[Tutorial / Tips] Using Embossing Folders as Texture Plates for Polymer Clay

I have accumulated quite a number of tools in my craft room and I organized them depending on whether it's for papercrafting, cardmaking, jewelry making, or for polymer clay projects.  

The photo below shows some of my embossing folders from Sizzix and cuttlebug (I have smaller dies too from Vintaj) that I use in making my cards.  It occurred to me that I can use it for texture for bigger projects (duh)!

Embossing Folders:  Sizzix and Cuttlebug

Many polymer clay artists use stamps, get a negative image of it, cure accordingly and use it for their polymer clay project.  Well, I want to cut a few steps, save a little time and money.  I used Prmeo clay - it holds the texture pretty well.

Acrylic stamp from Inkadinkado

Embossing folders have 2 sides:  positive - with the raised design and negative - raised background.  I cut 2 circles - 1 thick and 1 medium thickness polymer clay and pressed it against the negative side of the folder (I sprinkled a little constarch as release).  The clay was then cured according to the manufacturers' instructions.

The photo below shows how well defined the stamped embossed images are.  These can now be used as texture plates for pendants, mokume gane technique, etc.

You can also use different materials to make all kinds of texture sheets... explore and have fun!

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Card] A Grand Celebration

It's a joy to be invited to very special events such as an infant dedication and a 75th birthday celebration all in one family:  Grandson + Grandfather = Grand celebration!

We do not do infant baptisms in our church but we do infant dedications - it is a Christian parents' way  of making a promise to God that they will prayerfully and lovingly train the child in a godly way, to teach  and to discipline him or her and to help them make a decision to follow God on their own.  Being a parent is a big responsibility and godparents are given the same responsibility too - it goes beyond the birthday and Christmas gifts.

Baby Card

This card is for baby Dean.  I love this baby stamp because it can be used for a girl or a boy.  I coordinated the cuttlebug embossing folder mat with a similar patterned ribbon.  Simple and fun!  

This is for Dean's grandfather who celebrated his 75th birthday.  He is such a sweet, loving and God-fearing man - a truly caring friend.  

Gift Card Tabs

We gave them gift cards that I placed in the card using MS corner bubble punch.

I love how it turned out so I think I will be making more of these since we often give GC's anyway.

Have a wonderful day!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Gift] For Shon

A dear friend of mine is having a grand celebration this weekend: 

 her and her husband's birthday and their wedding anniversary - such a lovely couple.

May God bless you as you continue to enjoy your journey together.

I gave her a leather bracelet with a focal piece that I modified by adding color using PC.

The handmade card was made using Cuttlebug embossing folders, Hero Arts cupcake stamps and 

Stampendous Birthday sentiment.

Have fun!

♥  Michelle  ♥

Valentine's Day 2012

It's that time of year when we celebrate Valentine's Day.

For most people, it's just another ordinary day but to others, it's a special day to be with someone you love.  It's that time of year when men flock to the card section to buy their wife or lovedone a nice card to accompany their boquet of flowers.  My husband was one of them... and I truly appreciate him for all his effort.

I had a hunch that he bought me flowers last night and kept it somewhere.  I teased him about it and he didn't seem to react differently.   He leaves for work at 5 am and when I woke up to bid him goodbye, caramba! - there was a pink card and a boquet of flowers on my craft table.

The card reads:

"To my wife on Valentine's Day...

I think we're kind of llike the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle

We belong together...

And putting our different pieces together is a lot of fun." 

Oh, I had a good laugh and I have to give credit to him for always choosing the right card.

I made him this handmade card. I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to emboss the background, rubber stamps, distress inks and paper.

The heart wreath was embossed with clear detail though it doesn't show it's beauty in the photo.

There were no special expensive dinner dates for us but we are happy just to be together.

Cheesy.. I know.

I hope your day was filled with the warmth and love of family and friends.

Happy Valentine's Day to you!

♥  Michelle  ♥

A couple's birthday [LGE ♥ MVSE birthday cards]

Hello friends!  I would like to share with you 2 cards that I made for my brother and his wife's birthday.  These are rather simple cards but definitely handmade with love ♥.

It's always challenging to make a card for a boy or a man in this case.  Here, I used a dark blue card base and added a PP of buttons.  To add texture and dimension, I embossed a diamond pattern for matting and stamped Hero Arts sentiment and placed it on the center.  Finally, I added blue brads on the four corners using my new Making Memories instant setter (a Christmas gift from my uber loving SIL); blue embroidery floss was wrapped around the brads to add interest. 



LGE



This next card was made for my brothers wife.  Oh, she loves and looks really good wearing the color yellow so I made her a card in yellow tones and coordinates.  I used a yellow cardbase and a printed PP.  I added a brown mat which i background stamped using Versamark and DeNami stamp.  I added a scallop border punch from Martha Stewart.  Then, I stamped the sentiment using Memento in Rich cocoa against a sage green distressed background.  The final step was an engraved rust colored button with yellow embroidery floss - just to add a little interest.

MVSE

Happy birthday to two most wonderful, special and loved people!  Cheers!

HA World Cardmaking Day, 10-3-10

I never thought that there was such a thing as World Cardmaking Day.  I found out through the Hero Arts blog and of course, i wanted to participate.  So, with only a few hours left, i grabbed some stamps and made a card.
I have been busy crocheting hats and jewelry for the past weeks so my stamps and stuffs have been on the shelf for quite some time. 
I thought it would be nice to incorporate sewing in my theme - hence, the "You're sew Special" card, embellised with buttons that i find really cute!
Thanks for taking a peek.   Have a great week!

Materials: 
HA C1157 3 spools
HA C1158 Button cluster
Red and cream cardstock
Cream and lime green ribbon
Memento ink in rich cocoa
Versafine ink in Onyx black
round puncher
Marvy markers
Derwent watercolor pencils