About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 20 mins

Add eye-catching textures to cards using Corinne Bradd's guide.
Textured finishes will elevate your plain card to another level.

?You can create a textured background using a range of blind embossing folders that work with
a die-cutting machine. Choose a design that covers the whole surface of the card with pattern,
or opt for an ornate frame that will highlight the centrepiece of the card. In either case there are many ways you can emphasise the embossed areas of the background.
To soften the surface pattern, rub coloured chalks over the textured pattern. You can also lightly sponge ink onto smoother paper and colour with a brush pen. Another way a stronger contrast between the raised areas of the embossing and the background can be achieved is by inking the top plate of the embossing folder with a pigment pad. The cardstock is inserted and embossed as normal to print the background, leaving the raised areas plain.

Try This
Ink up the inside front of an all-over patterned folder. Place the cardstock inside and pass through the machine in the usual way. Use the resulting printed sheet as a background for a co-ordinated topper

This project has been taken from Crafts Beautiful, Britain's best-selling craft magazine. Every issue is packed with countless step-by-step projects, including everything from cross-stitch and quilting to mosaics and glass painting. Plus, aside from the hands-on tutorials, you'll find product guides, workshop reviews, inspirational mood boards and so much more!

Pick up Crafts Beautiful magazine from all major British newsagents/supermarkets and online at the Apple newsstand. Or why not subscribe? Get money off the cover price, enjoy free gifts every issue and have the mag delivered free to your door – even before it hits the shops! For more information, including full terms and conditions, just go to www.crafts-beautiful.com!

Print • Embed

SteamAlyce favorited Surface Embossing 08 Jun 03:15
erin.barnum.7 favorited Surface Embossing 14 Jan 13:48

Step 1
Cut pale card to A6 and place inside a frame embossing folder, ensuring the edges are square to those of the folder. Sandwich the folder between two cutting plates, adding cutting blocks dependant on the system. Run the 'sandwich' through the rollers and remove the card.
Step 2
Trim the embossed panel to line up with the design. Transfer ink from a pad onto the image with sponge using
a light ‘pouncing’ motion. The depth of colour can be built up with more applications of ink if necessary.
Step 3
Machine or hand-cut a scalloped circle of white cored, coloured cardstock. Position inside a patterned embossing folder so that the motif is centred in the circle. Sandwich the folder as before, checking the card has not slipped out of place, then run through the die-cutting machine.
Step 4
Lay the embossed circle onto a flat surface. Use fine grade sandpaper, and gently rub away the coloured raised areas of the card, revealing the white core beneath. Do not be too heavy handed when sanding the card as you risk tearing up the surface and ruining the piece.
Step 5
Use a fingertip to rub pale orange or yellow chalk over the white areas of the pattern to soften the highlights. Mount the sanded circle onto a larger disc of white card. Soften the edge of the disc by sponging with the same colour ink as used on the frame design.
Step 6
Matt the frame panel onto contrasting card leaving a 1mm border and fix to a suitable card blank. Use foam pads to place the circle in the centre of the frame. Add a few flat- backed gemstones to accentuate the corners of the frame.