Hello Crafty Friends!!

Hello Scrappy Friends!

Just a quick post to share the cards we will be making in class on Tuesday!

We will be working with two application techniques for Distress Oxide Inks.



Hope you can join us!

Hello Crafty Friends!!

It has been a while since my last post...  I need to find better balance with posting I think!

The luscious Oxide inks have arrived and I have had a blast playing with them.  They are everything I had imagined and more!  I simply LOVE them!  There are so many new mediums lately, I can't decide which ones are my favourite, but the Oxides are FOR SURE at the top of my list!

I decided to play and compare directly to the Distress inks as I have gotten lots of questions on how they are different.
The colors I used are: Faded Jeans, Cracked Pistachio and Worn Lipstick.  I used the same on each sample to be able to see the direct comparison.

 Here are a few samples...

The first technique I used was to apply the color with a sponge, blending as I applied the color.  In the end, I spayed some water into the palm of my hand and dropped it onto the sponged cardstock.  I used regular 65lb cardstock for this sample.

   

The first image shows the Distress Oxide inks, the second shows the regular Distress.
The first thing I noticed is the way they blend.  The Oxides maintain their color, whereas the regular Distress colors combine to form a new color where they overlap.
I also love the bright and soft finish of the Oxides.

The next technique I tried was to emboss with clear embossing powder and then to spray with water and soak up the water with a coffee filter (can't waste that color!)  I used Canson XL watercolor paper in these samples.

   

Keeping the Oxides on the left, and the Distress on the right...
I found that the Oxide inks are more vibrant even after spraying and removing the water.

The third technique I tried was smooshing.  I used the same watercolor paper.  I applied the ink to my craft mat and sprayed each color with water.  Next, I smooshed the paper into the colors one at a time.  When the paper had fair coverage, I dried the paper with my heat tool then smooshed it into the colors again.

   

If I didn't know that I used the same colors here, I would think otherwise!!
On the left with the Oxides, you can see all the layers.  The colors maintained their individual colors.
On the right, you can see that the colors blended beautifully creating a gorgeous purple color in some areas.  I also noticed that the color concentration was more diluted in some areas.

I hate to waste color, so I did a second batch of smooshing to see what happens...

   

With the Oxides on the left, you can see that I still got quite the vibrant collage of colors.  Even though at this stage, the inks were muddled on my craft mat, I still got distinction between the colors.
On the right with the Distress inks, the pigment was very muddled and diluted at this stage.  Amazing how different the colors are with each panel!!


There are a few more techniques I tried and even with some other colors, but I will save that for another day!  Stop back to check it out!

There are a few class updates too, Hope you can join us!!  Classes are always technique focused.  Come get inky with us!!

Hello Crafty Friends!!

I thought spring was in the air, but it seems to have ran away!  Boy is it cold outside.... BRRR

Here is a quick little project for you while you are nice and toasty in your crafty space.  It makes a cute little gift for someone special!


Trim off 2 strips of paper measured at ¾”.;These are for your handles.



Score the strips in Portrait position at 3/8”.




Fold the strips on the score line.

Using a small hole punch, make a hole about ½” up on each end.

  

With your fingers, gently curl your handle strips. Set these aside for now.



Score the remaining larger piece in Landscape position (inside of bag) at 3”.
Flip the paper over to the other side (outside of the bag) and score at 3/8”, 2 ½”, 3 ½” and 4 1/8”.




Fold on the score lines (folding “into the mountain”).  This will create the fold for the bottom of the bag and the finished edges for the top of the bag.



On each end, cut with your scissors about ½” up on each of the score lines


Fold those little tabs into the center and add glue dots to each tab.
Gently curve the outside edges of the bag toward the inside.  This will help in assembling the bag.



Apply liquid glue or Scor-Tape to one side of the side flaps.



 Fold side flap over, joining to make the side of the bag.  Note that there is no defined fold on the ends of the bag.  It is just a gentle curve.  When you fold the sides together, make sure that the top flap is over the other side



Repeat for the other side.

Attach inside flaps, by gently pushing into place.

   

Pinch the top of the bag together and punch the holes about 1” in from each side.

       

Add your handles to each side of the bag with brads.




You are ready to embellish as desired and fill with goodies of your choice!



I hope you have enjoyed this little project!