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

Inspiration for Challenge #12 - Sand It!

Hi there, Squash It! fans, it's Jo here with a little more inspiration for our current challenge. 

 

Sizzix Texture Fades/Tim Holtz Embossing Folder - Numeric 

This challenge is all about sanding, with a subtle, little 'twist' that we'd like to see embossed words or numbers on your card. I couldn't help wondering what it would look like to sand a piece of cardstock and so broke out some Bazzils and some sanding paper. This cardstock doesn't have a 'core' to sand back to, but I really liked the effect that sanding had on the card. It looks really great IRL, especially with the added gold Versamark ink to just lift it a little. 

Hope you'll come and join the challenge and try this fun technique!

Challenge #12 - Sand It!

 Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 12th 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 #13

And this month's theme is

Use an Embossing Folder that includes Numbers or Letters AND Sand It!

Use an embossing folder with numbers and/or letters on it and we want you to get out the sand paper or sanding blocks and Sand It!  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 ALICE.

"I am honoured to be here, thank you so much! I'm Italian, love creativity and I have always "messed up", especially with paper, glue and colours. I love to recycle, not only for ethical, ecological and economic reasons, but also because everything can be looked at with different eyes and so reinvented. When I was a little girl my grandmother taught me to throw away as little as possible, because everything can be used for different uses... She made me small boats with walnut shells and dolls knotting a handkerchief... This experience opened my imagination, so I continue to keep everything and "mess up" when I have time. I'm a compulsive hoarder! LOL But love especially paper and don't waste my scraps. I opened my blog seven years ago when I discovered the cutting machine and bought my first Big Shot. I learn continuosly by all the so talented crafters in blogland and this is really a magical world for me!"

And here is guest designers Alice's card

 

Alice's Card uses
Happy Birthday Words Embossing folder

Gorgeous colours and embellishments and lovely sanded embossing.

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses 

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder - Qwerty

 

Jo's Card uses 

Sizzix Texture Fades/Tim Holtz Embossing Folder - Numeric 

 

 

Please do check da roolz to make sure you will be in the running for da prizes.
Please remember we do ask that you leave at least a couple of comments on other entries.  It only takes a minute or two.  The world needs more love.  Take the time and share a little joy.

 

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 sand paper 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 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

 

Winners and Top Picks for Challenge #11

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today to announce the results of Challenge #11, and I gotta say, you haven't made this easy!!!!  Awesome make everyone.  We really loved seeing all the different things you found to squash and all the beautiful results.

Thanks to everyone for joining us and sharing your gorgeous entries with so many different ways of solving the challenge.

And a big thank you to Jane for joining us as our guest and sharing her lovely cards.

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

Our two runners up, impressing us with their fabulous squashing are:

Linda

 

Beautiful embossed flowers on lovely vellum

and

Joanne

Wonderful upcycling of the embossed tomato paste tube and a fun theme and scene.

 

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:

Aimeslee

 
Loved the unusual vellums beautifully embossed and the repeated musical theme.

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......

  

#7

 

Jane Willis

Congrats Jane!  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 to Jane for joining Jo and me for this fun challenge, and a very big thank you to everyone who joined the fun. Our next challenge is due to start on 10th May, and don't forget to check out the Technique Time teaser on Saturday 8th. Hope to see you there!  Hugz