Hello stampers and Happy New Year! Today I am sharing a cool technique that involves inking up your embossing folders and stamping on them before running them through the Big Shot. I shared a video last week on how to do this and it was a big hit. Today I thought I would also talk you through the steps of doing this and show you a few pictures of several variations. Here is what you need:
I found that these colours worked together really well. First you ink up the entire Woodland embossing folder on the Sizzex logo side with Soft Suede. Then you swipe it a few times with the night of navy ink pad. Then stamp the tree from Lovely as a Tree with Garden Green several times at different heights. Lay a white piece of cardstock 4″ by 5 1/4 inches on the uninked side of the folder about 1/4″ from the folder seam. If you look carefully you will see that the bottom of the trees starts at that point. Close your folder and run it through the Big Shot with just the base and two clear plates.
This is what it will look like, but each time it will turn out differently which makes this technique so artistic. I used a 1 3/4″ circle punch to cut out the sentiment which is from Rose Wonder. The 2 3/8″ scallop circle punch with night of navy is a great accent.
With the card above you can see that I swiped the night of navy on the folder on an angle at the bottom making it look like a woodland hill. This is just a happy coincidence! Swiping the folder with this dark colour also accents the bark on the birch trees beautifully don’t you think? Here is another one so that you can see how two identical cards can still look very different with this technique.
This second card has more intense inking on the folder and therefore looks a lot different than the first one. I realize that the scallop circle punch is retired but thankfully Stampin’Up! offers the Layering Circle framelits which will also do the job. Both cards have a base of Night of Navy cardstock.
You can make this card even more detailed by adding another stamp to the mix. I used the antique car from Guy Greetings. I also want to show you the difference when you choose different colours for the car. For one I used early espresso, which I thought was a suitably dark colour. For the other card I used night of navy for the car. Which one do you like better?
The other difference with this card is that I inked the folder first with marina mist and then I brayered over the trees lightly with early espresso. I prefer the first colour combination as I find that the birch trees pop more in those cards. I do love the car in behind the trees though. This just shows that you need to play around a bit with different colours and techniques to see what you like best. I just clean the folder with a baby wipe in between cards. You do need to start with a clean embossing folder each time. I have not found that this technique does any damage to your ink pads either. Rest easy. Breathe. It’s ok!!
Do you notice the difference it makes when you do the card “landscape” style rather than “portrait”? It allows you to add more trees and I really like that too. This also contrasts the two different inking techniques. On the left is the marina mist with brayered trees and on the right is the first formula with soft suede and night of navy.
I hope you have a lot of fun playing with this fun and easy technique. We are in the middle of a cold snap with lots of snow so it is great to play inside a warm house with ink and paper. Here is the video that I shared last week. I hope you all have a fantastic 2018! Remember, today is the last day to order from the Holiday catalog and tomorrow Sale-a-bration starts. What fun.
Jackie, Thank you for explaining how to achieve this cool effect. I’ve seen lots of samples using it, but couldn’t figure how they did it. I vote for the Navy car.
Hi Mary! I’m so glad you found this post helpful. Have a lot of fun with it. The navy car does stand out more doesn’t it?
Simple, quick and clear directions. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to try this.
Thanks so much Susie, I appreciate your comment. Good luck with the draw too!
I ordered the supplies for this beautiful card and just received them. I tried and failed due to the amount of ink on the pads. How old are your ink pads? The new ones are so saturated with ink it is impossible to achieve the lovely effect you get from yours. Any ideas?
HI Olga. Thanks for your comment. If you give your ink pads a rub with an old credit card that pushes the ink down into the pad better. Also, press lightly when you ink up your stamp, just a light tap,tap, tap. Hope that helps. Where do you live Olga? You can also use a sponge to ink up your folder, that will give you a lighter effect. Alternatively you can ink up with the ink pad and then take off some of the ink with a clean sponge. Practice makes perfect, I had a few that didn’t turn out so well either.
Hi Jackie Bultje I like this idea I will be trying as I am new at this but I love the way you did it so here goes
Way to go Carol! It’s a fun technique. Be prepared to try it a few times before you love it. Keep me posted.
Beautiful cards, and I liked the blue card better. You gave very good directions on how to make the cards. Thank you.
Thanks so much Cynthia. Took me a long time to reply!
Love this technique.
Thanks so much Audra!
Hello Jackie
I am an 82 year old card maker from Australia..
I loved your instructions and your video was fabulous. Am going to try this card now.
Thank you so much.
Patricia
Way to go Patricia, that makes me so happy. My plan and hope is also to be still making cards and trying new things at 82. Happy New Year to you and thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
I have seen this embossing folder a dozen times and wondered how to use it. I never would have thought to ink the folder. Can’t wait to try this. Love your card.
Thanks so much Karen, this is a very fun technique. It doesn’t always go perfectly the first time, so be prepared to play a bit to see what works best for you.
I like using this technique, though wouldn’t swiping the Night of Navy muddy up the ink pad after using it on top of the Soft Suede?
It doesn’t seem to make a big difference. If you did ten cards in a row it might become a problem. Good question though! Thanks and have a super day.
Tried many times and my tree ink ends up on the birch. The birch is never white. help!
You might be pressing too hard Jami. Frustrating isn’t it? Try it one more time with a lighter touch and see how it goes. Did you watch the video? I have tried some techniques and they don’t work for me. If it is too frustrating, just leave it. Hugs!!
I would like to try making the card with the car stamp but don’t seem to find a stamp. Could you give me an idea what size stamp I need ?
I would say about 1 1/2 – 2″ wide and 1 1/2″tall. I have also done this technique with a deer.
We’re can I obtain the birch trees, I have looked at various sites and have not been successful.
I sent you a message via email, did you not receive it? Stampin’Up! sells this folder, if you are in Canada you can buy it from me, if you are in the USA then click shop with Julie in the sidebar of my blog. https://www.stampinup.ca/products/woodland-embossing-folder
I have been trying to find this ‘woodland’ trees embossing folder and cannot locate it anywhere. Can I purchase this from a local Stampin’ Up instructor since you are located in Canada? Please advise someone close by. I live in Cleveland Ohio.
Today is 10-26-2021
I sent you an email Patsy. Happy to help you out.
Hi from North Carolina!I would love to get this folder can you tell me how? Love the cards and color scheme examples I would never think of. Just lovely – thanks
The embossing folder is now retired. I will email you.
Hello I live in the Netherlands. Can I get this embossing folder somewhere here? Regards Nel
Hello Nel. That folder is now sold out which is really sad. You might get lucky on Marktplaats.
Thank you! I will try. Regards