A good many of us, if we looked around our craft rooms would probably find some brass stencils. At one point, we might have used them to create cards or layout embellishments: get out the light box, choose a stencil, grab the stylus and use it to emboss the whole thing–taking a ton of time to do it. Then, maybe we got adventurous and wanted to dry emboss on dark paper, or even craft foil. Hmmm!?! What to do with that light box.

Well, with the Wizard™, you can emboss a brass stencil in a single bound (you and Superman should be friends), even on paper or foil that you can’t see through.

So do a little spring green dance, grab those brass stencils before they go to the bottomless pit of your supply drawer–or worse, the landfill–and use them again.

Sandwich:

• Master Mat
• Brass stencil
• Paper
• Embossing Mat
• Master Mat

Cathy Chlebana created this card featuring a gorgeous embossed brass stencil, several layers of cardstock and a bar on the top and bottom. After she ran the dark blue paper through the Wizard™, she sanded off the top layer of dark cardstock to show off the inner, lighter core. Elegant!!

For something a little extra, I created a painted card that featured a brass stencil.

To create this subtle effect, simply paint a contrasting, thin layer over cardstock. Allow it to dry to the touch but not all the way through (this will give you a deeper emboss). Run it through the Wizard™ with a brass stencil in an embossing sandwich. Let it dry completely and sand off the top layer of paint. Add embellishments and Viola!

So, dig out those brass stencils and have some fun!  Eli

Edgeabilities, that is!   And what a difference embossing makes!  I wanted to share a few more examples from our wonderful designers.  You’ve seen Holly Craft’s Wedding Ensemble here before:

Here’s a close up of her card to the bride and groom which she kept the die cut intact on the front of the card, and used reverse stenciling to ink the debossed areas in a darker green.  On the seating card for the reception Holly trimmed the die cut to use just the flower portion.  Holly used the S4-044 Rose Blossom Edgeabilities on these projects.

Product Designer Toni Kelly also used the S4-044 Rose Blossom Edgeabilities.  She cut and embossed onto white paper.  Easy yet so very elegant!

Here is another comparison of 2 designers working with S5-004 Sunflower Garden Edgeabilities. Design Team Coordinator Cathy Chlebana cut, embossed and inked the paper, then used the aperture to highlight a stamped verse.  Can you see how the embossed border outlines the project?

This is 2008 Design Team Member Holly Craft’s artwork with the same die template, S5-004 Sunflower Garden Edgeabilities.  She also used a stamped verse, but used reverse stenciling with brown ink to highlight the embossed border, as well as stenciling through the die template to further color the embossed areas of the die cut.

Thank you ladies!
Beth

Edgeabilities are a ready made design, that when cut, embossed and embellished, give you a beautiful results without a lot of effort. The key is in embossing the detail of the die.  They die template cuts a design as well as an opening into the paper.  This can be used as a part of a card, a journaling spot, or an opening on the project.

For example, this S4-098 Fern Edgeability when cut, makes an interesting shape.

Only when its embossed does the shape take on the detail that makes the design unique.  The design is further enhanced when the die template is used as a stencil, with ink applied through the die template.

Toni Kelly, designer of the Edgeabilites and other Spellbinders product, provided these samples of the Edgeabilities:

S4-096 Asian Bamboo Edgeability

Toni does beautiful work, I think you’ll all enjoy taking a look at her blog and website.  Thanks Toni, for the wonderful designs and great samples!

Today’s Spellbinders™ Spotlight is on the one, the only Eli Harlan!  Eli started with Spellbinders™ three years ago as a Design Team Member, and has worn a few hats since then.  Moving from Designer to Writer, she spends more time at the computer than at the craft table. Eli is my blogging partner in crime here at Spellbinders™, lets give her a warm welcome!

So, Eli, How did you start crafting?
I was always creating something when I was little but I do remember vividly when I was five or so, adding my birthday cards to one of those old, yucky gray paper scrapbooks. Every so often I would rip them out and put in new ones. It’s laughable now. I never really stopped but did get much more involved when I got married 12 years ago.

What inspires you?
One: I think it is in my blood. Several years ago, I was given a scrapbook that my grandmother created when she was young. It included amazing little snippets such as bridge tallies, articles in the paper about some party that Mrs So-n-So was having, etc. She even cropped her photos. Then, more recently, when my mom moved out of her house of 25 years, I took a bunch of boxes of family “ephemera” and found scads of pictures that my dad had taken throughout his life. I love photography…I come by it honestly.

Two: my family. My husband and daughter are amazing people and I want to capture, through photography, scrapbooking, writing, etc, moments that matter.

Three: Designers around me…Spellbinders™ team, my favorite blogs…whenever I lose my mojo, I look to them and the inspiration usually comes back.

What do you like to make?
I started out as a scrapbooker, became a writer, fell in love with photography and journeyed into card making and altered arts. Occasionally, I sew, knit and cook.  My greatest creation is my daughter.

Tell us about your family.
I love my life with my husband, James, and my baby, she is now 9 (“and a half, mom”).  We also have a Himalayan cat named Triscuit. If you know anything about Himalayan cats, they are fiercely loyal and she’s on my lap right now as I type…she usually is.

Describe your style.
I’m not sure about scrapbooking style but I call my writing “Fluffy, Technical Writing”. So in writing, I’m trying to balance the information that crafters need to get artwork done with the fun and light-hearted inspiration that they want. I write like I talk and give instructions along the way.

What are two craft tools that you could not live without?
Tweezers, Crop-a-Dile and Tonic trimmer (oops, that was three…)

What has been the hardest thing to learn?
Accounting! Oh, paper craft-wise…um, image transfer…which is an awesome technique to do in the Wizard but I have NEVER been able to really make it work.

Do you teach classes?
Not as often as I’d like. I’m a teacher at heart and have taught dancing, singing, paper crafts, youth ministry, etc, so it’s something I dearly love. Hopefully, more opportunities will continue in this field.

What kind of craft space do you have?
Messy is an understatement. It’s a strange space…it has a loft bed with my desk/computer under it. Then on the side of the room is a section of shelves with storage baskets and a counter that I craft on. The shelves above hold paper and other supplies. Most things are within reach…that is, if I can step over all the stuff on the floor…lol.

What else do you like to do?
I love our church. I sing in the choir. I love to get Starbucks coffee. I knit. Hang with the family and friends. We enjoy entertaining and right now, we are preparing for an incredible Europeon adventure this summer.  I’m developing an online shop to sell specialized journals and other paper crafts,  but while we are planning to leave for most of the summer, I will really get it going in the fall.

Below are a few of Eli’s favorite projects.

Thanks for sharing, Eli!