Fun Embossing Tip!

So I went shopping the other day at Joann and found the Cuttlebug All In One Embossing folder system. I was shocked, because I don't remember hearing about this new product and Joann had it in stock?! So I picked up the base and the thank you set, thinking how cool is this?! Being able to design your own embossing panels... But low and behold when we got it home the end result was disappointing. Every single time I ran it through there were creases next to the movable embossing plates. sigh...

I went on SCS and the Cricut Community forums for some tips and trick and tried different papers, mat stacks, even Kleenex! No luck. I was so frustrated I went that same night and returned it. Anywho, I was checking out the forums again today, and Lynn Phelps over at SCS posted that she spritzes her paper with rubbing alcohol because it works great to smooth out creases when embossing and gives a nice deep texture when using texture plates! (So at this point I was a little disappointed I returned the CB plates, because I wasn't able to try it out with the new product.) But I was totally excited about the texture plates! So this morning I filled up my spritzer with rubbing alcohol and ran it through, and WOW! What a difference. I took some pictures to show you the results.
Here is my mister and SU texture plate.

First I spritzed it, it only stays wet a short while and the paper curls a little bit.

In my Cuttlebug I layered the A plate, texture plate, then the wet paper (spritzed side down, don't know if that matters but that was how I did it)

Then I added the Sizzix rubber mat.

Then two shims that came with my Sizzix crease pad, but you could use cardstock or chipboard. Depending on your machine you may not need to use a shim at all.

On top I put the purple Sizzix plate, and ran it through the Cuttlebug.

And here is the end result. The alcohol spritzed one is on the left. On the right I followed the same mat stack without spritzing the paper. You can see that the texture is much deeper on the spritzed paper. I am thrilled with these results. I didn't always use the texture plates, because it was hard to see the design. Now I will be using them more frequently!

Thank you Lynne!