Hi it’s Spike again with another installment of Tuesday Tutorial!  Since the new Spellbinders Spring 2009 products have arrived and been flying off the shelves, one product caught my eye that I hadn’t seen before!  Spellbinders Impressabilities.

These are totally different from anything I have ever seen for embossing.

It is absolutely gorgeous and also quite delicate.  Be very careful when using this (and even taking it in and out of the package) as it can easily be bent and warped.  You will also want to rotate it or flip it over every time you use it so that it gets even wear when you emboss.

Here’s a side view. Yes it’s THAT thin! So you’ll want to store it in the folder it came in.

Now one thing they didn’t cover in the package was how to actually use it in your embossing machine!  And that was the mission Kate and Shellie sent me on!  I will show you how to use it on paper, vellum and the Spellbinders Craft Foil while making 3 SUPER EASY cards.

Using Impressabilities with Paper

Right on the package it states, “For best results use smooth 65lb cardstock” so I tried it out on some I had kicking around.  Remember this is a different kind of emboss (not as deep) than you would get using a embossing folder.

1. To help the cardstock take more of the emboss, lightly spritz with water (only once or twice) each side.  If the cardstock gets too wet, it won’t keep the emboss as experience has taught me that lesson.

2. Next create your embossing sandwich

Please note: I found that these sandwiches work well for me but aren’t set in stone and aren’t the only ways to use them.  You may have to adjust them by adding or removing a shim.  When in doubt, err on the side of thin as you can always pass it through again with an added shim.  Shim: cereal box weight cardstock cut to the size of the Impressabilities (I use a Spellbinders Magnetic Placement mat as it’s usually within arms reach)

If you’re using a Big Shot from the bottom up: Tab 1, shim, Cutting Pad, Spellbinders tan embossing mat, misted cardstock, Spellbinders Impressabilities, Cutting Pad

If you’re using a Cuttlebug from the bottom up: A Plate, shim, B Plate, Spellbinders tan embossing mat, misted cardstock, Spellbinders Impressabilities, B Plate

Here’s the embossed cardstock from the debossed (back) side.  Sorry, I know it’s a little difficult to see!

3.  So…let’s grab some Black Onyx VersaFine and a Brayer!

4.  To keep things simple, just cut it to size and place it on some black cardstock

Using Impressabilities with Vellum

For vellum use the exact same sandwiches as for paper but don’t spritz the vellum.  After embossing the vellum, I glued it onto black cardstock with Tombow Mono Multi glue and added some black Kaiser pearls in the corners to hide the glue spots!

Using Impressabilities with Craft Foil

I just love this stuff!  On Easter Monday, the entire design team got together for our own little crop.  We played around with the Impressabilities and I think it was Marianne who suggested…try it with the foil! It should be soft enough!  Marianne, you’re brilliant!

Before you go embossing the foil, you need to figure out which side you want to be embossed (bumpy side up) as the foil is coloured on top and silver on the back.

In this sample, I want the gold side embossed.

If you’re using a Big Shot from the bottom up: Tab 1, shim, Cutting Pad, Spellbinders Impressabilities, Foil colour side up, Spellbinders tan embossing mat, Cutting Pad

If you’re using a Cuttlebug from the bottom up: A Plate, shim, B Plate, Spellbinders Impressabilities, Foil colour side up, Spellbinders tan embossing mat, B Plate

Note: you may find that the foil is well embossed and is stuck to the Impressabilities, take care in pulling off the foil.  Trim the foil and stick it onto some black cardstock. Voila!

Now should you find that some pieces warp or become detached, don’t fret!  You can always cut it up and use the pieces as metal embellishments!

I hope that this has helped in understanding the Spellbinders Impressabilities.  If you’ve found other tips, tricks and hints, we’d love to hear them!

Thanks for dropping in today!

Love,