Emboss Resist Challenge

For this week’s mini-challenge, we will be creating projects with emboss resist. Emboss resist is a classic stamping technique, but there are many ways to give this old trick new life.  One of the best ways to make emboss resist trendy is to use amazing stamps, like those from Unity Stamp Company.

Instructions:

In case you are unfamiliar with the emboss resist technique, let me give you a play-by-play.  First, I used a piece of Strathmore watercolor paper cut to 4″ X 5.25″ and I used some washi tape to mask a .25″ border.  Note: I put the tape on my shirt first to get a little less tacky in order to not pull the edges of the paper roughly.

Next, I stamped the image multiple times in VersaMark watermark ink, and I embossed the images in white embossing powder.  It was very difficult to see until the next step.

Then I chose a color scheme.  I used distress oxides in the colors Faded Jeans, Cracked Pistachio, Iced Spruce, and Wild Honey.  I overlapped them slightly to blend the colors.

Finally, I had to embellish.  You’ll notice in my other cards I popped an image out from the background.  In this example, I featured the background and kept my sentiment and embellishment simple.

Examples:

Below are a few examples that I created with some variations.  For the first, I chose to use a sentiment as my emboss resist background.  I love the “Drew Girl” kit because she looks so fierce and self-assured, so I paired her with a sentiment from the Donna Downey kit “As I See It.”

For the last example of emboss resist, I used the kit “In My Garden“ for the background, but used the adorable Lisa Glanz kit “Tuxedo Bunny” for my central image.  I found the perfect coordinating sentiment from the kit “Sometimes I Wonder.”

Challenge:

1. Emboss Resist:  You can feature the emboss resist technique in any part of your card.  I showed the technique with backgrounds, but you can feel free to make it a central image too.  Also, you do not have to use just white.  If you wanted to emboss resist with gold, silver, purple sparkles, feel free to do so!  Make this challenge your own.
2. Media:  While you may want to use distress inks or oxides as I have done, you may want to try another form of media.  I have used this technique using art crayons or watercolors as well.  Experiment and see what you like best.
3. Post your image:  Make sure to post your images in the Unity Show and Tell Album called “Emboss Resist Challenge.”  Winners at the end of the week will receive a great prize from Unity Stamp Company.

I hope you enjoy making this old technique new again and challenge yourself to enter one of your creations into the competition.  Even if you don’t enter it, share it with others on the Show and Tell.  It is such a caring community, that they and I would love to see how you have been inspired.