A Touch of Grace

There are a  few reasons that I love blog hops...forget the chance to win something - discovering new blogs is my favorite part!! Jerri with A Touch of Grace happens to be one of them. She amazing and her site is packed with tutorials, ideas, techniques..basically, everything you could hope for!

If you have been following me or even have just gone through my blog you have discovered I love making my own flowers!! Jerri has put together a GREAT tutorial series on making flowers that you must see!!
I strongly suggest visiting her, here is the link for the flower and embossing tutorials.  Trust me when I say you are going to want to spend some time over there and be sure to sign up for her mailing so you don't miss anything! One other tutorial she has is a very unique idea for adding texture to leaves - I loved it and will definitely be trying it!!
I could sit here and keep adding links for a very long time..but I will let you head over and look around. Jerri is also Copic Certified, an alumni for Split Coast Stampers, design team for Spellbinders, and she even has her own boutique! Needless to say she is very busy with an abundance of creativity! I had contacted her with a few questions and she was more than happy to answer them ( I am having embossing issues!! )

To find her boutique

Sandwiches for Spellbinders and other Machines

******Note on using plates******
I just learned that you should not mix plates between machines. Even if the thickness looks the same you can damage your unit and thus void warranty.

I am still working on this...whenever I come across one I will add it...if you have one to share let me know!

Spellbinder Wizard

Spellbinder Wizard Cutting Sandwiches

The sandwiches below are written so that the first item will be placed directly on the work surface and each additional item will be stacked on top. After stacking, run through sandwich through the Wizard. For more information on Spellbinders’ Die Templates universal application with other die cut machines or other dies used in the Wizard, check out our Compatibility Guide Linked.

Air Dry Clay

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Air dry clay rolled to 1/16th inch thick and dried
• White Master Mat

Aluminum Cans aka pop cans, soda cans or Coke cans, depending on your region

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Aluminum Can, cut into small pieces
• White Master Mat

Balsa Wood 1/32"

• White Mat
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Wood
• White Master Mat
Run the wood through the Wizard once or twice to cut. For embossing, swap the White Spacer plate for the Tan Embossing Pad, as in a paper embossing. You may need to wet the wood to get it to emboss.

Craft Foil

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Paper or Craft Foil
• White Master Mat

Embossing Enamel Veneer
• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Baking Parchment
• Veneer
• Baking parchment
• White Master Mat
Prepare a veneer of embossing enamel: Apply a layer of embossing ink on a sheet of baking parchment. Sprinkle on a thin layer of embossing enamel (thermal embossing powder), heat and cool.

Felt

• White Master Matt
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Felt
• White Master Mat
For a more precise cut,  layer a piece of cardstock on top of the felt and run the sandwich through the Wizard twice. It may need a couple of snips with a scissor to finish the cut.

Fun Foam

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Fun Foam Sheet
• White Master Mat
If using adhesive backed foam, place the foam side to the die. This sandwich is for regular thickness craft foam, not the thicker ‘door hanger’ sheets.

HVAC tape

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• HVAC tape, shiny side to die
• White Master Mat
HVAC tape is an aluminum tape with a release liner. It is sold in most home improvement stores and is usually found in the heating and air conditioning department. Do not confuse this with duct tape.

Paper or Cardstock

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Paper or Cardstock
• White Master Mat

Puffy Paper

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Puffy Paper (Dow product)
• White Master Mat

Shrink Plastic

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Shrink Plastic
• White Master Mat
• May need to run through twice
Different brands of shrink plastic yield different results as not all shrink plastics are the same thickness or density. Lucky Squirrel brand works well.

Styrofoam (Use with a picnic plate or to go hot cup)

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Styrofoam
• White Master Mat
After cutting and embossing, try heating to shrink

Unbaked Polymer Clay

•White Master Mat
• Plastic Wrap
• White Spacer Plate
• Prepared Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up*
• Powdered clay
• Plastic Wrap
• White Master Mat
*Roll clay to 1/16" thickness, powder (baby powder or cornstarch) the clay and the die. Protect the White MAster Mats by using cling wrap (Saran). After cutting, place the die with clay still intact into the freezer to firm up the clay and to assist in removal.

Spellbinder Wizard Embossing Sandwiches

Spellbinders Wizard provides 3,000 pounds of pressure to bring about some of the crispest dry embossing found in the craft market today. To assist in the process, try misting paper with water or other specialty embossing product, before running the sandwich through the machine.

Air Dry Clay

• White Master Mat
• Texture sheet or other item that will emboss
• Dried clay sheet
• White Master Mat
See cutting air dried clay for more information.

Balsa Wood 1/16" (will not cut)

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Wood
• White Master Mat

Brass Stencils

• White Master Mat
• Brass Stencil, writing side down
• Cardstock or foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Charms

• White Master Mat
• Charm: flat fabric, thin polymer shape, flat finding
• Cardstock or foil
• One to two Tan Embossing Pads
• Blue or Black Mat

Cuttlebug™ embossing folders (any size)

• White Master Mat
• Folder with paper or cardstock inside
• White Master Mat
If too hard to run through, follow this sandwich:
• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Folder with paper or cardstock inside
• Blue Master Mat (from charm kit)

Fiskars® Texture Plates

• White Master Mat
• Fiskars® Texture Plate
• Paper of Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat
See Compatibility Chart for other company’s embossable items.

Leather

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up or Brass Stencil
• Misted Leather
• White Master Mat or Blue Master Mat (charm kit)    
Experiment with thickness of leather. Thicker leather will emboss well but not cut.

Metal words, letters

• White Master Mat
• Thin metal word or letter
• Craft Metal or Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat

Organza bags

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Pad piece
• Bag with item to be embossed inside
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat
Size the Tan Embossing Pad to just fit the item being embossed and place them both inside the bag

Plastic Sun Catcher

• White Master Mat
• Plastic sun catcher, approximately 1/16" thick
• Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat 
If the foil gets cut through in some areas, substitute a piece of craft foam for the tan polymer pad.

Paper or Craft Foil

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Die cut paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Spellbinders Texture Plates (metal)

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders texture plate
• Paper or Craft Foil
• Tan Polymer Pad
• White Master Mat

Styrofoam with a stamp

• White Master Mat
• Unmounted Stamp
• Styrofoam
• White Mat

Textured wall paper

• White Master Mat
• Wall paper
• Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Velvet

• White Master Mat
• Unmounted Stamp
• Velvet, nap side down
• Blue Mat
Spray back of velvet with water, heat with heat tool, run through. 100% cotton velvet works best but rayon blends will work well also.

Vinyl sticker embossing

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Prepared acetate with stickers
• Cardstock or foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
 Make a custom design by applying vinyl stickers onto a sheet of acetate. A deeper emboss is achieved by applying a second layer of sticker (identical design) on top of the first.

Spellbinder Wizard Make An Embellishment

To embellish the Spellbinders Die Templates, leave the die cut paper, either embossed or not, inside the die. Color through the holes, using it as a stencil: chalk, paint, pens, etc.

Bottle Caps:
Flattening
• White Master Mat
• Piece of Paper
• Bottle Cap, flat side down
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat 

Reproduced in Metal

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Flattened Bottle Cap, face up or down
• Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Set  eyelets:
In cardstock
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Paper with eyelets inserted into holes
• Eyelet Setting Plate
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Blue Mat
The eyelets must stay in the holes when turned over for this technique to work. Using a Japanese Screw-punch can give some flexibility with the hole sizes.

In leather
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Leather with eyelet in it, end to be flattened facing up
• Steel plate
• Blue Mat

Snap setting sandwich
• White Master Mat
• Paper or fabric with the snaps in place (one part of each two-part snap on either side)
• Tan Polymer Pad
• White Master Mat.
This sandwich allows setting of a single or multiple snaps in paper or fabric.

Techniques

Apply Rub-ons

• White Master Mat
• Paper or foil
• Rub-on image
• Two Tan Embossing Pads
• Finish with Blue or Black mat
• Carefully remove rub-on backing after running it through

Bone folding

• White Master Mat
• Item to be folded (Card, Page Element, Wire, Metal, etc.)
• Piece of Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Catopia Using Clearsnap’s Cat Eye Chalk Ink, smudge colors randomly onto glossy cardstock. When satisfied with the combination and amount of color, buff gently with a paper towel. Use the colored paper as any normal paper but with surprisingly wonderful results when cut with Spellbinders Die Templates.

Cutting/embossing 1/32" Balsa Wood

• White Embossing Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Balsa Wood
• Blue Mat
Before using the sandwich to cut, give one side of the wood two coats of Mod Podge. Let dry. Place the treated side up in the sandwich. The wood will emboss and cut at the same time.

Faux Stained Glass

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Clear Transparency
• White Master Mat
Emboss the stencil into the transparency. Color using a flowing medium, such as stain glass effects paint, Sakura Glaze pens or alcohol inks. The colorant should flow into the sunken embossed areas.

Faux Pounded Flowers for those with allergies or without fresh blooms

• White Embossing Mat
• White cardstock
• Prepared faux flowers
• Waxed paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Use Clearsnap chalk inks and apply onto cheap silk flower… ones you don’t mind throwing away.

Line art turned into an embossing stencil

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Handmade embossing stencil
• Paper or Craft Foil
• White Mat
Outline a simple art piece such as a line drawing, text, logo, etc. with a medium that has depth such as: hot glue, gesso, wire, UTEE, etc. Allow to dry. Complete as many layers as desired. Use the above sandwich to emboss paper or foil.

Make your own foam stamps

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Craft Foam
• White Master Mat
Cut the foam craft sheet. Emboss. Adhere using temp adhesive to a CD case, plastic block or wood block.

Making shaker/shadow boxes
• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Craft foam with adhesive back
• White Master Mat
Nestabilities Die Templates make creating small shaker and shadow boxes a snap! Cut several identical frames. Craft foam provides nice depth and is easy to cut. Mount the first frame onto a piece of decorative cardstock. Layer on 2 to 3 more frames. Insert shaker elements or artwork. Place acetate on top of stack if making shaker box. Place last frame on top (this one may be cut from cardstock or foil.)

Polymer Clay flattening

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Clear Plastic Wrap
• Raw Clay
• Clear Plastic Wrap
• Blue Mat
Peel wrap away from the Tan Embossing Mat and then from the clay.

Pressed Flower Transfer
• White Master Mat
• White cardstock (watercolor paper is ideal)
• Fresh flowers such as pansies, Johnny jump-ups, etc.
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat

Reflections Technique
• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, cutting ridges facing the Master Mat
• Die Cut, lined up with the embossing holes
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat This technique is used to make a mirror image of a die cut. For instance, if the giraffe normally faces to the right, this sandwich will create one that faces to the left. Begin by die cutting the image as usual but do not emboss. Remove the die cut and line it up over the image from the back of the die. It is helpful to use a piece of removable tape to hold it in place. Run through the Wizard. The die cut will not be embossed around the edges, but once inked and embellished; it will resemble any other die cut.  

Spellbinder Wizard Transfer Techniques

Photo Onto copper
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Foil, prepared for transfer
• Photo printed on transparency, face down
• White Master Mat
Prepare the foil by applying a thin layer of Omni Gel or Golden Gel Medium in any finish.
Photo Onto Fabric or Leather
• White Master Mat
• Wax Paper
• Canvas
• Image sprayed with Transfer Medium
• Waxed Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat
Inkjet onto Fabric or other porous surface

• White Master Mat
• Canvas or paper
• Print out, face down
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Cheap photo paper and regular (not archival) inkjet prints make beautiful, detailed transfers onto paper, cardstock, fabric or other thin, porous material. Use a graphics program to layout images/words. Be sure to reverse any words so they will transfer properly. Print the image onto glossy photo paper using good or high print quality. Mist your fabric (paper or twill tape, etc.) so it's damp. Hold your printout vertically. Spray mist into the air and then wave the printout through the mist so it gets wet. A few mists should do it—use care that the ink doesn’t get so wet that it runs. 

Spellbinder dies and the Vagabond

Solo Platform
Sizzix Wafer-Thin Die Adapter
one clear cutting pad
Spellbinder die, cut side up
cardstock
one clear cutting pad

Melanie Muenchinger Stamps

Here is one more designer that I think everyone will find something they love. You have most likely heard of Melanie Muenchinger, her site is Hands, Head and Heart where you will find it loaded with ideas using her stamps, helpful hints and also for specific sets and to many tutorials and ideas to count. Gina K of course with Gina K Designs and Stamp TV carries all of her sets. Gink K did a blog hop over the weekend and I discovered the world of Melanie Muenchinger - the stamps below are ones on the top of my very long wish list. She has so many different sets for any occasion - but you know me flowers and butterflies are my weakness!!!

She is an Illustrator and Senior Designer

And you are about to find out why!!!

To get an idea of her style and some of her sets I decided this time to show the whole set and one project - and of course follow the the item description to get your own set and the other link to see how to create what you see!!! All projects were completed by Melanie herself (I do believe) No they are not in any sort of order - however, I am going to show the first sets that I discovered over the weekend....starting with!!!

 

This is the very first set of hers that caught my attention!

Imagine not only stamping these - but embossing them!!!! These are screaming to be embossed IMHO.

Bring the Bling Item # MM-38

Tell me this shouldn't be your first set of hers! Here is how to do it!

This set is actually very versatile to me...think of all the things you could do with them individually.

I saw one card where the a second center flower was cut out and popped up onto whole array.

Spring Basket Item # MM-36

I love this one, so elegant.

 Couldn't decide which one to choose plus it is spring time!

You know I had to show sets with butterflies!

A Year of Borders Item# MM-33

Just so beautiful...

 

Choosing one more to show you was almost impossible to decide...

Pressed Flowers  Item # MM-26

Breathtaking...you have to agree

Birthday Petals Card

I didn't realize that the other post didn't include directions for the best part - the flower!!! So here it is....Enjoy!! Dawn is making my wish list longer and longer.. I am going to need a par time job so I can get all of the goodies!! Here is original posting...enjoy! http://www.dawnsstampingthoughts.net/2011/02/birthday-petals-card-.html

Hi Stampers :
 Happy Monday Friends & Happy Presidents Day !
I finally got to use my  Blossoms Petals punch# 121808  along with the 
 Build a Blossom stamp set

• (c) # 121994
• (w) # 121923

Love them both !
I use Baja Breeze card stock #111352   and Baja Breeze classic ink #111833   for my card  today.
 I am going to show  you  the inside of my card  later this week via video .. so stinkin cute :)
The Birthday  greeting is from the  stamp set  called
Bring on the Cake

•  # 121958 (c)
•  # 121899 ( w)

I also used the  Framed Tulip embossing folder #121809
I addeda small strip of Springtime Vintage  designer paper # 121782  as well as a few Basic Rhinestones #119246.
To  finish off the pretty flower I added lots of Dazzling Diamonds # 102023
Have a Marvelous Monday friends. See you  tomorrow
Until later... Happy Stampin!
 

Wax Paper Embossing Resist

I think this is the wildest idea!! And as soon as I can find my iron I have got to try this!!
I found this at Split Coast Stampers by Godelieve she did a really nice job on the tutorial as well. Here is original link http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/waxpapercuttlebugresist/

Combine Cuttlebug embossing with wax paper resist to create beautiful backgrounds.

Supplies

• Cuttlebug™
• Cuttlebug™ folder
• Glossy cardstock (twice the size of Cuttlebug embossing folder)
• Wax paper (size of Cuttlebug embossing folder)
• Dye ink (I used the Fired Brick - Distress Ink from Ranger)
• Make-up sponge
• Iron
• Paper towel or copy paper

Step-by-Step

1. Step 1

   Emboss the wax paper in the Cuttlebug™ with an Embossing folder of your choice.
   

2. Step 2

   Fold the glossy cardstock in half, and put the embossed wax paper inbetween.
   

3. Step 3

   Cover the glossy cardstock with copy paper or paper towel, to avoid wax on the iron. Select “cotton” setting on the iron, no steam! Iron the cardstock.
   
   This will transfer the design from the wax paper on to the glossy cardstock.
   
   
   
   

4. Step 4

   Remove and discard the wax paper. Begin sponging the Distress Ink on, using a circular motion. Apply enough ink to get an even color.
   
   
   
   

5. Step 5

   Notice a positive and negative pattern, because both sides of the wax paper were used.
   
   
   
   
6. Color looks less vibrant after a while.
   

7. Step 6

   Finish your card.
   

Glassine Envelopes - Embossing

I saw this really cute idea, and learned what a Glassine Envelop is as well. Tiffany Windsor took one of these envelopes and embossed it using embossing folders. Turned out really cute and she had great ideas on what to use them for.
Here is her video on how she did it, hope you like it! She has a number of videos on how to do things and she is talented and comes up with ideas you would never think of - ok I wouldn't.

Tiffany Windsor - How to Emboss Glassine Envelopes
- Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

I went and looked up the envelopes to see how much they would cost and I found 50 for $6.99 and the site and even more ideas on what to do with them. I am sure there are plenty of places to sell them...but I like that they showed ideas on using them. Average elsewhere was 10 for $2..so the cost for them is ideal - especially considering what you can do with them.  Here is link where they were 50 for $6.99.
http://www.blissweddingsmarket.com/store/000110.htm

Mat for heat gun

I waited until I received my order to see exactly how good this was, and so far it is working out great. I found it on deal pal, with shipping it was about $5. So if you are needing a heat mat to use for embossing or whatever you use heat gun for here is one at great price!

Here is the link:
http://www.dealpal.com/search.php?q=dealpal&q=betty+crocker+clean+cookin+oven+liner

If the link doesnt work for whatever reason go to dealpal and search betty crocker clean cookin oven liner.

Jackie (Elfy)