Technique Time with Jo - May 2021

 

Hey, Squashettes, it's Jo with you today to talk about SPACE!

No, not the final frontier stuff but how to s-t-r-e-t-c-h your embossing folders and create some 'white space' in your design. Obviously, when I talk about 'white space' I just mean a break or gap in the pattern of the embossing - the space doesn't have to be white. 

There are so many great EFs out there and many come with a 'gap' in the pattern for a sentiment or image. Just looking through my collection I spotted I'd got these.

If you haven't got folders like this here are a few simple ideas to help you achieve the look.

D is for Die Cuts

A die cut window can give great impact to your card. I decided to use a square die to complement the pattern.

Thankfully, I'm now in the habit of die cutting first to avoid squishing the embossing!

I think the window looks good cut into the embossed lattice pattern.

 

The resulting gap can be used to frame an image or create a window for a splash of colour and a sweet sentiment.

 

P is for Partial

Space can also be created with partial embossing. You can achieve this effect in exactly the same way as partial die cutting - just don't run all of the folder through your machine.

I may not have chosen the best folder to demonstrate this effect, but a score line makes a nice, tidy border to the embossed portion of the card.

B is for Borders

And what about those cute little border folders we all have?

Just look how much glorious space there is for your design and/or sentiment! Love it!
 

D is for Diffusers 

Finally, we need to talk about diffuser plates - yes, seriously, we do! 

White space can be created using a diffuser plate. I tried to make my own diffuser, but failed to come up with a design that went through my Cuttlebug. So I called for some help from the lady with the rabbits and Gail kindly supplied the following pictures to help finish this post.

Gail has a set of three diffusers. You can buy this set from from Sizzix UK or Sizzix USA etc. The set is designed by Tim Holtz and there's a handy video on the Sizzix sites to show you how to use them.

When using the diffusers insert them into your die cutting machine as if they were a plate. Please DON'T add them as an additional plate or your embossing machine may not survive the ensuing battle! 

Where the diffuser has a gap you will get a gap in the pattern of the embossing.

How cool is that???

Substituting the circle gives you a 'spotlight' impression in the area covered by the diffuser plate. 

Doesn't the selective embossing look great and give a terrific focal point. And just look at all that white space just calling to be decorated or stamped with a sentiment.

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Thanks for sticking with me during this long post. There are many brilliant techniques for creating space, gaps and spotlights and it was tricky to cram everything into one Technique Time session!

I hope this has got your mojo warmed up and ready to go... We'll be back in a couple of days with the next challenge. Can you guess what it might be?

Winners and Top Picks for Challenge #7

  

Hello Squashettes!  It's Jo with you today to announce the results of Challenge #7.

This challenge got off to a slowish start, but I think it was just you guys needing a little thinking time to come up with a gorgeous card combining not one, but three EFs and an image of a person.

Before I move on, I must thank the lovely Sally for joining us as our guest. 

It's been great having you inspire us with your gorgeous cards, Sally, thanks so much for being our Empress! 

So, let's talk favourite cards... sooooooooooo tricky.

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

 Robyn

(Love that embossed dress and sentiment)

and

Joanne

(She blew us away not once, but twice!)

 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:

Marlena

(Big congrats, Marlena, we loved how you incorporated your 3 folders into your design)

Here's your badge and well done on being our Empress of Squash.

We also have our random draw prize to award!  

Congratulations to #13

Donna W.

Well done, Donna! Please email me at dottypudding@aol.com with your address details, and also let me know which folder you want from the prize vault.

Thanks again to Sally for joining Gail and me for this fun challenge, and a very big thank you to our entrants and to the 130 lovely peeps that now are signed-up as Followers. Our next challenge is due to start on 10th May, and there will be a Technique Time teaser on Saturday 8th. Hope to see you there!

 

Challenge #7 - More Inspiration

Hello Squashettes!!  Gail here today with a little more inspiration for our current challenge,
use at least 3 different embossing folders and include a person.  

There is one more week for you to play along.  I'm actually a little surprized this has turned into more of a challenge for you than I imagined.  It's a great one to use with sketches and scraps!! 

I started with a white card base, which I smeared with Dandelion archival ink and added a panel of yellow card embossed with Crafters Companion Pebbles folder.

I found three gold mirror card circles previously die cut and embossed them with Sizzix Medallion, Cirque and Retro Circles folders.

I die cut Tattered Lace lady from gold stardream paper and two layers of card for a bit of extra dimension.  A few satin flowers and done!

Come on Squashettes!  Grab those folders and get squashing!!!!
Don't forget to check the Technique Time posts for masses of tips, hints and ideas.  

Thanks for dropping by.  Hugz

Challenge #7 - Inspiration

 Hi there, Squashettes, it's Jo on the blog today with some inspiration for our current challenge.

I think this one is proving a little tricky, so here's a little nudge to get your mojo moving and grooving.

I was inspired by Empress Sally's gorgeous wedding card and decided to hunt-out my Stamping Bella stamp Uptown Girl Bridgette the Bride.

I created a simple Distress Ink blended background and spritzed it with a little water before running it through my Cuttle Bug using Crochet Doily from Kaisercraft. I really like this EF and you'll find it on sale in the UK at this link! 

The second of my three folders is this beaut. Unfortunately, it's an oldie and it was purchased on eBay, so I can't share a link. However, leaf patterns are fairly easy to find so I'm sure you can track down something similar if you like the look it gives.

For my final EF of the trio I decided I wanted a pattern to pull things together. Again, this is a VERY old folder, but I like how using just a corner of the pattern gave me a leaf and some flowers for my embellishment.

Gail's Technique Time post here shared some ideas about using scraps and leftovers for creating sweet embellishments for your cards. You don't have to use all of your embossing folder all of the time - just a portion of the pattern and a little die cutting can create lovely results.

This challenge is open until the last day of April, so there's plenty of time to get creating and I hope seeing my card may have given you a few more ideas to help you play along!

Challenge #7 - Use At Least Three Folders and Include a Person

 Welcome, welcome, welcome to the seventh 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 #7

And this month's theme is

Use at least 3 Embossing Folders AND Include a Person

Make a card using at least 3 different embossing folders, any design or size, and also include a person.  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 Sally.

"Hi my name is Sally and I am so thrilled to be joining Gail and Jo as the Guest Designer for the Let’s Squash It! April challenge. I live near the beautiful Jurassic Coast in Dorset, England and I have been a keen crafter and maker for as long as I can remember. I soon realised that my real passion is card making and I then started my blog Sally’s Cards back in 2009, finding it was the perfect way to virtually meet like minded people. I have a huge collection of embossing folders that were gathering dust and this challenge blog has made me rediscover my love for using them."

And here is Sally's awesome card

 

Sally's Card uses
Cuttlebug Embossing folders - With Love Border, Flower Border, Fancy Corner

 

 

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

 

 

Gail's Card uses 

Docrafts Embossing Folders - Cherry Blossom Stripe and Beauty Sleep
Docrafts Embossing Folders -Stripe and Dot Swirl

Jo's Card uses 

Kaisercraft - Crochet Doily
Creative Expressions - Circle Illusion
Sizzix - Fancy Border

 

 

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

Technique Time with Gail - April 2021 Scraps

 Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today.   

We all know embossing folders add Wow! to our projects.  Along with all those embossing folders we have I bet you also have the other huge thing....... SCRAPS!!!  My scraps have progressed from a hillock to a whole mountain range and I am trying to work my way through them.  Embossing folders can help us turn trash into treasures.

 

I found a couple of blue frames.  I often die cut shapes and the resulting offcuts and negatives can make beautiful focal points with a little embossing and ink.  I used Sizzix Damask and Harlequin folders on these two frames and blue archival ink to make the texture pop.
A boring frame suddenly becomes an inspiration!!

Word folders can make a lovely sentiment feature.  Either use a scrap the same size as the folder or a large folder sentiment can be cut to give an attractive sentiment panel. 

Long scraps can used with border folders or full size folders to make lovely borders, panels and features.  Think of all those sketches that need pretty layers........

Off the edge works as well for embossing as it does for stamping.  This is pearlescent gold textured card scraps.  Metallic and pearlescent card is always a win with embossing and these will make cool toppers.

You can also grab some co-ordinating colour scraps and different folders and make some paper patchwork.  I cut three red scraps with a stitch square die and then embossed with Do-crafts Cracked Tile, Sizzix Cracked and Sizzix mini Rays folders. 

Here's a finished card with my patchwork squares.  I die cut the Santa from a black scrap and added a large die cut sentiment.

I hope you have enjoyed my ideas on stretching your folders and using some of your scraps. 

We will be back on the 10th with another fun challenge and another fantastic guest. 

Thanks for you love and support and for your visit.  Have a great day.  Hugz

Winners and Top Picks Challenge #6

 

  

Hello Squashettes!  Gail here today.  Thanks for all the awesome entries to our sixth challenge.  Not so many entries, but quality always tops quantity we feel.    

You continue to overwhelm us with your fabulous response and enthusiastic embrace of our little challenge.  Thank you soooooooo much.  I'd also like to say a very special thank you to the people who took the time to add a couple of comments to other entries!!  We all like getting comments.  They bring sunshine to our lives.  We added a rule asking that you comment on the two entries in front of you.  It takes a minute of your time, brings joy, and also you never know when you might find a blog, a technique or an embossing folder you can't resist!!!

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

Picking favourites is so hard!!!  The short list was long but thankfully we have Mr Random.......

 

Our two runners up, Impressing us with their amazing boxes are

 

Sally with these cute and fun easter boxes

 

 

and

 

Joanne with this beautifully box. 

 

Congrats Sally and Joanne

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

Riet with this beautiful easter cracker. 

 

Here's your badge Riet and congrats on being our Let's Squash It! Empress.

 

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

#10

That's Linda W with her pretty embossed flower box.  

Congrats Linda.
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
I will be back on the 8th with another Technique Time.
Challenge #7 will start on the 10th!!!!

Take care.  Keep safe.  Hugz