New Year's Eve

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year.  I hope to get back to somewhat of a normal schedule that includes cardmaking.  Will have some Valentines posted soon.  Thanks for your understanding.

Natalie

Wedding Towels

I can't take credit for this idea, but can't recall the original designer. The "towels" were creating using scrap strips of embossed paper. A piece of silver cardstock and two silver brads were used for the towel bar. It may be necessary to spritz the embossed cardstock strips before folding them over the silver strip, to avoid paper cracking.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PSX
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), silver cardstock (stash)
Ink: PSX Sentiments Moss
Accessories: embossing folder (Petals a Plenty), brads (stash)

My Stache

I was dying to get my hands on this embossing folder ever since I spotted it. To emphasize the mustache design, I inked the raised images on the inside of the folder with an inked brayer. You must be careful when inserting the cardstock in the folder and closing it so that you don't smear the ink. A pigment ink should be used to allow for maximum drying time. The sentiment was computer generated.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: image (Inkdadinkado)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), black cardstock (stash)
Ink: ColorBox Black
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 22, ribbon (stash), ribbon slider (stash), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Mr. Maverick)

Glitter Heart

This embossing folder is an essential tool for creating Valentines. Worn Lipstick Distress Core'dinations cardstock creates a look of lace around the heart, once the paper is carefully sanded.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), pink cardstock (Worn Lipstick Distress Core'dinations)
Accessories: glitter (MS Tournaline), ribbon (stash), embossing folder (Darice Valentine Heart)

Candy Striped

This wide ribbon worked well with the Core`dinations cardstock. For a different twist, I stamped the sentiment on the top of the card on my "faux stocking topper".

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: cream cardstock (stash), red cardstock (Core'dinations)
Ink: Distress Festive Berries
Accessories: border punch (EK), pearls (Kaiser), stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), embossing folder (Sizzix Vintage Wallpaper)

My Christmas Gift to You

This is my favourite card of the eighty I made this year. The elegance of white embossing cannot be understated. I dry embossed one four inch wide piece of cardstock and cut it into four one inch strips. Notches were cut out of the bottom of each strip. A white paper ribbon was made with a border punch. The snowflakes were die cut and stamped with coordinating products from Verve.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Verve), sentiment (Hero Arts)
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Encore Metallic Silver
Accessories: ribbon (stash), border punch (MS), pearls (Kaiser), embossing folder (Scrollworks by Crafts Too)

Medallion Snowflake

In the hopes of getting the look of a snowflake, I used two medallion dies. The intricate detail of the die revealed the white core of the gold cardstock. I touched it up with a marker, but will be sure to use wax paper with my die to get a cleaner cut next time.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: gold cardstock (stash), other cardstocks (Bazzill)
Ink: Memento Rhubarb Stalk
Accessories: pearl brad (Wilton), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Argyle), Spellbinder Ovals Large & Ironworks

Sizzix Snowflake Embossing Folder

This folder is the perfect backdrop for winter themed cards. I appreciate the varying sizes of the snowflakes and the non-linear pattern.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: SU
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (Memory Box Winterberry)
Ink: Staz On Timber
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Polar White Flower Soft, Spellbinder Matting Basics A, embossing folder (Sizzix Snowflakes) 

A Dry Embossed Panel

To create more interest, I dry embossed a rectangle behind my die cut window. I attached my rectangle Spellbinder die upside down on my grey cardstock and fed the paper through the Big Shot to dry emboss, skipping the die cutting stage. The stamped image was placed under the window die cut and traced, so that I could cut it down to the size to fit.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: image (Hampton Arts), sentiment (PTI)
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), grey cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: window die (Memory Box), Spellbinder Rectangles & Long Rectangles Small & Matting Basics A, ribbon (stash), acrylic snowflakes (Dollarama), Copics

Partial Tree

The size of some images within an embossing folder image can be limited on a standard sized card. I created more space for my sentiment by having my hand cut tree "peek out" behind a patterned border.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: red cardstock (Bazzill), green cardstock (Distress Core'dinations), patterned (BG Figgy)
Accessories: label (Making Memories), ribbon (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Lace Tree)

Distress Core'dinations

The Cuttlebug Christmas Wreath folder marries well with Distress Core'dinations. Sanding exposes a second colour of green, making the wreath more realistic. It had to be hand cut. The Distress Core'dinations coordinates with the Distress Inks, so papers and inks can be used together.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: green cardstock (Distress Core'dinations), patterned (Basic Grey Figgy)
Accessories: embossing folder (Cuttlebug Christmas Wreath), ribbon (stash), poinsettia embellishments (K & Co.)

3 Trees

Grace's Frame embossing folder by Cuttlebug is also a very versatile tool; it can be filled with either stamped images or sentiments.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: ColorBox Evergreen
Accessories: rhinestones (Kaiser), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Grace's Frame)

Willow Tree

This is another new folder with endless possiblities. The tree can be embellished for any occasion. I used the Kraft Core'dinations to keep the background green and expose the kraft coloured tree.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: kraft cardstock (Bazzill), blue cardstock (Core'dinations Kraft)
Ink: ColorBox 
Accessories: ribbon (WeR), circle punch (EK), Spellbinder Scalloped Circle die, buttons & twine (stash), embossing folder (Crafts Too Leafy Tree)

Roses

This new embossing folder by Cart-us is my favourite, not only because of the beautiful design, but because of the non-linear pattern. Linear patterns require straight cutting, otherwise the design looks crooked.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: All Night Media
Papers: green & pink cardstocks (Bazzill), off white & pink cardstock (Core'dinations Whitewash)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 22 & Circles Small, Memory Box leaves die, ribbon (stash), roses (I Am Roses), pink Glimmer Mist, embossing folder (Cart-us Roses)

Decorative Labels 1

By using a Labels One die with a Decorative Labels 1 die, I was able to cut a lacey frame in one step. The white provides a good contrast for the different green in the Core'dinations cardstock. The core of the paper was further exposed by distressing the edges of the embossed piece of paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Core'dinations)
Ink: PSX Sentiments Foliage
Accessories: embossing folder (Cuttlebug Holly), Spellbinder Decorative Labels 1 & Labels 1, ribbon (stash)

Tree Building

I first dry embossed the patterned paper. Then I dry embossed individual pieces of colored cardstock. It was easy to adhere the pieces to the tree, since they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), blue & green cardstock (Bazzill scraps), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: embossing folder (Quickutz Tree), star (stash), photo corners (stash)

Diamonds

Rhinestones come in all shapes and sizes. These were given to me. A circle die cut in the embossed paper makes the perfect base for an ornament.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PTI
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red & green cardstocks (Bazill)
Ink: Distress Peeled Paint
Accessories: Spellbinder Circles, embossing folder (Sizzix Woodgrain), ribbon (BoBunny), rhinestones (Recollections & Kaiser)

Tree Trimming

I trimmed this tree in silver using the coordinating Dee's tree dies.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: background (SU), sentiment (PTI)
Papers: silver (stash), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill)
Inks: Encore Metallic Silver, ColorBox Chalk Deep Green
Accessories: embossing folder (Quickutz Phrases), tree dies (Dee's), tag die (Quickutz), embroidery thread (stash)

A Drift

I cut a "slope" out of embossed paper by tracing the top of a plate, shifting it and tracing the bottom of the same plate. Directions from Lynn B.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PTI
Paper: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), ribbon (stash), rhinestones (Zsa), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Textile Texture)

Hang a Tag

Rather than cutting a "hanging ribbon", I used most of a Spellbinder Fancy Tag die cut to support my sentiment.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Verve
Papers: white carstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (DCWV)
Ink: ColorBox Cranberry
Accessories: Spellbinder Fancy Tags & Petite Ovals Large, metal frame (WeR), ribbon (Fabricland), scalloped border die (PTI), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Argyle) 

Look Out the Window!

The "Bricked" embossing folder by Sizzix perfectly support the window die from Memory Box. To enhance the detail in the bricks, I applied Silver Glimmer Mist, blotting the excess on the bricks and allowing the remainder to sit as "mortar". The "panes of glass" are automatically cut out when the window die is used and an image must be stamped on a piece of paper to be placed between the dies and the embossed paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: yellow (scrap), white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), brown cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: ColorBox Evergreen, Distress Black Soot
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A, embossing folder (Sizzix Bricked), reindeer die (Sizzix), rhinestone (Kaiser), ribbon (stash), Silver Glimmer Mist, window die (Memory Box)

A Corner Bow

I dry embossed one of three layers of this Christmas tree to give the design texture. Because of the difficulty in positioning the ribbon on the corner of the card while tying a bow, I used one piece of ribbon for the diagonal and tied a bow separately, to be adhered on top of the first piece of ribbon afterwards.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: PTI
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), patterned (Basic Grey Figgy)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: Spellbinder Pennants & Lacey Pennants  Matting Basics A, ribbon (stash), snowflake punch (EK), rhinestone (Kaiser), label punch (SU)

Dress It Up

To make this embossed paper a little fancier, I highlighted the raised areas with Stickles.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Hero Arts
Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), red cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Versafine Onyx
Accessories: embossing folder (Cuttlebug Swirl), Spellbinder Matting Basics A & Ovals Large, Stickles, ribbon (stash), Copics

The Perfect Companion

for embossing folders is Core'dinations cardstock. It comes in various packages, including Whitewash (used here), Kraft, Distress and original. Once dry embossed, this carstock can be gently sanded to reveal the core colour of the paper.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkdadinkado
Papers: kraft cardstock (Bazzill), off white cardstock (Core'dinations Whitewash), patterned paper (K & Co.)
Ink: Staz On Timber, Distress Antique Linen
Accessories: embossing folder (Sizzix Sheet Music), jute (stash), bell (stash)

Peace on Earth

This card and the next two dozen cards that follow will incorporate various ways to use embossing folders and new dies. I believe that these are the two most popular product lines at this time. I cut a strip of a piece of embossed paper for one element of this card design.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Verve

Papers: Wassail cardstock (Memory Box), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Memory Box Mistletoe), pearlized carstock (scrap)

Ink: Staz On Timber (solvent ink required for pearlescent cardstock)

Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A & Labels 18 & Ovals Small, border die (PTI), embossing folder (Cuttlebug Victoria), snowflake punch (MS from Linda G.), pearl brad (Wilton)

Pere Novel

To add texture and dimension to this card, I curled back one corner. The paper can be curled by rolling it with the end of a thin paint brush.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), green cardstock (Bazzill Bling), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Cranberry
Accessories: Spellbinder Matting Basics A & Rectangles

Jolly

This Bingo Card by Jenni Bowlin serves both as a title and an embellishment.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Stamp: Inkadinkado
Papers: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), green cardstock (Bazzill Bling), patterned (K & Co.)
Ink: ColorBox Cranberry
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), bingo card (Jenni Bowlin)

When There`s a Bargain to be Had...

I take advantage of prefabricated embellishments. This cardinal was one piece of many gorgeous ones which came in the same package.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: green cardstock (Bazzill Bling), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: ribbon (Fabricland), cardinal (K & Co.)

Embossed Shapes

By dry embossing a triangular shaped piece of paper with an embossing folder, I was able to create texture for one Christmas tree. Die cutting the triangle first allowed me to position the cardstock in the folder to get the pattern where I wanted it.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Paper: off white cardstock (scrap), red cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Nested Pennants & Lacey Nested Pennants, border punch (EK), Spellbinder Matting Basics A, embossing folder (SUéSizzix Petals a Plenty) 

Dee's Distinctively Dies

This tree die is from a new product line. There are a few different shapes, including a Christmas tree, a Christmas stocking and a Christmas bell, for which there is a base die and coordinating, detailed dies. I look forward to purchasing more dies made by this company. They were easy to work with and produced excellent results. I would, however, choose a background paper of a different pattern; I find the polka dots distracting from the pearls.

Natalie

Card Recipe
Papers: off white cardstock (Core'dinations Ice Cream), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (K & Co.)
Accessories: tree dies (Dee's Distinctively), ribbon (stash), pearls (Kaiser), Spellbinder Matting Basics A