Metal embossed ATC

 I did some metal embossing with foil last night and thought it might be cool to turn it into a book cover. Using a flower Bazzil chip board piece I placed a piece metal foil over it and embossed it with embossing tools - first with a cardboard blending stump type tool, then to further define the design, I used a metal embossing tool with a little ball at each end . You want to have something underneath it all that has some give to it. Right now I'm using a mouse pad but I think I may spring for some new mats because I really need my mouse pad for my computer! Next I added a stem and a leaf and the word journal and used the end of my embossing tool to make the dot background. 

On the back side, spackle was used to fill in the poofed out parts to prevent them from collapsing. Color was then added to further reveal the design by using alcohol inks. I think next time I will paint a diluted wash of paint or ink instead of applying ink with a  sponge and then wipe off the excess with a paper towel.  Next I glued the embossed metal and wrapped it around an ATC sized Eco Board. I have to say I really like those Eco boards because they're hard as a rock and can take a lot of abuse while at the same time they're extremely lightweight. I'm wondering if they come in a bigger size. Go check out the metal foil sheets too - they come in different colors and are just the right size to work with for this kind of project, the Eco Boards and embossing tools are at Altered Pages  One more thing, I found that embossing was very similar to doing Zentangles - so relaxing and almost meditative as well. It's also a very portable project. I highly recommend it for an easy and stress free activity all by itself.