Embossing Folder Stamping Technique

These "embossing folder stamping technique" cards were inspired by Bev Gerard's cards here. I was glad to finally try this technique of adding images behind a dry embossed image. I substituted my Park Lane Birch Trees embossing folder since don't have the Stampin' Up! Woodland folder. 

I wanted to mention that I used SU's close to cocoa ink for the car in the card above. This was the second card I made. The car in the card below was stamped in distress brushed corduroy. The distress ink seems to blotch up when using a clear stamp. Stamping on the plastic embossing folder probably accentuates that blotchy-ness. I prefer the look of the car stamped in the SU ink. But I don't think the blotchy-ness will not be noticed by the recipient.

Getting back to the steps I used to stamp the embossing folder...

First I inked the top side of the embossing folder with the tumbled glass distress inkpad. I swiped and dabbed from the top of the folder to about  2/3's of the way down. I used a piece of scrap paper to cover the part I didn't want inked. 

For this technique , the top of the embossing folder is the part that gets inked. Usually there is printing on the outside, but the Park Lane folder did not have printing on the top. One way to check to be sure you are inking the correct side is to check that you are inking and stamping on the flat areas between the trees which are facing up. The trees are recessed! They will not "get" the ink you are applying.

I inked the bottom one third of the embossing folder with distress scattered straw.

Then I inked my car next using distress brushed corduroy in this card (Used SU close to cocoa in the first card). 

Then I inked the tree from SU's Lovely as a tree set, with distress pine needles and stamped several images on the embossing folder.

Then I placed my cardstock carefully into the stamped embossing folder and closed it and ran it through my Cuttlebug.

I used a light brown/tan Tombow marker, #992, to all the little lines on the birch trees. 

I sponged the edges of each panel afterward with distress broken china and scattered straw. Then I went around again with distress hickory smoke.

The happy birthday stamp and die is Hero Arts' DC184 Ribbon Messages, Stamp & Cut.

Used my Zig Denim marker to write the birthday years in each.

Now I will show you my mistakes: 

In the first image above, I spritzed the embossing folder with water after inking and before adding my paper. Did not turn our well as you can see.

In the second image, I tried using multiple inkpads but the colors were too squared off. Maybe if this was a geometric embossing folder instead of a nature scene? 

Thank you for visiting! Hope you have a great week!