More Inspiration for Challenge #12 - Sand It!

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today with some more inspiration for the current 'use an embossing folder that includes numbers or letters and sand it challenge' here at Let's Squash It! 

We want you to use an embossing folder that includes some numbers or letters and sand it.  I used a scrap of a blue metal sheet for my inspiration post and Nellie Snellen Let It Snow, so I decided to make it into a card.

I love embossing metal sheets and Jane inspired me to try sanding the texture.  I think I need a finer sandpaper for this but it is certainly interesting and fun.  I cut the bottom edge with a snowy landscape stitch die from Stamplorations, and added a fun little elf from PaperArtsy who always makes me think of a stick of dynamite!!  His bell is usually on a thin line coming out of his hat but decided to fussy cut it off and give him a more scotch bonnet look.

Dig out your wordy/numeric folders and sand paper and get squashing.  Linky is open until the end of the month so you have another week to join in. 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Technique Time September - Sand It

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today with another Technique Time.   

 

We hope these posts will help you find some fun new ways to stretch your embossing folders, or maybe just remind you of some techniques you haven't used for a while, so grab a cuppa and take a look. 

 Today I am investigating the effect of sand paper on embossed textures.  

Here's a few of the ones I have tried

 

The first one that springs to mind is using a core card.  This is a type of card that is a different colour on the outside that on the inside.  There are many types of card produced in this manner.  Often the core is white, but it can be other colours, in this case this bronze card has a black core.  I used Cuttlebug Circus Monkey folder.

 

If you don't have any core card, or don't have the colour you want, you can easily make your own.  I have used ink in the past to colour the card and then emboss and sand it.  Today I decided to try paint.   I used Colourcraft Aztec pink paint on white card, embossed with Cuttlebug Qwerty embossing folder and sanded for a pretty effect.

Another favourite of mine to use is scratch paper.  That's the coloured paper covered with black wax which you scratch off.  Here I used it with Sizzix Spiderweb folder.  Be gentle with the sanding on this stuff cos both the wax and the coloured layers are often very thin and it's easy to sand right through!!  I meant to emboss the spiderweb for a bright design on black, but debossed by mistake!  Actually the black web looks pretty cool on the bright background.  There are no mistakes in art!!!

Something I never tried before was sanding embossed metal.  Jane did this for her inspiration piece for the last challenge so I thought I'd give it a go.  I used blue metal and Nellie Snellen Let It Snow folder.  Pretty!!!!!

  

Then I thought I try the technique with some plastic packaging.  I embossed DoCrafts 3D Pocket Watch folder and sanded the back side.  It will probably be best against a dark background, but I like this result.  Also it's something to do with the plastic that has got scratched and can't be used for shaker windows!!

 In conclusion, I think a busy pattern works best for sanding because there is less chance of scratching the background.  I wrapped my sandpaper around an acrylic block and kept everything as flat as possible to avoid sanding the debossed areas as well as the embossed one.
Use the finest sandpaper you can find for an even effect.
Wear a mask, LOL, or do your sanding outside!!!  The clean up is so much easier and I think there is already plenty of dust inside my house without making more, especially plastic dust!!!
Have fun!  Fun is very important.

Well, I couldn't leave all those lovely pieces unused could I??  I've used Carmen's Veranda Charlie Chaplin and sentiment for the Lost Coast Designs Movie Mania challenge.  Shameless promoting!   Maybe see you there.

OK, that's me done for today.  I am sure there are other things you can think of to use so do share if you are experimenting.  We will be back on the 10th with another challenging challenge and fun theme and another awesome guest!  See you there.

HUGZ

 

Challenge #11 - More Inspiration

 Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today with some of my favourite things to inspire for the current not paper, not card challenge here at Let's Squash It! 

We want you to use any embossing folder, emboss something that is not paper or card and include that on your card.  I decided to use this beautiful royal blue metal sheet I had and one of my all time favourite folders Sizzix Cirque.

I love embossing metal sheets.  It's gives such a gorgeous crisp and special background.  I decided Cirque gave a suitably spacey looking stage for my little X-cut rocket, which I cut out of a scrap of pale blue metal sheet.  Then I die cut the Stamplorations Happy Birthday, also scraps.  Blue is also a favourite and completes my trio of things I love in a very satisfying manner.

Dig out your folders and not paper/card things and get squashing.  Linky is open until the end of the month so you have another week to join in. 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Challenge #11 - Not Paper, Not Card

 Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 11th challenge here at 

Let's Squash It! 

Let's Squash It! is The Embossing Folder Challenge.  We are gonna help you explore the world of the not so humble embossing folder and encourage you to dig 'em out, knock the dust off and find old, new and fun ways to make your projects pop. 

We have an awesome team to keep you entertained and awesome challenge themes to stretch your creativity and get you using all those long forgotten and neglected embossing folders. 

For those of you who are just tuning in you can check the previous posts for the story behind the genesis of the challenge and the technique posts for awesome tips and techniques to help you make the most of your supplies and folders.

Challenges start on the 10th of the month and run to the last day at 23.59 GMT.  We will be picking top picks and a winner, who will have a chance to be our guest designer for a future challenge.  There is a little prize on offer for a randomly selected winner and these will all be announced on the 5th of next month.   

So, Challenge #11

And this month's theme is

Use any Embossing Folder AND Emboss and Include Something that is NOT Paper or Card

 

We want you to use any embossing folder, emboss something that is not paper or card and include it on your card.  So metal sheets, acetate, vellum etc etc.  Check the technique posts, previous challenges and the lovely inspiration below for ideas if you are feeling challenged.  Please make sure you include both parts of the challenge on your card and also check da roolz to ensure your entry will be eligible for the random prize draw!

We are very pleased to have our Let's Squash It!! Empress joining us as our guest designer this month.  Please welcome Jane

"Hi, I'm Jane.  I am retired and live in the South East of the UK with my husband. We have four gorgeous grandchildren - sadly no pets but we do have three "grandcats". I've pretty much always been a crafter, since my gran taught me to crochet before I started school, and have worked my way through crochet, knitting, toymaking, dress making, embroidery, cross stitch and machine knitting before settling down as a paper crafter after seeing a demo of heat embossing at a craft show about 25 years ago. My other hobbies are food and reading. I was going to include travel but that's been off the menu for the last couple of years!"

And here is Jane's card using
Santoro Embossing folder - Hearts

and metal sheet

Check Jane's blog for her tips on making this beautiful and fun card

 

 

And here's some inspiration from the team......

 

Gail's Card uses 

Hunkydory Magazine Embossing Folder - Rope Knots

and plastic packaging

 

Jo's Card uses 

Altenew Embossing Folder - Flowery Field - 3D

and plastic packaging

 

 

Please do check da roolz to make sure you will be in the running for da prizes.  

This months randomly selected winner will be able to choose a prize from the

Let's Squash It! Prize Vault

 

Now it your turn!

Grab your embossing folders and dies or scissors and join the fun.

We are looking forward to seeing your cards.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

CHALLENGE #1 - MORE INSPIRATION

Good morning Squashettes!  Gail here this morning with more inspiration and a reminder for the Geometric AND metallic challenge.  

Jo and I are so happy that so many of you have found us, left lovely comments and linked up your beautiful makes.  There is one week left so grab those embossing folders and get squashy.  Tell you friends, cos being squashy is more fun with more friends.  

 

 

 Today I was feeling all pacific so I have used a very lovely Sizzix folder from the Mermaid Dream set.  This folder comes with some dies, but I decided to add Rubber Dance stamps whale from the Whale Wishes set, stamped, heat embossed and fussy cut.   I double checked, scallops are geometric and comply with the rule of Golden Proportions!  Well, there you go!!  And there's a few spirals and a star just in case LOL.

 

I embossed a piece of blue metal sheet that I first cut with Stamplorations stitch rectangle die.  Usually best to do any die cutting, stamping or heat embossing of your paper/metal before using the embossing folder, unless of course you are doing one of those very cool double emboss techniques.  I have highlighted the texture with a blue Stazon ink pad for added contrast.

 

There's still plenty of time to play along with Challenge #1, so why not break-out your folders and your metallic sheets and come play along!  Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz