Heat Embossed Die Cutting

Hello! Today technique is about combining heat embossing and die cutting to create unique backgrounds. This is a great way to stretch your supplies!

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]

In my video I share three examples of combining heat embossing with die cutting. I chose to make entire backgrounds with the technique but you can do just elements for a card if you prefer.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Let’s start with the most difficult version of the technique first. 🙂 I started by covering a 4.25×5.5″ piece of white cardstock with Be Creative Tape. I then ran it through my die cut machine with the new-and-fabulous Altenew Striped Leaf Die (ALT | SSS). The die cuts through the release paper of the adhesive but not all the way through the cardstock background. I removed the release paper from a few of the leaves and added Altenew Golden Peach Embossing Powder and heat set. Then I revealed the adhesive behind a few more leaves and added Altenew Antique Silver Embossing Powder… and again for the Gold Embossing Powder. Finally, I removed the remaining negative piece of release paper and added white powder. After apply heat to the whole thing I am left with lots of texture and metallic shine.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Embossing powder (like glitter!) can get messy. I recommend using Coffee Filters and Swiffer Dusting Cloths to keep things tidy. I also heat set on a Cutting Board so that I don’t warp my work surface or burn my fingers!

After trimming my embossed background down a bit, I added it to the top left corner of a white notecard.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I am crazy-in-love with how the sentiment turned out on this one! I stacked several white “hello” die cuts from the Altenew Envelope Liner Die Set (ALT | SSS). On the top, I adhered a die cut covered with three layers of Altenew Antique Gold Embossing Powder. This gives such smooth dimension! The stacking of die cuts and embossing of layers makes a HUGE difference. I added a “sweet friend” sentiment strip from the Altenew Sweet Friend Stamp Set.

Oh, and those metallic dots? I took some old enamel accents and covered them with Altenew Antique Silver Embossing Powder. They turned out great.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

My background on my next example is also covered completely with embossing powder. I again started with white cardstock and covered it with Be Creative Tape. I die cut the piece with Altenew Doodled Lace Die (ALT | SSS)… which only cuts the release paper. I removed the negative piece of release paper and added Altenew Antique Silver Embossing Powder and heat set. Then I removed the remaining release paper pieces and added Altenew Golden Peach Embossing Powder. After heat setting it all, I am left with a metallic, textured background!

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I stacked four white “thanks” die cuts from the Altenew Script Words 2 Die Set (ALT | SSS) and covered it with three layers of Altenew Pure White Embossing Powder. So smooth! I also added a sentiment strip created with the Altenew Crafty Friends Stamp Set.

That Altenew Golden Peach Embossing Powder is so gorgeous.

This last example features a much-faster-to-create background. For this one I used the Altenew Doodled Lace Die (ALT | SSS) to cut into an adhesive-covered-cardstock piece. I also cut a white cardstock piece from the same die. I removed the largest “outline” release paper piece first… and added the white die cut on top. After removing the remaining piece of release paper, I added Altenew Golden Peach Embossing Powder and heat set. This give a background that is part heat embossed and part cardstock.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I die cut another background from the Altenew Doodled Lace Die (ALT | SSS) and white cardstock and cut from it a flower to add as an accent. I also added a doubled-up vellum strip. These elements serve as a backdrop for the sentiment so it stands out a bit. I stacked several white “hugs” Altenew Script Words die cuts and added several layers of Altenew Antique Silver Embossing Powder. I also heat embossed “sweet friend” from the Altenew Sweet Friend Stamp Set… and gold embossed enamel dots.

Heat Embossed Die Cuts Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Keep in mind that you can do these things with smaller dies and/or colorful embossing powders.

BLOG HOP

Today I am part of the Altenew Blog Hop celebrating their August release! I used many of their products today, but you can see all the new goodies HERE.

By the way, I do not work for Altenew. Just adore their products and people. 🙂

The next stop on the hop is the blog of Vicky Papaioannou! You can also start at the beginning of the hop at the Altenew Blog.

GIVEAWAY

How would you like to win a $30 gift certificate to Altenew? For your chance, leave a comment here by 11:59pmEST on 8/31/17 telling me your favorite coloring medium. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too!)

Also, Altenew is giving away a $50 gift certificate to THREE lucky winners! Head to the Altenew Blog for details.

SUPPLIES

Want to find the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those from Altenew. As always, this post was NOT asked for, paid, or sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), Ellen Hutson (EH), Altenew (ALT), etc.



Leave a Comment

429 thoughts on “Heat Embossed Die Cutting”

  1. Stella says:

    What a great video. Easy to follow & really informative. Loved the finished products. Thank you

  2. Ellie Beserra says:

    Hi Jennifer I just hopped in and loved your video! Such a great technique, and I believe I have seen something similar to this technique but with glitter in another video of yours, and I was able to find the video “Memory Box Mod Flower” background die. It was a beautiful video too!!! But my favorite by far is the “Pattern Stamping Sparkle Coloring” video you did with Hero Arts stamps, I fell in love with that technique and I just can’t stop making cards like that. You stamped with Versamark and heat embossed, next you colored all the images then used the wink of Stella shimmer pen. That became my favorite coloring. 🙂

  3. Maja says:

    Amazing technique. Thanks for sharing.

  4. bev p says:

    I doubt I have the patience for all that, but it is stunning. Thank you for always inspiring me to try new things…even those techniques I don’t think I can do!

  5. I can’t believe how smooth that embossing powder is (“thanks”)! I already watched your very inspirational video yesterday – great work, as usual, Jennifer 🙂
    To answer your question: I prefer fast coloring techniques using watercolors and such.

  6. Cindy says:

    So elegant!!!

  7. dawn T says:

    What a wonderful idea. The cards look stunning

  8. Diane says:

    My favorite coloring mediums are comics and distress inks. Your cards are amazing and love the technique you showcased. Another great release from Altenew!

  9. Ilene says:

    Wonderful cards. Thank you for sharing so many tips and techniques. Lately I have been loving the zig clean color watercolor pens. But for background colors I have fallen head over heels for the new oxide inks. Altenew has so many beautiful products!

  10. Kerrie says:

    Pencils and inks!

  11. Charlotte C says:

    As I flipped down through the comments I saw someone else didn’t think she’d have the patience to do all that, so I am not alone in thinking that way. However, I agree that the cards are stunning, and perhaps just making one for someone very special would be worth the effort. Just gorgeous.

  12. Barb Borja says:

    As usual Jennifer, your cards are stunning. I can’t wait to pull out my array of embossing powders and play. Thanks for sharing and inspiring so many of us.

  13. Pattie Hillenberg says:

    Beautiful cards as always…Thankyou 😊

  14. Jane Hambly says:

    Jennifer I could watch your YouTube all day love your cards ♥️

  15. Paula Fuller says:

    Jennifer, you have no rivals when it comes to techniques and the versatile use of products most of us have. I cannot thank you enough for what you do for so many when you share your artistic talent. I love how you finished off each of the beautiful backgrounds. If I had to choose, and that was hard to do, I like the 3rd card the most. Thank you for a very “teaching” video.

  16. Pam says:

    Jennifer, these cards and this technique is beautiful. I don’t really think I have a favorite coloring medium….what ever is working for me that day and time…..I’m not as talented as you but I sure do learn a lot from you. Thanks for all your sharing and tips and mostly…your encouragement!

  17. Timi Biro says:

    Lovely cards Jennifer as usual 🙂

  18. Jan G says:

    My favorite color medium is watercolor. Love the leave card!

  19. Maxine M says:

    Love the techniques here. My favorite coloring tool is my PrismaColor pencils. I find it very relaxing to just sit and color. Thanks for sharing.

  20. Loly Borda says:

    Thank you for these cool techniques! All the cards are gorgeous, I love that peach gold embossing powder. My favorite coloring medium is colored pencils. Thanks for the chance!

  21. ChristineZ says:

    Wow, these cards are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing techniques that take our card making to new levels. These dies are beautiful and my word, that golden peach embossing powder is wonderful. My favorite coloring method is watercoloring. I seem to make a lot of card fronts for the trash can but I so enjoy the process of learning. Thanks for sharing your talents and ideas.

  22. Pam Nutting says:

    Gorgeous! Over the top gorgeous! I love watercoloring!

  23. Leona says:

    Loved this post especially as I don’t think I knew that you could heat emboss over that kind of adhesive without ruining the project! So thanks for sharing that tip! Right now my favorite is watercoloring. I’m rubbish at it but I still enjoy it. There’s a lot of room for happy little mistakes using watercolor.

  24. Debbie says:

    These cards are beautiful! What a great technique.

  25. Shelley C says:

    Jennifer, your cards are beautiful. I like them all! My fav coloring medium is whatever the mood that strikes at that moment. I haven’t found my favorite yet.

  26. Deepa Lakshman says:

    Your cards are a treat to the eyes. I don’t stick to one particular medium, but I usually use markers, both alcohol and water based markers. I color with distress inks too.

  27. Phi says:

    These 3 cards are amazing! Makes me want to play with embossing powder. That pink one from Altenew looks really nice.

  28. Jill H. says:

    Beautiful cards, Jennifer! Thank you for teaching us how to make them, especially the first one–such an incredible result! I love my Tombow markers, but I think my Kuretake ZIG Clean Color Real Watercolor Brush Pens are my favorite. I haven’t been able to justify the purchase of a set of Copics yet!

  29. Donna W says:

    Oh my . . . speechless. So beautiful. I probably color most with colored pencils – but I’m really trying to get the hang of other mediums like watercolor or inktense pencils or neocolors. . . so much to choose from!

  30. jan metcalf says:

    Absolutely gorgeous, gorgeous cards Jennifer!! My favorite medium are still the distress inks!

  31. Becky Sennholtz says:

    You always make me wish I could do this for a living. I always enjoy your videos – you never disappoint. Now I’m just waiting for pay day so I can order that Striped Leaf Cover die. Thanks for the inspiration!

  32. Love this technique. This real ease is fantastic! The leaves are my favorite! Thanks for sharing!

  33. Julie Harlow says:

    Great inspiration! Favorite medium is colored pencils; my who crafty card making mixed media journey started with a set of colored pencils.

  34. Michellee says:

    Your cards are absolutely stunning as always. My favorite coloring medium is colored pencils and gamsol.

  35. Marci Snee says:

    Wow, I just love these cards and this new winter catalog!!! Made me so excited for this blog hop! Thank you for sharing your talent and time with us through blogging, videos and posting. I value your profession immensely.

  36. Jackie SMOKER says:

    Love the embossed dimension… favourite colouring medium? At the moment, Prisma color, soft, pencils and, Tim Holtz distress reinkers (in a palette) with a water brush…

  37. Sharon Meyer says:

    love this technique! .. Thanks Jennifer!

  38. Stacey Kowbel says:

    So many great projects! My favourite colouring medium has to be Copic markers. I haven’t done much colouring with anything since I started buying them.

  39. Sharon Perehudoff says:

    Jennifer you cards are amazing, this is some thing we all can try on our cards. Wow! Learned so much from watching your video’s and a chance to win also. Thanks for sharing.

  40. Jenny van Westrop says:

    Love your card making skills.
    Love every card you make, i follow you always.
    You Inspire me.
    Thanks..
    Jenny from the netherlands

  41. STACY A SCHNETTLER says:

    Just mind-blowing beautiful! You really inspire me to try new things.

  42. Angela W says:

    Your cards are beautiful, Jennifer! As always, these new Altenew products are fabulous! My favorite coloring medium is probably my Copic Markers, however I love adding details to them with my Faber Castell Polychromos pencils.

  43. Darshna says:

    stunning, beautiful cards… recently subscribed to your you tube channel and loving your videos… lots of inspiration for my new card making hobby…

  44. Jude says:

    This was such an incredible video. Loved everything. My fav coloring medium is spectrum noir markers.

  45. books_and_scraps says:

    your cards always blow me away!

  46. VIJAYLAXMI says:

    Such a detailed and amazing video…Loved the technique you shared!! Thanks for always being an inspiration to many of us 🙂 I love to use Distress inks n watercolor pencils as a coloring medium !!

  47. Judy M says:

    I am not that good at heat embossing because I get bumpy, rough texture which I don’t like. My fave coloring is Copics.

  48. Amy Vitriani says:

    Fantastic cards Jennifer!! I love watching your videos because I learn so much!! Love the trick about the enamel dots! Thanks for all the inspiration 😊

  49. Angie Hall says:

    I like to use the Zig real brush markers. But today I used colored pencils on a card.

  50. Donna Oates says:

    Such beautiful cards using the cover plates. Love your technique videos. Always great ideas to try when I get to my craft room!

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