My favorite part of the invitations...

The invitations are almost complete.  I keep having little issues which are delaying the process.  However, they should be finished tonight!  And, if not, I'm throwing them in the trash and just calling everyone.  lol   -- kidding!

Anyway, last night, I got to work on something for the invitations that was actually fun.  That is really unusual lately!  I'm talking about embossing!

Yesterday after work, I picked up a heat gun thing to do the embossing.  I thought it would be tricky or boring or some other terrible thing.  I was wrong!  It's so cool!  I love embossing.  I wish I would have included more of it for our invitations!  

First, you get your envelope ready.  And, by ready, I mean stick it on a flat surface (ha!).

Next, stamp the flap on the envelope.  I used the stamp I created for our return address.  The ink I used was Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink in Clear For Embossing.  

Next, pour embossing powder over the stamped envelope and then lightly tap it off so that the powder is only covering the ink.  I used Zing! Embossing Powder in Gold (I wanted to make sure that it would show up on the dark blue envelopes!).  

Next, use an embossing heat tool to raise the image.  I used a Uchida Embossing Heat Tool.  I got it from Michael's with a 40% off coupon.  It ended up being about $15.  

In that photo, you can see that the bottom powder is already "melting" and starting to raise up.  It's pretty much the coolest thing ever to watch.  ;)  When it's finished, it looks like this:

The entire stamp is raised up off the paper.  And, it looks shiny and beautiful.  :)  Please excuse all of the blacked out middles on the stamp; I can't take any chances on getting stalkers!  I'm already under enough stress!

The process is super easy and takes only about a minute.  And it's just so cool to watch the powder melt!  If you haven't ever embossed anything, give it a whirl!  It helped me ease some stress from this crazy invitation making endeavor!