Tuesday Tutorials

Tuesday Tutorial – Dreamweaver Embossing Paste

Hello everyone! Thanks for dropping by for another Tuesday Tutorial.

Today I am going to show you another really cool technique that you can do with your Dreamweaver Stencils – Paste Embossing. It is so much fun and you can create fabulous effects. When I first learned how to do this technique I was totally blown away by how versatile and easy it was.

Today I want to tell you a little about the embossing pastes and then show you step-by-step how to paste emboss. It’s important to understand the difference between the Dreamweaver embossing pastes so that you get the result that you want on your projects as each paste has different properties and applications that it works best on.

So…here we go!

Dreamweaver Regular Embossing Paste:

Regular embossing paste is an opaque, 100% acrylic medium that is acid free. It dries to a matte finish and can be colored with chalks and pigment inks when dry or pigments can be mixed into it before it is applied to the stencil. It is very porous so it will absorb color easily. Another option is to add glitter on top of the paste when it is still wet. A thin application of this paste will dry in about 15 minutes whereas a thicker application will take 30 minutes or more.

(Regular embossing paste is also available in colors and both a matte & glossy finish).

Dreamweaver Translucent Embossing Paste :

Dreamweaver Translucent Embossing Paste dries clear and smooth. It is a 100% acrylic medium that is acid free. This paste is nonporous, dries very slowly and has a very glossy finish. You can use it on dark colored papers to give your image an embossed, watermark look or you can stencil your image with inks to add color (on light colored papers) and then apply the paste to enhance the colors. Because the paste is transparent you can also mix color into it by adding pigment powders.

Here are some samples showing Translucent Embossing Paste on dark paper and over an inked background.

Dreamweaver Metallic Embossing Paste :

It isn’t always easy to find metallic pigments or paints to mix into paste and it’s hard to know how much to use to really make the paste shimmer. With the Dreamweaver Metallic Silver, Gold or Copper Embossing Paste you get just the right amount of shine. This paste uses the Translucent Embossing Paste as it’s base so it will dry more slowly. Metallic pigments have been mixed in so that you achieve opaque coverage with an even metallic finish. It’s easy to create dramatic effects on both light and dark papers. The samples here show how beautiful these pastes look on dark papers.

Dreamweaver Crackle Embossing Paste :

This unique paste creates a crackled, aged look when applied over a dry base coat of Matte Black paste. Add color to the crackled paste by sprinkling with mica powders or glitter while wet or stenciling with color when dry.Because it is a 2-step process extra drying time is needed.

So now that you know a little bit about the embossing pastes, let’s get started paste embossing!

You are going to need a few supplies – a Dreamweaver stencil, embossing paste of your choice, Scotch Removable Tape, a palette knife, cardstock or watercolor paper and a pan of water with a little bit of dish soap in it for cleaning your stencil.

The general techniques for applying Embossing Pastes are the same but you will want to use a lighter touch when working with the Translucent Embossing Paste as the consistency of this paste is very smooth. Always remove your stencil as quickly as possible as both types of paste become tacky fairly quickly and if they remain on the stencil too long they may adhere to the brass or stainless and tear the paper when you remove the stencil. Have a container of warm, soapy water handy to put your stencils into if you are not able to wash the paste from them right away.

Step 1 :

Before you apply your embossing paste the stencil should be securely fastened to the paper with a border of removable tape. This special tape will not tear the paper when it is removed later and is well worth having on hand. Position your stencil onto your paper where you would like your image to appear and then apply the first piece of tape (referred to as the “hinge”). It is important to remember to leave this piece of tape on until the very end of the paste embossing process. If you always place your first piece of tape at the top of the stencil, you will alway know which piece of tape went down first and should be removed last.

Make sure the hinge piece and all the other pieces of tape extend at least a half inch past the edge of the stencil. Now tape down the sides and then the bottom making sure that each piece tape overlaps. The taping process is very important because it keeps your stencil flat against the paper and protects the outside edges from any excess paste that may slide off.

Step 2 :

Work quickly when applying the paste. The paper starts absorbing the moisture from the paste right away and if you spend too much time applying the paste the paper will warp and pull away from the stencil which will allow paste to seep underneath.

Pick up the paste on one edge of your palette knife as if you were picking up icing for a cake. Smooth the paste over the stencil area in one gentle motion keeping the knife blade at an angle. The paste will probably be about 1/8″ – 1/4″ thick on the stencil. Run your knife over the surface again and remove any excess paste and make sure that all the areas are filled. This should result in a smooth, even application. Try not to overwork the paste.

Step 3 :

Quickly remove the tape from the bottom and then the sides. Leave the top, “hinge” tape in place. Now, pull up against the hinged tape so that the stencil is not pulled through the wet paste.

Set your paste image aside to dry. Don’t be surprised if your paper warps, it will flatten out when your paper dries.

Immediately place the dirty stencil in a pan of water and mild detergent and clean it. If necessary use a soft scrub brush or old toothbrush to remove excess paste. Dry with a soft cloth. If there is any residue on the stencil you may be able to remove it with rubbing alcohol.

Adding Color to Embossing Pastes :

There are several ways to add color to your embossing paste projects, some when the paste is wet and others after it has dried. Here are a few suggestions :

Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paste after removing the stencil. Tap off the excess and let dry.
If you are using Regular Embossing Paste you can add color with chalks or pigment inks after the paste has dried by repositioning the stencil over top and applying color with stencil brushes.
Metallic and pigment powders (like Pearl Ex) can be added to both the Regular and Translucent Pastes to create an unlimited number of beautiful colors and effects.

These are just a few of the ways that you can add color to your stenciled images. If you would like more information or ideas you may want to get the Dreamweaver’s book – New Dimensions In Cardmaking – Using Embossing Pastes with Metal Stencils. It’s a great reference book and has a gallery of card samples that is sure to inspire you.

We have added lots of samples to our Gallery in a special album using Dreamweaver stencils so be sure to check them out. I hope they inspire you and you give this wonderful technique a try.

Happy crafting!

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Categories: Dreamweaver Stencils, Tuesday Tutorials

Tags: Dreamweaver Stencils, embossing paste, Techniques, Tuesday Tutorials

Digital Basics – Using Digital Stamps in Word

3 Comments 28 Sep Raya

How to insert, resize & print.

In our first Digital Basics tutorial we showed you how to download and save your digital files. Now we are going to show you how easy it is to use Microsoft Word or any similar word processing program to resize and print your digital stamps so you can use them on all kinds of paper crafting projects like cards, scrapbook pages, books and so much more. We think you will be amazed at just how easy they are to work with.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

(To see more detail you can click on any of the pictures and they will be enlarged)

Open a new document in Word.

INSERT YOUR IMAGE:

1. To add an image to your Word document click on Insert in the top menu bar and then click on Picture. Another menu will open and you need to click on From File.

2. The window that opens up allows you to locate and select the file that you want to work with. Select the image that you want to insert into your Word document and click Insert.

TIP: If you have created a file folder on your Desktop for your Scrap ‘n Stamp Digis as suggested in our previous tutorial you will definitely find it easier to locate and insert your images when you want to work with them.

Your image has now been inserted into your Word document and is ready for you to resize or print.

RESIZING YOUR IMAGE:

Method #1 – Click & Drag:

Click on your image once and a frame will appear.

To resize your image put the cursor over one of the corner nodes, an arrow will appear. Now hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse in or out to make the image smaller or larger. When the image is the size that you want, release the mouse button.

Tip: You can use the rulers along the top and sides of the screen to see the exact measurements of your image.

Method #2 – Format Picture:

You can also resize your image by right-clicking on your image and selecting Format Picture.

From the tabs on the top select Size. Make sure that you keep the Lock Aspect Ratio box checked so that the image isn’t distorted in any way. Change the Height to the size that you want, press your Tab key and the Width will automatically be adjusted to the correct size.

This method is very accurate and makes resizing easy when you are going to cut out the image later with a Spellbinders Nestabilities Die.

Tip: You may want to save your resized image to use again later. Select Save As and put this new file with your other digis so you can find it quickly when you need it.

PRINTING YOUR IMAGE:

When your image is the size that you want you are ready to print. From the file menu select Print, review your printer settings and select OK.

Most printers are able to print on a variety of papers and cardstocks so you may have to experiment a little to find the best settings.

TIP: If you are going to be coloring in your image with paints or markers and you are printing with an Inkjet printer you may need to leave the ink to dry for a few hours or you can heat set it with your embossing heat tool. Different papers dry at different rates so you may want to do a test before you do your final project.

TIP: To get the most from your paper when you are printing you may want to insert several images or create several copies of the same image. To duplicate the same image simply right-click on the image and select Copy. Now right-click on an empty space in the document and click Paste. Your image has been duplicated. If you want more of the same image just repeat the second step until you have the number of images that you require.

Here are some samples showing you how we used the stamps from the Studio K Flower Set.

The Digital Stamp was resized to fit on a 2 3/4″ x 2″ Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities. Card size is 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″.

The same Digital Stamp was resized to fit on a 3 3/4″ Spellbinders Circle Nestabilities. The finished card size is 5″ x 5″.

This Digital Stamp was resized to fit on a 3 3/4″ Spellbinders Scalloped Circle Nestabilities and then layered onto a 4″ x 4″ card.

As you can see the same stamp can be sized to fit your project perfectly. By combining Digital Stamps with the products you probably already have and techniques that you use for rubber and clear stamps the possibilities are endless!

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Categories: Digital, Tuesday Tutorials

Tags: digital basics, digital stamps, Studio K, Tuesday Tutorial

Digital Basics – How to Download & Save Digital Files

2 Comments 22 Sep Raya

Studio K Digital products like stamps, clip art and printables are so much fun to work with. They give you more options and flexibility than ever before and once you have downloaded them you can print and use them over and over again – whenever you need them.

If you are new to Digital products the whole thing can be a bit intimidating but once you learn the basics you are going to absolutely love using digis.

The first step is downloading and saving your digital files on your computer. How do you do this? It’s easy!!!

After you have purchased your Studio K Digital products you will receive an email with links to each of the items on your order. Your email will also give you complete download instructions so you can print them if you need to.

Note: You will receive a separate link for each item that you order and will need to follow these steps for each item.

Step 1 – Click on the link and log into your account. Once you have logged in this is what you will see…

Step 2 – Click on the link at the bottom to download the file. You will receive your digital product as a zipped file that you need to save to your computer – usually under Downloads. Click OK to save the file.

Digital products are sent to you in a Zipped (or compressed) file because they are smaller and will download faster. Now that you have the Zipped file on your computer you need to ‘unzip’ or extract the items in the file so they will be put back to their original size.

Step 3 –

Locate the file folder on your computer, open it and then click on ‘Extract All’ (in the top menu bar)

You will be asked to select what folder you would like to save your images to. Select the folder and click ‘Extract’. Your digital products will now be saved in a folder on your computer and shown as separate files if there were several items in your download. Now your digis are ready for you to use.

HOT TIP: Make a new folder on your Desktop called Scrap ‘n Stamp Digis and save all your files there. It will make it easier for you to find and use them later.

Want to learn more? Check out our Tuesday Tutorials for step-by-step instructions that will show you how to use your Studio K Digital products.

IMPORTANT: Always back up your digital files to a disc or external drive so they are not lost if something happens to your computer.

* These instructions were written using a PC with a Windows Vista operating system. If you are using a MAC or a different Windows operating system you may find the procedure is slightly different.

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Categories: Digital, Tuesday Tutorials

Tags: digital basics, digital products, digital stamps, Studio K, Tuesday Tutorials

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