Online Card Classes - New Class

I did watch both videos this morning. I don't know that I would go to the trouble to make a diffuser, although I saw another video that made them out of heavy weight chipboard, rather than having to cut and stack layers and layers of card stock. I also find myself wondering about making diffusers from old cutting plates. The full plastic/acrylic ones would probably require the assistance of DH and equipment in his maker space. But an old Magic Mat might have similar qualities to heavy chipboard where you might able to use combination of a die/die cutter and craft knife.

Or I could just keep my eyes peeled for some second hand ones. They may well be being snapped up quickly right now after that video, but with patience I think I'll find some. I do feel like I've seen Christina demo diffusers before, actually, though I can't think where that might've been.

Mindy's video I felt was sort of missing some information. The two folders she used for the partial embossing had some design elements that tied them together -- the busier floral folder had some dot clusters in the design that really tied it together with the dot pattern she used on the bottom. She didn't talk about it in her instruction, but I suspect the secret to making the results look cohesive is more than just picking a busier pattern and a simpler one. The second technique was similar in that you need a smaller and larger pattern. She talked about feeling the heart folder to decide which side to use, and that it would work with 3D folders as well as 2D, but not really about how to select folders from your stash that might be successful. Can you use a 2D with a 3D? Who knows?

Has anybody made a card or experimented with the techniques yet?

I had no idea what everyone was referring to when talking about a diffuser, when used with embossing folders. Now that I see your example, I get it! Those are really pretty. I especially like the double embossed one. Very cool technique.

Here is the one card I completed. I was wondering how I would use the circle diffuser with the branch embossed piece, and realized (duh!) that the diffusing technique is much like masking with inks. So I used something I learned from joblackford a few months ago, and once I had inked the branches in green, I placed a circle mask near the center of the panel and inked in from the outside with a darker blue. (CS was light blue).

dragonfly sympathy by Gramma Dee, on Flickr

Just a piece of diecut cs.  

Thanks!

Haven't tackled the diffuser sitch yet, but here's my first try at double embossing:



I didn't like the amount of ink transfer I was getting, so I tried a card stock shim. Not sure it helped where I wanted it to and clearly caused some blotching. I might try again with pigment instead of dye. I was quite surprised after Mindy's demo to discover that for these embossing folders I needed to use the busier botanical first and then add in the bamboo trellis. That seems like the opposite of what she did.

Yes, I see this morning that I jumped ahead by inking my embossing folder.

Watching today's class, I want to run right out and buy a brayer. Which I could probably actually get at the fancy art supply store in town....

Just a FYI: I was on the Spellbinders site looking for a particular club kit embossing folder and was happy to see that all but their very most recent embossing folders are on sale. Some are 50% off. Betterpress is also on sale, as are other items but I tried to keep my eyes facing forward and only ordered folders. Yay me. Anyhow, have fun shopping!

No time to do more than look at the samples today. Watched a couple of minutes of the first video. I am not sure now if I actually PURCHASED that 3-D balloon folder, or just WANTED to buy it LOL. I have cut balloons before to use as masks and/or stencils for birthday cards. Thinking there was a class in one of the Crop & Creates where we embossed with a detail die, then used the outline as a stencil to colour the flowers? Have never tried it with an embossing folder...

I just watched this video that mentioned a sale on SSS embossing folders and this technique looks easy and fun. I feel like I probably have a folder I could do this with, if not using circles perhaps using squares or stripes. 




I have struggled to get good results with Spellbinders embossing folders in my Big Shot. I'm not sure if it's an issue with compatibility, finding the right sandwich - I've tried every damn thing with one of them which makes me wonder if it's a lemon. 

Another FYI: Jennifer McGuire has an embossing folders video out for Simon Says Stamp. I have not watched it yet, so I have no idea if it's all stuff that y'all have done before. Anyhow, here's the link: 

www.facebook.com/watch/?v=464246359402145&aggr_v_ids[0]=464246359402145&aggr_v_ids[1]=1565420840667510&aggr_v_ids[2]=818561719689297&notif_id=1716222846530327&notif_t=watch_follower_video&ref=notif

OK. Finished a card!



Not sure I like the sentiment placement, but it's only on with temporary adhesive anyway. I also made a "you are so kind" one. I figure if I get this job, I owe my internal referrer who is fielding all my needy, paranoid messages a thank you card! It might need some bling or something, but as is, I think it's a nice, simple, somewhat masculine birthday card.

I'm not sure I'm inspired at this time to try anything else. I can't find any two in my stash to try Mindy's technique, but I think that will be resolved when my SB order arrives next week. I only have two folders with dies, neither of which I think is quite right for that shaker technique. I do have a stamp and die which would coordinate with a folder I don't have but would work really well for that. We'll see how long I can resist -- have I mentioned I'm an anxiety-shopper?!

I could try some more of the inking techniques from day two or find folders that might work for Cathy's slightly different take on double-embossing. And, of course, see what's on tap for today!