Technique Spotlight: Hot Foil and the New Mini Embossing Folders

Wednesday I hosted another What's Up! Stampers?+ Facebook Live, and we had a wonderful time exploring the Seasonal Cheer Mini Embossing Folders!

During our one-hour class, I shared several creative techniques for getting even more from your embossing folders. It's amazing how one simple tool can create so many different looks and textures for your handmade cards.

To put those ideas into action, I demonstrated three of the techniques from the class and used each one to create a beautiful card. Whether you're new to embossing folders or you've been using them for years, these techniques are a fun way to add extra dimension and interest to your projects.

Color the Embossing Folder

One of my favorite embossing folder techniques is adding ink directly to the folder before embossing. For this card, I swiped the Halloween Mini Embossing Folder with a Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, then embossed a piece of Basic White Cardstock. The ink transferred only to the raised areas, leaving the tiny bats and stars beautifully highlighted in crisp black for a fun, spooky background with almost no extra effort.

Double Embossing

To create this elegant background, I embossed a 3¾" × 3¾" piece of Pecan Pie Cardstock twice with the leaf embossing folder, allowing the design to cover the entire panel. I then lightly swiped a VersaMark Pad over the raised leaves and heat embossed them with Gold Embossing Powder, giving the texture a rich metallic shine that beautifully coordinates with the gold hot foil accents on the label.

Coloring the Raised Images

Pair two 1¾" × 1¾" squares of A Stitched Season Designer Series Paper with two matching 1¾" × 1¾" embossed Real Red Cardstock squares. After embossing, lightly brush White Craft Ink over the raised candy canes with a sponge dauber to create crisp contrast, festive dimension, and a perfect complement to the patterned paper.

Introducing the Stampin' Hot Foil System

One of the things I was most excited to use on this card is the brand-new Stampin' Hot Foil System from Stampin' Up!®! If you love metallic accents, you're going to love this new tool. It uses specially designed Stampin' Hot Foil Rolls and Hot Foil Dies along with the Stampin' Hot Foil System, which works with the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (sold separately). The heated platform transfers gorgeous metallic foil to your projects, giving your cards and paper crafts elegant, professional-looking shine in just a few simple steps. This system will be available starting Friday in my online store.

Just look how the gold hot foil details on this card coordinate perfectly with the gold embossing on the background, creating a polished, high-end look!

If you weren't able to join us live, be sure to catch the replay over on YouTube.

I hope you'll give these techniques a try the next time you're creating—I think you'll discover a few new favorites! Which embossing folder technique is your favorite? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Happy embossing and foiling!

Amy