More Inspiration for Challenge #27 - Snowflakes and Stars

Hi everyone, it's Jo on the blog today. Hey, we're just one sleep away from the big day! I'm not sure anyone is cardmaking right now, but if you are here's a little gentle encouragement to join our final challenge of 2022.

For all of December we've been playing Snowflakes and Stars...

Gail and I have been in excellent company this month with our GD, Linda, who created this gorgeous card to get our creative wheels turning.

For my card, I grabbed a little pinch of inspiration from Linda's card and created a colour-washed background, which I embossed with Sizzix /Tim Holtz Folder Simple Snowflakes.

You can find further details on this quick and simple make over on my blog.

Thanks for dropping by, and a very merry Christmas from Gail and me AKA Team Squash It! We'll be back in the New Year to announce the winners of this challenge, so until then we hope you have a loving and joyful festive season.  

More Inspiration for Let's Make a Christmas Card

Hello Squashettes.  Gail here today with another squashed Christmas card.

I don't want to worry you but it's only not very long til the crazy day, and then it's all over for another year.  So grab those embossing folders and make some easy cards with squashy WOW!  Here's mine and I've gone navy and white with lovely scandi texture....

 

I simply stamped Crafty Individuals Noel Border stamp with navy ink onto a white card panel.  Then I embossed with Sizzix Scandi Borders embossing folder and mounted the panel on a white card base.

You have until the end of the month to share your Christmas cards that include the use of at least one embossing folder.  There are some lovely makes in the linky already so hop over and take a look and leave a little love.  We all need a little love and you never know you could make someone's day so much better.  

Thanks for dropping by. Hugz

Inspiration for Challenge #26 - Let's make a Christmas Card

 

Hi there, Squashettes, it's Jo on the blog today to share a little inspiration for our current challenge! We've gone super-easy this month and would just like to see you use an EF to create a gorgeous Christmas card.

Our guest this month is the lovely Cat from Cat Luvs Paper. 

Cat's beautifully CAS card blew us away and you can see it by clicking here. I bet you go 'wow' when it appears on the screen - I know I did. 

For some reason I decided to de-boss the inky, water-coloured background on my card. I used watercolour card, which takes embossing beautifully. I wanted to fill the little 'wells' made by the Christmas Trees with plenty of ink so they were a good, strong colour. Seems to have worked ok and was a quick and simple make.

Embossing Folder - Darice Trees

The cards in the Squashy Gallery for this theme look fabulous. I really think that including embossing seems to especially suit cards made for the festive season. You have until the end of November to play along with this challenge and Cat, Gail and I all hope you'll come and join the festive fun! 

Let's Squash It! Challenge #26 - Make a Christmas Card

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 26th 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.

So, Challenge #26.

And this month's theme is...

Use any Embossing Folder 

AND Make a Christmas Card

Use any embossing folder and create a Christmas card. Nice and simple and easy for this month!  

Please don't forget to 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 CAT!

 

Hi! I am Cat Craig. I was delighted and honoured when Gail and Jo asked me to be a

Guest Designer for the always fun Lets Squash It Challenge.

I was never much of a crafter until a dear friend introduced me to scrapbooking in 2006. A few years after that another friend introduced me to cardmaking. I was immediately hooked and eventually started my blog Cat Luvs Paper.

I love all kinds of techniques and card styles, though most of my cards are CAS. Whenever my mojo wanes, I look to a card challenge to rev it up again."

 /\  /\

(=';'=)

  (")_(")~

And here is guest designers Cat card

 

Cat's Card uses
Stampin Up Embossing folder - Wintry

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses

Hobby Solutions Embossing Folder - Merry Christmas

 

 

Jo's Card uses 

Crafts Too - Christmas Wreath

 

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

Inspiration for The June Challenge - Make it Manly

Hello Squashettes.  I hope you are having a fabulous June.
Gail here today with a little more inspiration for the Let's Squash It! Make It Manly Challenge.

There are already some gorgeous makes in the linky gallery and lots of interesting techniques being shared so do have a look, visit and leave some comments.  I've made a manly christmas card today.

This was pretty quick and simple, but I really like it.

I started with a panel of starry patterned paper and embossed it with Hunkydory magazine Snowflake and Star embossing folder.  The paper cracked a bit to show some white core through the black pattern, which worked perfectly for me!

I stuck a piece of silver glitter tape along the base of the embossed panel and added a Simon Says Stamp stamped and die cut bear.  I used Sky Blue archival on white card to make sure my bear showed up against the dark background.  

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you get time to get squashy with us.  Hugz

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

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

Technique Time with Gail - February 2021

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today to share a few embossing folder tips!
You might have come across these before, but I do like to mention the why, instead of just saying you should do it like this.  Of course, you are free to do it any way you like, but hopefully mentioning some effects and consequences will make it more relevant.

My first tip today is:

If possible, orientate your folder so the hinge of the folder goes through your squash machine first

When you emboss something it stretches the material.  Some materials will stretch more than others.  The more detail on your folder the more stretch of your paper.  This is why sometimes when you emboss a thin flat piece of card it warps.  Thicker card tends to warp less, but puts more strain on your folder and also your machine.

By putting the hinge through the machine first it allows the folder to relax and any extra pressure is unrestricted by the open ends.  If the hinge is the last thing to go through it can get quite stressed if things are not perfectly aligned, and if the material you are embossing stretches a lot it can end up being pressed against the folder hinge, which may break your folder, or even crack a plate on your machine.  The hinge is also the thickest part of the folder so if your 'sandwich' is too thick it's best to find out sooner rather than later.....

 

Tip two

Twofers!

Emboss two pieces of card at the same time!  You get an emboss and a deboss in one go! I used Cuttlebug Garden Tools folder and a piece of white and pink card.  I inked the emboss side (white card) with green ink and the deboss side (pink card) with pink ink and then put both pieces of card through the machine together.   This isn't useful for word/number folders LOL, unless you are having an Alice type day.

Tip three

 

Stretch your folders

If you have folder that has a perfectly repeating pattern then you can use it to make a larger panel by overlapping the pattern.  Be careful with your plate placement so you don't flatten the pattern you already have.  More usually you end up with a slightly less crisp overlap.  You can also extend non-repeating patterns and disguise the joins by using design elements such as fussy cut images, die cuts or ribbon.  I used a piece of ribbon to disguise my imperfect extension with the Do-crafts Candy Cane folder on this slightly taller piggy christmas card.

 

You might also have a design you can extend in another way.  This Father Christmas folder from CraftStash is 10 x 15cm, but by embossing it on the left hand side of a 10 x 20cm piece of card and adding some score lines on the RHS I was able to extend this image to make a DL card.  I smeared the embossed lines with black archival ink and then coloured it with Promarkers and distress inks.  

Tip four

Check Jo's Technique Time post from last month for masses of fab tips on misting your cardstock.

I hope you have enjoyed my little tips today.  The next challenge starts on the 10th, so see you then.  Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Challenge #4 - Inspiration

 Hello Squashettes.  Gail here today with a little reminder for the current challenge.  Lots of lovely entries already for this fun theme.  Thanks for all your support and kind words.

 

 

Use any Embossing Folder AND an animal

 

Use any embossing folder and an animal. 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!

 

I combined Nellie Snellen Snowy Cottages embossing folder with a fussy cut sheep!

 

 

I embossed a panel of white card with Nellie Snellen Snowy Cottages embossing folder and added some Sky Blue archival ink over the embossed areas.   Then I went a little crazy with the glitter glue LOL. Winter sparkle!!!!   I mounted the panel on a pale blue card base.  I stamped the front half of Hobby Art Baa Humbug Sheep on some white card, fussy cut, added a touch of pink Promarker to his face and added him to the card

 

 Join the fun for a chance to win an embossing folder from the Prize Vault.

 Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Challenge #3 - Inspiration

 Hello Squashettes.  Gail here today with a little reminder for the current challenge

Use any Embossing Folder AND Dies/Fussy Cutting

 

Use any embossing folder and also die cuts or fussy cutting. You can use an emboss and cut folder, or a die cut with a matching folder, or chop up your embossed thing, or emboss a die cut thing or fussy cut thing, or just add a die cut or fussy cut something to your embossed background.  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!

 

I combined Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder with die cuts and fussy cutting.

 

 

I embossed a panel of blue card with Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder and smeared some Salty Ocean distress ink over the embossed areas.  The diamond is a blue die cut scrap sponged with silver paint.  I stamped and heat embossed Uniko's Bunny, coloured with Promarkers and fussy cut.  I used some scraps of pale blue and white glitter card and a santa hat die for his hat.  The hohoho is a stamped scrap.  

 

 Join the fun for a chance to win an embossing folder from the Prize Vault.

 

Challenge #3

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