Impressabilities Tips/Techniques Card Samples

Earlier this week I posted Tips for using Spellbinders Impressabilities with your Cuttlebug. You can find that post HERE. Today I am posting the sample cards I made using those Tips.

For this card I used the Letterpress Technique. The flower I found on someone's blog (I'll post their blog once I find it again), they used a scalloped circle and then cut slits to make the petals. So first I used Nestabilities Scallop Circle template to cut out the circle, then sent it through using the Impressabilities. I sanded the CS, inked the edges, and then cut the slits. Because I'm showcasing Impressabilities, I didn't cover the center of the flower.

Here I used Impressabilities to make flowers again.

Here I used the Letterpress technique.

For this card I really liked the subtleness of the Impressabilities, so I didn't do anything to the embossing to make it stand out more.

Here is the piece I showed earlier this week where you cut out a piece first, and then send it through using Impressabilities.

And finally, here is the sample card where I used the piece I cut from the Impressabilities. See this post for the 'sandwich' recipe.

Supplies I used for the cards: Core'dinations CS, Basic Grey-Origins pattern paper, Impressabilities-Flourish, Little Paper Shop SS-In Loving Memory, pearls, brads, ribbon, and Nestabilities.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Impressabilities Tips/Techniques for the Cuttlebug

I was doing some research for a card class on Spellbinders Impressabilities, used with the Cuttlebug, and after the excellent results I got, I knew I had to share them with you! These are not my ideas, I have just compiled some of them in one spot here on my blog.

The first time I used Impressabilities I was really disappointed with the results. I thought the templates were beautiful, but I couldn't translate that to the paper. Then Sharon, from The Scrapbook Cottage, asked me to do a Technique Class for her using the Impressabilities. Well, I couldn't let her down, so I hopped onto the internet and started doing some research, and here are my results.

Here is the Impressabilities template, Flourish, I used for my samples. It's made from a very thin metal, and is very intricate.

The 'sandwich' I like to use with Impressabilities in the Cuttlebug is:

Plate A

Shims (my Cuttlebug needs 2 pieces of CS, yours may use more, or less)
Plate B
Impressabilities Template
Cardstock
Tan Embossing Mat

Plate B

One of the first things I discovered:

Spritz your CS with water BEFORE sending it through the Cuttlebug.

I found this tip with 'how to use your brass templates in the Cuttlebug', and thought that if it works for them, it should work for the Impressabilities. It doesn't take much water, you could even use a wet sponge and wipe the CS. Just wait about 20 seconds before embossing, so that the water has time to soak into the fibers. By the time I put the rest of my card together, the CS piece was already dry and ready to use. If you need it quickly, you can use your craft heater to dry it.

The photo below shows a piece of CS embossed using the Impressabilities...you don't even have to look too close to notice that the right side shows more detail. That's because the right side was spritzed with water first, and the left side I left untouched.

Another great TIP I learned:
Ink the Impressabilites with Pigment Ink (for this technique I did NOT spritz the CS with water first, since the ink gives the CS definition), and then send it through the Cuttlebug (ink side up, so that the ink is smooshed into the CS). This is called Letterpress technique.

I did put a piece of scrap paper (not CS) to keep my mat and plates from getting dirty. The photo below shows the result using this technique. I took the Impressabilities to the sink to wash and the ink comes right off.

Pigment Ink is important to use because Dye Ink does not give you as bold of an image.

The photo below shows a sample using CTMH Dye Ink, and it is not nearly as impressive as the sample using Pigment Ink.

This photo shows white CS and dark brown Pigment Ink.

TIP:
When inking up your Impressabilities, do it on a piece of CS and you will be able to use that piece for your artwork as well.

The photo below shows the result of inking the Impressabilities with Brown Pigment Ink on cream CS. I used the ink pad direct-to-paper. When I removed the Impressabilites to send it through the Cuttlebug, this was the design left behind on the CS.

TIP:

Use the Impressabilities like a stencil.

For this sample, I used CTMH Dye Ink and a stipple brush. (I did NOT send the Impressabilities through the cuttlebug, I just used it as a stencil.)

Here I used CTMH Dye Ink and a sponge.

TIP:
Use your templates together.

I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four Template and Impressabilities together. In the photo below, the brown CS piece I cut out using the Labels Four template. I then spritzed it with water, returned it to the Labels 4 template, and then embossed the piece with the Impressabilities. Notice the clean, unembossed edge.

Here is the 'sandwich' to use:

Plate A

Shims (My Cuttlebug uses 2 pieces of CS, your machine my use more, or less)
Plate B

Impressabilities

Nestabilities Labels 4 (with damp CS piece in)

Tan Embossing Mat

Plate B

TIP:
Cut your Impressabilities apart (yup, you read right, CUT it apart) and use the pieces to emboss small areas.

This photo shows embossing a small section of your CS piece. I also used the tip from above. I spritzed just the corner area with water.

So those were some of the tips I gleaned from many sources. Unfortunately I didn't take note of where because, at the time, I had no intentions of posting my results. But once I SAW the great results, I realized I had to share them with you so that you wouldn't be disappointed with the Impressabilities, like I was, and let them collect dust.


Later this week, I will post the cards I made using these tips & techniques.


If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them for you.

Enjoy,
Deneen

Kids Valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day a day early. I had big plans to make Valentine's with my girls (Gr.'s 2 &3), buuuuttttt......ahem....I procrastinated and left them until today. Then, on top of that, the girls decided they weren't coming straight home after school.....even after I reminded them this morning our plans to stamp their Valentine's. So, with a sad heart, I did the stamping all by my lonesome....while the girls had a time-out in their room. But after a few tears, because they really did want to stamp it themselves, and then some hugs and kisses, we sat down together to write out the names.

And here are the final kids Valentine's. Thanks to a fellow CTMH sista Melony Fielder for the inspiration.

Card Size: Approx. 3.5" x 4.25"

Both wanted to give the girls in their class butterflies. One wanted to give the boys soccer balls, and one wanted dinosaurs. For the teachers we did a frog...because Mrs. Loewen loves frogs, and Mr. Thiessen probably wouldn't mind a frog on his.

I used Publisher to print out the boxes and sentiment. I fit 6 Valentine's on a piece of 8.5" x 11" CS.

Here's the back.

Enjoy, and don't eat too much chocolate!

Deneen

Valentine's/Romantic Hanger Thing-ies.!?!

Oops, I did it again....lol, saw these hanging ornamental balls on someone's blog, and didn't take note of where, grrr, slap my hand. Actually, I've seen them lots of places during Christmas, but I saw a Valentine's one, and wanted to make one to show you. But you know me, if I track the link down, I'll share it with you.

Here's one I made...don'tcha just love it. I love the pearl accents, it seem to finish the ornament nicely.

And yes, you can make one with scallops! I think I'll add pearls to this one too. BUT......there is a little, itty bitty trick to it. All the scallop circles have to....yup....HAVE TO be scored in the same place. After reading the instructions below, come back and finish reading here................................'k, all done? Now this next part will make sense---(Thinner paper will work nicely for this) What I did was take 1 scalloped circle, marked, and scored it. I then took 2 scalloped circles, placed them behind the scored scallop circle, and lined up the scallops, I then scored the whole 'bunch' (with my Fiskars Rotary Trimmer scoring blade) , following the scored lines of the top scallop. I did that until all 20 were scored. Then you just line up the scallops when gluing together. I found I had to fiddle with it a bit more, but these ornaments tend to be very forgiving.

Instructions:

To add the pearls, I used a Glue Dot to give it a little extra hold.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Swap Cards

Hello there, happy February. I participated in a swap a couple of months ago, hosted by CTMH sister Lisa A. I finally received the other cards and wanted to share our creations with you.

It was a great swap idea...Lisa sent paper and embellishments to each participant, and we would make a card with what she sent and return them to her. There were 6 participants per round, but we only made 5 cards (we didn't receive our own back).

I participated in 5 rounds.

Round 1

Here's the card I sent.

I received the green and blue piece of B&T paper, the ricrac and chipboard flower.

I used black embossing powder on vellum, and attached it with Cranberry brads. I stamped the frog, and clear embossed it.

Here are the 5 cards I received (they were sent the same items I was). We could add to the paper and other items if we wanted, but had to use the original pieces somewhere on the card.

Because so much time had passed, and I hadn't thought about it, I didn't write down the names of the girls who were in the swap with me. When I get that information I'll post it.

The other ladies in the swap were:

Twyla Norris,

(still getting the info.)

Round 2

Here's the card I sent.

We received the ribbon, 2 B&T Paper pieces and the brad.

The inside of my card.

Here are the 5 cards I received.

Round 3
Here's the card I sent.

We were given the 2 B&T Paper pieces, ribbon, and a rhinestone.

Here's the inside of my card.

Here are the 5 cards I received.

Round 4

Here's the card I made.

We received the 2 B&T paper pieces, ribbon, and flower brad.

The inside of my card.

Here are the 5 creations I received.

Round 5

Here's the card I made.

We received a piece of B&T paper, a piece of yellow CS, ribbon, and 2 brads.

Here's the inside of my card.

Here were the 5 cards I received.

It sure was a lot of fun! I couldn't wait to see what the other ladies had created with what we received. I got alot of good ideas from the cards they made. Great job ladies!

Sorry about not posting the recipes, there was a lot to photograph, and get ready to upload for this one and I just wanted to get it posted. BUT, if you have any questions about what I did or what I used, feel free to ask, and I'll let you know.

Enjoy,

Deneen

Hi Ladies!!!

Hi everyone, I am still here. In response to some inquiries of where I am at. January is Prayer & Fasting month at the church I attend. I felt the Lord telling me to fast from posting on my blog for the month of Jan. and to use the time I spent on posting with my family instead.

I hadn't realized how much my posting had been interfering with my family time. It creeps in so slowly...I would say to the kids, "I'm just uploading pictures right now, I'll be with you shortly." And then I would get caught up in finishing the post.

So, new rules for me:
1. Post when I can...I like posting twice a week, but if it doesn't happen for whatever reason, I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to take away from my family to get it done, so I'll post when I can.
2. Edit when the kids are in bed, not in the evening before they're in bed.

I look forward to posting in 4 days...yes, I was still creating during the month of January and can't wait to share with you!!!!

See ya soon!
Deneen

Happy New Year!

Well, it felt like it was time for a bit of a face-lift. No no, not me, my blog.I hope you enjoy the fresh new look.

And yes, it erased a few things, so please bear with me as I add them over then next little while.

Here's to another great year creating and sharing with you.

Enjoy,
Deneen