Embossing Folder & Animal

Today I am playing along with a new fun challenge called "Let's Squash It"! which is an embossing folder challenge. My card will be submitted to Challenge #4: Use an Embossing Folder and an Animal.

Also submitting to NBUS Challenge #22 since I have never used this embossing folder before:

This is a Tim Holtz Texture Fade Embossing Folder by Sizzix called Crackle which gives the most amazing dimension. Right now Sizzix has a sale going on and it is less than $5.00!

I definitely thought of it when I saw the challenge - isn't that a fun name for a challenge, too?! I started with Neenah Solar White Classic Crest in 80 lb. and spritzed it with my Ranger Distress Sprayer - just enough to dampen the paper. This soften the paper fibers and keeps it from cracking (where you don't want it) when you run it through your die cutting & embossing machine. Just look at that dimension:

I gave it a few drops from my Distress Mustard Spray Stain for a little color. After I did it I thought, umm...does that look like the dog peed? I don't know, but I am going with it anyway. 

I had previously colored this cute dog from Tim Holtz's Crazy Dog and cut it out with the coordinating die. The coloring was with Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils which are watercolor pencils onto Ranger Watercolor Paper. Both are favorites of mine for cardmaking.

He is finished with Nuvo Crystal Glaze on his eyes and a large action wobbler on his back. Lots of movement!

The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions' Noteworthy Stamp set. I stamped it with Altenew's Obsidian Black Ink and quickly sprinkled Nuvo Crystal Clear Embossing Powder over it and heat set. Once cooled, I cut it out with the circle from SugarPea Designs Element Builder II. I've mentioned before this is one of my favorite dies for the tiny dots that go around the borders of both the rectangle and the circle:

I've used the banner die, many, many times, too. If you are not familiar with SugarPea Designs, please take a look. They have the cutest designs and if you want to see some wonderful creativity, sign up for their emails and follow their blog hops. If you are a stamp/die lover like me, you'll really enjoy it!

Here is the Taylored Expression set, Noteworthy. I watched a You-Tube where Taylor created a set of note cards for her sister and I had plans to do the same for Christmas. Haven't done so, but I still have plans - there's always next year!

I used double sided adhesive tape from Scrapbook.com to adhere the embossed panel to the card base of Neenah 110 lb. Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. Since there is so much dimension it really needed a strong adhesive.

The inside sentiment is a simple Happy Birthday stamp from Dare 2B Artzy You've Got Mail. I like the large simple font from this set.

So that's it for today, friends. A Clean and Simple card for a new challenge group and of course, some NBUS!

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