More Inspiration for Challenge #15 and a Merry Christmas!

 

It's Jo here to bring you a little more inspiration for our current challenge  'It's Your Call!' We'd love it for YOU to use one of your favourite EF techniques to make your vard this month.

Once I'd got the hang of it I really enjoyed stenciling and embossing, so I thought I'd play with that theme again.

I needed a little gift card wallet so headed to the craft room and broke out a snowflake stencil and a lovely embossing folder. Sadly, the stencil has become detached from it's packaging so I can't give you the product details. The EF is Snowflakes from Kaisercraft and it's so delicate, with lovely details.

I added some glitter glue and Nuvo dots before adding these gorgeous, sparkly letters from MFT die Ho, Ho, Ho. 

This was a quick and easy make and I'm quite pleased with the result!

This challenge is open until December 31st, so you still have a week to play along, that is if you can fit in a little card making amongst the festivities!

Gail and I would just like to say a very big thank you to all of our fabulous Empresses who have been our guests across the year and we'd like to thank all you beautiful people in Cardland for making this challenge so much fun. We really do appreciate your creativity and your wonderfully supportive comments that make us smile!

Have a very Merry Christmas, and we'll see you in 2022 for yet more squashing!

Inspiration for Challenge #15 - Your Call

 Hello Squashettes.  I had plans today.  But my fickle friend time had other ideas.  Ah well, here I am at last with some inspiration for our current challenge - Your Call.  Any technique and embossing folders, of course.

Use any embossing folder and also any technique.  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!

So here's my card.  

I used Darice Retro Circles Embossing folder. 

I started with a die cut panel, added some brusho sprinkle in greenand spritzed with water.  Then I used Mowed Lawn distress ink and stencilled using Stamplorations Swirly Blooms stencil to add some pattern.

I embossed with Darice Retro Circles folder and lightly smeared the embossed pattern with the Mowed Lawn distress oxide ink.

 

I added Papercuts Penguin Sledding Edger die cut from green and white scraps.  I added a little glitter for that perfect touch of bling.

Thanks for dropping by.  Looking forward to seeing your embossed anythings.  Your call.  Hugz

Challenge #15 - It's Your Call

 Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 15th 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 8th of next month.   

So, Challenge #15

And this month's theme is

Use any Embossing Folder AND Any Technique

It's coming up to the crazy time of the year so we are keeping it simple.  Use any embossing folder and any technique.  Revisit one of the techniques we have shared in previous challenges, maybe try something you didn't get a chance to do, or share any other technique you know.  We all like to learn new things.    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 Carol Gunn.

"Hello from Hamilton, New Zealand.  I still love card making as much as I did when I started 20 years ago and try to make a card a day - I love to share handmade happiness.  I don’t have a particular card making style but tend towards the unfussy, although I have been known to go WiLd from time to time and I do like to get inky and messy and try to make the most of stuff I have.  I love challenges and trying new things,  and I’m so pleased to be invited to ‘guest’ in such a creative team.  Get inspired, try something new, happy crafting!"    

And here is Carol's card

 

Carol's Card uses  

WeRMemoryKeepers Embossing folder - Woven

Carol used a Jennifer McGuire technique called Filled Embossing 

for her gorgeous card.

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses 

Sizzix Embossing Folder - Stripes

Gail used double emboss technique with holographic embossing powder.

It's very blingy in the real.......

Jo's Card uses 

Sizzix/Sophie Gullar Embossing Folder - Vintage Texture

 

 

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 join the fun.

We are looking forward to seeing your cards.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Technique Time Taking a Break

 

Hello Squashettes.  Gail here today, dropping by to say there's nothing happening this month in regards to Technique Time.  I expect you are busy as well with preparations for Christmas, so we are taking a break.  We also feel that we have lots of techniques already covered, so if you are feeling bereft, grab a cuppa and take a meander through the previous posts.  There might be just the inspiration you are looking for for that perfect card.  See you here on the 10th for Challenge #15.  Hugz

Technique Time Posts

 

Winners and Top Picks for Challenge #14

 

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today to announce the results of Challenge #14.  There were so many beautiful cards using stencils with embossing folders.  I am sure you will agree this is a very fun and effective technique.  You made is very difficult again picking favourites, but we finally whittled it down...... 

Thanks to everyone for joining us and sharing your gorgeous cards.  Just a gentle reminder to check our rules.  If you want to be in the running for the prize we have a link limit and we also ask that you comment on a couple of other entries.  Please also mention the brand and name of the folder you use if you know it, if only cos I may need to hunt it down and add it to my embossing folder mountain bwahaahhahahaaa.

We were also delighted to see your gorgeous and fabulous results from using stencils and embossing folders together.

Here are our favourites....

Our two runners up, impressing us with their fabulous squashing, in order of entry,
are:

Alice

Gorgeous scene and love those embossed snowflakes

and

Linda

 

Gorgeous stencilled trees and they worked beautifully with the embossed words.

Congrats ladies,
We hope you'll wear your badge with pride!

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

Janis

Loved how you used the stencilled upside down hearts to make your tree.  Awesome card Janis.

Here's your badge and well done on being our Empress of Squash.

We also have our random draw prize to award!  

Mr Random says the lucky winner is......

  

#5

 

Guri

Congrats Guri!  Please email me at craftynomad@gmail.com with your address details, and also let me know which folder you want from the prize vault.

Thanks again for joining Jo and me for this challenge.  Due to it being the silly season there is no Technique Time this month, but our next challenge will start on 10th December.   Hope to see you there!  Hugz

More Inspiration for Challenge #14 - Stencil and Emboss

Hi Squashettes, it's Jo on the blog today with a little 'nudge' to remind everyone that we're playing with stencils and embossing folders until November 30th.

Thanks to all of you who left such positive comments on my Technique Time post for this challenge. It seems that many of you enjoyed seeing my 'journey' with this technique, so I thought I'd use this post to share some of the results with you!

Remember this?

AALL & Create Barbary Stars stencil and Cuttle Bug EF

Well, it morphed (with a little help from a Tim Holtz die cut) into this card...

And here's what I made using this pretty MFT Stencil/Cuttlebug EF background:

This may not be the easiest of EF related techniques, but it's one that does give huge satisfaction and a great effect when it all comes good!

Finally, here's my favourite transformation from my Technique Time attempts:

Funky Fossil stencil and Distressed Lines EF by Creative Expressions.

A sweet Simon Says Stamp die cut was all that was needed to create this cute card.

Gail, our lovely guest, Vicki, and yours truly, all hope you'll give this theme a go and come and join us before the challenges finishes at the end of the month! 

Inspiration - Challenge #14 - Stencil and Emboss

Hello Squashettes.  It's been a day of distractions, but here I am at last with a little inspiration for our current challenge - stencils and embossing folders.

 

Use any embossing folder and also one or more stencils.  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!

So here's my card.  I was inspired by Jo's Technique Time post where she used a stripey embossing folder.   My first attempt kinda crashed and burned, but try try again...... 

I used Stamplorations Latte stencil and Sizzix Stripes embossing folder.  

I used Ground Espresso distress ink and stencilled the words on my stitch die cut panel.  A bit messy, cos I didn't bother with masking or such, but it's not gonna matter and I quite like the grungy look.  

I lightly smeared the Stripes embossing folder with the Ground Espresso ink, spritzed with water and embossed the wordy panel.  Then I took the mistake from earlier.....  I had stencilled the cup from the latte stencil and embossed with the stripes folder.  I didn't like it as it was but I fussy cut the stencilled embossed cup, saucer and handle and added them here.  Yes!!

Thanks for dropping by.  Looking forward to seeing your stencilled embossed masterpieces.  Hugz

Challenge #14 - Stencil and Emboss

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 14th 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 #14

And this month's theme is

Use any Embossing Folder AND Stencilling

Use any embossing folder and also one or more stencils.  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 Vicki

"Hello, my name is Vicki Parson from Stamped Smiles and I’ve been a paper crafter for over 20 years and still love doing it!  I love being able to find new ways to use my stash and tools to give them new life!  I enjoy creating in different styles too.  I love it all and get forever inspired by all of the talented people out there.  I hope to be able to inspire others in the same way or to at least bring a crafty smile your way!  Thanks for having me as guest!  I’m honored!"

And here is guest designer Vicki's card

 

Vicki's Card uses
Sizzix Embossing folder - Winter Snowflakes Textured

Wow, gorgeous card Vicki

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses 

Sizzix Embossing Folder - Smile

Jo's Card uses 

Gemini Embossing Folder - Set in Stone

 

 

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 stencils and join the fun.

We are looking forward to seeing your cards.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Technique Time November 2021 - Stencil and Emboss

Hi there, anyone else having trouble accepting that it's November??? Thankfully, here at Let's Squash It! a new month brings a new technique and a new challenge, so it's not all bad.

Today, I'm going to share some of my attempts to combine two of my favourite cardmaking techniques: stencilling and embossing. This really won't be a 'masterclass', but I thought I'd show you some of my hits and misses with this technique.

I started off by thinking I could just grab a great folder and a great stencil and the magic would just happen. However, that's not really how it went, as you can see below.

No details on stencil. EF is from Cuttlebug.

I'm just not sure about this one... Hit or miss? A lovely stencil and a lovely embossing folder, but maybe not together.

Next, I tried this...

Funky Fossil stencil and Distressed Lines EF by Creative Expressions.

These patterns really work together to create something harmonious and rather beautiful.

Tumbling Hearts stencil and Distressed Lines EF by Creative Expressions

This seems to work too and looks almost like fabric.

I decided to try a few other possible ways of combining a stencil and embossing folder. I think this may be 'cheating'!

AALL & Create Barbary Stars stencil and Cuttle Bug EF

Interestingly, the embossing process very slightly 'shrinks' the embossed card because it has taken on the pattern of the folder. This means that there is no longer a perfect 'fit' when you replace the middle panel. A floral stencil would have been lovely with the daisy border.

I liked the idea of framing the stencilling, so tried this:

As above for stencil and X-Cut EF

Oh, dear! Battling patterns again! 

My next attempt is slightly better; I think there may be a slight struggle going on here, but no battle between the patterns. I LOVE the frame effect sooooooo much but the central panel should be solid for this to be hailed a success.

MFT Stencil and EF as above.

Then I had a cardmaking epiphany, and went hunting for a very simple stencil and a simple EF, where the pattern wouldn't break-up or visually fragment the stencilled image. 

Papercraft Magazine stencil and Gemini EF - Set in Stone

Yes, I think I cracked it - simplicity is the key. Solid stencil patterns look great with an EF pattern. At this point I went and lay down in a dark corner for a while.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my ups and downs with this technique. It's been a journey, people!

Only two days to wait for a brand new Let's Squash It! challenge... I wonder what the theme might be? 😜😜

Winners and Top Picks for Challenge #13

 

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today to announce the results of Challenge #13.  There were so many beautiful cards using various double emboss techniques and it was almost impossible picking favourites, but we finally whittled it down......  Sort of.........

Thanks to everyone for joining us and sharing your gorgeous cards.  Just a gentle reminder to check our rules.  If you want to be in the running for the prize we have a link limit and we also ask that you comment on a couple of other entries.  Please also mention the brand and name of the folder you use if you know it, if only cos I may need to hunt it down and add it to my embossing folder mountain bwahaahhahahaaa.

There were lots and lots of perfectly inked folders heat embossed to produce awesome and stunning cards.  We were also delighted to see a lot of you tried the two embossing folder technique with gorgeous and fabulous results.

But we still had trouble picking favourites.....so......

Our four runners up, impressing us with their fabulous squashing, in order of entry,
are:

Cat

Beautiful embossed background and a gorgeous contrast with the cardinal

Hilary

Gorgeous double embossed leaves and lovely autumn colours

Guri

 

Gorgeous masculine card and awesome inside too.

 and

Robyn

Beautifully coloured baubles and we loved the gold embossed highlights

Congrats ladies,
We hope you'll wear your badge with pride!

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

Carol

We both thought this was awesome.  What a fabulous background you created for this adorable stamp for a beautiful double focus.

Here's your badge and well done on being our Empress of Squash.

We also have our random draw prize to award!  

Mr Random says the lucky winner is......

  

#18

 

Jeanne H

Congrats Jeanne!  Please email me at craftynomad@gmail.com with your address details, and also let me know which folder you want from the prize vault.

Thanks again for joining Jo and me for this challenge.  Our next challenge is due to start on 10th November, and don't forget to check out the Technique Time teaser on the 8th. It will be the last one for a while.  Hope to see you there!  Hugz