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 - June 2021 Colouring Techniques

  Hello Squashettes!

Gail here today, a little later than planned, but hopefully it's worth the wait...........

Today I want to talk about colouring techniques, in particular using watercolours with your embossing folders.  I'm gonna call this my squashy sploshy period....

The easiest thing to do is probably to smear your folder with a water reactive ink, such as distress, spritz and send that baby through the machine.   This gives you a nice background colour and leaves your embossed image white, or whichever colour your card was to start with.  In my case I started with a grey woodgrain card and went a bit crazy with the water, so it's not as clean and well defined as I am sure it could be, but for my 'Thinking of You' card it works for me.  I used Sizzix Bird embossing folder for this card.

You can also use watercolour paints and a brush, or water reactive pens/pencils to colour parts of the folder design.  Here I embossed Sizzix Cockerel Frame and used some tri-paint colour sticks I have.   I used a waterbrush to pick up colour from the light green colour stick and painted the embossed area of the frame.  Then I wet the colour sticks and applied colour to the embossed outline of the bird and then to the debossed areas inside the bird, spreading the colour with my water brush.  

 

You can also try some resists to keep your embossing pristine and give interesting effects.  Embossing powders and wax are good to use with water based colours.   I used Brusho wax sticks here and Brusho powders for a blast of colour.  These wax sticks are like colourless crayons. 

I embossed Nellie Snellen Ball Flowers on white card, used the wax sticks on the embossed texture, sprinkled the Brusho powders where I wanted my colour and spritzed with water.  This gives a much more random effect to the colours, but love that wax resist.

Here I've used the same wax resist with Sizzix Groovy Flower folder but I mixed my Brusho's with water first and used them as watercolours to fill in the embossed design.  This gives more control on where the colours end up.

I hope I have given you a few ideas for using watercolours with your embossing folders.  Drop back on the 10th for a fun new challenge with Jo and I and our awesome guest.   See you then.  Hugz

Challenge #8 - Inspiration

Hello Squashettes!!  Gail here today with a little more inspiration for our current challenge, leave some space and bling it up!

I love keeping things simple, so this theme is perfect for me, and I have masses of bling, so it's wonderful to be using a bit more than usual.  Here's my card with Nellie Snellen Ball Flower embossing folder.  

 

I used an offwhite wood effect panel, smeared the flat side of my folder with Tumbled Glass distress ink and embossed.  No water added and I got this lovely swirl effect with the ink.  Gorgeous!!!  I think it goes well with the subtle woodgrain texture.  I blinged up my flowers with rhinestones and stamped the Norwegian Happy Birthday sentiment.   A blue card base and done!!   

I hope you get some time to grab your folders and bling and join the fun.  Jo did a fabulous technique time post so check that out for ideas and inspiration.   

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