Challenge #2 - More Inspiration

Hi, it's Jo here with a little more inspiration for Challenge #2 - Use a Christmas Themed Embossing Folder and Stamps.

This challenge has now closed over at Christmas Kickstart, but happily we have a few more days of festive embossing folder fun here at Let's Squash It! as we continue until the end of the month.

Here's my final offering for this challenge:

I inked Big and Bold Winter Wishes Snowflake in a few different aqua shades and then embossed it using this lovely folder: A Magical Time from Couture Creations.  Sadly, I can't find a shop link for this folder. It was super tricky to photograph, but looks lovely IRL.

So, don't forget that there's still a few days left to play along with this fun challenge - we'd love to see what you can create with a Christmas embossing folder and stamps.

CHALLENGE #2 - INSPIRATION

Hello Squashettes.  How's the jolly month of November progressing for you???  I hope you are all keeping happy and well and enjoying squashing stuff.   Gail here today with a little more inspiration for our current challenge Use a Christmas Embossing Folder AND Stamps.  

 

Please note we are asking specifically for a Christmas Themed embossing folder to be used on your project along with stamps.  If anyone want to make a non-christmas card then that's fine, as long as the folder you use is Christmas themed LOL.  I did seriously consider converting my igloo to a sandstone hut, or a grassy knoll, but in the end the white on white of virgin snow kept me honest.  

I used two embossing folders and a stamp for this card.  All three were magazine freebies!  I embossed a white card panel with Practical Publishing's Igloo embossing folder and, because I wasn't convinced that igloos are only for Christmas, I then embossed Immeadiate Media's Merry Christmas border embossing folder at the top of the panel.  A few snow flakes got partially squished, so I used a little tool to puff em back up again.  If you look real close you will see the line when the folders overlapped.  I will be more careful with positioning my top plate next time!!!   Then I stamped the Practical Publishing Bear on white card, fussy cut and added him to the scene. 

Here are the two embossing folders I used.  Love that igloo!!!

Grab you embossing folders and get squashing!! 

If you do stick with a Christmas card you can also link up at Jo's Christmas Kickstart challenge where the theme is Use a Christmas Themed embossing folder and stamps!  Sounds kinda familiar.........

Thanks for dropping by. Hugz

CHALLENGE #2 - CHRISTMAS AND STAMPS

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the second 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 on the 8th of the month, for awesome tips and techniques to help you make the most of your supplies.

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.   

So, Challenge #2

And this month's theme is

Use a Christmas Themed Embossing Folder AND Stamps

 

 

This month we want to see Christmas Themed embossing folders and stamps together.  The embossing folder must clearly have a Christmas theme, so snowflakes, baubles, Santa in a sleigh, poinsettias, Christmas characters etc.  We'll also accept patterns featuring reindeer, candy canes, holly etc or folders including Christmas words or phrases.  Please do not use for example a circle folder or stripes and say you coloured it red and green so it's Christmas! Let's keep this fun, so please ensure that your card fits our themes and uses both parts of the challenge. 

 

Please check the roolz 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 we mention the embossing folder???  We have link and challenge limits.  Please check the roolz before you link up.

Coincidentally, the same challenge theme is also running over at Jo's Christmas Kickstart Challenge blog, so if you make your make between the 10th and 23rd November you can link it up there as well.  

 

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

This months prize.

 

Your choice of an Embossing folder from the Prize Vault!!

 (Under construction!  Opening soon)

 

 

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

 

Gail made this cool snowy card using
Crafts Too Snow Tree embossing folder

 

Jo made this beautiful snowy card using
Cuttlebug Christmas Snowflakes embossing folder

Now it's your turn.

Grab your Christmas themed embossing folders and stamps and join the fun.

We're looking forward to seeing your projects!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Technique Time November - Embossing a Stamped Sentiment

Hi, it's Jo here again and I'm happy to be sharing a little technique tutorial with you. 

I was chatting with Gail a couple of weeks ago and sharing my woes after embossing a beautiful stamped sentiment which I had heat embossed and then run through an embossing folder. In my head it should have looked wonderful but it was an epic fail. 

This set me thinking about whether you can emboss sentiments - if you follow these simple steps then I think you'll agree that the answer is 'Yes'!

Step #1

Select a suitable stamp! I think this is where I went wrong before as the sentiment I'd chosen was a bit too dainty. This time I went with a nice, simple, bold sentiment without too many words. 

This set from Colorado Craft Company has some lovely sentiments that are nice and 'heavy'.

Step #2

Position the stamp and card. Seriously, what did we do before the arrival of the MISTI!

Step #3

And stamp! I picked black Versafine ink. You need plenty of contrast between your ink and your card.

Step #4

And emboss! 

I picked a folder where the embossed images wouldn't be too crowded or break up the wording too much.

(Oh dear, I've just noticed that my bin is just visible in the corner of this picture. Ha ha, bet that never happens to Jennifer McGuire!)

And here we have the final result: a nice, crisp sentiment. So quick and easy too.

There'll be a brand new challenge along on 10th November, so please drop back and join in the fun. As always, your comments and queries are very much welcomed and appreciated as Gail and I would love this to be a forum for sharing tips, hints, and inspiration. We're in no way experts and are always interested in your comments and advice as we all travel along together on our embossing folder journey!

Happy embossing!

WINNERS AND TOP PICKS CHALLENGE #1

Good morning Squashettes!  Gail here this morning and I just gotta say WOW!!!!

Over 50 entries to our very first challenge!  And loads of lovely comments and chat!!

Jo and I are humbled and overwhelmed by your fabulous response and enthusiastic embrace of our new challenge.  Thank you soooooooo much.  Hugz all round.  

But you are here for the winner and top picks aren't you?  So let's get to it......

You made it so hard to pick favourites.  We had a short list of 50ish LOL, whittled it down to about 10, then after much soul searching and coffee and cake we came up with this little line up.......

 

Our two runners up, Impressing us with their awesome cards are

Michele with this gorgeous snowy scene

We loved the matt gold metallic card used with that gorgeous triangular pattern making a perfect Antarctic sky background and a simply stunning design.

Karen with this wonderful copper and navy card

We loved the copper metal background with that awesome pattern and more geometry with the stars.  A super elegant and very striking card.

We hope you'll wear your badges with pride!

Our top pick, most favouritest, and winner of our Empress of Squash award
with a chance to guest design for a future challenge goes to

Linda W 

with this adorable robot card!

We loved the wonderfully metallic, beautifully irregular geometric background.  The robot continued the industrial theme, softened by the wonderfully geometric cardioids (hearts).

Squashy factoid:- Cardioids are geometric shapes like circles with a dimple on one or more sides ie hearts or stars.

Congrats to our top picks.

We also have a prize to award!  We asked Mr Random and he said

#16

That's Bonnie with her beautiful embossed Christmas Tree design.  

Congrats Bonnie.
Email Gail craftynomad at gmail dot com with your address details and
I'll get your prize in the post. 

Thanks again to you for your support of our new challenge.
Jo will be back on the 8th with another Technique Time.
Challenge #2 will start on the 10th!!!!
Exciting times!!!

Take care.  Keep safe.  Hugz