Happy Earth Day, Updates, & Embossing Folders with your KNK.

Happy Earth Day (1 day early everyone!) I haven't offered a freebie in awhile, so remembering all of the activities my kids did in school I created this cut file to share in case you want to scrap this yearly event! Just go to the bottom of the post and your will find the links in the various formats (.KNK, .GSD, .AI & .WPC).

I hope everyone is doing well out there! Today, just like yesterday was rainy and cold, pretty different from the weekend we just had. It was so nice and warm that we were able to go to our local garden center and pick up tomato plants and get them put into their pots.

The square foot garden we set up on the side of the house is doing well and the snow peas and green bean seeds we planted have all stuck their heads out and are loving life and the rain LOL! I really love this time of year and while I hate the way that time flies, I really am looking forward to eating our first tomato, steaming up green beans, pickling beets and digging up potatoes. DH even rigged up a watering system that is made up of connectors and a timer so that even when we go away camping here and there, the garden will be watered and remain healthy...oh what a smart man I married .


Before I talk about the embossing with you I wanted to share with you a picture of a file I created as well as a finished layout by my great Design Team member Ginger. She had asked me if I had any files with work horses and wagons as she had some special pictures she wanted to scrap. For those of you who don't know me, I have the attention span of a gnat sometimes. I have so many files half started that if you were to ask me for something, chances are I have one. This was the case for this file. I had originally started it for a pumpkin patch layout but never got around to finishing it. Once Ginger asked me, it was just the push I needed to finish.


So here is the picture showing you how great her layout turned out. I especially loved that she used the "Hay" paper for the outline of the letters...it really brings it to life! I'm so very impressed by her work and will share some more of the great work she creates on my behalf! If you would like to scrap your own Wagon Ride or Pumpkin Patch pics and use this cute diecut, it is available in all formats in my Store. Just click here for the link!

Remember if you are looking for anything in particular, please drop me an email...chances are I have something half started (or finished depending if you are an optimist or pessamist LOL!) You will be doing me a favor...I sometimes need that little extra kick to get me going!

Other updates...well I hope that you all signed up for your newsletter! If you did you should have received it in your email mailbox today! This month's is the biggest to date chock full of articles, tutorials and as always some free files for a limited time! If you haven't, while it is too late for this month, the next one will be coming out in June. Don't delay and put it off...just click here and you will be taken to the right place to sign up. You won't be disappointed! All of us put in a lot of time and effort and we hope that you look forward to receiving!

Finally, since it was rainy outside I was itching to do something new. When we were at the retreat in SC recently, my good friend, my Louise to my Thelma (aka Scramper75 aka Elizabeth)had brought with her her cuttlebug and various folders that she had purchased over time to emboss paper for use in backgrounds and card making. I was super intrigued and will admit that I cut a bunch of 4" x 6" pieces of cardstock and used her machine to emboss them. Coincidentally, Michelle demonstrated a product I had never seen before..material to make your own embossing folders which consists of a special thicker sticky backed paper and some clear folders. I know she is planning on carrying it in the store and you can bet I will be one of the first inline to purchase.


In the interim, I was trying to come up with a way to make my own and with the use of some cardboard envelopes (Courier or already used US Mail) as well as my trusty Xyron and my pasta machine, after some experimentation, I was able to (while pretty simple shaped) make my own embossing folder. If you don't have these materials, why not try a heavier weight manila folder or cereal box? I'm sure if you look around your house you will find something that will work for you!


I thought it turned out pretty cool and was even able to make one with my logo...it just took a little more time and patience LOL! I even went so far as to create a video which I have uploaded to You Tube.

While I call it Embossing with your KNK, if your machine can cut the thinner chipboards I think that you can use this same technique. This will work with your cuttlebugs if you have one and as you can see demonstrated in the video it works great with your pasta machine (just make sure it is set tight enough to really press the folder together for greater pressure and thus a more defined embossing. I understand that you can also roll it with a rolling pin though to tell you the truth I didn't try. If you are interested in watching the video, here is the link. If you prefer, you can always just watch it here as well.

Experiment and let me know if you try it and how it turned out if you get a chance! I'm really enjoying making these and will most likely be sharing some files so you can make your own.



Wow...I rambled more than I thought I would LOL! Take care everyone!
Eddita

Earth Day KNK Version

Earth Day GSD Version

Earth Day AI Version

Earth Day WPC Version