Almost Amethyst Birthday Card With Embossies

I've made use of some of my dies for a Birthday card for someone very special!!!  The card has made its way to Australia, so now I can post it!   I've used SU's old Almost Amethyst card stock and sponged Versamark ink around the edges of the pieces to give it some depth and variation.

The Magnolia DooHickey dies I used are:
#9 DRAGONFLIES    (USED TO MAKE EMBOSSIE--see below)
#26 HEART SWIRL
#29 SWIRL BUTTERFLY
#34 WILD STRAWBERRY AND FLOWERS
#36 VINTAGE DAISIES

I really love using these dies, they are such great shapes!!!  Find these and much more at Magnolia-licious!  Awesome place to find Magnolia and other great things!!!  The new DooHickey dies that are coming out are listed for Pre-Order too!  I certainly have my eye on a bunch of those!!!

The doily is a Marianne Designs die, the inside frame is a Spellbinders and the border is a Martha Stewart punch.  The words are Stampin' Up and I've added some rhinestones for some glitz. This is another card inspired by Elly's beautiful work!

 

The embossed background was made with what I am calling an Embossie.  It isn't a new idea, it is kind of like making your own embossing folder except it isn't a folder, so more like a texture plate.

To make an Embossie:

• Out of card stock, cut out 6 of the large dragonflies from the #9 DOOHICKEY DRAGONFLIES DIES.  I used a fairly decent thickness of card stock.  If using a light weight card stock, you might have to make double thick dragonflies.
• Adhere the dragonflies to a piece of 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square card stock .  Cut off dragonfly parts that hang over the edge.
• Make a sandwich to run through your machine.  I have a Cuttlebug, so I used the A plate, B plate, the Embossie, card stock for the background, the No More Shims Embossing Mat and another  B plate.   For the Big Shot, use the similar plate set up for embossing folders along with the No More Shims Embossing Mat.  It should be firm to crank it through, but not forced!

Here is an example where I did the dragonflies in black card stock, so you can see them easier.  (Obviously this doesn't have the parts hanging over the edge trimmed yet.)

The No More Shims Embossing Mat has replaced my old SB mat!  I love how I don't have to keep experimenting with shims to get the right thickness any more.  Now I can make more Embossies with any of the dies or punches that I have!  Either side of the embossed card stock can be used whether you want embossed or debossed!

Here are a couple of samples showing both sides.  I've rubbed the Versamark ink pad over them to make the images stand out more.

All machines vary, but this combination has worked beautifully with my Cuttlebug.  Just my opinion, but believe that is why this mat will adjust to everyone's machines because it is soft but thicker than the other mats I've used.  This mat has been a big hit in Europe!

HERE is a link to order from Magnolia-licious and additional ideas and information.  Making Embossies, is just one of the many things we can do with these mats!!!  I think they are terrific and I need more time to play and experiment with them.  But even if I just use them for the sake of no shims, it is well worth it!!!

If you make an Embossie, please let me know, I would love to see what you make with it!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Enjoy every day!
Patti Jo