Cut ’em up, baby!

Hi all,

I have to tell you that I am pretty excited about this tutorial…I actually demonstrated this technique this weekend to all the demonstrators who attended the MIlwaukee Regional and they seemed to LOVE it so I hope you will too!  So here we go:

First of all, you are going to need to buy an extra Polka Dot and Finial Press Embossing Folder…trust me!!

Second, get out your craft and rubber scissors because we are going to cut up that second folder of each!

In fairness, I got the idea to do this from a fellow demonstrator, Sandi, so it is not my original idea, but I just love it!  My favorite thing to do is when I see an idea, to try and work with it a little more and see what else I can come up with along the same lines!!

This is the polka dot embossing folder–I cut it with my craft and rubber scissors (one layer at a time).  The polka dots folder was cut one row at a time (1 row of dots for the first piece, 2 rows for the second piece, etc.)  I have only cut 3 pieces so far, but intend to do the rest of the folder…just didn't wat to go too crazy! 🙂

This is the finial press embossing folder and in order to cut this one, I used a pen to draw lines along the design that I wanted.  Again, I cut one layer at a time.  You can see I have stars that I put on with a sharpie marker.  The reason for this is so that when I run this along a card, I can know which side will be EMBOSSED and then the other side will be DEBOSSED.

Here is a little closer look!

When you go to emboss, make sure you line the embossing folder piece up so that the ends are together.

If the piece is off, like in this picture, it will emboss badly…see next photo:

In this photo, you can see what it looks like when it is NOT lined up (top row) and when it is lined up (bottom photo).

The correct sandwich for embossing with these strips is using the Multi-purpose platform with NO TABS as shown here.  Use the two pieces of clear cutting plastic as usual, but when you add that extra tab, the edges of your cut lines can show like this….

Do you see the edges along the top of the pattern?  When you take away that tab 1, everything is good!!

🙂

This card is one I got an idea from another demonstrator, and I used the Scallop Circle, Clear Circle and Polka-dot embossing folder for the big shot.  The colors are So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay.  I used the Sets, Greenhouse Garden and Warm words along with the grass from Inspired by Nature.

This card uses the stamp set, Happy Moments (from Sale-a-bration) and the Finial press folder.  The colors are Sahara Sand, Taken with Teal, and Chocolate Chip.  The printed paper is from Sweet Pea and the Ribbon is Chocolate Chip Wide Grosgrain.

This is a card done with the Finial Press Embossing Folder plus teh Beautiful Butterflies Die.  Colors are Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Kraft and Versamark.  Stamps are Define Your Life plus the Defining Alphabet.  I thought that the Butterflies from Bigz Die needed some texture ever since the Wonderful Wings Embosslit came out!

This is a card that my friend Sarah made after the Milwaukee Regionals this year! She invited me and my friend Gwen to her house after the Regional to stamp.  I can't tell you how much fun we had–what a treat!!  I loved seeing her stamp area (her SAINTLY husband, her sweet kids and some of her downline members, too!!)  We hung out for several hours and made a few cards…this one was one that she came up with and we all helped make it.  Stamps are Awash with Leaves plus Elements of Style (a set coming in next Month's mini catalog!  Colors are Certainly Clelery, Rose Red, Black StazOn, and Whisper White.  LOVE IT (and a HUGE thank you to Sarah!!)

This is the card I demonstrated at the Regional Seminar.  I LOVED this one, if I can say so!! :)  I used the Fancy Flower stamp set (which is on SALE this month!!) plus I used Teeny Tiny Words (except I gave the sample that had the greeting on it to Stampin Up and this one didn't have that stamped on it… :)  It was right above the white taffeta knot.  The solid flower was inked up in Barely Banana ink, and then I did kind of a Reverse "Rock and Roll" technique–I sponged some pumpkin pie ink in the center…I prefer to call that "Easy Listening" :)  It gives the shaded look that is so beautiful!!  I then stamped the outline image over the top in Close to cocoa.   The top note is cut out of vellum cardstock and embossed with the finial press folder strip.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!

This card was done in kraft cardstock and uses the polka dot embossing folder.  I also used the Dots and Designs Rub Ons –the white design was rubbed onto blush blossom cardstock and then I did a "one row" on the top and a 2-row on the bottom of the strip.  The flowers are cut from felt on the Flower Layers Die and with a sparkly fabric (from the bridal section of the fabric store) with the Blossom party die. A kraft corduroy brad adn the birthday greeting from On Your Birthday in white makes this card fun!!

This is a 2-page 12×12 spread that we made at my scrap club last week.  The stamps are Awash with Flower sand Gallery…I was also thinking it would be fun to add happy spring as a title using the Simple Letters Die set.  The colors are Barely Banana, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, and Pumpkin Pie.  The Wonderful Wings embosslet was used along with the Sherbet Buttons.  I embossed one edge of each of the colored panels with the finial press folder.

This is a card I made using a new set coming in next month's Mini catalog called Watercolor Trio.  The colors are Old Olive, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, and Kraft.  A little white taffeta and the Ornament Punch (from the Holiday Mini catalog….but it is still available for purchase.  Just cut the bottom of the punch off and add a little embossing.

I tried several different strips for the pot…you could do anything!!

Hope you've enjoyed the tutorial…leave a comment and let me know what you think!  Have a great day!