Tutorial - Add Embossing to Craft Die Projects | Lisa Spangler

Hey you guys! Today I'm sharing a bunch of ways that you can get more from your dies by using the leaf die cut that's in the Lisse Street Card Main kit. Love this kit so much! I'll be sharing a card, but you can apply these same techniques to Project Life® and layouts. You can even use these techniques on images you've cut with your silhouette, however, I just gotta say that for small detailed images like this leaf nothing beats an actual metal die cut.

Since we're going to need a bunch of leaves, I decided to trim a piece of white cardstock to 4x5.25" and die cut the leaves from there. This way I'll be able to use this as another layer on my card. I like to use a book binding awl to pop the leaves out of the die. If you don't have one, you can use the end of a metal paper clip instead -- just unfold it. Speaking of equipment, I like to use a metal shim in my die cut "sandwich" when cutting delicate dies like this one -- I just place it under the cutting plate. If you don't have a metal shim then a sheet or 2 of cardstock also works great!

Next, grab some watercolors and color the leaves. This is a great way to add color to your die cuts. I used my trusty Mister Huey's watercolors.

Now for the magic! Place a leaf colored side up on white scrap paper, then press a VersaMark ink pad (or other clear embossing ink pad) over top, then heat emboss with clear powder. This will make the colors really vibrant!

See how the bottom leaves are much more vibrant after they've been heat embossed with clear powder? Love that.

I use a ton of clear embossing powder, so I keep mine in a container. I also use a pair of tweezers to fish my die cuts out of the powder and hold it while heat embossing so it doesn't roam around my desk. You can also do this same trick with patterned paper -- and the embossing helps to add strength to thinner papers too. Bonus!

Now for another trick! You could cut a leaf out of glitter paper, but if you don't happen to have any on hand or you don't have the right color you can emboss a die cut for a glittery metallic look. So cool. Here I used copper glitter Zing embossing powder. I just can't seem to get enough of copper lately.

One trick here is to try and use an ink that's close to the color of your embossing powder. Or you could use colored paper and VersaMark ink again. You could also use sparkle embossing powder. The sky's the limit.

Now for my finished card! I used a tiny attacher to staple the leaves onto that piece that I die cut the leaves from, the popped the whole enchilada on to a white card base with foam dots. Love all the extra dimension, don't you?

To wrap it up, I just added some sequins in coordinating colors. The tiny ones are included in the Lisse Street Card main, aren't they cute?

Thanks so much for joining me today, and I hope you give these techniques a try.

xo

Supplies: Lisse Street Card Main, Copper Zing glitter embossing powder, Color Theory 24 Karat sequins, Color Theory Coral Bay sequins, Color Theory Yes Peas sequins, Tiny attacher, Tiny attacher refills, VersaMark ink, Clear embossing powder Hero Arts

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12 comments

  1. sinushawa says…
    04/14/2015

    I want to buy this leaves die cut, will you sell it separetly ?

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  2. photochic17 says…
    04/14/2015

    You are awesome, Lisa! This is such an awesome card!!

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  3. sideoats says…
    04/14/2015

    Thanks so much @photochic17! xo

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  4. EyoungLee says…
    04/14/2015

    love it!!! :)

    1 Reply 0 Replies
  5. Brinkleyboy says…
    04/14/2015

    Ooooh so many great tips in this Lisa! I definitely am going to try that clear embossing tip!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  6. Leanne1965 says…
    04/14/2015

    These leaves are so gorgeous! Will definitely be trying this technique:)

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  7. pinksoup says…
    04/14/2015

    Love how you used the 'waste' to give it dimension! Brilliant.

    0 Reply 2 Replies
    1. jordannasierra says…
      11/24/2013

      Awesome album!!!! Love the cover!!!!

      0
    2. mimsmom says…
      11/24/2013

      Thank you!

      0
  8. josmary says…
    04/14/2015

    love it. so many good tips.

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  9. DinCA says…
    04/15/2015

    Loving those leaves!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  10. Normajean says…
    04/15/2015

    Love, love those leaves! What a great technique.

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  11. donnamikasa says…
    04/15/2015

    Love this card TONS, Lisa! What a fab way to use the leaf die!

    0 Reply 0 Replies
  12. CarlaM says…
    04/17/2015

    Lisa, this card is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your tips and techniques!

    0 Reply 0 Replies

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