Sizzix Tutorial- Emphasized Embossing

May 16, 2016May 15, 2016audreypettit 13 Comments

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today I have a fun technique and tutorial to share with you for adding interest and emphasis to a simple embossed background.

I love the look of an embossed background. It’s such an easy way to add a little bit of extra detail to a project, without adding a lot of extra bulk. And although a plain embossed background looks great, it’s always fun to find other ways to use your crafty supplies. This Herringbone Texture Fade embossing folder from Tim Holtz’s new Dapper collection is really cool with its galvanized metal look. So why not bring it out of the background, and make it really shine? All you need is a paintbrush, a little bit of water, and your favorite colors of Distress Inks.

Here’s how:

Cut cardstock for the card base. I used kraft-core Distress cardstock for the base, sanded and corners rounded. The top panel is watercolor paper, cut to 4″ x 4.5″.

Place the watercolor paper in the Herringbone Texture Fade and run it through your die cutting machine using this standard sandwich for embossing: Extended Multipurpose Platform (open to Tab 1), Standard Cutting Pad, embossing folder with paper inside, Standard Cutting Pad.

To emphasize the pattern on the embossed panel, I created vertical stripes using three colors of Distress Ink. Simply dab the inks onto a non-stick craft mat, and pick up the color using a wet paintbrush. I started with one color at a time, leaving space in between for additional colors. You can easily vary the intensity of the water colors by diluting for more or less water, as you like.

As you finish with one color, repeat the process with all remaining inks. To keep the inks from flowing too much into each other, allow the paper to dry between colors.

Isn’t that a fun look? I love how the stripes add so much extra detail to the card, and keeps the background from getting lost behind those larger Tea Time cups.

I am crazy about some crackle! Gives these tea cups an instant sense of age and the look of fine old porcelain. And don’t you love those new Gilded Accents Remnant Rubs? Sigh…

I added in a touch of kraft for that rustic look that I love. And a dab of messy Picket Fence Distress Paint, too. The large scalloped border is from the Stitched Ovals Thinlits set. And a die cut sentiment from Tim’s Script Friendship Words set.

Thanks so for much stopping by! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

The supplies I’ve used are linked and listed below:

Make a Wish with Sizzix and Tim Holtz

May 4, 2016audreypettit 15 Comments

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

Today I have a shabby, sweet birthday card to share with you that I made for the Sizzix blog featuring fabulous dies and embossing folders from Tim Holtz’s newest collections.

Of course we all know Tim’s fabulous Flower Garden stamps by now. Such favorites of mine. Mixed with them are two new Sizzix products from Tim’s line, the Stitched Ovals Thinlits die set and the Herringbone Texture Fade embossing folder.

The Herringbone embossing folder is part of the new Dapper collection, which is decidedly masculine in styling and imagery, but I think it can be used for so much more. I went super pink and girly on this design, in honor of my mom’s upcoming birthday this month. And I think girly works just fine.

My mom loves flowers, and her house is filled with antiques, so I went with a very vintage shabby look here with lots of worn edges, sanded surfaces, and Distress finishes. The flower was watercolored with Distress Inks, fussy cut, and popped up on foam tape for a bit of dimension. Gold embossing powder was added to the card base and frame. A little bit of glam with a whole lot of messy, just like me! 😉

I’ve got the full step-by-step tutorial up on the Sizzix blog, if you’d like to learn more.

Thanks so much for stopping by! And thanks for all the sweet comments and support on the opening of my new Summer Shop. You guys are the BEST!

The supplies I’ve used are linked below:

CHA Week- Celebrate Today with Tim Holtz

January 13, 2016February 16, 2016audreypettit 15 Comments

Hello! Happy Wednesday, Friends! I have a CHA project to share with you today. Another card made for Tim Holtz for the Sizzix Alterations booth using the same Mosaic Bigz Die I shared with you on Monday. But this time, I used the die in an entirely different way.

So on Monday’s project, you may remember how I used the negative, outside framework of the die to create a fun grid background for some silly Bird Crazy birds. And here I’ve used the inside pieces created by the die to make a different kind of pattern. As I mentioned before, these pieces perfectly fit the Idea-ology Fragments. So now you can die cut any number of surfaces and top them with matching acrylic blanks to create all sorts of fabulous collage and mixed-media projects. Or, you can use the pieces as is, and stamp, ink, or even emboss them, like I’ve done here. You gotta love that kind of versatility.

Here’s a close-up peek at those cool grid pieces. I used Tim Holtz watercolor paper, inked in a variety of soft yellow Distress inks. And then the blocks were embossed in one of Tim’s new Textured Impressions folders. This is the new Herringbone folder, part of the new Dapper release.

You may also spy some other new Tim Holtz goodies, along with a few old favorites, too. The spiral flowers are from the older Tiny Tattered Florals set, and the leaves are from Garden Greens. The beautiful metal frame is the new Idea-ology Baroque Frame. It’s been painted with Picket Fence Distress Paint and lightly buffed for an antique finish. I also used some of the beautiful Metallic silver cardstock in the background, along with the new Textile Surfaces in chambray blue. This adhesive-backed fabric paper has become an instant new favorite of mine.

Mixed in with all the new goodies here is one last new die set, the Stitched Ovals Thinlits. This set has a set of stacking hand-stitched oval shapes, along with two sizes of scalloped borders. I used the larger scallop to create this fun sort of positive/negative border across the bottom of the card. And the smallest oval was a perfect fit for the back of the frame.

So many fun new products! Do you have some new favorites on your wish list yet?

Oh, and by the way…. new AudOnes Prims are coming soon!

My Winter Shop, filled with lots of frosty snowmen and shabby sweet Valentines, opens Monday, January 18th. Here’s a small peek at what’s to come! Stay tuned!