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I am not an avid stamper, as time is a precious thing when you homeschool your children. However I do enjoy making some cards. I like the looks of embossing, but to be honest I do not do that all that well. I have done several cards using the embossing powder and while the images do get embossed they seem to always have very small areas, say, less than perfect. I bought a versamark pad and also have another embossing pad. The powder I have are Marth Stewart brand. I try not to press the stamp too much on the pad as I always get the "ink" around the image which sticks the powder. I remove any of the excess powder from around the image with a small brush. So, anyone here can give me some hints on how to obtain a smooth even finish on my embossing projects?
Thanks. Be well
Miriam
I follow the Ink Stains by Roni blog, and she recently had a three-part tutorial on how to get the best results with embossing powder. I learned a lot, and she goes into quite a bit of detail on how to get the best results:
I haven't checked out those links. . . but what I have found that works for me is to use pigment ink in the color you want - then you can either use the same color embossing powder or even better, clear detail embossing powder. So if there is a tiny place where the powder doesn't stick it won't be obvious - and if there are tiny flecks of embossing powder on the card, it won't be obvious because it's clear. Hope you find what works best for you
I was a homeschool Mom. I know how precious time is teaching our children. It's exhausting too. Worth it in the end. Mine went to Med school. D:! Trust me I thought he was going to end up in JAIL for awhile there, lol.
I do have a lot of color embossing powder. I would begin with color pigment ink and clear embossing powder so the strays don't show up. Also buy a Versamark pen. Any areas you missed you can color with the Versamark pen, add your powder and heat set.
That is the best beginners advice I can give. It will help you build your embossing skills so you can branch out to harder techniques when life is a bit more quiet.
I follow the Ink Stains by Roni blog, and she recently had a three-part tutorial on how to get the best results with embossing powder. I learned a lot, and she goes into quite a bit of detail on how to get the best results:
I follow the Ink Stains by Roni blog, and she recently had a three-part tutorial on how to get the best results with embossing powder. I learned a lot, and she goes into quite a bit of detail on how to get the best results:
A lot of folks use an embossing buddy (or dryer sheet or something) to help make sure that stray pieces of EP don't end up adhering to the cardstock, too. I do sometimes. Embossing isn't always perfect, either. That's part of its charm.
__________________ Diana
*******
Save your drama for your llama.
A lot of folks use an embossing buddy (or dryer sheet or something) to help make sure that stray pieces of EP don't end up adhering to the cardstock, too. I do sometimes. Embossing isn't always perfect, either. That's part of its charm.
I used to homeschool my kids too. It helped them so much!
I also recommend the embossing buddy. It's like $5 and will last you for years. If you do get a stray fleck you can brush that off with a paintbrush or even something like a toothpick.
Ditto to everyone's comments...with my own version...
I wipe down my sheet of paper with an "anti-static" bag filled with who knows what! LOL. It's a little white bag with red or white stitched edges. I'm sorry I cannot begin to tell you what the company is. Anyway...after brushing the paper, I follow up with colored pigment ink. Pigment ink will "rest" on the top of your paper and stay wet longer than other types of ink, so the EP can stick to it. Color Box is a good brand. What I used to call "dye ink" will soak into your paper and I have never seen it produce a good effect with EP.
I keep a clean little artist brush nearby to remove any "stragglers" of EP.
I use black pigment ink when I'm going to use silver or gold powder. Just seems to finish nicer than a clear embossing pad does.
I also use a "rubbermaid" type container... a rectangle shaped one. I used to have one for each different color of EP I had, but that got to be too hard to come up with space for all of them. I dump whatever powder I'm using into the rectangle container. Tilt it so that all the powder goes to one [long] side and then angle my paper into the powder and tilt back the other way. Then I tap off all the excess back into the "rubbermaid" until I'm finished with my project. Then it goes back into the EP bottle.
You'll get better with the heating part as you go along. There is that point where you can see all the EP is evenly "puffed" and looks great. If you heat too long it will flatten out.
Kudos to you for homeschooling. I am so in awe of the families who opt to make that HUGE commitment. We have two families in our church who have opted to do that and my daughter's church has several.
Another tip: I use a coffee filter to collect the excess embossing powder. The powder just glides right off!! Coffee filters are great for glitter too. I read this tip here on SCS a long time ago.
BTW ... I homeschooled my son from preschool through fifth grade. (would have taught him longer, but a divorce meant I needed to get a job outside the home) Homeschooling isn't easy, but it's extremely rewarding!
I didn't realize that Stampin Up sold a version of this. I have always bought mine at Stamp Conventions or LSS. My computer wouldn't load that video, but the picture of it is just like mine.
Thank you so much for all the hints and ideas. I did several Christmas card over the weekend and for most part they turned out good. I will research some about the pigment ink as sounds interesting. I like the coffee filter and also a container bin to keep the EP while working with it.
Indeed homeschooling is a huge commitment, however it does pay off. My daughter has never been to school. She dreads the idea of going to school and for most part we are all happy with our decision. I think of homeschooling as having a close up on a flower as it sprouts from seed, into a little plant, as it blossoms as it continues to grow and bloom. I think I have learned more from homeschooling my child than I did going to school!
Be well
Miriam
Miriam- I feel the same way I think I learned more homeschooling my DS than when I was going to school. I thought it was fun. My DS flew the coop about three years ago. I still get it up every day thinking of things to teach.
I make my own embossing buddy. I filled up a scrap piece of fabric with powder and tied it with a piece of ribbon.
You make your own? What sort of powder do you use? I read that people suggested baby powder and cornstarch type of mix. I have a stray sock that may be finding a new use...
Thanks. Be well
Miriam
You make your own? What sort of powder do you use? I read that people suggested baby powder and cornstarch type of mix. I have a stray sock that may be finding a new use...
Thanks. Be well
Miriam
I used the Baby Powder Cornstarch mix. I am really happy with it.
Yes that's what I did was use 1/2 & 1/2. I did mix the powders up before adding to my "sachet". That's what I call it, my embossing sachet.
Finally got an use for an stray sock. I will mix the powders and give it a try. I hope the sock can hold it all well. Thank you so much for sharing. Be well
Miriam
I am not an avid stamper, as time is a precious thing when you homeschool your children. However I do enjoy making some cards. I like the looks of embossing, but to be honest I do not do that all that well. I have done several cards using the embossing powder and while the images do get embossed they seem to always have very small areas, say, less than perfect. I bought a versamark pad and also have another embossing pad. The powder I have are Marth Stewart brand. I try not to press the stamp too much on the pad as I always get the "ink" around the image which sticks the powder. I remove any of the excess powder from around the image with a small brush. So, anyone here can give me some hints on how to obtain a smooth even finish on my embossing projects?
Thanks. Be well
Miriam
When I began stamping I was always told that PIGMENT INK because of its makeup lies ON TOP of the paper and stays wet longer. This would help your embossing powder to have something to stick to.
DYE INK is absorbed by your paper fairly quickly. You would have to work really fast to get embossing powder to stick to that type.
I've tried it both ways. No comparison. PIGMENT INK for me when I'm embossing.
I have just one more question. For the mix of baby powder and cornstarch. The baby powder I have it says that contains corn starch as well as aloe and few other ingredients. It is a Johnson & Johnson bran. Is that what most of you are using?
Thanks. Be well
Miriam
Can we talk embossing?
