The theme this week for the Just Us Girls Challenge is water which can include techniques using water. It has been a while since I played with Lindy's Magicals and embossing folders, a technique which would also would allow me to enter the Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge with an optional twist of "Tie It Up. I grabbed a few folders including this one by Lifestyle Crafts that I bought at MJ Designs which closed in 2003. Now I have some things in my stash that I have had for decades and still use regularly, but this folder is not one of them. I cannot remember the last time I used it which makes it a candidate for the Neglected Stuff Challenge.
This folder normally creates a raised pattern similar to a chain link fence. I did not want that. I wanted the "fence" to be pushed pushed down into the paper creating "valleys" and "mountains" resembling pillows. This meant I had to use the folder with the logo facing down on the mat and the fold away from me, so when I opened it the logo side was closest to me. I put my watercolor paper on that side closest to me aka the "flat" side. I used a fan brush to sprinkle powders from the Lindy's Magicals Nuneka's Outer Space set on the paper and misted it with water until it started moving. I then carefully folded the "bumpy" side over the wet paper and ran it through my embossing machine. In other words I used the folder upside down with the logo facing down and not visible, so the panel ended up resembling snake skin thanks to the colors I used. It reminds me of the the cover of Alice Cooper's album, "Billion Dollar Baby."
I didn't want to cover much of the background, so I decided to use a Simon Says Stamp brand die to cut sentiment as the focal point for the Word Power Challenge and the Cut It Up Challenge to use a sentiment. I cut the word three times and stacked them for dimension and backed it with the shadow in gold mirror cardstock to help it stand out from the background. To grab a little more attention and fit the Can You Handle the Pressure Challenge twist, I backed the T with an accent of gold thread that I bought a few years ago, used twice, and forgot about. You could call that thread neglected. I think I will use it more now that I found it. I swiped a Rustic Wilderness Distress Oxide pad along the edge of the background to ground it before attaching it to a card base. I finished the card off off with a few sparkles.
I made a few other backgrounds with other embossing folders because I can't resist trying different combinations and techniques while I have everything out. You may see some of those in future posts. In the meantime, thank you for stopping by! Until next time, Hansi
