Embossing Tutorial #3 and Technostamper sketch

Tutorial #3 yay!! everyone loved yesterday's which was a really fun one! today we are making an embossed background ala Tim Holtz. I got this technique from one of his 12 tags of Christmas (a MUST-SEE on his blog if you haven't already!) lord went over to grab the link and got distracted - his blog is so chock full of ranger yummy goodness!!!! Todays card uses the sketch from Mary Jo - another of my FAVES:

and here is my take using a background technique done with embossing powders which i will show you today:

Here are a couple other cards done using this same background technique:



(excuse the crooked wording - i was new to stamping at the time!!)

I used a Ranger embossing tinsel in bridal on these for extra shimmeriness but this can also be done with clear and looks really gorgeous as well. So supplies you need: light colored cardstock cut to the size you need, versamark, embossing powder, heat tool, dark coordinating ink, foam blending tool.

Cover your cardstock piece with Versamark - Just stamp the pad right on to the paper. you will see the versamark on the paper so you can be sure to get a good solid even coverage.

Next cover it with embossing powder. For some of the powders I use ALOT i have them in tupperware containers so i don't have to fool with the tray - i just dump the powder on over the container and the excess goes right back where it belongs :) once your cardstock is covered you want to hold it on the edges and flick the back really hard over the trash can to knock some of the powder back off. You want some random blank spaces for your darker ink. i even rub some areas lightly with my fingers if i need to - it takes a few good flicks! now heat it with a heat gun under good lighting and melt it.

Let it cool completely and then take your foam blending tool and ink it up with your darker ink color. Dab and smoosh the ink all over the cardstock, working the ink into any crevices that might be free of embossing.

Once it is covered take a paper towel and wipe the ink off of the embossed areas - the embossing acts as a resist so the ink won't stick. you will be left with a bit of ink here and there in the un-embossed areas.

On the first card above i also used the versamark as a watermark pad on the green panel beneath the flower. i took my Butterflies a swirl stamp and inked it up with versamark, stamped on the panel and then let it dry. nice subtle effect. also to the right another studio G stamp - crisp and clear once it is sanded a bit!

I'd love to see your creations and hear what you think of the tutorials so far! next up - the fabulous distress embossing powders!!!!! LOVE these!!