Technique Time July 2021 - Shine and Bling

 

Hi Squashettes, welcome to another technique time here at your favourite embossing folder challenge blog!

Embossing is great, right? Here at Let's Squash It! we love to challenge ourselves and to see if we can take embossing a little further to add extra 'Wow' factor to your cards. In this post, I'm going to be looking at how to add a little shine to your embossing to lift it to a whole new level!

My first thought for adding some shine to an embossed panel was to use gilding polish. A couple of years ago I bought some Silver Dream Gilding Polish from Cosmic Shimmer. Unfortunately, the polish has now gone a little gloopy, but I still managed to get some nice effects by using a cloth rather than the sponge that comes in the lid of the container. Using a very slightly damp cloth seemed to help.

My first application was a little heavy.

I was happier with this piece - less definitely was more!

Gilding paste/polish comes in a variety of colours or finishes and really adds lustre to your embossing. A lighter touch really seems to give better results.

Mmmmm, what else could I use to add some shine to my embossing? I certainly didn't want to 'add to cart', so decided to look through my stash to see what I could utilise.

I was delighted to find that my gold Versa Color cube still had a little ink in it. I doubt if I could stamp with this ink, but the sponge still held enough ink to swipe it across an embossed panel and I love the effect.

This was quick, easy and far less messy than the polish. I used the de-bossed side of the panel and was amazed at how different the pattern appeared in reverse. 

(X - Cut Folk Florals)

I love how it looks against the blue cardstock.

I continued to rummage through my old inks and found a Dew Drop Brilliance pigment ink called Pearlescent Orchid. This colour was never a favourite of mine, but add it to kraft card and just look at the effect!

(Unnamed Folder)

I then turned my attention to embossing powders. After making this card for our previous challenge I was very excited about the possibilities of heat embossing the raised portions of dry embossing.

I've got a lovely powder from Altenew which is clear with just a hint of sparkle. I carefully swiped the cardfront with my Versamark pad and then sprinkled on the powder for a beautiful, sparkly finish. 

Here's some further examples on red card so you can see the full effect.

(Crafter's Companion - Ornate Lace)

(Darice - Bold Daisy)

This has less of a 'wet' look IRL and is so sparkly and pretty. 

I'm more than a little obsessed with copper embossing powder from Cosmic Shimmer right now, so just had to try the same effect with some of that. 

(Kaisercraft - Stained Glass)

Oh my, just look at that! 

(Kaisercraft - Stained Glass reverse.)

What a beautiful finish. I love metallic embossing powder soooooooooo much.

Hopefully, you've enjoyed my little tutorial and you're now all ready for our next challenge which is only two days away! Take care, see you soon and keep crafting!