'Turn Up The Heat' class update

Last week's Papercraft Session saw us dig out the heat gun again for some heat embossing. I've always used heat embossing mainly for bold images, such as those in the 'Just Believe' stamp set, so I wanted to try a more subtle look for a change.

The first card we made was based on a design a featured in my last post, but instead of using the Big Shot and dry embossing the background, I used the large stamp from the Style Beautiful set. I applied the stamp to Certainly Celery cardstock using Versamark ink, then heat embossed using clear embossing powder. Because the design of this stamp is a dotted line, each little dot was picked out beautifully by the fineness of the powder. That's what I love about Stampin' Up! embossing powders, they're really fine and so you don't lose detail like you do with some other powders.

I then stamped the flower outline from the Hostess set Simply Soft. I inked the stamp up first with Versamark, to get the stickiness I needed, then Basic Black for colour. Don't try this the other way around or you'll end up with a messy Versamark pad!  After heat embossing that image with clear powder, I stamped the second part of this 2-step stamp, the flowers, using River Rock ink. I didn't want it to line up precisely for this design, so I stamped by eye, but if you did want perfect alignment I'd recommend using a Stamp-a-ma-jig. I coloured the leaves using a Certainly Celery marker.

After matting the image with Chocolate Chip CS and applying it to the Celery layer, I applied Sticky Strip across the bottom and added some Grosgrain ribbon in a pleated effect. I tucked the ends to the back of that layer and adhered it to another Choc Chip mat and finally to my textured River Rock card base.

The second card we made featured the striking tree image from the new Forever Young stamp set. The 'Life is Beautiful' sentiment (from the Style Beautiful set) was stamped in Versamark onto Choc Chip card and then heat embossed using the new Wild Wasabi embossing powder. Having used this colour and Melon Mambo, I can't wait to try the other new colours! Once again, the gorgeous Lace Ribbon Border punch is used to add interest to the left hand side - so simple!