Adapting a technique to keep it fun, make it cheap.

... because that's what's it's about when you're scrappin' on a shoestring! I'm on the shoestring for my cards, too, so I'm always looking for a way to adapt the supplies I already have to work with new techniques.

On the For the Love of Paper blog, Kimberly Crawford was showing off Spellbinders' new Impressabilities. They are sooooo cool! My first instinct - hit ebay and shop. Which I did, though,

I was good and only looked.

Then I went to my stash. I've got a Cuttlebug (scored for $52 total at Hobby Lobby) and several embossing folders. Could I ink up one of those and then emboss?

The big problem - not wrecking my folders. The solution - Distress Ink!

Distress Ink doesn't dry quickly, so as long as I discipline myself to wash them before I tuck them away, they clean up just fine. I also tried with a pigment ink, and had to do some serious scrubbing and I hadn't even let it dry. So, I'll stick with the Distress. Rock on, Tim Holtz!

Here's how:

1. Cut a piece of cardstock to folder size. Put a little removable adhesive to the top.

2. Ink up one side of the folder.

3. Place cardstock on the not-inked side and press the adhesive so the paper won't move.

4. Close the folder - be careful! Once the paper touches ink, it can't wiggle inside the folder, or it'll smear big-time.

5. Emboss as usual.

You can reverse the color by inking the other side of the folder!