinders dies. Here is the project we will make.


Here is a list of materials needed to complete this project:


Stamp: Blockheads Art Stamps - Japanese Musicians
Cuttlebug Embossing Folders: Polka Dot CB57-207 and Textile Texture 37-1153
Spellbinders Nestabilities: Scalloped Circles Small S4-250
Ranger Distress Ink: Vintage Photo and Tattered Rose
Beige, Medium Brown, and Black Cardstock
Light Peach Paper or Cardstock
Dye Inks: Medium Brown and Medium Green
Pearl Stickers
Black Lace

Start by inking the Bamboo Tree stamp with green ink. Come back with a small brown ink pad and apply to stems. Stamp on light peach paper.

Your image will look like this.

Stamp the Border stamp on right side of this piece. Make a card with medium brown CS Trim the stamped piece and add to card. Cut strips of varying width from black, brown, and Beige CS. Add to card front.

With the Spellbinders Die, cut a Beige and one Black circle with the Spellbinders die.

Dry Emboss both circles with the Embossing Folders.

Stamp The Bamboo leaf stamp on green CS and cut out by hand. Cut the black circle in half. Stack the dry embossed Circles and stamped circle and layer onto card.

I decided the card needed more black on the left side and added a thin strip of black CS. Now, lightly distress the Bamboo Tree stamped area with Tattered Rose ink. Go over the entire card front with Vintage Photo ink. This warms up all the papers and makes the dry embossing pop.

Now just add the embellishments. I used pearl stickers and a piece of black lace. And, here is a detail photo of the finished card.

I will be back in two weeks with another interesting technique for you. Hope you will join us. Have a great day and happy stamping!

Karen McAlpine

Adding Texture with Embossing Folders – Part One

Hello Everyone,
Karen McAlpine from Dreaming and Creating here today. I am doing a little bit of Guest Designing here at the Blockheads Design blog. Stacey and I thought you might enjoy some articles showing how to add texture with embossing folders. So, let’s jump right in.

Here is a list of materials needed to complete this project:
Blockheads Japanese Musicians Stamps
Tim Holtz Alterations Texture Fades – Sheet Music
Pigment Ink Pad - Black
Brilliance Ink Pad - Cosmic Copper
Red and Chocolate Brown Cardstock
Clear Embossing Powder

Start by dry embossing one half of a piece of red CS. Slip the CS into the folder half way and leave the other half of the CS sticking out of the folder.

Turn the folder sideways on the plate so that the half of the CS that will remain un-embossed hangs out.

Now, you will have a piece of CS that is embossed on one side. Stamp Japanese Musicians on the right side of the CS with Black Pigment Ink. Heat emboss with Clear Powder.

The next step is to add a little shimmer. You will need an old rag and Cosmic Copper ink.

Pick up some of the ink with the rag and gently rub it onto the dry embossed areas. Don’t press down too hard or you will flatten out the embossing. Add some of the ink around the stamped image too to balance the design.

Trim the red CS to desired size and layer onto a Chocolate Brown card. For Accents, I added some red tulle, gold satin ribbon, and brown pearl stickers.

I will be back in two weeks with Adding Texture with Embossing Folders – Part two. I will show you some ideas for combining Embossing folders with your punches. It will be fun. Hope you will join us. Have a great day and happy stamping!

Karen McAlpine