embossing paste
 

has anyone ever used this stuff? i had a friend send me a box yesterday with all the goodies to try this out. i had sooo much fun playing (but it's definitely messy). does anyone have tips or tricks to use this?

for those of you who have never used it. basically you tape (removable tape) down a brass stencil onto a heavy cardstock, take the paste and spred it over the template like icing a cake, remove tape and stencil. there are different kinds of paste, you can color it, or add glitter when it is still wet.

http://stencilwithstyle.com/ if you guys want to look at what this is.

Hi, I bought some a couple of months ago but haven't tried it yet! I loved the samples I saw in the store when I purchased it.

Yes, I've used the different types of paste and think they are great. I started embossing years before I got into stamping and have a good size collection of brass stencils. Making two dozen Xmas cards was very tiring on my hands using the stylus to emboss the design. The paste is a wonderful invention and you can use it on darker colored cardstock which is difficult if not impossible to do with a light box.

The Stencil with Style website you listed above has good directions for using the paste. I also took a class at a local store, basically the same instructions, but the teacher emphasized not to overwork the paste when you spread it as this will push more moisture into the cardstock and cause warping. Try to lay down the paste with one swoop of the knife, one more if you missed a spot, then tilting the palette knife on edge at an angle and running it against the stencil, scrape off any of the paste that is thicker than the stencil over the design. The hinge part is also important, allows you to lift the stencil and not wiggle to disturb the design as you remove it.

The opaque paste can be colored when dry: put the stencil back on the design and color - I prefer chalks or "rub on pastes" that come in pretty metallic colors. Attachment shows one I did with chalks. There's also a Xmas card in my gallery with the pine bough garland along the bottom that I used some of the mettalic colors on. Or, you can use your stamp inks, sponging on to color. Leaving the dry paste uncolored is also an elegant option. Unfortunately, scans and photos don't give you the full 3-D effect and beauty of embossing.

The translucent paste has a similar effect to clear embossing powder, dries to a clear shiny finish. Can't color this paste after it dries, but you can first stencil with chalks, pastels, or stamp on cardstock, then cover with the paste. There are also pre-colored gold and silver pastes that are very elegant. Or, you can color the pastes with acrylic paints, pearl-ex or add glitter. The paste is water based and I think the teacher in the class I took said you could try using reinkers, but only a few drops as you wouldn't want to get the paste runny (haven't tried that yet). Don't color your whole jar of paste though, scoop out what you want and put in a film canister to mix and save any leftover. A capped film canister will keep the paste from drying out.

The Stencil in Style website has lots of great samples. I have ordered from them, they are reliable.

~ Kathy

I also have both pastes. and I also have the colored acrylics to use to color the paste with. LOVE it!!

This is wonderful you posting today. I bought some a while back and haven't even opened the jar yet. I copied and pasted your instructions and they are going to be so helpful!
Thanks and your timing is perfect!
joelyn

Templates - embossing paste
 

I've used the translucent paste. Try using SU Dazzling Diamonds on your image. The effect is absolutely stunning!

kathy-thank you so much for your detailed post!!! lots of good info in there. i really appeciated it.

i'm really liking sprinkling glitter on the paste. so much fun! as soon as a get a scanner i posting my cards...