Monday, April 23, 2012

Embossing project


Hi friends.  I could list all of the reasons I have been an absent poster recently but instead I am going to share a fun project I have found to do with my kids.  I don't know about your family but we are a happy one when there is an interesting and new craft in the house.  Something about boredom doesn't seem to work for us.  I imagine that some of you can relate.




I am a self proclaimed paper geek.  I sold commercial printing papers for my entire career, until now.  I love the feel of good heavy stock.  My favorite is always cotton.  Texture is a big thing for me.  Therefore when I walked into our local PaperSource, and they asked me if I knew about embossing, I was intrigued. Embossing, to me, is done in a small mom and pop print shop which has been around since the beginning of time, the sort of people I used to call on.  The thought of being able to create a similar effect at home was exciting to me.




I purchased some scalloped cards, ink, embossing powder and the heat gun and my girls and I had a ball.  If you have young children they will need supervision as the tool heats up to 600 degrees. But we had no problems with it.




Another thing that I am enamored of is hand written notes.  I think that this is a sort of lost art.  I correspond with my customers and friends via email, like the rest of the world.  But I also incorporate these notes which are sent through the mail.  (Yes, the actual postal service :)).  I think that it makes an impression and sets you apart when you take the time to sit down and hand write a small thank you note, or get well card to someone.



The products I used for this project are shown below; the heat gun, inks, and clear embossing powder.  I purchased them all at Papersource but they are available many places, even Amazon.  All you do is push your stamp down on the ink pad, stamp onto the paper and immediately shake the powder on top of the wet ink. (You then save the excess powder) Then you dry it.  Pretty simple, huh?


I packaged them with jute rope and have given them out as hostess gifts.


Etsy, as you can imagine, has en enormous supply of stamps.  I had the custom one below made by a vendor called Dragonflybuzz.  This was not my first purchase from them.  And I am thrilled with the quality and turnaround every time.  


So, when I get an order from the store, it will be accompanied by a handmade thank you note.  And since the shop is largely comprised on items which I have made myself the notes may well show up there soon.  


Have a great week

Michele

13 comments:

  1. oh these are very sweet and so elegant as well. i just love them...especially the gold-embossed bee and "Maison de Michele." How divine....

    (I'm working on the living room transformation around YOUR French GRain sack pillow...i'll share soon! I'm LOVING IT! thanks for the inspiration!)

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  2. Those are lovely indeed. Yes, sending personal notes via the US Post is becoming a lost art!

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  3. They look fantastic:) Good job
    xo~Cheryl

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  4. So lovely and thoughtful, Michele. I love a hand penned note. Thank you for sharing your source for stamps.
    The best of blessings to you and your girls!
    ~Lynne
    w/L.

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  5. WELL, Michele - you just know I love your House of Michele stamp!

    I love embossing, will have to look into some new stamps or get back to doing, haven't done in a long while.

    Keep up the charming work!

    Hugs,

    The Other Michele < lol

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  6. Wow, I absolutely adore these Michele!!
    Yours turned out just beautifully!!~
    Wishing you a lovely week.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  7. All so lovely! My fave one: the little fat grey bee!
    Have a nice day
    Silvia

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  8. Those cards a beautiful. Love all the embossing and your new cards for your shop.

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  9. How *cute* are these!!!! Embossing is a very neat, elegant skill to have. Cute post!

    Blessings!
    Ricki Jill

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  10. Michele!! These are amazing! I must put in an order ASAP. I love the "Merci" cards the best. Way to go w/ innovative ways to expand your ever growing etsy business.
    Anne

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  11. Glad you're back! You were missed. I love pretty note cards and stationary too. I guess it goes back to the simpler time before all the techno gadgets we use now. Love how those note cards look tied in twine. Very pretty!

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