Monday, August 27, 2012

Embossed Sympathy Card


On the heels of the embossed bridal shower card I recently posted, I am sharing with you today another simple embossed greeting card. I made this one last spring when a colleague at work had lost a grand-parent. This was the first time I had used my Spellbinders Impressabilities in the Flourish design. It was actually given to me by a dear friend as a little thank-you for helping out with her handmade wedding invitations. I had never used anything from the Impressabilities line and had to play with my Sizzix Big Kick before I was happy with the outcome. I found I had to add a couple of extra layers of card stock in between the plates in order for the embossing to stand out.


The sentiment was computer-generated. I use Microsoft Word for all of my CGS (computer-generated sentiments) and for this one, I created two text boxes using different fonts and overlapped them. This can be done by changing the formatting of the text box layout to either Behind Text or In Front of Text and playing around with it. I also increased the text size of the letter S to give it more style. The grosgrain ribbon was recycled from a friend at work who always saves ribbons and other interesting items for me to use with my handmade cards. I think the solid colours is nicely off-set by the delicate embossing making this sympathy card respectfully classy and elegant.

Embossed Sympathy Card

Friday, August 17, 2012

Embossed Bridal Shower Card


If you have a manual die-cut machine such as the Cuttlebug or the Sizzix Big Kick, you can use embossing folders to create simple but elegant cards. Here is a bridal shower card I made last month for my cousin's fiancé. The size of the card is a standard A2. I used my Sizzix Big Kick along with the multi-purpose platform set at Tab 1 as well as a pair of cutting pads. For the embossing, I chose the Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls A2 embossing folder. All you need to do is place the paper within the folder, sandwich the folder between the two plates and place on it on the platform. Insert into the Big Kick and rotate the handle to emboss. It's quite simple and I love adding texture to otherwise plain card stock.

To make it pop and give it a bit of an antique feel, I took a pad of white ink and lightly rubbed it against the raised surface. Then I added a flower using a flower brad to some pink polka dot ribbon from Michael's and taped the ends of the ribbon on the back of the brown embossed card stock. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up and the adhesive gems are from the dollar store. 

So there you have it. A card that is fairly simple to make yet elegant and unique!

Bridal Shower Card