The little things that make me happy here on Bliss Road~~Emily Keaton

Monday, January 27, 2014

My Brand-New DeNami Feature: EMBOSSED ELEMENTS + a GIVEAWAY


Hi there, everyone! I'm here today with the very first installment of my new regular monthly feature for the DeNami Design blog. With today's post I'm starting a series called Embossed Elements that highlights all of the wonderful new embossing folders being carried in the DeNami Design store. If you haven't checked these out yet, you should! You won't believe all of the variety in this collection: the DeNami store carries an amazing 142 different embossing folder designs!!

Now, I do have a confession to make. While I've been papercrafting for nearly 10 years now, I've only just acquired my very first diecutting machine (thank you, Santa!!). So for the first time ever, I'm able to dabble with embossing folders! I wasn't completely sure that embossing folders would be for me, but in the short time that I've been playing with the embossing folders that DeNami carries, I've become completely addicted to them! I love the fabulous texture that they add to my creations--everything is so crisp, and the designs are deep. They really stand out! And I can't believe how much visitors to my blog comment on the embossing I've been featuring on projects I've posted there lately. It must be really noticeable!!

So whether you are brand new to embossing folders like me, or an old pro, I'm hoping that my Embossed Elements feature will help you learn your way around DeNami's new collection of embossing folders--and maybe even give you some new ways to use or think about embossing!

Today I'm sharing with you two different projects for Valentine's Day, and both feature the very festive Layered Hearts Embossing Folder from the DeNami store. One thing I really love about this embossing folder is that, while many of the embossing folders in DeNami's collection are clearly designed for the portrait orientation, this one is perfect for the the landscape orientation. Let's take a look:


For this first project, I started with a panel of red cardstock and punched the bottom edge using the EK Success Deco Scallop border punch and then ran it through my Big Shot in the Layered Hearts Embossing Folder. I matted this embossed layer with white cardstock and then mounted the whole enchilada on a pink card base.

Next I added a pink cardstock panel that I had embossed with another Valentine gem from the DeNami embossing folder collection: the Heart Embossing Folder. I really like the look of both of these embossed patterns layered on top of one another!

I stamped the Elegant Word Plate on white cardstock with Onyx Black Versafine Ink, and used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the pretty Sending You Love sentiment, stamped in Satin Red Versafine Ink, right smack dab in the middle. I decided to glam up my focal point just a bit with some gorgeous Ruby Red Sparklets Glitter adhered inside the loops of the word plate with a Quickie Glue Pen. A quick fussy cut was all I needed to get this ready for attaching to my card. I finished off my design with a simple red grosgrain bow.

My second card is a reminder that embossing folders are perfect for adding texture not only to rectangular panels, but also any precut shape you care to pretty up!


For this card, I started with a pink heart diecut, embossed it with the Layered Hearts Embossing Folder, and layered it on a heart-shaped card base die cut from red cardstock with a larger nested heart die.

Next I built my very own cupid's arrow embellishment with a wooden craft stick, a wooden veneer heart shape, and some bits of chipboard. I colored the wood bits red using a Faber-Castell Gelato and rubbed the color into the woodgrain with my fingertips. I trimmed angled fringe into two bits of chipboard to make the arrow's feathery fletching and colored them with a white Gelato. After gluing all the bits together to form my arrow, I outlined the heart-shaped arrowhead with dimensional dots drawn on with a white Crystal Lacquer Pearl Pen

Finally, I stamped the Love Flourish sentiment on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, trimmed out the sentiment, colored in the heart-shaped O with a red Copic marker, and adhered it to the card with some foam tape. Done!

I hope that this opening installment of Embossed Elements has given you some ideas for using embossing on your Valentine cards!



How would you like the chance to win this beautiful Layered Hearts Embossing Folder? I have one up for grabs in an Embossed Elements giveaway! Want to be in the running? Just leave me a comment on this post using the word "HEART." There's no need to be a follower of my blog to enter, but if you are a follower (or become a new follower!), you can have a second entry in the drawing--just leave me a second comment telling me that you are a follower and how you follow. :)

I'll leave commenting open until 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, and will draw one commenter at random. The winner will be announced right here on my blog on Thursday, January 30, and if I'm able to find an email address, I'll be sure to contact the winner as well.

Thanks for joining me today!
Emily

37 comments:

Pam said...

I'm happy you are enjoying your die cut machine! I knew you'd be hooked ;) Both of these Valentine's are so pretty, especially with all the embossed hearts!! Love them!

Pam said...

I follow you through Blogger! :)

Shirley A. said...

LOVE this embossing folder. I have been looking for just this style and have had no luck in local stores!

Unknown said...

Love the different styles of hearts, it's so fun ans whimsical.

cm said...

Congrats on the new die-cutting machine; you're definitely entering a whole new expansion of your already amazing creativity with this gadget! Your cards here are fabulous; you've completely bypassed the 'beginner' stage, jumping straight to pro with the delightful showcase of folders here. Gorgeous cards! I only have a few EF of my own, and one with hearts is definitely on my wish list. Off to check out DeNami...Thanks for sharing these beauties this Monday morning!
c

designbydonna said...

I use embossing folders a lot and would love the have the heart one. Your cards are so cute

designbydonna said...

I have become a new follower on Blogger

Brenda in IN said...

Oh Emily, I'm so excited for your new venture of embossing folders. This layered hearts is darling and so is the little one. I can see how much you are enjoying your new big shot. Both of these cards are so pretty. Perfect for "heart" day!

Brenda in IN said...

I am a follower with google friend connect.

Amy McCue said...

I heart your cards!

Amy McCue said...

I follow your blog through email. I love it, too. Heart, heart, heart!

Benzi said...

Emily, I am happy Santa was so good to you and brought you that die cutting machine. He has a "Heart" of gold. :-)

I adore both your cards and the sentiments are both are so pretty.
The arrow is just awesome. You've done BIG and make me want to go emboss something with a heart on it.

I am a follower through Google.

Greta said...

Your heart cards are fabulous, Emily! You held out way longer than I did on getting a die-cutting machine. I got mine to emboss, saying I wouldn't buy dies, but you know how long that lasted--LOL!

Greta said...

I follow you in Bloglovin.

vpsmail said...

Just love the heart embossing folder. What great designs you have.

Marlena M. said...

Beautiful projects Emily! So glad you are having fun with your machine~

Lisa Elton said...

Love this new feature Emily and can't wait to see what you have in store for us!!These are both as cute as can be. Congrats on the score from Santa too!! I remember a few years ago telling my SIL "What would I ever do with a die cut machine, I don't scrapbook." LOL ohhhhh boy was I WRONG!!!

PoJo said...

I LOVE embossing folders! They add so much to the cards I make for Operation Write Home without adding too much dimension! Both of the cards are nice, but I especially like all the little touches on your first (rectangular) card!

Sue D said...

Congrats on being able to use embossing folders with your new machine. I love to use embossing folders. Wonderful love cards. I like the HEART shape of the second one.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Sue D said...

I am a follower with GFC as Sue D
slrdowney at hotmail dot com

Larissa Heskett said...

Wow!! such a FUN post and I'm looking forward to your Monthly post!! thanks so much for sharing and have a Fabulous Week!! ;)

cghundley said...

Wonderful new
feature! Love
the embossing
done on these
lovely cards.
Makes my Heart
all aflutter!
Carla from Utah

cghundley said...

I also follow
with Bloglovin.
Carla from Utah

Darnell said...

Oh, my goodness, Emily, you have entered a whole new world! I was a holdout on the whole embossing/die-cutting "craze," too, but when I fell, I fell hard. It's impossible not to fall and now you tell me DeNami has 142 EFs alone?! Seriously, it is SO addicting!!

Your cards are tempting and delightful and wonderful examples for both the novice and the experienced machinist!! Please, don't put me in the running for the freebie, honey, even though I am a follower. I like to give others a better chance since I'm in my lovely Playhouse surrounded already by more toys than is decent!!

Enjoy the day! Hugs, Darnell

Michelle W said...

I HEART the Layered Hearts embossing folder. I was going to order one from the DeNami store but they were out of stock. I was very disappointed. My HEART was broken. :(

I also HEART your two cards! I adore the first one. I'm going to have to case it.

Thank you for the inspiration and the chance to win the embossing folder I feel in love with.

Unknown said...

I heart this folder! I need this for the cards I make for Operation Write Home. I tried to order it and see they are out of stock. Pick me, Pick me!

Michelle W said...

I've just became a follower of your blog. I thought I had became a member but I didn't see you in my blog feed. So I should now be getting daily feeds to my blogger account. Thank you!

Denise Bryant said...

Beautiful cards! I love the look an embossed layer adds to a card! Beautiful heart design too!

Denise Bryant said...

I am already a follower here... I (HEART) your blog!

Jessi Fogan said...

I bet you just HEART that new machine! So much fun to play with :) I love the little details you added on both cards, the glitter & the great LP on the heart arrow!

Lynn Noe said...

Beautiful use of the heart embossing folders!

Unknown said...

Such a lovely heart folio. Beautiful use of it too.

Colleen Dietrich said...

I puffy 'heart' your Valentines, Emily! I am soooooo excited that you finally have the chance to use embossing folders. :) And I can't believe DeNami has 142 to choose from -- wow, that's too many for an indecisive gal like me!

Colleen Dietrich said...

Of COURSE, I am your Follower. :) Wouldn't have it any other way.

Lillian Child said...

I heart your new embossing folder with so many different design elements - LOVELY!!

Lillian Child said...

Emily ... I am a NEW follower of your blog ... so very nice to meet you!

Lisa Petrella said...

What an AWESOME new feature, Emily!!! And your embossed projects are just darling!!!!