Technique Time January 2021 - To mist or not to mist??

 

Hi there, Squashettes, it's Jo here to wish you all a very Happy New Year and to pose a very important Embossing Folder related question: to mist or not to mist??

I thought I'd try a little experiment to see whether misting or spritzing your cardstock (before running it through your embossing machine) really improves the quality of the embossing.

First off, I grabbed some leftover card that was sitting on my work desk. I picked an embossing folder at random from my growing collection (I blame Gail), sandwiched the card and ran it through my Cuttlebug. Then I misted a second piece of the same card and repeated.

Here's what I got...

Embossing Folder - Leaves

Mmmmmm, well it's hard to see but the misted card seems to have a slightly deeper embossed effect. The card has warped very slightly.

Here's a close-up. It does look nice and hasn't damaged the texture and finish of the card. This is Papermill card  (about 80lb weight) and seems to have survived a spritzing nicely. Was it worth doing? Yes, I'd say that it probably looks better.

Next, I tried another colour card. This is Bazzil Basics, which is my go-to colour card.

This card just soaked-up the water like a little sponge. Yes, it gave a nice impression, but was totally ruinous of the texture and finish of the card. Drying it with my heat tool just made the card look scorched, and removed the nice surface sheen that Bazzil has. 

 I also tried some Crafter's Companion watercolour paper and could certainly see a difference.

Having looked at some very persuasive blog posts and videos about spritzing and misting, I realised that many of the best results seem to be achieved when using Stampin' Up! cardstock. I tried a different embossing folder and some Temping Turquoise card, and was very impressed with the result.

Kaisercraft - Crochet Doily

It's probably tricky to see, but the misted card has a much deeper impression and looks great.

To my mind whether you mist or not depends on the cardstock you're using. Thicker card generally seems to give better results when used in an embossing folder and is also less likely to tear. If you're planning to use a heavier, thicker card a little spritz of water certainly seems to improve the embossed effect you get.

I guess my advice would be to do a little test with your cardstock before spiritzing or not. Also, don't overdo the spritzing - remember, you're misting not drowning the card.

There's another challenge on the way, so Gail and I will see you soon for more embossing folder fun!

BTW - All views in this post are entirely my own, and I'm not receiving any form of remuneration from the companies I've mentioned.

Winners and Top Picks - Challenge #3

 

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today.  Having a white rabbit day so please bear with me!

Awesome entries to our third challenge

You continue to overwhelm us with your fabulous response and enthusiastic embrace of our little challenge.  Thank you soooooooo much.  Hugz all round.  At this rate we will have to recruit some people to help with the comments!! 

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

You made it almost impossible to pick favourites.  The short list was long and thank cyberland for Mr Random.......

 

Our two runners up, Impressing us with their awesome cards are

Marina with this lovely New Year card

 

and

Karen with this wonderful white on white card.

We hope you'll wear your badges with pride!

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

Joanne with this gorgeous embossed and coloured sympathy card

Congrats Joanne on being our Empress.

 

We also have a prize to award!  We asked Mr Random and he said

#22

That's Julie B with her beautiful embossed snow background and cute snowman.  

Congrats Julie.
Email Gail craftynomad at gmail dot com with your address details and
let me know which folder you want from the prize vault. 

Thanks again to you for your support of our challenge.
Jo will be back on the 8th with another Technique Time.
Challenge #4 will start on the 10th!!!!

Take care.  Keep safe.  Hugz

Challenge #3 - More Inspiration

Hi, it's Jo here just to remind you that there are still a few days left until the end of the current challenge on December 31st. Thanks to everyone who has already played in this challenge - your cards are fabulous and so inspiring!

Now, I don't know about you but I always love a quick and simple Christmas card. Here's one I made that came together very easily.

The snow storm/ major blizzard embossing folder creates a very deep impression, but does look good IRL. Unfortunately, I've lost the packaging, but found a very similar EF here.  I decided to alphabetize my stamp sets recently (what a wonderful help this is) and re-found this little cutie from MFT. She's called Snow Day - Pure Innocence. MFT don't appear to produce this stamp any longer, but if you click on the link you'll find something just as cute!

As this will be our final post before the festivities commence Gail and I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas. We both hope that Santa brings you new crafting goodies and that however you spend it, you have a lovely festive season! See you in 2021 for more embossing folder fun.

It's a ho, ho, ho! - from Gail and Jo!

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 #3 - USE ANY EMBOSSING FOLDER AND DIES/FUSSY CUTTING

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the third 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 #3

And this month's theme is

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!

We are very pleased to have our first Let's Squash It!! Empress joining us as our guest designer this month.  Please welcome Linda.

"Hey sister Squashettes – I’m Linda W. (aka ScrappinBari) who blogs at Scrappin’, Stampin’ & Singin’. I started out scrapbooking but switched over to card making in 2007. I live in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA & haunt several local craft stores! How many embossing folders do you own? I own a fair few and am grateful to Gail & Jo for bring them into play at Let’s Squash It!! I’m delighted to be their first Guest Designer!!!”

And here is Linda's awesome card!

 

Linda's Card uses
Taylored Expressions Embossing folder - NORDIC HOLIDAY

and

Stampin’ Up’s Embossing folder - SUBTLE 3D (for the grid)

Isn't that fun with those little cut and embossed panels!

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses 

Nellie Snellen Embossing Folder - CANAL

 

 

Jo's Card uses 

Darice Embossing Folder - BOLD DAISY

 

 

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 dies or scissors 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 December - Cutting It Up

 

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today to talk about cutting!
In addition to embossing folders I love dies and I am also a big fan of fussy cutting.  In combination with embossing folders these can really add wow factors to your project.  

Maybe you are lucky enough to own one of the cut and emboss folders.  These can be really beautiful, but they tend to be a bit more pricey.  These have built in dies so the whole cut/emboss process is super quick and easy.  This is a Marianne Designs folder that I use quite often.  I've embossed corrugated card and smeared some black ink on it.  A contrasting colour behind the cut outs gives a great pop of colour.

You can also find embossing folders that have matching dies.  If you are going to use an embossing folder and die together I have found it is better to cut first and then emboss.  You have better control on where the embossing is going to be and it doesn't get flattened by going through your machine a second time with the die.   I have quite a few of these types of sets from Sizzix and Cricut.  A few years ago I made rocking Christmas cards using Sizzix Bird #2 embossing folder and matching die.

Sizzix also have a range called Embosslits which cut and emboss at the same time.  These can be really fun, especially with mirror of metallic card.  The wreath on this tag is made using an embosslit folder.  I added some distress ink colour and red enamel dots.

Maybe you don't have any of the folders mentioned above.  You can still use dies to cut shapes and emboss them, but fussy cutting is also an option.  The simplest version of this would be to cut simple shapes, or even use some scraps you have hanging around.  An embossed patchwork background can look lovely.  If you want to get a bit more adventurous you can cut out embossed elements or cut away sections of the embossed detail to give a totally new look.  This also allows you to stretch your embossing folders and use them in more ways.  I inked Sheena Douglas Web Flowers folder with Candied Apple distress oxide and embossed a scrap of yellow card.  Then I cut the flowers and added a die cut birthday sentiment.  

 

This technique means I can use these pretty flowers for many other projects without the spider web.   

I hope this post has given you some ideas or reminded you of some folders you have forgotten about.  The next challenge starts on the 10th, so see you then.  Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

 

 

 

Winners and Top Picks - Challenge #2

 

Good morning Squashettes!  Gail here this morning and I'm gonna say WOW!!! again.

87 entries to our second challenge!  And loads of lovely comments and chat!!

You continue to overwhelm us with your fabulous response and enthusiastic embrace of our little challenge.  Thank you soooooooo much.  Hugz all round.  

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

You made it almost impossible to pick favourites.  We had a short list of lots again LOL, whittled it down to about 10, then after much chat back and forth we came up with this little line up.......

 

Our two runners up, Impressing us with their awesome cards are

Chris with this gorgeous embossed knit background and cute Santa and Mrs

Mrs A with this wonderful embossed deer background and matching deer stamp.

We hope you'll wear your badges with pride!

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

Lin

with this gorgeous snowy background and beautifully cute robin!

Congrats Lin on being our Empress.

 

We also have a prize to award!  We asked Mr Random and he said

#83

That's Marina with her beautiful embossed snowflake background and cute polar bear.  

Congrats Marina.
Email Gail craftynomad at gmail dot com with your address details and
let me know which folder you want from the prize vault. 

Thanks again to you for your support of our challenge.
Gail will be back on the 8th with another Technique Time.
Challenge #3 will start on the 10th!!!!

Take care.  Keep safe.  Hugz