What do you get when you see Tim Holtz on Facebook live AND new Simon Says Stamp toys in the mail at the same time?! Invention Convention, I tell you! I absolutely love the idea of using embossing folders, but they never end up in my projects. I have about fifteen patterns and rarely use a one. Then Tim showed how to use the diffusers in his Sizzix Facebook takeover. (See the Sizzix FB page if you missed it.) Basically, the diffuser is a top plate for your cutting machine sandwich. It applies pressure everywhere except the cutout part of the plate. I just loved the circle one and wreath idea, especially when Tim showed simple punched wreath cards. And with punches being the second most unused craft supply in my stash, I thought it high time to get these products out for play!
A diffusing plate should be at least as big as your embossing folder. First I cut a sheet of white cardstock to size. I carefully measured and aligned my circle die in place and then taped to secure. I cut through and removed the circle, but left the outer portion to use as a template. Next. I aligned my template with the same sized sheets of thin cardboard and cut several of these one by one. I secured layer by layer until they were as thick as my cutting plate. Then gave it a test and it wasn't thick enough, so I added one more sheet of chipboard. I used Aileen's tacky glue and it worked great. Run your sandwich through your machine using the DIY diffuser in place of your top cutting plate. I saved the white template to use to mask my stamping, as seen in the card below.
The benefits of using a diffuser I've seen so far are 1. the stamping aspect and 2. the use of negative space to make your focal element pop and not compete with the embossed design and 3. the outline is perfect for helping place your wreath elements.
I used clear Aileen's tacky glue to attach my punched elements for the wreath. I used the white tacky glue to adhere my layers of chipboard together for the DIY diffuser. For my deer card, I used a Basic Grey Sizzix embossing folder and sponged it with black ink to add to the rustic effect. Splashes of gesso help mix it up and look a bit like snow. The little berries are tiny pearl stickers.
My husband was in love with the polar bear in this set, so I decided to try another version. I used metallic kraft core paper and layered with the new Tim Holtz snowflake thinlet set. I embossed the bear in gold and added various bling.
I adhered sequins too and splashed with my trusty Goldfinger metallic paint by IndigoBlu. If you look carefully, you can see the gold thread I added in a circular shape. Fun!
I could not stop! I mean seriously... I made a fourth card but you'll have to wait for the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop to see it. See the link in my sidebar. The last card was made with a dotty folder. I rubbed my Versamark pad over the raised areas and embossed with white EP. I did a reverse of the punches for a different effect. I punched out the red "berries" using my trusty Cropadile and then glued them down and added Stickles over them for shine. More sequins and string.
I truly hope you've enjoyed seeing these as much as I enjoyed making them.
Don't forget to pin the graphic for reference.
I'm sharing with:
27 comments:
Very clever - I have to remenber this when it comes to use my embossing folders for cards !
Your cards are utterly beautiful! Each of them!
Wonderful!
Gorgeous, love all 3 of them. The one with the golden bear is pretty awesome too. Thank you so much for entering our challenge.
Greetings, Veerle DT - ATSC
Oh now these are really awesome Autumn and I just had to chuckle at your "could not stop"!! It sure looks like you had lots of fun and this is a great concept for the embossing folders!! Must have a look! :) HUGS
Oh, Autumn, I am so inspired by your wonderful post and amazing cards! These three are simply stunning and I am definitely going to try this! It's so much fun and so very creative! Beautifully done, my friend! Big hugs! Branka xx
You have really rocked this technique Autumn, and your cards are amazing. Thanks for the inspiration.
Blessings
Maxine
Great tutorial on the creation of your own design of a diffuser (I have some of these, and never used it once!) Love the effects you've created using your design, and each card is just beautiful. How clever you are to have the best of both worlds, when you had to make a difficult purchase decision. You did great and the cards are beautiful. TFS & Hugs
Beautiful cards and a brilliant idea
Carol x
Oh wow 3 totally stunning cards! I especially love the reindeer one! That's exactly the kind of card my nan would love! I make her a reindeer one every year lol
Lucy x
Such wonderful details here, each one so beautifully done! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Penny Black and More!
Well, I am WAAAAYYY behind in blogland, but had to land here to comment on these absolutely fabulous cards, Autumn! You've such an eye for detail, color, composition - just marvelous and Invention Convention indeed! Terrific inspiration for this and other seasons - as always! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and welcome to FB :-) xxx Lynn
Your enthusiasm for the diffuser really shines through Autumn!! I got them when they first came out, and loved them, then they went to the back of my cupboard.... you and Tim have inspired me to get them out again. Your cards are all so beautiful!! You obviously had great fun making them - love that reindeer! Hugs, Anne xx
All your three cards are beautiful, rich and festive. Great layers, colours texture. Great job. Love them all. Thanks for playing along Simon Says Stamp Christmas Critters Challenge. Gayatri xx
Super creations for our Christmas themes at Stamping Sensations and Penny Black and More challenges, many thank for joining in.
B x
Thanks so much for sharing these lovely creations with us at Stamping Sensations!
Genius! The cards are super too - can't decide which I like best!
Well I've not heard of this diffuser technique, so I'm off to give it a try. The results are wonderful. Each card offers something special and I love the rich tones you've used. Beautiful work :D
Wauw these are beautiful Christmas cards Autumn! I cannot choose which I like best. Thanks for joining our challenges at Addicted to Stamps and at Stamping Sensations and thanks for your tutorial! Marlies
Wow! Impressive cards. Thanks so much for joining us at Sparkle N Sprinkle's Creative Challenge.
-Chris, SNS DT
stunning cards Autumn and I love your ingenuity and DIY diffuser technique...thank you so much for sharing at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge...hugs kath xxx
These are SO gorgeous, Autumn! I too have lots of unused embossing folders, so I will definitely be trying out this technique. Thanks for sharing it with us, and also for joining us at Stamping Sensations this month.
Lynne
Lovely set of cards. I tried the diffuser idea a while ago and it didn't work, now you've inspired me to give it another go
Thanks for joining us at stamping Sensations this month
Joan
Absolutely stunning cards, Autumn! Each one is just a beautiful work of art and I adore all the details and the diffuser is something that I really need to try! Thank you so much for sharing and for playing along with us over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog... :)
Completely stunning! LOVE them all, and love the polar bear!
What a great set of cards! I love how you solved the problem of not having the diffuser by making your own! Great engineering, my crafty friend! And the end result are these fantastic creations! I'm so inspired to get mine out--I think I may have the circle diffuser. Loving all the looks you got with this wreath design! Big hugs!
WOW - these are all three stunning creations. Thanks for joining us at the Imagine That Digistamp Christmas is Coming Challenge, Lisa Lynn DT.
Absolutely gorgeous work.
Thanks so much for entering your creation into our current challenge over at Imagine That! Creative Playground. Good luck in the draw.
☺Lisa D.
DT Member for Imagine That! Digis by Kris!
Décosse’s Dynamite Doodles--My Personal Blog!
Don't know how I missed this post. WOWSERS, OMG, these are GORGEOUS. Did I say WOW??!!!! In love with these, Autumn! I can't even pick a favorite! I have had my eye on this stamp set and after seeing these, it's a must have. Thank you for the inspiration and for your tutorial - maybe now I can use up some of that chipboard I have! Hugs!!!! :-)
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