Working the Cuttlebug..

The current challenge at Artful Times is to use two or more folders on a project. Like Neet, I was a bit flummoxed by the notion but thought I'd let it simmer.

Quite coincidentally, I was looking for confirmat
ion that I could use a certain die in my cuttlebug before ordering it and I came across this 'Double Cuttle' tutorial which explores using two embossing folders together. Result!! (there are a few other cuttlebug tutorials there if you are interested although the blog itself seems to have lapsed a bit lately).

The idea is to emboss the same piece of paper twice using two different folders, highlighting the first impression with inks or whatever and after running through with the second folder highlighting the second impression. The best advice as to choice of folders was to do the busiest one first, and all I can add to that really is perhaps use a background type folder first and then one that is more an image.

I used a diamond background folder and then the leaf folder (can't remember the names but I'm sure any buggies out there will recognise them). I used some mini ink pads to highlight each time. In a moment of madness I found some chipboard leaves and embossed them as well with 'divine swirls' - so 3 embossing folders for me!!

Here's the finished 8 x 8 card with some pink accents, my new gorjuss stamp, shabby flowers and a sentiment at a jaunty angle. (I remark on that only because it makes me really uncomfortable)


















Here's a tag madewith the same folders plus a dotty one  - yep,  I managed to use three folders again! Another shabby flower (get used to it, I made a lot of them!!)



Then I wondered what it would look like if I stamped first and then embossed. So I tried out another tag, stamping 'LOVE' and the swirl before embossing with my dotty and hearts folders. Kinda like this, I think there are definite possibilities there. I'll gift this one to the first person who asks, I haven't put any embellies on it so it could even be a bookmark but be aware it isn't sealed.

Enjoyed that challenge, really like it when something prompts me to make use of the thin
gs I've already got in a different way - and it is soooo simple, do have a go.

See you soon.

Please note: still jumping through hoops to upload so apols if anything looks weird - never know till I publish quite what is going to happen!!
 

As promised - a Few things....

Thought I'd share a couple of things I made when I was demonstrating last week end.

Really loved the way this tag turned out. I was trying out what Tim Holtz calls the 'rusted enamel' technique although I did mine in pink, so I thinks it's a bit more shabby than grunge! I also stamped my snowflake in to the embossing powder for extra texture. I was pleased to find a use for the metal 'happy christmas' embellishments I have had  hanging around for a while. I remembered seeing somewhere that using white paint over these kind of things really makes the debossed words 'pop' so I tried it out and really liked it. The poinsetta's are the same marianne die I used for the Christmas Wreath - they are so pretty I could put them on everything!! The embellishment was made from some 'medals' I had left over from a kid's promotion at work (librarians among you will probably recognise them) so a bit of recycling was included as well.

The second tag design I did was supposed to be showing a  'blended batik' background but after the first one I had a bit of an accident with my craft iron - I pulled it out from the socket on the floor, tossed it nonchalantly up onto the table and the plug landed right in my mug of cold tea which I had forgotten about. Honestly, you couldn't do it if you tried. I can't hit anything at all usually. Still it's quite a sweet little tag even leaving the background embossed!! I love the double bottom to this tag and was inspired by another blogger (I believe I even left a comment!!) but can I remember who it was? It's sure to be someone who reads this one as I don't get around that much!! So if this reminds you of something you did then let me know so I can give credit and a link - and thanks for the inspiration!!

Finally a card with some metal embossing. I think it looks quite cool with one of my big Wendy Vecchi style flowers though I don't think this is one I can send in the post!!

Giveaway will be along later tomorrow (oops, just looked at the clock, err, later today then....)

Cindy