3D Embossing Folder Ideas for Every Skill Level: Yippee for Yana
Hi friend! Please join me in welcoming back the oh-so-talented and amazing Yana Smakula! (Please note: our dear friend Yana is Ukrainian. To show support to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, please see Yana’s post HERE.)
In this Yippee for Yana episode, I’m sharing how to create quick and easy cards using 3D embossing folders. If you have detailed embossing folders in your stash that you love but rarely use, this is a great way to bring them back into rotation. I’ll walk you through three versions of the same design, starting with a basic card and stepping it up with ink and subtle sparkle for more advanced looks.
Today’s cards feature the Simon Says Stamp Fancy Rose Bouquet embossing folder. While this particular folder includes coordinating dies, I am only using the embossing folder itself. The techniques shown here can be applied to any embossing folder, regardless of brand.
Preparing Your Cardstock for Deep Embossing
When working with detailed 3D embossing folders, it’s important to lightly mist your cardstock with water before embossing. This helps soften the fibers and reduces the risk of cracking, especially when creating deep impressions. You can use a water mister or gently wipe the surface with a damp cloth or baby wipe. The paper should feel slightly damp but not soaked.
For these cards, I used Surf Blue cardstock and trimmed it to A2 size panels. Keep in mind that cardstock will shrink slightly during embossing because the paper fibers are being compressed and stretched to create dimension. If you need an exact finished size, consider starting with a slightly larger panel and trimming it down afterward.
Emboss the panel according to your die cutting machine’s sandwich instructions. Every machine is different, so check the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure proper pressure. Once embossed, you’ll have a beautifully detailed floral background with deep dimension.
Reinforcing the Embossed Panels
Because 3D embossing creates significant texture and slightly thins the paper in raised areas, I like to adhere scrap cardstock to the back of the embossed panel. Gluing one or two layers of scrap cardstock behind the panel makes it sturdier and gives the finished card a more substantial feel.
At this stage, you already have a clean and elegant background that could be used as is. From here, we can keep it simple or step it up.
The most basic version uses the embossed panel alone as the focal point. Simply mount it onto a coordinating card base and add a sentiment. Even without additional techniques, the depth of a 3D embossing folder creates a striking result.
Version One: Highlight with White Pigment Ink
To enhance the detail, gently swipe a white pigment ink pad across the raised areas of the embossed design. Use a light hand and avoid pressing down too hard. Because the raised portions sit higher than the background, they will pick up the ink and instantly highlight the texture.
For more control, use a foam applicator or blending tool to tap pigment ink onto specific areas. Tapping allows you to build intensity gradually and emphasize the floral details without overwhelming the design. Remember that pigment ink takes longer to dry, so allow the panel to dry completely before handling.
Version Two: Add Ink Blending and Subtle Sparkle
To further step up the design, add ink blending around the edges of the panel using a coordinating ink color. Blending around the perimeter draws the eye inward and adds depth. Keep the blending concentrated on the edges and avoid heavily covering the raised white-highlighted areas.
Version Three: Add Subtle Sparkle
For an additional touch of elegance, apply a small amount of wax seal powder, metallic pigment, or similar shimmering product to the flower centers. Use a light tapping motion to add just a hint of sparkle. This creates dimension and visual interest without overpowering the embossed design.
Finishing the Cards
For sentiments, I used pre-printed sentiment strips. These are a fast and efficient way to finish multiple cards at once. The strips can be trimmed with scissors, a paper trimmer, or coordinating dies designed specifically for cutting them into clean, uniform labels. Foam adhesive adds dimension and helps the sentiments stand out against the textured background.
To complete the cards, I adhered the panels onto A2 top-folding card bases, trimming the bases slightly to accommodate the subtle shrinkage from embossing. A few coordinating gems add a final polished touch.
Why 3D Embossing Folders Are So Versatile
This project demonstrates how one embossing folder can produce multiple looks with minimal additional supplies. You can keep it clean and simple, highlight with pigment ink, blend color around the edges, or incorporate shimmer for a more advanced finish.
If you’ve been wanting to experiment more with your 3D embossing folders, I hope this inspires you to try highlighting, ink blending, or adding subtle sparkle to your next project.
Thanks so much for joining me for another Yippee for Yana episode, and I’ll see you again soon.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
SUPPLIES:
|
Ways to support Ukraine:
If you are looking for ways to support Ukraine, we encourage you to visit this page on Yana’s blog:
A big thank you to YOU, our reader — and to Yana for being our guest!
Two-Tone Inking for Watercolor Blooms by Laura Bassen
Hi friend! Happy Monday! We’re delighted to welcome back special guest Laura Bassen with this pretty duo of inspiration featuring components of our March 2026 Card Kit, Watercolor Bouquet! Be sure to watch the video for all the details, and enjoy!
WATCH THE VIDEO:
SUPPLIES:
|
A big thank you to YOU, our reader — and to Laura Bassen for being our guest!
Did you know?! We’ve made our card kit subscription BETTER THAN EVER!
Here’s what makes our new service a crafting paradise:
Exclusive Access: As a subscriber, you get first dibs! Each month, you’ll get an exclusive sneak peek at our new kit, with the option to add more coordinating items to your cart, including handy replenishable supplies, all shipped together for your convenience.
Hassle-Free Payments: Say goodbye to monthly billings! Our automated system smoothly charges your preferred card, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of crafty goodness – unless you decide to pause, of course!
$5 Off Magic: Enjoy a special $5 discount off our kit’s retail price, exclusive to our beloved subscribers – no codes needed, just automatic savings!
Crafting Inspirations: Dive into a sea of creative ideas monthly, all tailored around your kit, to keep your inspiration flowing endlessly.
Flexibility First: Fear of commitment? Not here! Our subscription is as flexible as it gets – pause or cancel anytime, no strings attached.
Why wait? Step into the realm of our NEW Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kit service. Welcome a box full of crafting marvels, right to your doorstep. Craft with ease and let creativity come to you!
Ready to elevate your craft? Subscribe Now and open the doors to boundless creativity!
We’re thrilled to have you in our crafting community and can’t wait to embark on this renewed creative adventure together!
In My Heart Etcetera Panel by Emma Williams
Hi friend! Happy Sunday! I’m beyond delighted to welcome back special guest Emma Williams to our blog today to share this GORGEOUS mixed media creation! Read on and enjoy!
Hello everyone! I’m so happy to be back on the SSS blog today and I can’t wait to share all the details of my latest project. Here in the UK, we’re still in the grips of winter but I thought I would be nice to look ahead to Spring and bring some colour into our lives. So, with the release of the brand new Tim Holtz Palette Paper Collections, I thought this collection would be perfect to celebrate the forthcoming season. Combine this with Mother’s Day, which we celebrate here in the UK and Ireland in March, I decided to create a little sunshine, in celebration of all those precious Mom’s, who hold a special place in our hearts….
This make uses a combination of Tim Holtz products from Stampers Anonymous, Ranger Ink and Sizzix to create colour, layers and plenty of detail.
To begin with I used the larger sized Stampers Anonymous Square Etcetera Panel and painted around the edge of the panel with Black Soot Distress Paint. You can paint the entire panel, but this means you don’t use more paint than you need to as the surface won’t be seen…
I cut a piece of paper from the 12 x 12 Orange Palette Paper Collection to measure slightly smaller in size than the panel itself, and added some rips and tears around the edges of the paper. I machine stitched a border around the outside of the square paper panel, and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.
On each corner of the panel, I created a faux mount that sits underneath the large square of paper. Cut a small triangle of paper from the palette pack for each corner and adhere these corner pieces onto the painted Etcetera board. By doing this, it will create the illusion of a layer of paper underneath the large piece, but it saves you from using a whole sheet of your precious stash. Mount the background panel onto the etcetera board using Matte Collage Medium, and allow the corners to curl back and reveal those corners underneath. Apply a coat of medium over the top to seal the paper.
To build up dimension and layers, I chose to use a selection of Etcetera Mosaic Tiles and Large Etcetera Tiles for this make. In total, I used a combination of 13 tiles in various shapes.
Cover each of the tiles using various papers from the 8 x 8 Orange Palette Paper Collection and adhere them into position with Matte Collage Medium. Sand the edges the tiles with a sanding block and using a Distress Collage Brush, apply a coat of the medium over the top of the tiles. Once the medium is dry, run the Gathered Twigs Distress Crayon around the sanded edge and blend out the crayon with your fingertip.
Adhere the tiles to the panel using Matte Collage Medium, layering and stacking some of the tiles over the top of one another to create the dimension.
Set to one side to dry, and once all the tiles are secure and fixed into position, add some ephemera pieces to the tiles. I used a combination of pieces from the Memoirs and Numbers Strips, together with a Clippings Sticker, ‘in my heart” and a type chip, that I used as an initial and placed on the left hand side. You will see that I also added an orange coloured stamp from the Postmarked Sticker Book, which works so well with this paper collection, before placing Cello Sticker Tape over the top of some of the ephemera pieces.
With my background complete, I chose a photo to use from Tim’s Vintage Photobooth pack. If you prefer, you can make it more personal by choosing a photo of someone special. I colour tinted the image using Distress Crayons and then machine stitched the photo onto a piece of cotton calico fabric from my stash. The edges are frayed to create some texture.
After I positioned the photo in the centre the panel, I added a Remnant Rub down the right hand side, a piece of cello sticker tape, a vintage button and finished by pinning a mini pin into the fabric.
Now, it’s time to create the blooms that sit around the photo and for this I used the Bloom Colorize Die by Tim Holtz and Sizzix to die cut Distress Watercolor Card. I cut enough to create three complete flowers and five pieces of foliage.
I applied the following colour to the die cuts using Distress Inks and Oxide Inks and a blending tool. Oxide Inks: Iced Spruce for leaves. Scattered Straw for flowers.
Distress Inks: Iced Spruce, Bundled Sage and Forest Moss for the foliage and Fossilised Amber, Scattered Straw, Wild Honey for the flowers.
Mist water over the top of the inked die cut pieces and heat dry before assembling each layer to create the beautiful florals and foliage.
Arrange the flowers to cascade around the photo, adding some on each side and adhering them using a combination of foam pads and hot glue.
I also added some die cut foliage that I had in my stash. You can use any foliage you have for this ~ it’s just there to add more layers.
We’re nearly there and all that’s left is to add some final details, starting with the Quote Label Chip. I loved this quote, “Hold On Tight To Your Dreams” and after inking the edges to create more of a vintage feel to the chip, I placed it into a Tim Holtz idea-ology Label Frame.
The framed Quote Chip is then attached with Matte Collage Medium, placing it directly onto the centre of the Ruler Piece, that I’ve inked and stained with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I snapped both ends of the ruler to create a jagged finish and then attached the piece to my panel, placing it below the photo and balancing it across the Etcetera Tiles. Attach a Screw Head on either side of the ruler piece with Matte Collage Medium. To create the rusty tone to the metal, I applied layers of Vintage Photo, Black Soot and Antiqued Bronze Distress Paints. Dry the paint in between each layer and build up the intensity of colour gradually.
Finally, I used a Salvaged Heart to complete this make. I chose one of the smaller hearts from the pack and painted this with Tattered Rose Distress Paint. Once the paint was dry, I used Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over the top, blending the colour to accentuate the faceting on the hearts. Buff away any excess crayon from the surface of the heart.
I attached the heart to bottom right of the photograph.
To complete the panel, I added some more Screw Heads as accents on some of the tiles.
So that’s my project complete, and I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. As always, I’ve enjoyed sharing the tips and techniques to inspire you and I’d love to see what you make! See you all again very soon and Happy Crafting everyone… Emma x
SUPPLIES:
|
A big thanks to YOU, our reader for stopping by, and Emma for being our guest!
Going on NOW! Great deals for YOU!
