This technique takes advantage of the beautiful effects of the 3-d embossing folders that are available from various companies. I have used both Sizzix and We Are Memory Keepers embossing folders, as well as ordinary embossing folders (meaning, not 3-d) and these all look wonderful! The 3-d just adds a little extra depth to the backgrounds. I have used Distress Oxide Ink Pads with sponges to lay down a base layer of colour, then working quickly, added Perfect Pearls over the top before the ink totally dries. Spritz the back of the paper to allow it to stretch a little, then run through a Big Shot (or similar) with an embossing folder. Take care which side you emboss as you want the colour to be on the raised-up side. I also found the Perfect Pearls can brush off on your fingers so after adding the Pearls, but before running through the folder, I sprayed each background with a fixative to "set" the Perfect Pearls. I found the Perfect Pearl in white, which funnily enough is called Pearl, works the best.
"Shut up"...
(I love this colour combination, Hickory Smoke, Sprinkled
Sugar then Victorian Velvet on the bottom with Pearl Perfect Pearls)
"Poor Decision"...
(For this background, I used Washi Tape to mask off the edges of
the background to give a white border effect,
then I used Fossilised Amber Distress Oxide with a Gold Perfect
Pearl over the top. The card base is white but I used Pumice Stone
to lightly sponge over the top to bring out the detail of the embossing folder)
"Life is soup"...
"Dream in colours"...
"Contoured"...
(This one is a 6" square embossing folder that is not
3-d but still came up beautifully. Tumbled Glass
and Sprinkled Sugar were the base colours with
Pearl Perfect Pearl over the top)
"Foolish Mortals"...
(Hickory Smoke is the base colour with
Pearl Perfect Pearls on top)
