To add that little extra something to your cards then embossing folders are a really good alternative to use.

You can buy them in lots of different patterns and you will find that they go through most  Die Cutters

You can use the  Big Shot, Grand Calibur or EBosser for any of your die cutting machines, but the folders I have used are from Cuttlebug, Couture Creations, Spellbinders, Crafters Companion, Altenew and of course my very one brand 

Card Making Magic

All you need to do is read the instructions for whichever machine you have, as they layer up in different ways to go through the rollers

Cut the card you wish to use into a panel that will fit within the folder.

Placing the card with the right side up will give you a raised embossed effect.

Placing the card with the right side down will give you a de-bossed effect   Try both effects as they are just as interesting as each other. 

An added touch to the raised effect is to rub over it with a sanding block.

This will remove the top layer of the card and allow the base card to show through.

This is especially good if you have used Special Card such as Mirror Card or Colour Core. 

Another effect can be achieved by picking out parts of the embossed card.

Try adding flat backed pearls or Gemstones.

Trim the card with anyembellishments that you have.

This lovely effect is created by adding ink to one side of the folder, before you insert the card.

And depending on which side you add the ink will give a really different outlook to the end result.

I have used the Embossing Borders, "With Love" from Cuttlebug

One of the these cards has the flower edges pronounced and the other has the background filled in