ThePowerOfACard: August 2025

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Embossed or Debossed - That is the Question!

Embossing folders are great tools to have in your craft room! A large embossed panel and a simple sentiment is perfect for a quick and easy card. But they can be used for so much more! And what makes them even more versatile is the fact that you can use either the embossed or debossed side! I am excited to be able to show you some fun ways to use embossing folders!

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Secret Sea 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 2-3/4" x 6", (2) 1/2" x 5-1/2", 4" x 5-1/4"
Stamp: Tags of Thanks
Embossing Folder: Glass & Gardens
Inks: Cloud Cover, Secret Sea
Embellishments: 2025-2027 In Color Flat Dots, Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels
Adhesive and Tools, including a brayer

The Glass & Gardens embossing folders (there are two different ones in the package) are one of my favorites. For the card I'm making in the video, I will be embossing a panel of white and adding color with a brayer. Cloud Cover, which is one of our newest In Colors, had some quality issues with the ink pad in the full size. It is available in the Last Chance section of my store and while it may not be perfect, I think mine works pretty well.

Start by embossing the 2-3/4" wide rectangle with the flower pattern. I have often used this with the embossed side up, but today, I am using the debossed side. Both are gorgeous, but I want to show you how to use a brayer to add color. Load the brayer with ink like I show in the video and apply to the debossed side until you get the coverage you want. Trim this panel to be 5-1/2" long and stamp the sentiment in Secret Sea. Adhere the strips of Basic White to the long sides so that only a little bit of white shows.

Fold the card base and use a bone folder to press the crease. Add the embossed piece to the center of the card base with Dimensionals. Embellish the flower centers with dots and pearls. Stamp the inside sentiment on the Basic White panel and adhere to the inside of the card. Finish by stamping the Thank You sentiment on the envelope corner.

My next card is the same layout, but one has the Sunflowers embossed and the other has it debossed. I used the brayer to add Lemon Lolly ink to both of them and you can see just how different the look is. I layered the panel with Night of Navy and used the Night of Navy & Gold Glittered ribbon to tie around the bottom. Just a Note from Simply Said fit perfectly on a circle to complete this beauty. As a nice touch, I embossed or debossed the envelope flap to match the card - it looks quite stunning!

This one also uses the Sunflower 3D folder, but I cut three panels of White measuring 1-1/2" x 3-3/4". I placed them in my folder with a little space between them and after embossing, adhered them to a panel of Crushed Curry. I popped up this layer on my Crushed Curry card base, then added a sentiment strip and Opal Rounds. For the inside of this card, I embossed a 1" strip with the sunflowers and added that to the bottom of my interior panel - it sure does pop!

For my next card, I used the Beautiful Butterflies bundle and embossed three 1-1/2" squares of Basic White. I placed them over smaller butterflies to fit with the scale of the squares. Then I used my brayer to add Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Poppy Parade on the debossed side. Note that you want to see all three colors of ink, so start with the lightest color and add darker colors sparingly. I really like how striking they look on the Crumb Cake Base next to a simple knotted ribbon.

Besides using a brayer (or ink pad!) to add color to your embossed/debossed panels, you can also use a sanding block on the embossed side. However, in order to see a color change when you sand, you must use paper that has a white core, such as our DSP or Two Tone Cardstock. I used Petunia Pop Two Tone and the Happy Hibiscus Bundle for this lovely card (and some of that Iridescent Ribbon I used in my last video).

For my last card, I decided to use the Dotted Circles embossing folder, but instead of choosing which side to use, I cut the panel in half and used both! I adhered it to a piece of Florals in Bloom DSP and tied the Strawberry Slush Faux Linen ribbon around the seam. The Terrific Toadstools bundle seemed just right to go with the dots.

When using your embossing folders, look at them a bit closer and maybe, you'll decide to flip them from the usual way to add some variety to your style! I encourage you to try adding color with a brayer or swiping with an ink pad - it is fun and changes up the look dramatically!

Karen

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Product List

Tags Of Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[165404]

$18.00

Secret Sea 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[165624]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Secret Sea Classic Stampin' Pad

[165285]

$9.00

Glass & Gardens Embossing Folders

[165597]

$9.00

Stampin' Brayer

[162936]

$16.00

2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls

[165192]

$8.50

Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels

[158987]

$7.50

Take Your Pick

[144107]

$12.00

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

[149653]

$140.00

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Diving into the Spooky Sweet Suite Collection

Halloween isn't one of my favorite holidays, but this Suite of products was just so adorable, I had to show it to you! Besides the Stamp and Die Bundle, you'll fall in love with the Designer Series Paper (DSP). There are several sheets where all you have to do is cut it up and you'll have perfectly sized panels, banners and tags for your card. There are also two sheets of pre-cut pieces in a large variety of Halloween motifs - these are great! The ribbon is iridescent Petunia Pop and ties so easily. Lastly, there are shimmery treat bags (20 per package) and shiny foam stars in sparkly black, white and purple.

In the video, I'll show you how to make an adorable card with a layout that shows off the oh-so-cute halloween candy DSP. I will use everything in the suite except the treat bags. Then at the end, I have many cards (and a treat bag) to share! Most of them are super easy to make because of the DSP. Trust me when I say you'll be able to put most of them together in just a few minutes.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie 7-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 4" x 5-1/4", 2-3/4" square, 3" square, 3/4" x 2-1/4"; Spooky Sweet Specialty DSP 4" x 5-1/4"
Bundle: Spooky Halloween
Die: Spotlight on Nature
Inks: Memento Black, Pumpkin Pie, Petunia Pop
Stampin' Blends: Basic Black, Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, Bubble Bath, Pumpkin Pie, Granny Apple Green
Ribbon: Petunia Pop Iridescent 8"
Embellishment: Shimmer Star Foam Stickers
Adhesive and Tools

For the card base, I like to start with a half sheet of paper that is folded in half and creased with the bone folder. Then I cut off 1" from the front. Cut off 1" from the left side of the DSP and glue that to the right edge of the large white rectangle. Adhere the remaining part to the card front.

On the smallest white square, stamp the kitty and the broom with Memento Black ink. I cut these out with the dies before coloring even though it is often easier to color on a larger piece of paper. There is nothing more frustrating than coloring something and then have the die slip while cutting! While at the Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine, cut out the circle with the Spotlight on Nature die.

Color the die cuts with Blends. I like to use a color lifter, especially for animals, to lighten up a part of the face. It can also add a nice texture that makes a fur-like appearance. Adhere these pieces to the circle with Dimensionals. Stamp a single bat next to the cat's hat (and try not to get it on the ridges like I did!) and embellish with foam stars. Attach this to the card front, being careful to place Dimensionals on the left side of the circle so that you can't see them when you open the card.

Stamp the sentiment on the remaining piece of white (trimming if necessary). Add Seal to the back to hold a zig zag of ribbon (isn't it so amazing?). Pop this up on the card front. Finish by stamping the Happy Halloween sentiment and some bats on the inside panel with Memento. After adhering this panel, complete by stamping the last sentiment onto the envelope in Pumpkin Pie ink.

Most of my cards are simple to replicate so most of this post will be just photos. I'll make a few comments as needed, like for this card. The black panel is adhered on the bottom and sides, which allows for a hidden message to be tucked into the pocket. I used the bag topper bat to act as a pull tab - isn't that so adorable?

On the Hippo card, I embossed a panel of Two Tone Cardstock and then folded over a corner. I love how it's a perfect spot to place the punched out hippo and shows off both tones of Pumpkin Pie. The banner is from the DSP (I just trimmed off the notch) and the punched out elements make both of these quick to make.

I used the Stylish Shapes (smallest square) to hold the punched out elements and tucked a strip (the 1" piece I cut off my first sample!) behind them. For the cauldron, I added Wink of Stella on the green goop (and the potion bottle on the inside).

The background panels are simply cut from the DSP - they are perfectly sized at 4" x 5-1/4". For the trick or treaters, I fussy cut them from the DSP.

Again, more quick cards - I used the die cut bats (good sized ones for sure!) and another fussy cut dracula bear.

In case you missed my video from two weeks ago, these were two cards I made using this bundle. They are so cute, I had to show them off again.

Lastly, I have a treat bag filled with Peanut M&Ms. I filled the bag and tied it closed with the ribbon. Then I stamped, colored and cut out the Frankenstein dog and popped him up on one of the labels (again, I trimmed the corners). I added that cute bag topper, embossed For You in white and stapled it to the top of the bag.