Acetate embossed and Inked

This was an idea I came up on my own one day wondering if I could emboss acetate, the answer is yes. I liked the way it looked but wanted color. Alcohol ink? Yes but it comes off acetate fairly easily and didn't want to get alcohol ink on my folder, so I embossed 1st, colored 2nd.

Note: it can be messy, it's alcohol ink and you have to move it into the nooks and crannies you create after embossing! Alcohol ink STAINS! I did mine in a cardboard box. It took a decent amount of ink but I've had these bottles forever and like to use my products. Also remember to use alcohol ink in a well ventilated area. To get the ink stains off my hands, I found nail polish remover works pretty well.

I took a piece of  thin, clear acetate (We R Memory Keepers, 12x12 inch pad, from Michaels, I think) cut to fit my folder and embossed it with the Simon Says Stamp “Magnetic” embossing folder. It was the same sandwich as the one I use for cardstock, on my Big Shot it is the Multipurpose Platform at #1 with 1 acrylic plate on top of the embossing folder, but try what works for you without forcing the machine. It took only 1 pass. Here's what it looked like:

I then took Tim Holtz/Ranger alcohol inks and randomly dropped colors (a little at a time) onto the acetate, adding just a little rubbing alcohol with a dropper to help it spread (use sparingly or the colors will thin) and the Tim Holtz alcohol ink blower tool, plus tipping the acetate to get it to move. This process takes a bit of time.

 

I also used an old paintbrush to fill in areas and edges. I left it to dry. There were small areas where the color was a bit thin or missed but I found if I backed it with purple cardstock it looked better. I mounted the acetate with the ink side down onto the cardstock using Distress Collage Medium and placed a book on top to dry. So easy. 

I cut gold cardstock 3x with the Simon Says Stamp Joyful die, and just once with the shadow die. I think sentiments always look better when cut and stacked. 

Thanks for visiting. I’m on Instagram @Susanbcards where I post cards several times a week