Members of Scrapbooking, Papercrafts & More recently had the opportunity to learn from member Susan Lukachie how to make creative backgrounds for greeting cards using embossing folders.

Embossing folders are constructed of thick plastic and feature a design or pattern embedded within both sides of the folder; one side pushes the design outward into the recesses of an identical design on the opposite plate. When paper is sandwiched between the folder and run through a die cutting/embossing machine the pattern is impressed into the paper. One “mountain” side of the paper features a raised design while the other “valley” side will feature the identical pattern but will be recessed into the paper.

Members were taught to randomly blend bright colors of ink onto a piece of cardstock and then run it through the machine with an embossing folder. Then, depending on how a darker shade of ink was added to the paper-either rubbed over the paper or placed on the embossing folder and running the design through the press a second time-intriguing and creative custom background were achieved.

Learn how to make greeting cards, papercrafts or scrapbooks (traditional or digital) by joining SPAM in Beardsley Center’s Agave Room on Wednesdays (5-9 p.m.), Thursdays (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), Fridays (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Call club president Lynne Marion at 440-666-6386 for more information.