KatClaud Creations

	Card-Making
	I love the look of embossed cards. I started embossing a couple years back, using Fiskars' ShapeBoss embossing system. It makes beautiful cards, and allows you freedom in the placement of the embossed design. But, it can be hard work. The system includes two identical stencils, that sandwich the paper. Then you take the embossing tool and trace the outline of the shapes you want embossed. You do NOT need to "color in" the whole shape - like I used to do. Just the edges are all you need to create the design. More recently, I got myself a Cuttlebug embossing machine. It's awesome! I lose the freedom to place the design anywhere I want on any size paper. BUT, I gain some pretty detailed embossed designs. And, no more strenuous tracing. I just sandwich a piece of paper in an embossing envelope, and roll it through the machine (much like how a pasta machine works). I continue to buy the occasional envelope to build up my library. I also enjoy creating cards that are more like scrapbooking - the possibilities are nearly endless, and it's always fun to see what I can create from what's in front of me. That's usually how I work - I lay out my supplies, and wait to be inspired. Although... sometimes I do come up with a plan first. Card-making is fun, and it's inspired me to send more cards. Yes, good old-fashioned snail-mail. It's nice to get an actual letter every now and then. And they're especially fun to make for special occasions.
	[photos here]

Card-Making