A Very Merry Christmas Blog Hop plus Cuttlebug/Nestability Embossed Frame Tutorial

Tonight I am particating in a StampTV Blog Hop for "A Very Merry Christmas" available from Gina K Designs.  It has been so much fun being one of Theresa Momber's Guest Designers for this beautiful set.  I have TWO posts for you this evening.  The card above, then a  tutorial below on how I created a one layer card with a Cuttlebug embossed border  which includes a Nestability embossed frame in the center.  I previously posted several cards on my blog using this technique and have received  a lot of requests for a tutorial.  Tonight I am going to show you how I did it.

First, for the above card I used the Snow Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background.  It was attached to a red background.  The holly stamp from "A Very Merry Christmas" was stamped three times on glossy CS then colored with Copic markers.  The bells were stamped with detail gold embossing powder on shiny gold CS and cut out.  Don't they look like real gold bells!    The white background was cut out with petite oval Nestabilities and embossed with the Swiss dots embossing folder.  A larger scalloped Nesties was used for the green part of the frame.  A paper piercing tool was used to punch holes in each scallop.  The holly was placed under the green scalloped frame and the bells attached with the Glue Glider adhesive.  Three gold brads were added to complete the card. 

ONE LAYER CUTTLEBUG/NESTABILITY EMBOSSED TUTORIAL

  This is my next card but before I show you the tutorial, I wanted to say that for even more ideas with Theresa Momber's A Very Merry Christmas stamp set, visit her blog link below as well as the GinaK Idea Center here: A Very Merry Christmas. Theresa's tip sheet has been added to the Idea Center as a PDF so you can print out her tips and suggestions for a handy reference tool.  Her Copic coloring links  are also included.

Here are all the Designer's Blog Links to check out tonight:

Theresa Momber

Carolyn King

Cathy Tidwell

Donna Baker

Emily Giovanni

Erika Martin

Jessica Fick

Lee Murphy

Nina Bracket

Melanie Muenchinger

September's Center Stage Spotlight Team:

Giovana Smith

Janice Melton

Kay Simmons

Linda Payne

Lori McAree

and finally, Theresa's Guest Designers for A Very Merry Christmas:

Selma Stevenson (you are here)

Sharri Seffens

Geri Utterback

Brenda Turner
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TUTORIAL For Cuttlebug/Nestability embossed card.

A while back I read where someone used a wooden frame to create a Cuttlebug embossed card without it embossing the center of the card.  I do not remember where I read this to give credit to the person.  The info I read only used the cuttlebug for the embossing and I wanted to take it a step further and emboss the center using a Nestability to give it a nice crisp frame.  I have taken pictures to show you how I did this.    Here are the  embossing supplies I started with.

These thin wooden frames can be purchased at a craft store.  They are just a little larger than a Cuttlebug embossing folder and about the same thickness as a Cuttlebug B plate.

To start with, I took a ruler to draw lines along the side of the opening in the frame so it would be easier to center my embossing folder.  I didn't have this line drawn when I made my first card, so it doesn't show up in any of ther other photos.  I feel drawing these lines is an important step in order to easily center the embossing folder over the opening.

I have a Tim Holtz ruler that is very easy to line up straight to draw my lines.  I purchased my ruler from Gina K Designs.  It is a clear ruler with a lot of black lines.

I am doing my embossing on a Big Shot, but this also works using the Cuttlebug.  You first layer the A plate, the wooden frame, then the embossing folder with the card stock inside it.  You DO NOT use the bottom B plate when doing this.

Next you put the B plate on TOP of the embossing folder and roll through the machine to emboss.  I have a thin cardboard shim that I had to use.  If you don't get a good embossed design, the first time, you will also need to add a shim.  My shim is card board off the back of a tablet.

This is what it looks like when you take it out.  I wanted to take it a step further and emboss it with an oval Nestability for a good defined frame.

I am showing the layers upside down.  I actually turn this stack over to emboss it.  The bottom layer (as shown) is the B plate, the cardboard shim, the tan embossing pad, the embossed card stock, and then the oval Nestability.  I don't use a low tack tape to hold the Nestie but you can if you want.

You then place the other B plate on top being careful to not move the Nestability.  I then flip this over and run it through the machine with the Nestability on the bottom of the stack. 

This is how it looks now.  Don't you like the embossed frame?

Now for the card I made above, I started sponging on some So Saffron ink with a sponge dauber.  You have to replace the Nestability so you will get a white border.  I just held it in place with my hand as I sponged.  I am working on a non-stick Teflon Craft Sheet, which can be purchased from Joan's Gardens.

Here you can see that nice white frame.  It gives it the appearance of layers.

I put the Nestability back on and continued to add Really Rust and Chocolate Chip inks.  I didn't mention that I used these larger sponge daubers that I purchased from Gina K Designs.

After completing these steps, I stamped the holly from "A Very Merry Christmas".  It was colored with Copic markers and some glitter added to the bow.  A prima flower, with a rhinestone center,  was added as well as some cuttlebug cut corners.

If you try this technique I would love for you to link it back to me in the comment section of my blog so I can see your design.  This was a lot of fun to do.  I have some more samples in earlier posts you can look at for additional ideas.

Thanks for stopping by.