Embossing & Stenciling Directions
by Polly's Pals

1. Place stencil on the front of the paper and secure with removable tape so that the stencil will not move.
2. Turn the paper over to the back and place on a light source (light table).
3. Rub the back of the card with wax paper.  This makes the tool glide over the paper much easier and also allows the large tool to get into small areas.
4. Trace the stencil with an embossing tool. The lighter the paper weight, the lighter you press; the heavier the paper, the more you press.  Outline only - do not fill in the open spaces.
5. Turn your card back over to the front.  If you are going to apply color, do not remove the stencil.  If you are not going to apply color, remove the stencil from the paper.

Coloring:

     I feel that the artist pastels are the easiest, cheapest, and fastest way to color embossed cards.

     While your  stencil is still attached to the top of the card, rub your brush through the chalk and begin to apply.  Keep your brush straight up and down and always move in a circular motion.  Hold your stencil tight to  the paper with your free hand.  If you get chalk where it shouldn't be, it can be erased with a good eraser after you remove the stencil.  We prefer Magic-rub or Factis.

Paper:

      I have found any paper can be used, with the exception of glossy paper.  The chalk will float right off of glossy paper.

     If you cannot see through the paper, this is what I do.

1. Tape stencil to front of paper.
2. Turn over to back of paper and place a piece of wax paper over the area.
3. Take your hand tool and "feel" for holes.  Once you can feel the open area, run your tool around the area.  I keep turning it over to see where the holes are.  Continue on until the image is complete.

Glitter:

     I take my "Zig-Two-Way-Glue" pen and press it on separate piece of paper to make sure I have glue on the tip.  I then glue on top of the chalked area very lightly.  You do not want to press hard because the glue pen will release more glue and you don't want that!  Then simply sprinkle on the crystal clear ultra fine glitter and shake off.  You can use the excess glitter over and over.

To Seal the Chalk:

     Spray aerosol hair spray (I recommend Aqua Net - ultra hold, unscented - it's the best) in the air and bring the card up through the spray 2 or 3 times.  Do not spray directly on the card as this will cause a running of the color.  If you glitter your entire card you do not need to spray because the glue sets the chalk.

     If you are doing scrapbooking, I recommend coloring and setting it aside for a couple of hours then put a plastic protective covering over it.  The pastels we use are very good and will soak into the paper.  I recommend spraying the cards because they are handled a lot.

Suggestions:

     Decorative scissors, lace, ribbon, colored paper, 3-D  effects, vellum paper, all make far more interesting cards.  Move your stencils around the paper, combine with other stencils, use only parts of a stencil to make your own creative cards!

Remember to scrape the chalk if it is a new box to get the color started!

Enjoy!

Polly's Pals PO Box 890580  Temecula, CA  92589  USA
"We want to leave you with a good impression"
Telephone: 951-506-0466 or 1-888-565-3790
Fax: 951-506-0476