Embossing ?

[Limmer]

For all you embossing ladies out there, here is a question. I have a shape I want to wet emboss and I can't find the right stamp but I have a punch that gives me what I want. Can I emboss (embossing powder, heat gun etc) with just the punch? Maybe punch in stencil material? How do I get the versamark stuff onto my page? As you can tell from my highly technical terminology that I am new to embossing. Actually so new that I have not even tried it yet but I will if I can get my idea to work. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[piratesmate]

Funny you should ask! I just saw an episode of the Scrapping show on the DIY network that talked about this.

They made their own stamps by using the punch with a foam insole (like Dr Sholl's) instead of paper. She was using a balloon shape from Sizzix. After you get the shape, peel off the back & stick to a clear stamping block. You could use anything, but that's what she used. I've never seen them, but WOW! Much better than the wooden things I have as you can see right through them to position the stamp properly.

If you're afraid you'll get Versamark on the edges of whatever you stuck the shape onto & thus on your page, you can cut extras & layer them to make the shape stand off the base better.

If you have a punch that won't hold the foam insoles....you could also punch the shape, emboss that & then stick the embossed shape to your page. I have a pair of medical tweezers (not eyebrow type) that I use to hold the paper. (I've also used it to remove wrong stitches from my counted cross stitch.) You can rub the Versamark on the punched shape, pour on the powder & heat while holding with the tweezers. Then fill in the spot where the tweezers were with your embossing pen if you have one, or just repeat the process on the part that got missed.

You could also just punch stencil material, lay the stencil on your page & use the pen to color in the shape.

If you don't have a pen, think about getting one. They're great for filling it messed up spots as well as freehand stuff. Do you have a 000 paintbrush? That's what I use to brush off excess powder that's hanging off the edge of my shape.

Oh - another idea I just read but can't use myself. To cut down on the static & therefore excess powder on your paper, wipe the paper with a dryer sheet before you start. It sounds like it would work, but I'm allergic to the scent in the dumb things.

Good luck & let us know how you make out!

 

[Limmer]

Thanks so much. I decided on the stencil material and bought that and some embossing powder this pm. I am going to a late night scrap this Fri and I will get to try this embossing thing. I wanted to wait to try it here before I invest in the gun and stamp pads etc. I have purchased too many things and then decide I don't like them; the Fiskars shape cutter for one. I bought several templates and the cutter and I just can't get the darn thing to work smoothly. Now with my Sizzix I don't have to bother.
Hopefully I will get all my swap stuff done Fri as well! Maybe embossed swap stuff if I like it enough!

 

[piratesmate]

I'd done embossing a couple years ago, but for very limited things. I framed a stamp for DD & did a few cards, but that was about it. I'm really getting into it now, though. I'm using it to do my embellished squares for the swap.

The ScrapJazz site has a page on various techniques you can use with embossing. You might want to check it out if you find that you enjoy it! http://www.scrapjazz.com/topics/Techniques/

Have fun at your scrap! I haven't found one yet, but I'm determined to find one & attend. DDIL & I had our own mini one last weekend, but I have no cutting tools of my own & she was using hers most of the time. I guess that's something I'll have to ask for in June for my birthday.