We had a fun workshop day on 21 August. Lots of people bought Cuttlebugs and we had some demonstrations on how to use the bug to do some things a little out of the ordinary.
Emboss and Ink
This example is done using the embossing folder. Place the card in the folder and run it through the CB as usual.
To introduce the colour, ink up a sponge or cut 'n dry foam and lightly rub over the surface of the embossed card. This example used distress inks, but other inks can be used as satisfactorily.
The darker the ink used, the greater the contrast between the raised surface and the background.
Cut and Emboss
First, cut your shape. You could use a CB die or a nestability die (as this one is). This works with many shapes, except the dies that emboss and cut at the same time.
Place the cut shape in an embossing folder and run it through the CB. This sample used the Swiss Dots folder (my favourite!).
You could go one step further and lightly colour the surface using the sponged technique described above.
Ink and Emboss
This technique is a fun one, but a little messy!
You will need an embossing folder, coloured ink pad, brayer and cloth to clean the folder when finished.
Ink up your brayer by running it over the ink pad. Make sure it is well inked. Transfer the ink to that side of the folder that has the indentations for the design on it. (When the card is run through the CB, this is the side where the imprints are raised)
Carefully place the card in the folder, close it then run through the CB.
In this sample, the yellow was the first run through leaving a strong coloured background. The green sample was the result of spritzing the ink remaining on the folder after a first run through, then a fresh card inserted into the folder and run through again. The result is a slightly less strong colour, but more of a water colour background.
Acetate and alcohol ink
To make this sample, I coloured acetate with alcohol inks - 3 colours on the applicator and dabbed onto the acetate, covering it completely.
When dry, place the acetate in an embossing folder and run it through the CB.
To attach it to card, cut to shape/size and fix it to the base layer with a dab of glossy accents in the corners or you could use brads in the corners.
Embossed Ribbon
For this method, it is probably better to use a wider ribbon, but narrow could be used if you wanted to use a narrow strip embossing folder.
First, you need to stiffen your ribbon. You could use a start solution or one of the solutions available that quilters and embroiderers use to stiffen fabric. I used a half and half PVA/water solution and painted it on. Leave to dry.
Place the ribbon in the embossing folder and run it through the CB. If you ribbon has a "right" side, take care which way up you place the ribbon in the folder.
Narrow Embossing Folders
Many CB owners have bought the narrow embossing folders to put a strip of embossing on a card, but when you run it through the CB, it comes out with a strip along the card where the edge of the folder has impressed on the card. To avoid this, cut a piece of thick card (or several pieces) that is the same thickness of a B plate and is the same width as the pattern on the embossing folder.
Place the folder on the card where you would like the design and place it in a sandwich as follows: A plate, B plate, folder, thick card. Now run it through the CB. You do not need the other B plate in the sandwich. You could use lollypop sticks or tongue depressors instead of thick card. Do make sure that your extra layer is the width of the embossing pattern.
Background Stamps
Have you ever thought that it would be nice to have a background stamp the same as one of your embossing folders? You can make one out of craft foam! Simply cut the foam to the size you want, place it in the folder, then run it through the CB.
To use it as a stamp, you could layer it on mounting foam (the sort you use to mount rubber stamps) then place it on the acrylic block. I used DS tape to make the sample, but found that it left stripes where the tape was so the coverage was irregular due to different thicknesses.
Hope you have fun trying out these techniques!
