I am back today with more ways to express your creativity this holiday season! While all the stamps and dies get most of the attention in a new catalog, often flying under the radar are the Specialty Papers, in this case, the foils, felt and velvet! I wanted to focus on different ideas using these special papers as a way to step up an otherwise simple design. Embossing folders were a big help in showcasing these special papers and that really made a difference! Here are some examples:
The first card I made ended up being a favorite! It is based on the red foil paper and the Magnolia 3D embossing folder. I thought the magnolia blossom could possibly be taken for a poinsettia bloom and was really happy with this! I used one of the dove stamps as well as a branch die from the "Dove of Hope" bundle and my sentiment is from "Itty Bitty Christmas". To make this even more classy, I heat embossed the dove stamp with gold embossing powder.
Another specialty paper in the 2020 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog is red velvet! I was curious if it would emboss well and it did! I used the Parisian Flourish 3D embossing folder and was so pleased that it didn't cut through the paper, just embossed. I've been using my "Tasteful Labels" dies for many of my sentiment pieces since early June and this is no exception. The stamp is a bright and bold sentiment from the "Tag Buffet" set.
There are several new foil papers featured on this card! We have a new green foil that is closest in color to Shaded Spruce. We also have three different brushed metallic shades that are debuted with the "Gilded Autumn" suite but I've used them here for my globe and stand from the "Beautiful World" dies. The "Peace on Earth" sentiment is from the "Dove of Hope" set. I embossed the green foil with the Evergreen Forest 3D folder which was almost a little too much for the paper to handle but it worked okay. Sometimes heavy duty embossing can actually "tear" thru a paper and make little cuts where the embossing creases are. I handled it carefully and adhered it to my card right away!
Here are a couple more examples of red foil paper which I've embossed and also some green foil below. The non 3D folders emboss the foil paper really well! I stuck with "Tag Buffet" for my sentiments in both of these cards.
I also wanted to show you an example of how easily the foil papers die cut. Here I used the green foil paper with a die from the "Itty Bitty Christmas" bundle. It cut like a breeze and is such an attractive feature to a card.
How many of you remember the flocked Christmas trees that were popular in the 70's? I know we had a few at my house and they certainly added a festive touch to the lights and ornaments. The mini catalog has some flocked paper that will really intrigue you! It's a velum base with white flocking in three different patterns, a poinsettia, an evergreen and overall scroll design. I cut a piece for my background with this card and attached it with glue dots and then continued on my way with the "Peaceful Boughs" dies and the "For Unto Us" stamp set. This is a card you can't resist touching!
Last, I wanted to show you the felt! We have felt sheets in four different colors, Real Red, Just Jade, Early Espresso and White. I used the stitched triangle dies on some red felt for my corners of this card. You can actually see the stitching marks in the edges, which I was really happy with!. It's so fun to try different things and see what works.
I'll admit that sometimes you have to hunt in a new catalog for some of these specialty papers but it's worth the search. A specialty paper can add dimension, texture and color to your card in a new way that steps it up from the ordinary. I've listed the specialty papers I featured today as well as many of the stamps and bundles in my list below so be sure to check them out in the online store by clicking on any one of them for more information or to start an order. Please reach out if you have any questions or need help.
We are winding down summer so it's a great time to start some holiday stamping projects! There are loads of ideas on the Stampin'Up! website as well as in my blog and on Pinterest. Take some moments to check them out and let the visions inspire you!
Have a great weekend and keep on stampin'!
Sarah
Great looking cards Sarah!
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