Create Metallic Stripped Card-Everything You Need To Know

 

Have you ever considered using metallic embossing powders in an entirely different way to create a custom card that will long be treasured by the recipient of this wonderful art form? I was super impressed by this technique in a recent class that I took at Altenew on Progressive Card Making.

I have always enjoyed using embossing powders. Using them has been a passion of mine. As you see the powder heat up, and the magic happen, it brings joy to your papercrafts.

I made three thinking of you cards and one thanks card. But honestly, you could use any large sentiment die that you have for this technique.

 One Note Before We Get Started

It is often said that "quality matters!" In this particular technique, it actually does! I tried different metallic embossing powders from different sources. and the one that worked the best was from Altenew. I did get better results with the antique metallic powders than I did from others in my stash, The closest to quality was the Wow embossing powder. My point is to use a good quality for the best results. Especially in multilayering of the sentiments dies, the Altenew embossing powder gave me the best results. 

I did purchase these without any request for endorsements. Just my personal preference

Start With The Sentiment

It is easy to get started creating your word sentiment. I like to do these ahead of time to make the later process easier. 

These sentiments were embossed three times

Supplies

• 80-90 lb. cardstock
• Word dies or sentiment of your choice.
• Metallic embossing powder
• Die cutting machine.
• Embossing bag
• Embossing ink
• Large piece of copy or scrap paper
• Pick tool.
• Heat tool.

1. Select the word or sentiment die that you will be using on your card.
2. Go over the piece of cardstock that you plan to die cut with the embossing bag. Make sure to cover all areas of the paper.
3. Create your sandwich (the order of your die cutting plates following the manufactures instructions. Place the die (cutting side up) and the paper within the sandwich as directed.
4. Run the sandwich through your die cutting machine. I like to run it through twice just to make sure that I get a clean cut.
5. Remove the die cut. Pop out any pieces left over with the pick.
6. Go over the piece of cardstock that you plan to die cut with the embossing bag. Make sure to cover all areas of the paper.
7. Place the copy paper or the scrap paper on your work surface. 
8. Ink up the die cut. Make sure to apply a generous amount of ink.
9. Pour the metallic embossing powder over the die cut.
10. Lift the die cut with the pick tool and tap off any excess.
11. Hold the die cut with the pick tool on a heat resistant mat.
12. Heat the sentiment until all of the embossing powder has melted.
13. Let the sentiment sit for about 40 seconds till it is cooled.
14. You can stop at this point or add more ink and embossing powder till you are happy with the results.

Cut Your Card Bases

Now you are ready to prepare your card base. The size of your base will depend on the size of the sentiment used. In my case, I used a 5" by 7" black card base for each of the cards. I chose the black card base to show off the metallic design as applied. You can see in one case; I used the black area for the design and then cut it. Then I applied the cut out and the design piece to a white base for some variation.

Adding The Metallic Design

Adding the metallic stripes to the back card base is easier than you may think. And once you learn how to do it, you can broaden your options with other embossing powders and colors. The options are endless. But for now, let's stick to the metallics.

Supplies

• Your cardstock base.
• A panel for the strip design the same size as the panel.
• Double sided tape
• Altenew Antique Gold Crisp Embossing Powder
• Altenew Platinum Crisp Embossing Powder
• Altenew Silver Crisp Embossing Powder
• Gems
• Heat tool.
• Pick tool.
• Embossing bag
• Soft bristle paint brush
• Titanium scissors
• Craft mat.

• Cut your card base the same size as the panel-mine was 5" by 7".
• Cover the panel with the embossing bag to make sure that no stray pieces of embossing powder are heated up outside of the created strips.
• Decide how many colors you will be using. and the order of the metallic colors on your cards. 
• Use the double sided tape to create diagonal strips across the bottom third of the card base. Use the strips as is , before removing any covering to make sure that you are happy with the design before placing them.
• Remove one side of the covering of the double-sided tape. Place the tapes with equal space- about 1/4" apart. between them. Run the tape longer than the. edge of the card on both sides. Then tuck the ends behind the card.
• Start with the first color chosen. lift all of the tapes for that color on the card. You will be doing one color at a time. 
• Lift the top cover of the tapes for that color.
• Cover all of the exposed areas with embossing powder. Be generous to make sure that the entire tape is covered.
• List the card base up and tap any excess powder off the card.
• Use the soft brush to clean any stray powder off the card base.
• Heat the powder until it is completely melted. 
• Allow it to cool for about one minute. 
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• Then do all of the remaining colors using the same steps.
• Now either use glue or tape to mount the panel to the card.
• Once all of the tapes are embossed, place the sentiment on the top of the card with either craft glue of pieces of foam tape.
• I opted to use gems to dot the “i” on this design.

Instead of using just black, you can use a white card base for a color variation. The black piece at the bottom sets it off nicely.

As you are creating the sentiment, make sure not to handle the sentiments with your fingers. You may get fingerprints on the sentiment. Use the pick tool to pick up the sentiment instead.

Instead of using the gold for the card sentiment, I used a silver one. 

Another idea for this card would to criss /cross the strips as seen on the card at the top of the post. You simply add the tape in opposite vertical stripes on top of the first set.

Before you use the heat tool, make sure to warm it up 45 seconds to a minute before using it. That way you will get better embossing results.

Do not get too close to the paper so that it does not get scorched. As you use it, move the heat tool to get better results.

The card to the right is a landscaped (vertical) version using the same technique. Additional strips were added along the top to balance the design.

You can do these cards in different sizes using different sized sentiments.

We hope that you will give this technique a try. It is a fun idea to use some of those metallic embossing powders in your stash. Anyone you give or send this card will be amazed at your creative ability and talent.

As always, we would love to hear your thoughts and comments or just say hello! We always love hearing from you.

Thanks for stopping by! We hope to see you again soon. 

Till next time, Happy Crafting!

Linda

                          Here are the tools and supplies that you need to complete this project.