Technique of the week - Dry embossing using embossing folders

There are 2 techniques that have the word "embossing" in them.  One way is using pigment ink and embossing powders - that I will cover later.  Today it is the use of embossing folders with paper in between and using a machine that will use pressure to push a design in the paper.

Close To My Heart paper has a white core.  That means when you put paper through an embossing folder/machine you can sand the paper and it will appear as a white design.

The right side has the impression of a heart and the left has been sanded.  You can leave it like that or you can use a sponge and add color with ink or chalk.  The Close To My Heart embossing folders are 5" x 7" but you can use any size of paper.

The embossing folders come in a variety of images.  How can you use them?
1. in the flip flaps on a page
2. on a page itself as a mat for a photo or cut out image
3. just as decoration on a page.
4. for cards in all the same ways as for pages
5. for the cover fold of a card

Here is the card with the embossed hearts.  In order to use the embossing folders, you need a machine.  I used the Sizzex Texture Boutique for a long time.  I have a number of folders that are 2x3, 5x1, and 3x5.  When Close to My Heart came out with the 5x7 size, I had to get a new machine.  I chose the Sizzex Big Kick as it would do 12 " things as well as a multipurpose platforms that would do the metal embossing, small nested metal and other things that I had. It came with some texture folders to use as well.

You can choose darker paper for cards and emboss the front.  Then you can put a white piece on the inside ( 1/4" smaller all around) so you can write a note or stamp a saying.  There are a variety of embossing folders with Close To My Heart - Arrow, floral, honeycomb, woodgrain, dot, chevron, quatrefoil, damask, stripe, vine, diamond, scallop and of course the heart.  You can use a variety of embossed images on the same page.  You can sand them or leave them.  Note: you need to be careful as you pull off the paper so you don't tear the piece you just embossed.