create your own embossing template

You know how much I enjoy thinking outside the box. Well, not only did that incorporate into the title on my page, it also incorporated into how I used an image from Silhouette to do something other than look like a pretty die cut on my page. :)

Take a look at this page of our recent trip to Glacier National Park. Yes, those are my crazy daughters jumping into the c-c-c-old river.

And here's a closeup.

You can take a good majority of the Silhouette shapes and make them into embossing templates. Of course the more complex shapes would be harder to work with--and may not even work, but you get the idea. And on this image? I didn't even use a light box! If you can feel for the edge, you can gently run your stylus around, finding all the edges, and then make a more deep impression.

Here's how to do it:

1. Place the arrow shape (arrow_1556) onto a new document screen and size it as needed.

2. Add a rectangle around the box to create the "template" cut out shape. Copy/cut it twice so that you can make a deep enough template. This is how it will look on your screen.

3. Cut the images and adhere them together so that they look like one piece, like this:

You could also use the positive space as an embossing piece, but using the negative space gives you a little more security to work with. I have used Heidi Swapp ghost letters to emboss with before (without a lightbox) and it worked fine.

4. Lightly adhere this shape to the front side of your cardstock and flip it over. (I use Herma repositionable dots.)

5. Carefully feel for an edge of the shape (I just use my finger) and then using your embossing stylus, lightly run it around all the edges. Once you've done that, you can make a deeper impression.

Voila! You're done! I would practice on a some scrap cardstock first just so you can get the feel for it. I'm sure if you used a lightbox it would work even better, but it can work without one as long as the image isn't too complex.

And you just thought that Silhouette was for die cut shapes, now didn't ya. ;)

Comments

[Deneen]

great idea I just love it!

[Sue]

This is VERY cool! Looks fantastic on your layout!

[Kim Ket.]

Love this idea...and that LO title is AWESOME!

[kathryn young]

This is a great idea! Love your layout!

[Melanie K.]

You know I often had 'embossing' envy when thinking of 'other die cute machines' ... now I can stick my tongue out at them! I could have any shape, texture (possibly, need to experiment) I want! Thanks for again proving this is the BEST machine!

[Melanie]

I love that machine more and more every day! Thanks for the tip, I can't wait to try it out

[Gail]

Very cool effect - thank you for the great tutorial!

[Melanie K.]

I have a question ... I just saw where 3M has created big Post It sheets for crafters ... will they work in the Silhouette????? If so, I am in heaven!

[rebeccaw]

Looks great! I love the way you used the silhiuette in another way

[sophia]

Great layout. Keep on thinking outside the box.
Thanks for another great idea

[Marcy Kaminski]

And yet another reason why I love my Silhouette! Brilliant!

[Lisa]

What a clever use of the silhouette. I can not wait to try this. Thanks for the tut.
:)

[Sarah Jimenez]

As always, thanks for the tips and tricks. I love using the tools I have in new ways. And can I just say how excited I am with all the new Silhouette shapes!!! I've downloaded so many that I haven't been able to keep up with organizing them yet. Good thing I've printed them as I went.

[Marie]

I have done a similar thing using the cuttlebug for the actual embossing-part. I have done a video on it. In the video I used a spellbindersdie to make the diecut to emboss with, but you can certainly use your silhouette to make the diecuts. If you want to check out the video, use the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6v2yQD96gI

[jessica]

All your ideas ROCK

[software testing consulting]

I actually DID think that Silhouette were to die cut shapes. Man was I wrong! ;) 10x for this post. :)