Embossing folder
 

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't locate it. I would like to omit an area when using an embossing folder. Is there any way to use the folder and leave out part of the embossing? Thanks!

hi Sue,
There are plates that Tim Holtz sells to leave areas plain. I think you can make your own by glueing together heavy sheets of cardboard
BUT:
Do what I do......place your paper into an embossing folder and hit it with a rubber mallet. You will achieve random embossing on your card. I do it all the time.
You can see it here:

IC460, Fall Inspired by k dunbrook - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

CAS299, Merry and Bright by k dunbrook - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

Wow, Karen, those cards are beautiful. And what a cool idea - I never would have thought of that!

Yes you can - there's a tutorial here to get you going if you want to give that a try.

The things you can buy are usually called "embossing diffusers" but they're not cheap and since it's easy to DIY, you could spend your pennies on something else :)

Love your random effects Karen, that looks great!

Oh my Karen!! I think you have just breathed life into some of my neglected folders. Your cards are fabulous and I love that random look!

I've made my own and they are so fun because you can use the dies you own to create your diffusers.

6 layers of the chipboard that comes in Stampin' Up! DSP glued together is perfection!

Just beautiful work. Do you break down the technique of how to replicate the look on your blog?

Thanks everyone. I've learned two new things. I'm going to try making my own diffusers and also the random rubber-mallet trick!

Looks like a rubber mallet is my next purchase. Thanks for the tip Karen.

I would like to know more about the rubber mallet. What size is the mallet? Do you just put your paper inside the folder...place on the floor and wack away?

Honestly, it doesn't get easier then it sounds. Just place your cardstock into an embossing folder. Figure out where you want the embossing to be and where you want open space then close the top of the folder so the paper is inside and hit it a few times with the rubber mallet. The mallet I use is just a cheap one that my DH has from Home Depot....has a large black rubber head on it.
If your embossing folder is really detailed, sometimes it helps to give your cs a little spritz of water before placing it into your embossing folder. With some cs that will help you get a better impression.
Have fun!

....and thanks for your most kind comments on my cards....

Wow Karen, what a great idea! Guess I'm stealing my husband's rubber mallet :)

Ingenious idea with the mallet, but I have a question. Does hitting the folder with something hard like this damage the design on the folder? I know running it through a Big Shot puts pressure on it, but maybe not as much as pounding.

I'm going to get a rubber mallet. I'm not worried about damage, i'm sure KAREN wouldn't do it if it was ruining her folders.

So far, my folders have been fine. I'm sure you may have to experiment with the amount of pressue you hit it with...some may need more then others. I do it on a very flat, hard surface. I'm sure the company would have a fit if they read this!
I guess the best advice is to go carefully.

Darice sells a pack of diffusers in different shapes. Its probably around d $12 but I can get at acmoore with a coupon for $6.

Slightly different subject.... I've never figured something out, and I've tried... I feel so dense... how can I emboss a smaller EF more than once side by side so the lines don't show? Such as in this example:
Daisies Friend by LynniePoo - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers
Thanks, Mary

I looked for the card on her blog archives (see link below). She describes how she did it ... basically she made her own diffusers but some additional details are in the post.


My Stamping Addiction: "Card Parts" Card - and One More




HTH and ... Happy Crafting!
Tina aka TeeGeeDee

Thank you Tina!!! I actually looked on her blog but didn't find that. I did it!!! Wa-hoo. Changed the thickness of the cardboard for my machine... and took a couple of tries, but it worked. This will help me with other EF like the long thin ones I sometimes use on envelopes, etc. so there isn't any "edge lines". You're the best!

I use a lot of small folders and partial folders (my friend Tea-Bag and I cut regular folders in half and share). I use 15 - 17 pages of folded copy paper instead of my top B plate like on this one. IC455 Purple Flowers, CAS by Mrs Noofy - Cards and Paper Crafts at Splitcoaststampers

This is a perfect use for Cereal boxes etc! - save that fancy chipboard for a project!

Although they are cheap at the hardware store and I've seen the rubber mallets very cheap at Big Lots, I bet you wouldn't need one. I have a craft hammer, I'm going to take a quarter folded facecloth and rubber band it on the hammer head and try it (hammering lighter than I would if I was hammering something). I'll let you know if that works.

I made my own diffuser today out of cardboard from a cereal box. Worked perfectly! Thanks so much for the help! Now to try out the rubber mallet...

I purchased Darcie's diffusers last year, on sale and really cheap, and they work wonderfully. Amazon has the entire set, both rectangular/square windows and circular/oval windows. There's a total of 7 diffusers in the set for under $11.00 and free shipping.

Yes, please let us know how that turns out.

Those diffusers are on sale at ACMoore. Feels like a clearance sale. They are $6 for the pack.

Subbing to read later :)

What a great idea!!! And you get rid of some frustration as well!!! A great stress breaker!:lol: