Provo Craft originally introduced the Cuttlebug as a die-cut machine for the home crafter. It's compact, does not require electricity, and folds up for easy storage, which has made it popular with scrapbookers that don't want the bulk or expense of large digital machines. It's also very easy to use. Here's a couple samples of what Melinda created with the Happy Birthday Cuttlebug Embossing folder (shown below) and the B-Day Bash Collection.
Cuttlebug embossing folders are used to press a three dimensional image into cardstock, craft foam, mesh, chipboard, and other scrapbook media. Six inches in the maximum width of the paper that can be accommodated, but there is no limit to the length.
The folders come in several different styles. The basic folders are 5-inch by 7-inch, and have an overall pattern. These folders are perfect for embossing photos mats and cards.
For those of you that don't own a Cuttlebug machine, you can still use the embossing folders. According to Love to Know: Scrapbooking they claim you just need a spray bottle and rolling pin. I haven't tried this myself, but here's how they did it:
The only equipment needed is a spray bottle, some tape, and a rolling pin. It is not possible to get as much pressure with a rolling pin as the Cuttlebug can apply. With light weight paper, this will not be an issue, but for cardstock or other heavy weight materials, embossing will be easier if the paper is sprayed lightly with water. Dampening the paper will make it more pliable and easier to emboss. Place the paper in the embossing folder, and tape the folder closed. Lay the embossing folder on a firm surface like a table or counter, and roll over it with the rolling pin, as though you were rolling out a pie crust. You will need to experiment to learn how much pressure to apply to get the desired result.
Wanna WIN a CUTTLEBUG MACHINE and some EMBOSSING FOLDERS?? We would love to see what you've embossed? Simple leave a comment with a link back to a sample you've created using an embossing folder. But, if you don't have anything because you don't own any embossing folders, simply give us a link to a project you found online using this embossing method. We'll select a winner by Thursday morning!!


