Embossing with Cutting Dies

With all of the beautiful new foils that Anna Griffin now has available, along with her large variety of cutting dies, I am pleased to share with you a technique she asked me to teach at her Create Event in Atlanta last November, using the ever popular Cuttlebug.  There are a variety of these type techniques, this one works best with symmetric designs (same on both the right and left sides) and accompanying concentric (background mat/shadow layer) cutting dies, as detailed in the instructions below.  I do hope you will share and use on your upcoming holiday cards as well as throughout the year.  Enjoy!

Step #1 - choose your cutting die - I know I am repeating myself, but this is most important - a die set that is symmetric (the same on both right and left sides) with the accompanying concentric (background mat/shadow layer) and a piece of the foil color cardstock you desire.  It is best to use the heavy weight Anna foil cardstock as it will not tear so easily when embossed in this way.  Cut the foil to completely fit over the die.

Step #2 - cut the mat/shadow layer first as you normally would, shown below:

Step #3 - place the matching decorative cutting die, with cutting edges up, directly on top of the thick, white "A" Plate, then the mat foil cutout face down on top of the decorative die - remember there will be a slight edge around the mat piece which is larger than the design die - a bit of washi tape will hold it in place without harming the foil surface (photo to left below):

          

Step #4 - stack the plates and material in the following order bottom to top (as shown in photo to right above) - A Plate - design cutting die with edges upward - cardstock mat/shadow layer face down -  green rubber mat - B Plate, another B Plate - roll through the Cuttlebug.

Step #5 - remove the stacked plate layers and carefully retrieve the "embedded" cardstock out of design cutting die as shown below.  IF any part of the design tears, turn it to the back, smooth down a bit and tape over.

You should now have a completed embellishment.  Here are some additional samples using Anna's wonderful Christmas Embellishment Dies.  I have also made cards using the Frame Dies, as well as a Valentine card which required "fussy cutting" because they do not have a matching concentric mat/shadow layer die, another option for you to consider.  Remember perfection sometimes take practice, enjoy the process!