My blog is called "Creative Smiles" because my designs are the result of incorporating mistakes. With fumble fingers that drop whatever they are holding - repeatedly, it takes a lot of giggles, smiles and creative patience during my crafting process. xx

Sunday, March 14, 2021

3-D Embossing Folder and Freebies

 Hello, dear Blogging Friends!

These cards are dedicated to my cherished friend CLARA, who passed away unexpectedly last month. 

I was recently inspired by a brand new blogger Shandy at MERMAIDS AND PAPER HEARTS, and blogging friends Leslie Miller and Connie Griffin, in making the following cards. Shandy inspired me via our conversation about colors and flowers, Leslie via Stencil Embossing (even though mine is with embossing folders instead), and Connie because she is always sharing techniques with us. So I've used VIRGINAL PRODUCTS from my stash! 



Having been hidden away in my stash for years, my Crafters Companion Ornate Lace 3D embossing folder finally felt paper!

After dry embossing, VIRGINAL Encore pigment ink was applied. Each card involves different Encore ink colors:

first, dry emboss:


Then smoosh with pad and/or fingers:


In this case, Encore Ultimate Metallic Teal was rubbed on the raised areas, and then coated with a clear detail embossing powder that contained microfine glitter. The Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms were rolled in the same cardstock as the 3D folder, however, distress ink and platinum pearlescent paints were applied for visual interest. The Silver leaves are from upcycled can lid of Whey Protein Powder LOL. If you're on my blog, click on the photo to enlarge to better see the details:




Whole card:

Black cardstock, VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Gold was rubbed on the most raised areas. In the lesser raised areas, I finger rubbed Encore Ultimate Metallic Pink in order to provide a tiny bit of visual dimension. The roses were colored in the same fashion:


 

This bold blue background was fun and messy! On cardstock made for acrylics, I smooshed various acrylic paints up and down. With a very light brushing of wet glue, I then added tiny bits of blue and silver glitters into some areas. When the finished background was dry embossed, it looked pretty just as it was, but after adding VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Silver to the top of the raised areas, it really brought out the glitz! 

TIP:

There are two coats of clear detail embossing powder on top of the silver ink. Her Virginal Inkiness was so wet, that it took two coats. I learned that highly metallic pigment inks retain their metallic qualities when used with CLEAR embossing powder, because the metallic components IN the ink rise to the surface of the clear embossing powder.


The next card uses the same aqua paper, but with VIRGINAL Encore Ultimate Metallic Silver applied to the top of the raised areas. This card was also "distressed" with the silver ink. How different it looks in comparison to the card using the Teal ink!


This card front was dredged with clear embossing powder, heat set, and then dredged again with clear detail EP mixed with microfine glitter. It's my favorite! Which is your favorite?



Lastly, is the card inspired by and made for Shandy. She likes the color turquoise (reminds her of mermaids) and she likes layered flowers. It was distressed and embossed with clear detail EP:



Thanks for stopping by! It was fun playing with goodies from my stash!

Products: Dies: Cottage Cutz Greenery 4x4, SU Modern Label Punch, TH Garden Greens, SB Carnations, SB Bitty Blossoms, Stamps: Hero Arts CL342 sentiment Inks: INKS & Mediums: assorted pearlescent acrylic paints, assorted pearlescent watercolors, assorted Encore Metallic inks, assorted distress and VFC inks, assorted embossing powders, Cardstock: acrylic paint paper, lavender, deep blue, pale blue, aqua, black, EMBOSSING FOLDER: Crafters Companion Ornate Lace 3D

Challenges I'd like to play in please:



  1. Just Us Girls Challenge #575 Trend Week Use An Embossing Folder 5/19 sep post
  2. Simply Create Too Challenge #168 Wet or Dry Embossing (I dry embossed the background, applied ink to the the dry embossed areas, then embossing powder and heat set. The sentiments are also heat embossed. 4/2
  3. Frilly and Funky (March 6) Something Vintage 3/17 sep post
  4. The Corrosive Challenge #3 Anything Goes 4/2
  5. A Bit More Time to Craft #135 AG 4/1
  6. A Perfect Time to Craft #3 AG 4/1
  7. Stamping Sensations Challenge (March) Monochromatic 4/5 (each card is monochromatic)

FREEBIE SENTIMENTS - my gift to you


My gift to you - Arrangements of the same sentiment for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell the Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on. Different shapes of sentiments work well for landscape or portrait shape cards.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger in June 2020, your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!


Sympathy Verse:













Stamping hugs,

30 comments:

Shandy Davis said...

Donna, you have really out done yourself on these cards!Each one is full of detail and care.I love you colors(especially turquoise) I love the dry embossing technique and these cards done perfectly!!!

Mrs A. said...

Oh dear Donna i have to fess up to having that very same embossing folder and it is still in its packaging unused. Your cards really are inspirational so I must have a dig and find mine. Hope you are keeping safe and well. Hugs Mrs A.

Glennis F said...

Absolutely Gorgeous

Crafting Queen said...

Wonderful cards, adore your colour choices. Anesha x

Donna said...

These cards are gorgeous and so elegant! Great colors and those flowers are a beautiful accent. Nice explanation on how to do this, much appreciated Donna. Hugs, Donna

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely stunning cards and amazing embossing love the effect of the gold on the black
Carol x

Anne Buckingham said...

Your cards are always layers of lovelines. They are stunning. I admire the flowers. You have a die for them? I must find it and see if still available.

Beebeebabs said...

Wow your cards are absolutely beautiful - love the embossing - you did a great job as always - thanks for the beautiful sentiment. Enjoy the rest of your weekend my friend!!!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Your cards are so gorgeous. Each is so wonderful. Lovely sentiment you offered too.

Sue said...

Hi Donna, These are so elegant. Sue

brenda said...

These are so elegant Donna and you have achieved such luxurious finishes on each, the gold/bronze one in particular jumps out at me.

Have to confess I rarely use embossing folders, probably because the teams and challenges I'm associated with are all about stamping and that's where my heart lies. But you may well have inspired me to buy a few folders and have a play.

B x

Chris said...

Donna it's wonderful that you're feeling up to blogging again! These 3 cards are so beautiful, fabulous colours and designs, beautiful texture from the embossing and a lovely detailed 'how to' description. Thank you for the freebies too.
xx

Donna Phelan said...

So sorry to hear about your gal pal, Clara. (((hugs))) These cards are beautiful and I love how you embossed them, really brings out the beauty! Each 'flavor' is fabulous! Be well! xo~

cotnob said...

Beautiful cards Donna, thank you for sharing the fabulous techniques and lovely sentiments.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

KarinsArtScrap said...

these are gorgeous Donna
Gr Karin

Jackie T said...

Hi Donna your cards are gorgeous. I love them all. I have that embossing folder and I have used it a few times. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Bunny said...

These are so beautiful. You're so smart and sweet. [Bunny]

KraftyKoolKat said...

Such beautiful stencil creations sweetie. Thank you for the beautiful sentiment.
Hugs
Cathy
xxxx

sarascloset said...

Donna, I'm so saddened to hear the news of the passing of your friend. My condolences to you. On a happier note, your note cards are simply amazing and I'm just thrilled you shared them with us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique challenge blog! Asking us to choose a favorite is like naming a favorite child...all so lovely! I think I may have these inks and must bookmark this to give it a go! Hope you are doing well!

Lori m said...

Donna I'm so sorry about your friends passing. Your cards in her memory are beyond stunning, such a beautiful tribute to her memory, hugs, Lori m

Conniecrafter said...

Oh Donna first of all I would like to say how sorry I am on the passing of your friend. Sending hugs!!
These cards are just amazing, that embossing folder is gorgeous and how you brought out the details with that inking and embossing is just stunning!! The flowers and leaves are such a wonderful additions to it, I would not be able to pick which one I like over the others, they are all just wonderful. I love the touch of shimmer that is in with the embossing powder.
You are so very sweet to give us more beautiful words to share inside our cards. Thank you!

Mac Mable said...

I am blown away with these amazing and eye catching cards Donna. You look like you had fun making them x.
The colours, the dry and heat embossing, the colour combinations and the sheer brilliance of these cards is absolutely unique and stunning....I don't need to tell you but I love them....x....Thank you for the tip too x.
Sending heartfelt love and hugs about the sad news about your cherished friend Clara x.

Leslie Miller said...

OMG, Donna, there's so much beauty here I can hardly take it all in! First, I'm sorry about the loss of your friend, Clara. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose someone so suddenly. Also, thanks for the shout out. It's nice to think I might have inspired you in any small way at all. All your cards are amazing! You asked about a favorite. How to choose? I'm fond of the soft aqua and silver, but also the contrast of the richer blue and silver, and the drama of black and gold. The folder is gorgeous. The silver leaves cut from the can lid are striking. Fantastic virginal folder and inks. Doesn't it feel great? I'm in awe! Thank you so much, too, for the digi sentiments. You know I love them and do use them in my cards. You're a sweetheart!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Donna, your attention to the small details makes these cards ones to treasure! I forget, a folder and some ink can transform anything! My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your friend. We all seem to be losing loved ones. And thank you for the freebies, very pretty! xoxo

Monica C. said...

Wow Donna, these cards are gorgeous! I love that embossing folder and the way you have applied the inks and the embossing powders is so beautiful even in the photos!
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.
Hugs Monica

Sue said...

First off, I am sorry for your loss of a dear friend.

The cards are all stunningly beautiful. I could not pick a favorite if I tried. I found it hard to believe you could do the embossed color over black, but is looks fabulous. That is a stunning embossing folder. I hear ya about virginal Stuff in your stash, I am so guilty of that too. I try not to put things away until I have used them once, but it becomes a necessity when new stuff arrives in the mail........what an addiction! And it has been going on for so many years.

Love the cards and all the colors you chose to make them in absolutely gorgeous.

Hugs
Sue

NanaConnie said...

Oooo, I adore that embossing folder, Donna, but the colors you chose for each card are what really make them. The blue and metallic silver is incredible! I'm nearly speechless. I have to do something to CASE that one (when I'm feeling up to crafting again.) :-D

Cec said...

Love the way each card has the same layout and uses the same embossing folder and yet they all look so different because of how you treated them. Thanks for joining us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.
Hugs!
Cec

Bobby said...

Running ink over the embossing really makes every detail stand out, Donna. Your cards are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us at Just Us Girls.

Angela Finch said...

I love the colour schemes you chose. I think a lot of people underestimate how beautiful embossed cards can be. Thank you for taking part in the Simply Create Too Challenge. Angela (DT member)