1) Place template on light source

If you don't have a light box, you can tape the template to a window, or a glass table, or a Pyrex plate, or anything clear and firm with a flashlight under it. If your template has words or numbers, place the template BACKWARDS on your light source. It will look wrong while you're tracing but then right when you turn it over.

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2) Wax it

3) Trace it

Trace the edges of the design with a stylus. Press firmly-don't be shy. There is no need to "color in" the open parts of the design; if you trace the edge, the middle will come with it. If you trace around the outside edge of the template, it will create a frame for your design. Remember you will be tracing on the INSIDE of your card.

Chalk it

 This set has 24 colors, but you can make hundreds of colors from it by blending colors and by using any particular color faintly or intensely.

Emboss first, then flip it over so the template is on top of the card. This will help keep the chalk just on the embossing. For the sunflower pot, I took a stroke of brown and a stroke of orange which blends on the applicator. For  the petals, I took a stroke of the yellow and light orange to make a perfect sunflower yellow! Blow away any grains of chalk. If you like, spritz hairspray into the air and waft the chalked card through it to help affix the chalk. Or add glitter over the top of the chalk. To see our chalk choices, click on our Accessories page.

Chalked Sunflower

Glitter over the chalk

Zig 2 way glue pens are the best. The key to making the glitter look good is not to overdo the glue. You should not be able to see the blue color of the glue when you apply it. You should see the moisture of the glue, and that is enough. Not only does the glitter look better if you don't use too much glue, but it also makes your glue pen last even longer.

Another neat feature of this glue pen is that it can also create a temporary bond like a Post-It note. Put the glue on, and let it dry. Then you can tack your paper on and off. This helps with scrapbook layouts as well as other projects. Zig glue is acid free and Xylene free.

Chalked and glittered

The Alignment Guide makes getting designs straight and centered a real no brainer. Just match the numbers on either edge of the template to center it. Then place your paper over the template matching the numbers at either edge of the paper. When they match, your paper is straight and centered over your template. Easy!

Holds the template still.  The grid also keeps your template from sliding so there's no need to tape it in place.

Cut straighter edges. When using fancy scissors to edge your card, first place the card straight along the grid and mark lightly with a pencil where your scissors should cut.

Create background dots.  Place your card face up on the grid and with a fine point marker, make dots at alternating intersections of the grid to create a background upon which you can layer embossed images.

Protects your glass table.  If you are working on a glass table for your light source, the grid will keep the template from sliding on your table.

By putting your darker glitter on first, you can then pour your lighter color right over the darker glitter, and it won't show.

Only use ultra fine glitter.  Even fine glitter is too chunky and looks terrible on a card.

For a finished edge, trim with fancy scissors.

(This edge is called Seagull.)

For a subtle accent, chalk

along the cut edge. To create contrast,

you can also put a different colored

paper behind the edge or chalk that area.

Scuff it

Scuffing is an easy way to add color by taking it off! Holding on to the sides of the scuffer, lay it flat on the embossed design and slide it with light pressure back and forth over the design. This will scuff off the colored top layer of the paper exposing its white core. Scuffing will only work on white core papers because if a paper is pink all the way through, then if you scuff off the top, you'll just expose more pink! Be sure you are working on a firm surface.

This Swirly Flower is L9464 in  Flower Templates.

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Scuff the next piece

It is easiest to scuff before you trim out the design. Note how the design is close to the edge which saves more paper for the next card.

Trim around the design

Trim about an 1/8" outside of the embossed edge. Don't worry if it's not perfect; your eye will still catch the embossed edge which is perfect. Trim as smoothly as possible. It is easier to move the paper as you cut than to reposition the scissors.

Cut out EASY designs. One easy and yet dramatic effect is to emboss the rectangular frame around a design and then simply cut out the rectangle and mount it.

Layer the flowers

Put a dot of double-sided sticky foam tape between the flowers which will add even more dimension to the layering.

Add the center

Use a dot of double sided sticky foam tape to attach the yellow center of the flower.

The scuffed swirl along the bottom of the card is from  M17 in Border Templates.

Ta da!

Rip it