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

CHALLENGE #1 INSPIRATION

Hi everyone, it's Jo here! Gail's a little busy cataloguing her huge embossing folder collection, so she's let me loose on an inspiration post for our inaugural challenge!

Before I get started, I want to say a BIG thank you from both of us to all of you who've entered a card, signed up as a follower or sent a message to wish us well with this new venture. It means a lot and we appreciate all the interest and excitement that has surrounded the launch of Let's Squash It!

Like many of you, I was inspired by Gail's Technique Time post where she gave us a step-by-step on how to make our own metallic sheets from aluminium foil.

I decided to give this technique a try and have to say that I'm pleased with the result!

I followed Gail's tutorial and began by selecting a piece of cardstock and adhering the aluminium foil. This is a real TOP tip and made the foil very easy to handle: it's just too flimsy without the cardstock backing. 

Another great tip is to avoid brand-named foil! My first attempt had Bacofoil across the middle of the embossing (other brands of tin foil are available). I told Gail about this and she said it was my own fault for using designer foil!

I used two embossing folders for this card: the quilty folder is called Quilting and is from X Cut and folder #2 is Love Hearts from Crafts-Too. The cat is from Avery Elle's Dear Santa set.

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!  

CHALLENGE #1 - GEOMETRIC AND METALLIC

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the inaugural 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.  

That classic Peas and Carrots/Laurel and Hardy/Squish and Squash pair 

Gail and Jo

 

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 post on the 8th, which might be helpful for this challenge!!  

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

This months prize.  Starting with a classic combo

Bingo and Collage embossing folder set

 

So, Challenge #1.  How exciting is that??  Very, from where we are sitting!!!!!!!!

Resisting the temptation to break out in a serious case of cackling!!!!!!

And this month's theme is

Use an Embossing Folder with a Geometric Pattern AND Metallic Card or Metal Sheets

Please check the rules before you link up your makes.  We are a card challenge.  You must use a named embossing folder.  Other types of embossing are allowed to enhance your project but you must use a named embossing folder.  Both parts of the challenge must be included and also be the focus of your project.  Did I mention the embossing folder???  

Here's the inspiration from the team to get us started

 

Jo made this beautiful card using
We R Memory Keepers Geometric embossing folder

 

Gail made this buzzy blingy card using
Do-crafts Honeycomb embossing folder

 

Now it your turn.  Grab your metal sheets and geometric folders and join the fun.

We are looking forward to seeing you projects.
 

 

 

 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TECHNIQUE TIME - MAKE YOUR OWN METAL SHEETS

Hello Squashettes!
Gail here today.  That's me, long grey hair, dressed in blue.
Welcome to our first Technique Time here at the Let's Squash It! Challenge.

I love embossing folders.  They are fun, easy to use and give a quick wow! to any project depending on what you emboss.  Metal foil is always a winner but I have found it harder and harder to find, so let's make our own from everyday household products.   

You will need aluminium foil, glue, I find a solid glue stick works well but any of your favourite glues will probably be OK, thin card, an embossing folder and your squash apparatus of choice.   

Apply glue to your card, I'm upcycling an empty tea box, apply foil to card, place it in your embossing folder and run it through your machine.  If you don't have a machine placing it between two heavy hardcover books and doing the embossing dance can give a good result.  Be careful you don't fall off.  You could never explain it to the doctor in A&E!!!!!

Things to remember........  Aluminium foil and foil sheets are easily marked.  Try not to get any creases in the foil and also make sure your glue is evenly applied to your card to avoid unsightly creases and ridges on your finished sheet.  I'm thinking of investing in some extra strong turkey foil next time I go shopping.  If you are using a liquid glue then use as little as possible or it might get messy!  Some solvent base glues, such as UHU can damage the finish on metal and mirror card so I avoid them for this technique. 

I like embossing folders that have some texture on the deboss, like this Sizzix Harlequin Alterations folder.  The rough sections give lovely extra texture when using foil and metal sheets.  And then you just need to cut it down a bit, add a card base, a few embellishments, stamps or a sentiment and turn it into something pretty.  

I added a dark purple card base and Rubber Dance Stamps Little Witch.
I wonder what she is thinking........

I hope you enjoyed today's technique.  Do pop back in on the 10th for our first challenge and if you have any thoughts, questions or tips feel free to add them in the comments.   

Stay safe.  HUGZ