Saturday 15 September 2012

Neglected Supplies Challenge


Layout detail - heat embossed chipboard title
I think we all go through phases of loving a tool or a technique, overusing it and then abandoning it.  Some of us also get carried away when shopping for supplies, adding "must-haves" to their baskets and then realising that they were actually "could-have-managed-withouts"!  I, myself, am particularly guilty of buying stash simply because it's a "bargain" without really considering where, when or how I'll use it.

That's why the first challenge this month at the Counterfeit Kit Challenge Blog is so great: dig out some un-loved supplies or tools and give them an airing.

My corner rounder is one of my Top Ten Tools, and certainly not one I would want to manage without, even though it hasn't had an airing for ages. So I gave it a bit of a work-out on this page with ancient photos from 2004. The background cardstock didn't come from my September Counterfeit Kit - it came from a "bargain" grab-bag of mixed green Bazzill - and was, I thought, almost unusably bright!  Luckily it toned with the peppermint greens in my kit's patterned papers and there were plenty of photos to help cover it up.

Layout - Snap Saboteur - Jimjams
This page also fitted in with one of the September Weekly Challenges over at UKScrappers
Heat embossing chipboard alphas is a sadly neglected technique for me; it's quicker, easier and a lot less messy to grab a sticker sheet or even die-cut some alphas.  However,  I love the effect and it's a great way to bring unity to a title formed from various different alphabet sets.  Therefore it was no great hardship to dig out my heat gun, silver foil covered chopping board, Versamark Ink and PSE Woven Tapestry embossing powder and set to work.

Child No.3 remembered the day the photos were taken, hotly protesting that there was no intentional sabotage, just high spirits!
What she does remember is running full pelt into a tree branch and grazing her forehead.
"Look, I still have the scar!" she said.
I looked; perhaps I need new glasses?
Wait!  Yes I can see it: the graze and lumpy forehead are visible in the one photo where she was prepared to smile at the camera!
Am I mean to call that Karma?! ;o)

21 comments:

MiliPea Designs said...

I, too, find myself reaching for stickers more often now than taking a more technique heavy route. You did a great job giving all of this older stash some lovin'!

Mary B said...

Well done on using a set of unloved pps they do look great here matching the photos and the green brings them all into a coordinated place.
Love your mixed alphas too must try that myself

furrypig said...

hi Jemma I am trying really hard not to buy things just because they are a bargain as half my stash was bought that way! I still love a sale though!

Alison said...

Well done on getting all that old stash used up!
Alison xx

scrappyjacky said...

You've reminded me to get out my corner cutter....I haven't used it for ages!!
Your colours all work together perfectly.

Sian said...

Great story!

At this point maybe I should admit to not having a heat gun and never having done any embossing..I think I need to rectify that!

Lisa-Jane said...

It feels good to use an old friend again doesn't it?! I think it all goes really well together.

Lisa said...

the letters look great - well done on giving them the facelift they deserve! I love my corner rounder - can't believe you've neglected yours! But the paper blocks look so good here!

LCSmithSAVED said...

What a brilliant idea for the mixed bag of fonts! Are they all dimensional letters?

Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design said...

I love love love corner-rounded photos!!!! Great design-idea reminder. I'm still on the search for that perfect size corner-rounder...I have two, but I need one more size. NOt that I use them, LOL. This looks great. Love the story! xoxo

Rebecca at How I Burb said...

Love it! Really like the angle you used, looks great with the triangles and circles throughout. Great page!

Ella Swan said...

This is wonderful! Love how you have used the diecut vine!!

glorygirl said...

Love how you used the corner rounder as part of the page design!!! I just "remembered" mine this past weekend, too :D Great job!

humel said...

I'm so guilty of picking up bargains that I'm then not sure how to use.... Love the lettering technique, I shall have to try that :)

Tish - GaMtnScrap said...

I too am guilty of buying things just because it's on sale or in the clearance bin at a great price. Some times it will sit in my stash for a while! But, seems like the perfect page always comes along (eventually) to use it on, just like your green cardstock this time! :) I love how you did the title, I never thought of that before! What a great way to make leftover alphas all match! Genius!

Love your story, too!

Susanne said...

You mean we should actually take time to alter chipboard that was meant to be altered. I'll have to think about that. I like your page though.

Margie said...

I love how you put your photos on an angle-gorgeous page!

alexa said...

Brilliant design - your triangular arrows pointing to the culprit are perfect! I like the mix of letters in your title too. That embossing makes them pop off the page.

Missus Wookie said...

I've moved my heat gun to an easily grabbable position... just have to find a place for and move my embossing powders too :lol:

Love the combination of letters and the arrows. Well done on using old stash!

Sassy Breese said...

I have been unifying chip letters by covering with pp or painting and then liquid glass on top. Have never tried heat embossing them. Thanks for the idea.

Clair said...

Just a reminder that I should invest in a heat gun and some embossing powders!