DIY Embossing Folder

I'm excited to share a new possibility; DIY embossing folders! I know it's hard to see in a photo, but do you notice the textured background on the Bermuda Bay mat? It's dry embossed, but you won't be able to buy that embossing folder, because I made it just for this card! I've given instructions below, so you can make your own embossing forlders too!

Start by choosing the framelits and thinlits you want to use in your design. I have some from mulitple sets here. Grab the sheet of heavier white card stock that comes in the back of each package of Designer Series Paper. It's just the right thickness, and it won't go to waste anymore. Trim the cardstock down into two pieces of the size folder you are making. I did a standard 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 here, but really you could make any size and shape, as long as it fits through your big shot. 

Run one sheet of the cardstock through to cut out the shapes in the design you want. Keep the cut outs, you are going to use them in a minute.  

Now take some washi tape and place it at the top of the cut design sheet, with half of the width hanging over. Adhere the second sheet to that extra half of the tape and fold the two into a "folder."

Now that you have your folder, close it and carefully glue the cut outs onto the uncut sheet. The trick to doing this is to close the folder and glue the shapes right through the holes they made. Just be careful not to use so much glue that it oozes out and glues the whole thing together. I like to use a sponge and some tacky glue to get a light layer. Did you notice the fine use of the binder clip to keep my hands clean? Clever, huh?

Now when you open the folder, you will see how the folder is going to work. Just slide your paper in, close the folder, and run it through the big shot using the regular "sandwich" you would use to cut the framelits out.  This will give you enough pressure to emboss the paper, because the folder is a little hinder than a regular embossing folder.  

And voila! 

Now you have a unique designed folder, talk about the personal touch for your cards! 

I would  love to see what you've designed with this technique.  Leave a comment below with a photo of your card!