President's Day VCMP Feb. 2013

Texture Omit/Selective Embossing Challenge
I want to challenge you to try a new technique that will let you stretch your embossing folders. This technique creates an area where the embossing folder doesn't make an impression and you have an area you can stamp in or even add a different texture from another folder.
Here is my card.

These are the products I used.
Embossing folder Spellbinders M-Bossabilities Kicking Rubber
Black homemade embossing diffusers (bottom left, with oval cut out and rectangle)

black homemade diffusers and Spellbinder's Kicking Rubber

1. I put the black diffuser on my paper and checked where to stamp my image. The motorcycle was so long I stamped it first, then embossed it, but if your image is smaller you can emboss first.

2. I placed my stamped image in the folder, then placed the black diffuser on top, checking to be sure it was lined up with the image. I could see the image thru the folder.

3. Then I sandwiched everything to go thru the Cuttlebug.  The black diffuser takes the place of one of the B plates so my sandwich from the bottom to the top was: A plate, folder, diffuser, C plate.  It was a tight fit because the Spellbinder folder is thicker than most embossing folders.  The area under the black diffuser gets embossed and it leaves an unembossed area where the oval shape is.

This is my paper after it was embossed.

4. I added the Distress Stain Tea Dye to make the bumps and tracks show up better.

Finished with a sentiment from Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler stamps and mat of dark brown designer paper from Sticker Studio.

The black diffusers in the picture were made by my friend out of gasket material that you can find at a hardware or auto parts store.  We use the rectangle piece to emboss 1/2 of a card front.

embossed front using the rectangular diffuser

I made this diffuser with cardboard and a Sizzix die

You can make your own diffuser by cutting a circle or oval (any shape you want) in 4 to 6 layers of cardstock or cardboard (like cereal boxes) and taping them together.  If you make your own, you can save the inside piece and use it as a diffuser also.  You want to be sure it is thick enough to get a good impression but not too thick to go thru your machine.  
Your challenge is to create a card that has the texture omit or selective embossing.  Use any shape you want and have fun!!


Here is a link to a card and video by Kristine Werner with a diffuser that she made out of cardstock.  http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/?p=9258 
Tim Holtz Sizzix EMBOSSING DIFFUSERS are plastic diffusers that you can purchase.