Embossing Powder Techniques #4

Embossing Powder Colours

I probably should have started this series with these two cards, because they show the easiest way to use embossing powder and introduce the basic products for heat embossing.

Coloured Opaque Embossing Powder

Because heat embossed images are glossy, I usually use the technique on more contemporary cards. Unfortunately, this photo doesn't show how glossy the black embossed image is.

I stamped the background flowers on paper with water-based ink and let it dry. Then, I swiped the surface with an Embossing Buddy. It's a little bag with powder (I think it's zinc) that keeps the embossing powder from sticking to the surface.

Next, I stamped the flowers with a VersaMark pad. It's a clear sticky medium that holds the embossing powder really well. I poured Black embossing powder over the image and shook off the excess. Lastly, I used a heat tool to melt the powder.

Supplies
Stamps
-Upsy Daisy 111710 IBC p. 112
-Heard from the Heart 111644 IBC p. 156
Ink IBC pp. 165-169
-Melon Mambo pad
-Basic Black pad
-VersaMark pad 102283 IBC p. 195
Paper IBC pp. 165-170
-Regal Rose card stock
-Melon Mambo card stock
-Regal Rose DSP
Tools
-Heat Tool 100005 IBC p. 196
-Embossing Buddy 103083 IBC p. 196
Accessories
-Black embossing powder 109133 IBC p. 196
-Black 1/4 in. ribbon 109027 IBC p. 191
-Basic Rhinestones 119246 IBC p. 188

Custom Coloured Embossing Powder

Stampin' Up! Craft Pigment ink comes in 40 colours. It's a VERY slow-drying opague ink with the ability to hold embossing powder so you can customize your heat embossing to match our Designer Papers and Card Stock.

To prepare your card stock for heat embossing swipe it with an Embossing Buddy.

I stamped the flowers with Craft inks, then covered the mat with Clear embossing powder. Shake off the excess powder and melt the powder with a heat tool.

Again, the glossy appearance of the images isn't visible in this photograph.

Supplies
Stamps
-Fifth Avenue Floral 113734 IBC p. 122
Ink IBC pp. 165-169
-Bashful Blue Craft ink
-Certainly Celery Craft ink
-Chocolate Chip Craft ink
-Chocolate Chip pad
Paper IBC pp. 165-169
-Bashful Blue card stock
-Very Vanilla card stock
-Chocolate Chip card stock
Tools
-Heat Tool 100005 IBC p. 196
-Embossing Buddy 103083 IBC p. 196
Accessories
-Clear embossing powder 109130 IBC p. 196
-Hodgepodge Hardware ribbon slide 112454 IBC p. 188
-Early Espresso 1/4 in. ribbon 120931 IBC p. 191

Shop Now!

Embossing Powder Techniques #3

Mosaic

Embossing powder can be used as "grout" to imitate tile or tesserae on paper crafts.

The bubbles on the page are Vellum card stock. I just can't stop finding uses for vellum!

I adhered Sticky Page to a white card stock mat and arranged squares of card stock for tiles. Cover with White embossing powder and shake off the excess powder. Only the powder between the squares will remain. Melt the powder with a heat tool.

Next, I stamped on some of the squares and applied a VersaMark pad to the surface. Cover with Clear embossing powder, shake off the excess and melt the powder.

Supplies

Stamps

-Circle Circus115778 IBC p. 136

Ink IBC pp. 165-169

-Marina Mist

Paper IBC pp. 165-170

-Bashful Blue card stock

-Marina Mist card stock

-Whisper White card stock

-Vellum card stock

Tools

-heat tool 100005 IBC p. 196

-1 in. circle punch 119868 IBC p. 203

-1 1/4 in. circle punch 119861 IBC p. 203

-1 3/4 in. circle punch 119850 IBC p. 203

Accessories

-Sticky Page 114300 IBC p. 205

-White embossing powder 109132 IBC p. 196

-Clear embossing powder 109130 IBC p. 196

-VersaMark pad 102283 IBC p. 195

Shop Now!

For this card I stamped and coloured white card stock with images that reminded me of blue and white china and cut them into shards.

Adhere Sticky Page to a white card stock mat and arrange the shards on the top sticky side. Add white embossing powder, shake off the excess and melt the powder between the tesserae with a heat tool. Let cool.

Apply VersaMark pad to the entire design and cover with clear embossing powder, shake off the excess and melt with heat tool.

Supplies

Stamps

-Elements of Style 118611 IBC p. 133

-Bella Toile 111598 IBC p. 142

-Elizabeth 117120 IBC p. 18

-Vintage Vogue 117690 IBC p. 126

-Charming 116519 IBC p. 130

-Perfect Punches 117022 IBC p. 131

Ink IBC pp. 165-169

-Not Quite Navy

-Pacific Point

-Marina Mist

-Baja Breeze

-Bashful Blue

Paper IBC pp. 165-170

-Marina Mist card stock

-Pacific Point card stock

-Bashful Blue card stock and DSP

-Whisper White card stock

Tools

-heat tool 100005 IBC p. 196

-Oval punch 119855 IBC p. 202

-Scallop Oval punch 119856 IBC p. 201

-Blender Pen 102845 IBC p. 195

Accessories

-Sticky Page 114300 IBC p. 205

-White embossing powder 109132 IBC p. 196

-Clear embossing powder 109130 IBC p. 196

-VersaMark pad 102283 IBC p. 195

-Organza ribbon 114319 IBC p. 190

Shop Now!

Embossing Powder Techniques #2

Faux Metal

To make the faux metal embellishments on the following projects, I covered a scrap of card stock with a VersaMark pad and added metallic embossing powder. Melt the embossing powder with a heat tool and let cool slightly before repeating the layers of Versamark and embossing powder twice more.

After heating the last time, press a stamp into the soft EP and hold until cooled. Remove from the stamp and use a punch to cut out the desired shape.

Inked Faux Reptile

To create a natural looking faux reptile effect on this gift card, I used sponge daubers with River Rock and Soft Suede inks on Crumb Cake card stock before applying a VersaMark pad to the surface. Pour on clear embossing powder and shake off the excess. Use a bone folder to draw uneven lines and melt with a heat tool.

Use the faux metal technique described above to make the designer label.

Supplies

Stamps

-Perfect Punches 117022 IBC p. 131

Ink IBC pp. 165-169

-River Rock

-Soft Suede

-VersaMark pad 102283 IBC p. 195

Paper IBC pp. 165-170

-Crumb Cake card stock

-Brushed Gold card stock

Tools

-Bone Folder 102300 IBC p. 198

-Modern Label punch 119849 IBC p. 203

-1 3/8 in. Circle punch 119860 IBC p. 203

-Sponge Daubers 102892 IBC p. 195

-Heat Tool 100005 IBC p. 196

Accessories

-Clear embossing powder 109130 IBC p. 196

-Gold embossing powder 109129 IBC p. 196

Shop Now!

I used UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) instead of regular embossing powder for a really bumpy faux reptile texture on this purse shaped card.

Use the faux metal technique for the clasp and punched circles of  magnetic vinyl to hold it closed.

Supplies

Stamps

-Charming 116519 IBC p. 130

Ink

-VersaMark pad 102283 IBC p. 195

Paper IBC pp. 165-170

-Real Red card stock

-Brushed Silver card stock

Tools

-Bone Folder 102300 IBC p. 198

-Heat Tool 100005 IBC p. p.196

-1 1/4 in. Circle punch 119861 IBC p. 203

-Big Shot 113439 IBC p. 204

-Top Note Bigz die 113463 IBC p. 207

Accessories

-UTEE

-Silver elastic cord

-Silver embossing powder 109131 IBC p. 196

Shop Now!