I'm so glad we are off and running with the new 2020 Aug-Dec Mini Catalog! I've been playing with a lot of these products and have had to keep a lid on my enthusiasm for a few weeks now. It's no fun for you if I go on and on about something I'm excited about and then have to say, oh, sorry, you can't purchase all this fun stuff yet. That seems kinda mean, right?! One thing my parents always drilled into me was "don't be mean" !
So anyway, who's ready for some fun? I'm calling this a "tool and technique" post because I use a fabulous new tool with four different techniques! The tool is the new Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder and the techniques are inking techniques, all kinds. Let me show you! By the way, at the end of the post, there's a Youtube video demonstrating how I did the inking. It will help you see for yourself how easy it is!
The first thing I did was emboss 3 different pieces of Very Vanilla card stock and one piece of watercolor paper for my background layers. The Evergreen Forest 3D folder is amazing as it gives you a more sculpted look than a normal embossing folder.
My first card features Just Jade ink sponged on the embossed background with a foam brayer. I love this technique as you can use a heavy or a light hand and get more or less color, your choice! The bells are die cuts from the "Cherish the Season" bundle and the sentiment is from the "Banner Year" stamp set.
My second card might be my favorite, though it's very hard to decide. This one has the most dimension to it, making the paper look almost like an expensive parchment. I inked up the raised side of the embossing folder with Shaded Spruce ink BEFORE I embossed the Very Vanilla card stock. I love the definition and detail this technique created! The rest of the card features the "Wishes and Wonder" bundle.
For this card, I actually embossed some watercolor paper. This is tricky as you have to fiddle with your layering before you emboss. I discovered the "blue" plate was too thick, one clear plate was too thin, so I used one clear plate and some paper shims to finally get a good layer. The watercolor paper is so thick, but the embossing still showed through. To color these trees, I used my water painter and some Mint Macaron ink. I actually embossed a 4" x 6" piece of watercolor paper and then when I was done with my inking, I cut the piece in half and layered them on top of each other. It's just a way to feature more of your artistic efforts on a standard A2 card size. After the ink/water dried, I used some Wink of Stella to make the trees shimmer and shine a bit. The sentiment and other features are from the "Toile Christmas" bundle, a set featured in the Annual Catalog.
For my final card, I used a dauber to sponge, top to bottom, Pear Pizzaz, Old Olive and Mossy Meadow ink on the trees. You can get some detail by using the side edge of the dauber rather than the whole flat surface. Now that I look at it, I think this might be my favorite! Ugh... nice problem to have, right?
Here's a quick video demonstrating the inking techniques so you can try them for yourself.
This is almost a no brainer purchase. Get the embossing folder and then combine it with some of your favorite inking techniques and Christmas bundles. If you are new to stamping, then pick one or two of the bundles I used and go for it! I'd love to help you if you have any questions. For me, the best part of stamping is the "ah ha" moments you have when you try something new and then LOVE it! What are you waiting for? Jump in! A list of the products I used is at the end of the post for your shopping convenience. A click on any one of them takes you to the new online store, upgraded and enhanced for an even better customer experience!
Thanks for stopping by and seeing what I'm up to! I love sharing my excitement and you are good listeners!
Happy Stampin'!
Sarah
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