Embossing Folder Texture and Elegance

Embossing folders are truly magical when it comes to adding texture and dimension to your paper crafting projects. With just one pass through your die-cutting machine, you can take a simple design and turn it into something truly special.

For today’s card, I started with a Lost Lagoon card base, which set the tone for the soft, yet rich color palette. I punched two shapes from Lost Lagoon cardstock using the Modern Oval Punch and then ran them through the Plaster Painting 3D Embossing Folder using the Cut & Emboss Machine. The embossing folder gave them a stunning textured finish that elevated the ovals, adding that “wow” factor right away. I adhered them near the lower center of the landscape card, overlapping slightly, to create a lovely focal point.

Next, I added the sentiment using the Mixed Labels stamp set and its coordinating dies. I stamped the “Thank You” sentiment in Pretty Peacock on a scrap of Basic White and used the dies to cut it out. The addition of the Season of Elegance Designer Series Paper (DSP) brought an extra layer of elegance to the card. I die-cut a larger sentiment piece from this DSP, which beautifully complements the colors and features a delicate dotted border at the top and bottom. The banner was then placed over the top of the ovals, and the Pretty Peacock sentiment piece was adhered to the center of the banner.

To add even more charm, I used the Mixed Labels dies to cut out several leaf shapes from Blueberry Bushel, Misty Moonlight, Blackberry Bliss, Pretty Peacock, and Lost Lagoon cardstock. These were tucked under the bottom right portion of the oval on the right of the card and the top left portion of the DSP, giving the design a bit of extra flair.

Inside the card, a Basic White panel surrounded by a mat of Pretty Peacock was included to tie everything together. And, while it wasn’t shown in the video, I couldn’t resist adding a little sparkle with some Pretty Peacock sequins from the Adhesive-Backed Trio (currently on the Last Chance List at an amazing price!).

This card is not only a great showcase for how embossing folders can add texture and beauty to your projects, but it’s also the perfect layout for challenges like Sketch Saturday #774 (for the layout) and AAA Colorful with Colourboard #15 (for the colors). The Plaster Painting embossing folder gave this card such an elegant and professional finish, making it a perfect addition to any collection.

Measurements for the card created in the video (all in inches):

• Card Base (Lost Lagoon) – 8-1/2 x 5-1/2, scored and folded at 4-1/4
• Inside card – Basic White 3-3/4 x 5 and coordinating cardstock (Pretty Peacock) 3-7/8 x 5-1/8
• scraps for sentiment, banner, and leaf die cuts and punched elements – Lost Lagoon, Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Pretty Peacock, Blackberry Bliss, Blueberry Bushel

Don’t forget to check out the video for a tips about embossing folders and a closer look at how the card was put together—and be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments!

In the video, I also showcase a fun card using the Forever Plaid and Dotted Circles 3D Embossing Folders. I used a sentiment from the Winterly Treetops stamp set in Cajun Craze and have the base of Basic Beige and bright spots of Calypso Coral keeping this card lively and fun!

Embossing folders are perfect for journaling and scrapbook pages, too – and I’ve included a panel of vellum embossed with the So Swirly embossing folder on a page showcasing a nearby ice cream stand that has been a favorite of ours since we moved to this area!

Finallly, I showed a card created with the Thankful Garden bundle that has gorgeous embossing with the Glass embossing folder along only the left side of the card’s first layer. Such an elegant take on embosssing!

Embossing folders are truly an essential tool for any paper crafter. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, they add so much to your projects with minimal effort. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and are inspired to use embossing folders in your next project.

Happy crafting, everyone!

Supplies used: