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Sunday 8 May 2022

Technique Time May 2021

 

Hi there, Squashettes, it's Jo here dropping by with a Technique Time post for you!

I'm here to talk patterned or design papers with you. Let's face it, we all have waaaay too many paper pads in our stash, right? I was having a little tidy and began wondering about how embossing would look on some of the papers I have in my collection. I grabbed a few sheets and decided to give it a try.

My first effort went like this:

Before

And after


Mmmmmm, well, ok. This does look lovely, but the pattern on the paper is completely dominated by the embossing. I also noticed that the DP cracked in some places as I'd decided not to spray it because the paper is quite thin. However, it's not really noticeable unless you hold it to the light.

Next, I decided to pair a folder with less intense patterning with a paper with a repeating or less random pattern. I put the paper inside the EF to give me an idea of how this might work.


This is lovely IRL, and will make a sweet background for a future card.


Then I threw caution to the wind and paired horizontal lines with an alphabet EF - nice!


Next, I found this very ordinary looking paper (told you I have a lot of paper) and paired it with this gorgeous EF...


I love the result!


All of this embossing patterns began to remind me of my patchworking and quilting days, so I tried a little paper patchwork with some tiny leftovers.


After trying it in my folder, and looking carefully at where the lines needed to cross the pattern, I made this!


I think the knack to embossing design paper is to look carefully at the patterns on both the EF and the paper - do they compliment each other or do they contrast to good effect? Very busy designs will probably end up looking too jumbled, so just take a while to look at what you have and see what works best in combination. 

This is such a fun technique and really gives some added Va Va Voom to your design papers, so why not give it a try? And why not take part in the next Let's Squash It! Challenge that is only two days away... 



7 comments:

  1. Very fun backgrounds - looks like I'll be able to use up some more patterned paper this month :)

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  2. This is such fun and so creative.

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  3. Another interesting technique Jo, love how you matched the patterns of the EFs with the design papers, especially that with the banners ant the curly scripts!

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  4. Great examples! I love using embossing folders over stamped designs, so it's the same idea. You're right--not everything goes together well, so good to check using the folder before you run it through. Hoping to enter the challenge this time!

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  5. Wauw Jo, i love the ideas you have for this challenge. I will try to join, to make some time for it. Love it.

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  6. Oooh heck — I’m DP-challenged, it’s one thing that’s pretty much guaranteed to induce brain freeze! I’ll look out with interest for the inspiration/challenge post, you’ve done a gorgeous job with these Jo!

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