Heat Embossing Tutorial

Nothing says "Christmas" like some lovely gold or silver embossing, am I right?  In case you are new to stamping, or have been wondering how to do it, here is an illustrated* tutorial for your edification and enjoyment!

You will need:
Embossing Buddy
Powder Pal or scrap cardstock
Versamark
Embossing powder
Heat Gun
Small Paint Brush
Stamps and Paper, naturally!

Step one:

Swipe your cardstock with the Embossing Buddy - this will minimise, if not eliminate stray embossing powder going where you don't want it to.  Your fingers leave small traces of oil etc on the cardstock, which attracts the embossing powder.  So believe me, it DOES make a difference.




Step two:

Ink up your stamp in Versamark and stamp your image.  Versamark is a clear "sticky" ink which can be used alone to create a gorgeous watermark effect, or for heat embossing as we are about to see, due to its slow drying nature.  Normal Classic dye ink is totally unsuitable here as it will dry almost instantly.



Step three:

Sprinkle embossing powder of your choice over the Versamark.   Now you see why you need the scrap cardstock or Powder Pal - you tap the excess powder back into the container (this can be messy).  Use the paintbrush for any stray bits of powder that are stuck in the wrong spot.


Step four:

Melt the powder with a heat gun.  Yes, you CAN use a toaster; but I don't recommend it as people have burned down their kitchens that way!  Do NOT try to use a hairdrier instead - it isn't hot enough and will just blow the powder off.  I've also heard of people trying to use an industrial heat gun - it is too hot and will scorch the paper.  Use a craft heat gun, people, please.  This is not the type of thing you want to mess with.

Keep the heat gun on the powder until you see it change - looks magical!  Don't overheat it, or the image will look flat instead of raised.  You can also scorch the paper if you hold it too close or for too long.  This is something you need to practice, as your heat gun might be slightly hotter than mine, for example.


Step five:

Once you have melted the powder - admire your work.  Impressive, no?

Stampin' up!  sells all of the products listed above.  Just in case you wondered.

*my computer is too slow to load my pictures as someone (looking at my husband with intense glare) has exceeded our monthly downloads.  I'll have to edit and post the pictures on the 1st December.  Sigh.

More Christmas Cards

Whoops, it took me a little longer than I'd hoped to get back to my blog - what can I say?  the Silly Season has started early this year!  I have been stampin' up a storm though, so I have lots to show you (it has taken ages to upload and edit the photos, I think my puter is starting to get a little difficult in her advanced age).  I'm pretty sure I haven't uploaded these yet, anyway!  None of them have the traditional green and red colour scheme (I must be subconsciously rebelling?).

Stamps:  Delightfully Decorative
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise, Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Other:  Ornament Punch, Dimensionals, Linen thread

Stamps:  Delightful Decorations
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Other:  basic rhinestones, ornament punch, linen thread, dimensionals

This was a design I CASEd from Paula Funston, I think I saw it on SCS?
Stamps:  Hello Again, Winter Post, Short & Sweet
Ink:  Bashful Blue, Real Red
Paper:  Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Other:  Trio of Hearts Punch, Crimper, Dimensionals, stapler, scallop edge punch  

Also - this weeks' class is about making Christmas presents, which I need to do with only a few weeks left of school !  Come along and make some gifts for teachers, neighbours, etc.

Summer Mini Launch!

Clear your calendar and save the date for our Summer Mini Launch, Friday December 3, 2010.  Cost $30.

Virginia Golf Club, Elliott St,  Banyo.

Here is the flyer with added details:

I hope you can make it!

Crazy week - you know what it's like?

I've had a crazy week which isn't that unusual really! I've had gastro, my husband was away for work, I had a class and I had a stall at a friend's Christmas market. Throw in a year 5 band concert, a fencing competition and an under 8's rugby breakup and you'll see why I haven't posted much lately!

Tomorrow I will be child-free so intend to upload and edit, so you will have to be a little patient with me please!

I have to share a funny with you - I was in a flap on Saturday morning, trying to mass-produce some Christmas cards to sell at the market which I was doing at the last minute. My darling husband tried to help by suggesting that I just stamp Santa hats on some birthday cards I already had. Made me laugh, bless his heart! He just doesn't get it!