Hello, crafters! I have something FUN to share today here at Song of My Heart! And like all my photo and video tutorials, it's totally free. No strings attached! Let's learn how to make these gorgeous glittered wooden sentiment pieces for our cards and pages.
Psst….Do you like my Sash Card? It's one of the new designs in the freshly-released Cheat Sheets Collection #13!
To begin, you'll need the following tools:
- Expressions Natural Elements [138395] wooden laser-cut sentiments
- Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder [101930] or other glittered embossing power
- Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad [101731] or other embossing ink
- Heat Tool [129053] embossing gun
Start by choosing your sentiment. Make sure the surface is clean of any sawdust, and press the piece gently (they're somewhat fragile because they're cut super thin) onto the surface of your craft ink pad. Regular dye ink won't work for this technique because it doesn't usually stay wet long enough to let the embossing powder set–it soaks into the wood. You can use any craft or chalk inks or there's always that good old standby, Versamark. I used Stampin' Up's Whisper White Craft Pad.
You may want to slip a glove or baggie over your fingers so you can hold it without getting TOO gloriously messy, or you can wing it like I did and then leave white fingerprints on everything you touch for the next half hour. Your choice!
Next, coat the piece liberally with embossing powder. I used Stampin' Up's Iridescent Ice, which is a gorgeous white glitter. Did you know you can mix embossing powders? You totally can make custom blends. I like to spoon a little Iridescent Ice into all kinds of other colors. It looks especially spiffy with Basic Black.
But I digress–coat it, shake off the excess, and heat set. Extra points if you can do it without burning your fingers!
NOTE: there will be a slight, pleasant smell of wood when heated–this is normal and doesn't mean it's about to burst into flames. That said, however, Iridescent Ice can be easy to over-emboss and burn, because it doesn't change color or go shiny when you heat it, unlike most embossing powders. So keep a close eye on it and if you see it changing colors to peach or yellow, stop right away. It's more than done.
Is that fun or what? Simple but super impressive. I hope you'll try this fun technique on a card sometimes soon. Now turn off the computer and go get in the craft room!
Love,love,love your card and tutorial. TFS