NEGATIVE EMBOSSING

Here’s How:

1. Open up your cuttlebug folder so the negative side is facing down on your table. This is the side where the CB logo is.

2. Choose your colour of ink, ink up the negative side using either a sponge, brayer or the ink pad itself if you are using spots or the petal chalk inks. The brayer works best for with the large ink pads.
3. Lay your cardstock , close the folder and run it through your CB. Done! The color should be in the background and the raised images should be the original color of the cardstock.

4. Wash your folder with warm water to avoid any staining from the ink, OR place a baby wipe in the folder and run it through your cuttlebug, the same as you would with the cardstock . This cleans it very well, and may only need an additional swipe of the baby wipe to get it perfectly clean!
TIP: If you have used pigment or chalk inks, let them dry well before using the cardstock to complete your project.

NEGATIVE EMBOSSING WITH VERSAMARK (WATERMARK)

Here’s How:

1. Open up your cuttlebug folder so the CB logo is facing down on your table. This is the side where the color or versamark goes. (negative side)

2. Using your Versamark ink, coat the negative side direct from the versamark pad. Do not push down into the recessed parts. You want the versamark on the flat surface only.

3. Lay your cardstock face up inside the folder and close it. Run it through the cuttlebug.

4. Carefully remove the cardstock. The raised parts should be clean, and the recessed layer should be wet with versamark.

5. Sprinkle your choice of embossing powder on the cardstock . If you find some powder sticks to the raised images, use a small point paintbrush to carefully flick off.

6. Heat emboss.

7. Wash your folder or use a baby wipe to clean it.

TIP: Use a clear embossing powder for some dimension and shine. This will darken the negative areas of cardstock color slightly, leaving the raised areas in the original color.

PAPER PIERCING

Tools- hole piercing tool or needle , tracing paper, stamps or patterns for tracing, pencil, eraser

You do not need fancy templates to paper pierce. If you are good at doodling, draw a light pencil marked doodle where you want the piercing, then pierce holes appr. 1/8 inch to apart following the marking.  Erase the marking and you’re done.

If you are not good at freehand doodling you can make your own templates! All you need is some tracing paper and a fun pattern; your swirly stamps or faux stitch style stamps would work well.

If using a stamp, stamp the pattern on heavy duty cardstock so you can reuse the pattern several times.  Using the pattern as a guide, pierce holes at 1/8 intervals along the lines of the pattern. I would go through the holes a few times so they are slightly wider than you would want on a card.   Once the holes are clearly marked, you can use this as a template to place on your card and  making sure not to move it, go back through the holes, making sure to go deep enough to pierce your underlying paper/card.  You can use repositional tape or adhesive to make sure it does not move while you are doing this.

If you have a picture or pattern from some other source that you think would work well as a piercing template, then simply trace the pattern first. Then, go through the same steps as above.

Once you have transfered your tracing paper pattern to a sturdier piece of card stock, and pierced the pattern on the card stock,  you will have a reusable piercing template!

Have Fun!