{Reported by Paula Gilarde}

Spellbinders’ Impressabilities templates are made for embossing, debossing, embellishing and more. The templates measure 4.5 x 5.75″, which means they are perfect for embossing an A2 sized card. They are made of thin metal - thinner than common metal stencils.

They can get bent after repeated use to you need to be careful in handling them. I store mine in the package (folder) that they come in.

Spellbinder dies are compatible with all leading die cutting machines and the packaging for dies includes a handy reference sheet explaining how to use their dies. Unfortunately, the Impressabilities plates do not include instructions on how to emboss/deboss etc. I'm going to demonstrate how to use Impressabilities with the Sizzix Big Shot in this tutorial.

First, you will need the Sizzix Multipurpose platform - mine came with my Big Shot, but they are available separately. The sandwich I used to emboss and deboss was as follows:
1. Multi-purpose platform, open at Tab 1
2. A shim -- I use the folder the Impressabilites came in, you can experiment with different thicknesses here.
3. Acrylic cutting mat (the image below show the sandwich so far)


4. Spellbinders tan embossing mat
5. Cardstock that has been spritzed with water on both sides - this helps give a deeper impression
6. The Impressabilities template
7. Acrylic cutting mat


I used Core'dinations cardstock because of the color core that is visible after sanding. You can emboss with the sandwich above by placing the cardstock with the top side down (as in the picture below). A debossed effect is applied when you use place the top side up.



The differences between embossing and debossing are visible in this side-by-side comparison:



Note: Make sure your cardstock is completely dry before sanding. If it's not, it will tear. I learned that the hard way!

Here is my finished card. I embossed the Core'dinations Whitewash paper and sanded it to allow the pink to show through. I also embossed some Core'dinations Black Magic, cut out an embossed images and sanded it to use as an embellishment.

Supplies: Core'dinations Black Magic and Core'dinations White Wash papers, Spellbinders Impressabilities (flowers and butterfly) and Nestabilities dies (classic ovals large and classic scalloped ovals large), Making Memories stickers.

If you wish, you can customize the template by trimming certain parts. And more so, you can use the cut pieces as embellishments too. I created another sample card and trimmed a butterfly from the metal template to embellish a label.

Supplies: Core'dinations Chocolate Box and Core'dinations White Wash papers, Spellbinders Impressabilities and Nestabilities Labels 4. Cuttelbug embossing sentiment, ribbon.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to use these products to create and that you enjoy them as much as I did!