Letterpress Technique Tutorial

Hello!

**I am thrilled to share that this card was chosen as Papercraft Stars Runner Up and given the Quasar Award**

I have a tutorial to share for Inspired by Stamping. I have had many requests inquiring about the letterpress technique that I use quite a bit in my projects.  It’s a great way to get more mileage out of your embossing folders or impression plates.

So first let’s gather some tools and supplies that you will need.

You will need:

*die-cutting machine such as a Big Shot or Cuttlebug,

*plates

*embossing folder

*brayer

*inkpad

*cardstock 

 

 

Now it’s time to add ink to your brayer by rolling it through your inkpad and then transfer the ink to your embossing folder by rolling the brayer on one side of your embossing folder only.  Depending on which side you choose will depend on the out come of the background giving you two possibilities.

After you have inked up your embossing folder it’s time to carefully place your cardstock on your inked embossing folder careful not to move it.

 

Run through the sandwich of your die-cutting machine.

There you have it!

Edit to note: Cleaning is simply running the embossing folder or plate under the faucet. If you were to use Stayzon then there would be some permanent staining. Some darker colors may stain your folders as well, but will not leave ink that will transfer to future projects. I have not had an issue with staining and I clean them right away and set to dry on a towel.

 Here is my completed card that I am excited to show using the background I have shared above. 

A Close Up of the Sentiment and the letterpress embossing.

An image from THATB was added to the upper left portion of the embossed card front. I drew inspiration from this image to complete the look of this card!

I found further inspiration from Papercraft Star - Birthdays.

 

Also joining in with the Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Layers!

I hope this was helpful who inquired about this technique. I appreciate you stopping by. Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

~Tammy~ 

All Hearts Come Home For Christmas

Hi There!

What Christmas in April....yes, no time like the present to get started on those Christmas cards especially as the holidays approach things get hectic. That is why I think the year round Christmas Challenges out there are pure genius. It can really help you get some of those cards made. I need motivation with flowers blooming, birds singing and sun brightly shining.

Here is my Christmas Card inspired by the Merry Monday Challenge.

To get started I created my own chipboard embellishment out of a Cheerios Box and painted it (not very neatly) with white craft paint.

This is the back! Recycling at it's best!

The front with some paint slapped on and sanded.

Next I cut the coordinating hearts and stamped the sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps Seasons of Love and distressed the images with vintage tea stain. 

I took a kraft card base and embossed with my Cuddlebug Swiss dots embossing folder for some added texture which coordinated with the patterned paper I chose for the middle strip. To tie in the heart focal images, a punched heart border was adhered below the polka dotted patterned paper. Next blue checked gingham patterned paper was cut into a scalloped rectangle to border the snowflake paper found in my scrap pile which has had the edges distressed. 

All that was left was to adhere the the heart sentiment embellishment and add some crafty white paint. to the card base for a shabby touch!

As mentioned, I found my inspiration from Merry Monday Christmas Sketch Challenge. 

Stampin' Sisters In Christ - Something Joy-ful or Celebratory 
Stampendous - Recycle something into a a stamping project.

Thanks for popping in! Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!

~Tammy~

{Recipe}

Stamps: Waltzingmouse: Seasons of Love

Paper: CS: Stampin' UP!, PP: Scraps

Ink: Momento: Tuxedo Black, Vintage Tea Stain
Other: Dies: Spellbinders, White Craft Paint, Punch: Martha Stewart