Embossed Metal Southwest Decor

 

I mentioned when I share my Metal Flower Bottle Toppers that I had some other metal embossing projects to share. Like all of the things I get into, I fell into this while attending a Scrapbooking convention and discovering Ten Seconds Studio which specialized in this. I haven't done it in several years and have rediscovered my love of it! 

Supplies:

• Aluminum Embossing Metal 
• Embossing Metal Tools
• Embossing Mat
• Wood Pieces
• Double Sided Tape
• Utility Knife / Scissors 

The two sets of embossing tools I have are shown. You can also use the kinds of stylus' that have round balls on either end, or wood sticks like cuticle sticks, or even dried up ball point pens. Whatever's hard enough to make an impression but not pierce the metal. 

I knew I was going to mount the metal piece on wood so I used a piece to create the outline on the metal. You need something like the rubber mat shown to place under the metal so when you press tools into the metal it absorbs the shape. You can use craft foam or a magazine. 

I found a cactus image I liked, sized, and printed it to use as a guide. Lay your image down and trace around the outline using an embossing tool or a pen. I used a ball point. 

Depending on the areas you want raised vs indented, trace your image on the front or back of the metal. I did mine from the back so you can see the image reversed on the metal. I chose another tool from my kit to do the cactus lines, then other tools to make designs. You can also use embossing folders with metal. 

To attach the metal to the wood mount, I applied a few strips of double sided tape, then laid it down on the back of the metal and folded the sides and top around the back. 

I wasn't even sure what I was going to do with this until I finished. I decided to use my thrifted tiered tray, along with more metal flowers I cut out and white rocks. I had so much fun reconnecting with this craft, I made another sign. This time just freehanded the lettering.

We found this cactus candleholder at a thrift shop and I painted it white and silver. 

I also did a piece with the state of Arizona design. This one I muted a bit by wiping some black paint over it. Alcohol inks also work well on embossed metal projects.

I'm really glad to have reconnected with an old friend! 

Sharing At: 

Sundays on Silverado

 

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all of you Creative people! Hope you've had a good week. So thankful that things are settling down and my Mom, "The Mumster", is fully mended and has had great at-home Physical Therapy. She is very adamant about maintaining her independence. She's always been tiny and associated exercise with losing weight, a problem she's never had. So it's been an adjustment to get her to understand that strength training exercises are a key component of her maintaining the independence she so fiercely protects. 

I found some time this week to make something! Check out my Saguaro-inspired Metal Flower Bottle Tops, here. 

As always, LOTS of great inspiration was shared at last week's party so here are a few of them! 

Blue Sky At Home shared a fun and festive and perfect for Summer, How to Decorate Glass with Paint for Your Home Decor.  

Steph Creates shared this perfect for Summer Succulent Birdhouse. 

We love Asian Food, especially dumplings, and we love Tacos.  Homemade on a Weeknight has the perfect fusion in these Pork Dumpling Smash Tacos! YUM!

Finally, Fun A Day shared a twist on S'mores: S'mores on a Stick! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've got in store this week! 

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Embossed Metal Flower Bottle Tops

 

I finally had a chance to play! It's been a minute with a lot going on the past month and a half or so. I popped in Dollar Tree last week and found these cute bottles. Sea glass looking with the twine and the bee. Had to get! For whatever reason, they remind me of Saguaros which are blooming like crazy right now so that was my inspiration for these. 

Supplies

• Sea Glass Bottles (Dollar Tree)
• Embossable Metal (Amazon)
• Die Cutting Machine (Analog...used my Cricut Cuttlebug)
• Floral Die (Tim Holtz)
• Glue Dots 

This is the Tim Holtz cutting die I used. I've had it forever and still get tons of use from it. On the left is the roll of aluminum embossable metal I've had in my stash. 

My can't justify getting a newer one Cricut Cuttlebug because it's a workhorse. Lots of brands make similar and as much as I enjoy my crafting tech, sometimes analog is the way to go! 

These bottles are so cute!

I cut the embossing metal to size to fit the die, then ran it through the Cuttlebug. Originally, I planned for this to cut the metal as you would paper but this proved a bit too thick. It embossed the metal nicely so I just finished by cutting around each flower layer with scissors.

Then I attached each of the layers using Glue Dots.

To finish, I put two more Glue Dots directly onto the top of the bottle and then attached the flowers. If I decide to use the bottles / flowers differently, they come off easily.

I remembered how much fun metal embossing is so I'm off to work on another project I'll share when it's done! 

Sharing At

Sundays on Silverado

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve All! I hope everyone's had a good week and looking forward to a long weekend and the unofficial/official kick-off of Summer. I'm not sure if we've officially had a 100-degree day yet but it's imminent. 

Anyone else get an email from JoAnn showing they already have Halloween in?! And it's 40% off. 

There's still lots of time for remaining Spring and Summer crafting though and here are some ideas from last week's party!

Try It Like It shared yet another fun way to play with Sharpie Markers to make this colorful Tag Background. 

Sonata Home Design shared how to Decoupage Under Glass but with a twist: a textured plate. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared how to transform ordinary cans into these beautiful Moss Covered Containers.

Finally, with warmer weather no-bake treats are wonderful. These No Bake Truffles from At Home With Lisa are just the thing. 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what's in store this week! 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve Creative Peeps! I hope you've had a good week and those who celebrated had a Happy Mother's Day. My mom and I agreed we'd celebrate Monday vs Sunday since she had an appointment I was taking her to and after having visitors last week, following three weeks of Mom recovering from her fall, I did N O T H I N G! Talked to our son, Mr. Chocolate made brunch, sat in my chair and it was glorious! 

I saw something that referenced "Maycember" that echoed my thoughts last week that from here on out, it's full speed ahead! 

Let's take a look at some of the creativity shared last week! 

24 Hour Family understands! This Mama needs her coffee. Check out a collection of Coffee Mug Quotes for a favorite mug or tumbler!

Artsy Karma has a collection of 25 Amazing Alcohol Ink on Glass ideas! 

Try It-Like It shared how to upgrade plain Dollar Tree Butterfly Stickers into beautiful ephemera to use in projects!

Yes, I almost always choose a chocolate feature but these Lemon Meringue Pie Cookies from Ann's Entitled Life are so bright and Summery! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up. Can't wait to see what you've got to share this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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BFF Open House. On Time and With Features!

 

Happy Friday Eve all, and Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all celebrating. I hope you've all had a wonderful week. My mom is doing great and so very happy to be home. 

I'm determined this year, to start holiday crafting as early as I plan to start holiday crafting each year so don't be surprised if you see some out of season things early because in order not to forget and post them DURING the season, I'm going to try and do them as I make them. 

Let's see some of the fun inspiration from last week's party. Thank you for all of the support and kind comments last week! 

Crazy Little Lovebirds shared these pretty and practical DIY Mushroom Pin Cushions made from recycled jars! 

Steph Creates has yet another amazing creation from simple materials with this DIY Spring Wood Riser. 

Hunny I'm Home has a FUN collection of Farmouse Kitchen Printables you need to check out. 

Finally, Cindy's Online Recipe Box shared these decadent Butterscotch Swirl Brownie Cookie Bars. Enough said! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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I'm Late...I'm Late...BFF Open House

 

Well...between getting my mom out of the rehab facility (she was packed and READY to go!) then coming down with a stomach bug, it's been a week so apologies because I completely forgot about my own party! 

Will do features next week and just putting this up late!

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