April 7, 2020.....Stamp With Shel....Retro Rewind...and a free Tutorial. . .

Happy Tuesday Stampers!

Today is "Stamp With Shel Retro Rewind"!  We are going to re-visit a card I created in the past.

I will show you a sample of the card and give you a free step by step tutorial so you can re-create this project today with current supplies (or supplies in your stash) while you are at home self-isolating.

Sound good?  Let's get started!

This card was taught in one of my card classes back in May of 2016....it has two techniques on one card.....Omission Embossing Technique and Sponging Technique.  Both of these are super easy to do.

Here is the card:

If you look closely at this card, the center portion (where the greeting is stamped) is not embossed, it is completely flat. 

How'd she do that?  Well, I am going to tell you step-by-step. 

This is a super cool and super easy technique that you will want to try with a variety of different embossing folders!

The supplies I used on this card are:

Cucumber Crush card base 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 scored at 4 1/4"
Whisper White art piece layer 4 x 5 1/4
Confetti embossing folder
scrap cardboard from DSP
Oval die
Memento Black ink pad
Sponges
Cucumber Crush, Watermelon Wonder and Daffodil Delight ink pad
Black Hemp Twine
Watercolor Words stamp set

Now I love the bright colors here....compatible colors that are current now would be Poppy Parade or Lovely Lipstick; Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover.  But go with your favorites. 

Any embossing folder will do....but I prefer ones that are busy and have tight (close together) designs.  There are many current choices but the Mosaic 3D or the layered leaves might be cool to try. 

Ok....so first you need to make a diffuser template out of the cardboard from the dsp packs.  You can also commercially purchase diffuser plates....but use what you have....the cardboard works fine. 

Cut three or four pieces of the cardboard from the dsp packs the same size as your embossing folder.....for ease, simply trace your folder onto the cardboard and cut out.

Now grab a shape die....I chose a large oval but you can make it a circle, square, heart, whatever suits your fancy. 

Carefully place die and secure to one piece of cardboard and run through die cutting machine.  Trace the shape onto the other three cardboard for perfect placement and die-cut remaining three.

Use Tombo glue and glue all four pieces of cardstock together so they match up perfectly.
Ta-da!  You have created your diffuser plate.  That is the hardest part of this!

Ok...now for the magic....insert your Whisper White card stock into the embossing folder making sure it is centered.  Place the diffuser plate on TOP of the embossing folder (not inside)  I taped mine to the folder so that I was sure it would not move on me.

Run through your die-cutting machine making sure you do not put too much pressure on the machine. 

For my sandwich, I used a platform embossing folder with card stock, diffuser plate, clear plate...but all machines are different....you need to figure out what works for you. 

Once dry embossed, grab a sponge or sponge dauber and apply ink to the raised areas of the embossing with a LIGHT touch and a circular motion... remember...you can always add more color but you cannot take it off.

Stamp greeting in the center with Memento Black ink.

Add ribbon or bakers twine to the art piece and then adhere to card base either flat or with dimensionals.

Add a white liner to the inside so you have a nice area to write your message. 

Here is one last look at my simple card:

Ok....go....have fun....try this technique....send me photos of your creations....then mail the card to someone you care about....make someone smile! Be a blessing to someone today!

Have fun and happy stamping!