Embossing ideas

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Have an embosser made at a stationery or stamp store, so you can create your own customized stationery, paper napkins and gift cards. Just slip the item between the disks of the embosser and squeeze the handle to make an impression.

You can also frame cherished photographs with embossed mats, which is a sophisticated way to unify a group of pictures. Since a photo mat is actually too thick for an embosser, you can affix a piece of embossed card stock on top instead.

For this project, you will need: a white archival-quality photo mat, white card stock, a metal ruler, a pencil, a utility knife, an embosser and low-tack spray adhesive.

Begin by measuring the inner and outer perimeters of the photo mat. Mark off the same dimensions on a piece of card stock and, using a ruler as a guide, cut out the shape with a utility knife. Find the center of the card stock’s bottom section; press with the embosser. (You may want to practice on a scrap of card stock first.)

Spray the photo mat with the adhesive, and carefully lay the embossed card stock onto the mat, smoothing it so that the edges line up perfectly. Center the photo inside the mat, and frame.