We're all friends here right? Than you understand that sometimes we just gotta take a break! Your friendly editor is the hostess of a HUGE gathering of Rubber Stampers in Illinois... So you won't be hearing from Craft Critique until Monday morning.
Meanwhile, poke around a bit! Leave some comments on our Adhesive Posts and let us know what you think about glue. There might be (hint, hint) a really good reason to leave comments and opinions on Craft Critique.
Happy Crafting!
Next week; it's a HODGEPODGE of feature articles by all your favorite reporters! WOW!
March 31, 2007
March 30, 2007
Because If 3M/Scotch Makes it You Know It's Good!
Reported By Sarah Moore
I think I have found my Adhesive! Like some the other Craft Critique reporters I started with the basic Glue stick... but ick! Who wants lumps and bumps under their paper! Then I was introduced to Stampin' Up! and I still grab my Snail adhesive for when I am on the go, or quick cards, stuff that sits behind a protective cover and won't be handled... cards I give away; that are likely to sit on a mantle for a week and then be tossed (horrors I know; but do you really think my Dad saves his birthday cards? Doubtful.) But then for my everyday use, and stuff that really needs to stick; I got hooked on Tombow Mono Multi... I loved the stuff.
But that bottle is SMALL and I was going through it like crazy. Plus it is so hard to find! I am not really into visiting a specialty store JUST for my adhesive; and they only carried Mono Multi at my Joanne's and Micheal's sporadically. Then... on the shelves of my local Target... and with a free rebate to boot... Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive. It is awesome! And you know it's gonna be great when it's made by 3M... they invented the Post-it note for goodness sake! And if you can't trust the name Scotch... well then you must be living in a hole.
Firstly, it comes in a 2 oz. bottle. I am generally seeing it in stores for the same price as Mono Multi ($2.99 - $3.99 US)... but it's twice the size ladies! (Resisting a corny "size does matter" joke here.) I love that it dries fast... but it allows a bit of time for repositioning your paper/card stock. No bending, buckling or bubbling noted. I have not used it on photos... but since 3M/Scotch touts a different adhesive for photo use perhaps someone out there in cybercraft land can give us the scoop on THAT adhesive. I can only chat about paper and embellishments. And boy oh boy, it really DOES hold embellishments, and much better that I thought it would. Buttons, ribbon, even light metals! I've used it on several "action cards" cards with movable parts or connected pieces that previously I would have used Sticky Strip on, and it holds just as well.
A tip: don't put it too close to the edges of your card stock/paper... it spreads and a little bit goes a long way. AND I like to use the edge of my bone folder to lightly press the cardstock in place and smooth it out once I have my piece positioned.
It's super strong, super sticky, dries clear, affordable, name you can trust... what more do you need? How about a free rebate? Check your local Target; It looks like it's an exclusive target offer, and I JUST bought a bottle with the free rebate coupon inside! (The package was clearly marked with the rebate offer.)
Also fun... apparently it's the 75th anniversary of Scotch Tape! Visit "Scotty McTape" at the Scotch website and read all about the history of tape, download some cool vintage Scotch Tape Ads, and learn 75 uses for Scotch Tape... Pee Wee Herman come to mind? Anyone?
Have you tried any of the other Scotch Brand Scrapbooking or Craft Adhesives? Let us know! Hint, hint, hint... I feel a giveaway coming soon!
I think I have found my Adhesive! Like some the other Craft Critique reporters I started with the basic Glue stick... but ick! Who wants lumps and bumps under their paper! Then I was introduced to Stampin' Up! and I still grab my Snail adhesive for when I am on the go, or quick cards, stuff that sits behind a protective cover and won't be handled... cards I give away; that are likely to sit on a mantle for a week and then be tossed (horrors I know; but do you really think my Dad saves his birthday cards? Doubtful.) But then for my everyday use, and stuff that really needs to stick; I got hooked on Tombow Mono Multi... I loved the stuff.
But that bottle is SMALL and I was going through it like crazy. Plus it is so hard to find! I am not really into visiting a specialty store JUST for my adhesive; and they only carried Mono Multi at my Joanne's and Micheal's sporadically. Then... on the shelves of my local Target... and with a free rebate to boot... Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Adhesive. It is awesome! And you know it's gonna be great when it's made by 3M... they invented the Post-it note for goodness sake! And if you can't trust the name Scotch... well then you must be living in a hole.Firstly, it comes in a 2 oz. bottle. I am generally seeing it in stores for the same price as Mono Multi ($2.99 - $3.99 US)... but it's twice the size ladies! (Resisting a corny "size does matter" joke here.) I love that it dries fast... but it allows a bit of time for repositioning your paper/card stock. No bending, buckling or bubbling noted. I have not used it on photos... but since 3M/Scotch touts a different adhesive for photo use perhaps someone out there in cybercraft land can give us the scoop on THAT adhesive. I can only chat about paper and embellishments. And boy oh boy, it really DOES hold embellishments, and much better that I thought it would. Buttons, ribbon, even light metals! I've used it on several "action cards" cards with movable parts or connected pieces that previously I would have used Sticky Strip on, and it holds just as well.
A tip: don't put it too close to the edges of your card stock/paper... it spreads and a little bit goes a long way. AND I like to use the edge of my bone folder to lightly press the cardstock in place and smooth it out once I have my piece positioned.
It's super strong, super sticky, dries clear, affordable, name you can trust... what more do you need? How about a free rebate? Check your local Target; It looks like it's an exclusive target offer, and I JUST bought a bottle with the free rebate coupon inside! (The package was clearly marked with the rebate offer.)
Also fun... apparently it's the 75th anniversary of Scotch Tape! Visit "Scotty McTape" at the Scotch website and read all about the history of tape, download some cool vintage Scotch Tape Ads, and learn 75 uses for Scotch Tape... Pee Wee Herman come to mind? Anyone?
Have you tried any of the other Scotch Brand Scrapbooking or Craft Adhesives? Let us know! Hint, hint, hint... I feel a giveaway coming soon!
March 29, 2007
What Sticks?
A candid look at buying adhesives
Reported By Sue Mylde
Let’s face it, a scrapbooker without her glue is nothing at all. In fact, I’ve been known to call my husband at 5pm on a Friday afternoon to ask him to buy glue sticks before he comes home and not to forget on his life, if he’d like a pleasant weekend! But there are so many glue sticks, glue tape rollers, liquid glues, scotch-tape (if you’re so inclined) out there. Which one to use?
There’s really an adhesive for everything… so get a range of them.
For your basic sticking, I really can’t say I believe in one adhesive more than another, since they all serve different purposes. I have enjoyed using all kinds of adhesives from the different brands - read HERE for my UHU product review - there’s also Pritt, Tombo, ... and the list goes on and on.
The general glue stick (whatever brand - I use my local Grand and Toy one, not because it’s better but because the store is closest to me) is most handy for sticking paper to paper or as the case may be, cardstock to paper or cardstock to cardstock. I make all my cards, mini albums and scrapbook pages with this one for general sticking. It is the most handy tool and I can’t live without it. Give me more glue sticks in my Christmas stocking and I’m over the moon - throw in some stamps there too and you’ve made my year!
I like the tape rollers - but in all honesty, I use them only when my glue stick runs out, OR where my glue stick won’t work - like for taping ribbons to paper. The thing about the tape rollers is that they’re less messy and really professional-looking. Hence, you’ll see your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator using it to demonstrate at the workshops she conducts. As a demonstrator myself, I’ve gotten ooohs and aahs for using the tape roller alone - not even my embossing gun gets that much attention at some workshops! It is a miracle creation!
Remember you don’t only have to buy the ‘scrapbooking’ brands. I tend to find that the scrapbooking brands are a little overpriced. Personally, I’m in love with the stickiest kind - I’ve found that to be Pritt.
But you know there are just some things that you can’t just use a glue stick or tape roller for. I’ve found glue dots extremely handy for all sorts of sticking - ribbons, embellishments and even Prima flowers or buttons.. I like the brand Glue Dots since it brings dots in different sizes - mini ones, middle size ones and even huge ones. I keep (or hoard) a whole range because you never know what size you might need, right? Again, with this one too, you can find glue dots at your local stationery store.
Then there’s the all important vellum tape for use with vellum paper. My favourite tape is the E-Z runner for vellum by Scrapbook Adhesives. And really, this is the only adhesive that I’d go to a scrapbooking store to look for - and hope they carry my favourite brand. You don’t want the tape to show through the vellum, hence you have to pick the one that works the best.
My point is, ladies, when it comes to adhesive, unless you’re sticking embellishments or want a dimensional-look for your project, glue is glue. Don’t be fooled that only the ones in the scrapbook store works - save your money for yummy embellishments instead and buy your basic adhesive at your local stationery store… Unless there’s a sale of course, then all bets are off! :)
Reported By Sue Mylde
Let’s face it, a scrapbooker without her glue is nothing at all. In fact, I’ve been known to call my husband at 5pm on a Friday afternoon to ask him to buy glue sticks before he comes home and not to forget on his life, if he’d like a pleasant weekend! But there are so many glue sticks, glue tape rollers, liquid glues, scotch-tape (if you’re so inclined) out there. Which one to use?
There’s really an adhesive for everything… so get a range of them.
For your basic sticking, I really can’t say I believe in one adhesive more than another, since they all serve different purposes. I have enjoyed using all kinds of adhesives from the different brands - read HERE for my UHU product review - there’s also Pritt, Tombo, ... and the list goes on and on.
The general glue stick (whatever brand - I use my local Grand and Toy one, not because it’s better but because the store is closest to me) is most handy for sticking paper to paper or as the case may be, cardstock to paper or cardstock to cardstock. I make all my cards, mini albums and scrapbook pages with this one for general sticking. It is the most handy tool and I can’t live without it. Give me more glue sticks in my Christmas stocking and I’m over the moon - throw in some stamps there too and you’ve made my year!
I like the tape rollers - but in all honesty, I use them only when my glue stick runs out, OR where my glue stick won’t work - like for taping ribbons to paper. The thing about the tape rollers is that they’re less messy and really professional-looking. Hence, you’ll see your Stampin’ Up! demonstrator using it to demonstrate at the workshops she conducts. As a demonstrator myself, I’ve gotten ooohs and aahs for using the tape roller alone - not even my embossing gun gets that much attention at some workshops! It is a miracle creation!
Remember you don’t only have to buy the ‘scrapbooking’ brands. I tend to find that the scrapbooking brands are a little overpriced. Personally, I’m in love with the stickiest kind - I’ve found that to be Pritt.
But you know there are just some things that you can’t just use a glue stick or tape roller for. I’ve found glue dots extremely handy for all sorts of sticking - ribbons, embellishments and even Prima flowers or buttons.. I like the brand Glue Dots since it brings dots in different sizes - mini ones, middle size ones and even huge ones. I keep (or hoard) a whole range because you never know what size you might need, right? Again, with this one too, you can find glue dots at your local stationery store.
Then there’s the all important vellum tape for use with vellum paper. My favourite tape is the E-Z runner for vellum by Scrapbook Adhesives. And really, this is the only adhesive that I’d go to a scrapbooking store to look for - and hope they carry my favourite brand. You don’t want the tape to show through the vellum, hence you have to pick the one that works the best.My point is, ladies, when it comes to adhesive, unless you’re sticking embellishments or want a dimensional-look for your project, glue is glue. Don’t be fooled that only the ones in the scrapbook store works - save your money for yummy embellishments instead and buy your basic adhesive at your local stationery store… Unless there’s a sale of course, then all bets are off! :)
March 28, 2007
Terrific Tape: The Card Maker's Best Kept Secret
Reported By Cindy Keery
If you're anything like me you've been on a quest for the perfect adhesive since you began your card making adventure! When I first started stamping and making cards back in 1994 I used Elmer's white glue (because I didn't know any better!) and regular kid's glue sticks to "try" and hold my cards together. Little did I know how discouraging it would be to see my cards morph into these lumpy, bumpy, buckled piles of yuck. Never mind the sticky goo you have to deal with when using messy glue. I knew there had to be a better adhesive out there so I began my search.
Next I tried rubber cement. Mmmm… the smell! Just kidding! I didn't enjoy working with the rubber cement either. It's just too sticky for me. Over the years I also tried a variety of different and supposedly "better" glue sticks, Stampin' Up!'s snail (I don't like it when my cards fall apart!), carpet tape from the hardware store, double sided tape from the dollar store, and more recently I tried UHU when I got free samples from them.
Having tried a wide variety of adhesives over the years I have to say that my all time favourite is a little known adhesive called Terrific Tape! I've been using this tape for about 5 years and am extremely happy with it for a number of reasons. 1. My cards and scrapbook pages don’t fall apart. 2. It is not messy. 3. It can be used for a variety of techniques. It's really more than just tape!
To research this product more fully I visited the source and spent some time with the woman who imports it and distributes it throughout Canada and the US. Haroldine was kind enough to let me photograph many of her beautiful card and ATC samples for this report.
All samples were created by Haroldine Wingfield
and are being shown with her permission
A few years ago I had one of my techniques published in The Canadian Stamper magazine that featured Terrific Tape. The technique is called "Vellum Glow" and this is what you do:
1. Stamp an outline image on vellum using a dye based ink.
2. Completely cover the stamped image with a piece of wide Terrific Tape.
3. Remove the backing from the tape.
4. Apply Moon Glow (or Pearl Ex) with a cotton swab to the tape in a variety of colors.
5. Apply another layer of Terrific Tape over the Moon Glow.
6. Remove backing.
7. Adhere to card.
You can also use acetate instead of vellum as shown in Haroldine's Giraffe ATC and card (see above).
Some of the features of Terrific Tape are:
* Double sided
* Heat Resistant
* It's clear
* Incredibly sticky
* Can be used with embossing powders, foils, beads, glitter, vellum, pearl ex, etc.
* Acid free - scrapbook safe
* Comparable in quality to Stampin Up!'s "Sticky Strip", but much more affordable.
Terrific Tape comes in a variety of widths including:
* 5 mm
* 7 mm
* 12 mm
* 15 mm
* 20 mm
* 25 mm
* 40 mm
* 2.5"
* 4.5"
The prices range from $3.00 CDN for the narrowest tape to $50 CDN for the widest.
The only place I've found to purchase this tape is a stamp store in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada. And you're in luck - they do mail order! Here's the contact info for the store, in case you'd like to give this tape a try:
Be Creative: Rubber Stamps, Supplies & Classes
Owner: Haroldine
Email: becreative@pacificcoast.net
604-465-2359
Tell her you heard about Terrific Tape on CraftCritique.com!
Please feel free to list your favorite sources for Terrific Tape below! We would love to hear the best places to find it in the US and Australia too!
If you're anything like me you've been on a quest for the perfect adhesive since you began your card making adventure! When I first started stamping and making cards back in 1994 I used Elmer's white glue (because I didn't know any better!) and regular kid's glue sticks to "try" and hold my cards together. Little did I know how discouraging it would be to see my cards morph into these lumpy, bumpy, buckled piles of yuck. Never mind the sticky goo you have to deal with when using messy glue. I knew there had to be a better adhesive out there so I began my search.
Next I tried rubber cement. Mmmm… the smell! Just kidding! I didn't enjoy working with the rubber cement either. It's just too sticky for me. Over the years I also tried a variety of different and supposedly "better" glue sticks, Stampin' Up!'s snail (I don't like it when my cards fall apart!), carpet tape from the hardware store, double sided tape from the dollar store, and more recently I tried UHU when I got free samples from them.
Having tried a wide variety of adhesives over the years I have to say that my all time favourite is a little known adhesive called Terrific Tape! I've been using this tape for about 5 years and am extremely happy with it for a number of reasons. 1. My cards and scrapbook pages don’t fall apart. 2. It is not messy. 3. It can be used for a variety of techniques. It's really more than just tape!To research this product more fully I visited the source and spent some time with the woman who imports it and distributes it throughout Canada and the US. Haroldine was kind enough to let me photograph many of her beautiful card and ATC samples for this report.
Here are a few of my favorites from her hundreds of samples.
All samples were created by Haroldine Wingfieldand are being shown with her permission
A few years ago I had one of my techniques published in The Canadian Stamper magazine that featured Terrific Tape. The technique is called "Vellum Glow" and this is what you do:
1. Stamp an outline image on vellum using a dye based ink.
2. Completely cover the stamped image with a piece of wide Terrific Tape.
3. Remove the backing from the tape.
4. Apply Moon Glow (or Pearl Ex) with a cotton swab to the tape in a variety of colors.
5. Apply another layer of Terrific Tape over the Moon Glow.
6. Remove backing.
7. Adhere to card.
You can also use acetate instead of vellum as shown in Haroldine's Giraffe ATC and card (see above).
Some of the features of Terrific Tape are:
* Double sided
* Heat Resistant
* It's clear
* Incredibly sticky
* Can be used with embossing powders, foils, beads, glitter, vellum, pearl ex, etc.
* Acid free - scrapbook safe
* Comparable in quality to Stampin Up!'s "Sticky Strip", but much more affordable.
Terrific Tape comes in a variety of widths including:
* 5 mm
* 7 mm
* 12 mm
* 15 mm
* 20 mm
* 25 mm
* 40 mm
* 2.5"
* 4.5"
The prices range from $3.00 CDN for the narrowest tape to $50 CDN for the widest.
The only place I've found to purchase this tape is a stamp store in Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada. And you're in luck - they do mail order! Here's the contact info for the store, in case you'd like to give this tape a try:
Be Creative: Rubber Stamps, Supplies & Classes
Owner: Haroldine
Email: becreative@pacificcoast.net
604-465-2359
Tell her you heard about Terrific Tape on CraftCritique.com!
Please feel free to list your favorite sources for Terrific Tape below! We would love to hear the best places to find it in the US and Australia too!
March 27, 2007
Even More Sticky Stuff!
Reported By Melissa Norris
I find adhesives tough. Because for the most part I've only ever used one adhesive with my scrapbooking/card making. That would be the Creative Memories Tape Runner. I love love love this product. Instead of a strip of glue it leaves "stickers." It is very easy to use, easy to refill (always a plus) and there's never any problems with it trailing off (I will explain this more later). I've never had anything I've made fall apart with it. Granted if I pull on it the pieces will come apart but it will totally mess up the paper and it's difficult. However, I wanted to review products that anyone could buy in the store. The CM tape runner is only available through a CM consultant.
I started off with glue pens. I received a free sample of UHU's Scrapbooker's Pen. I really thought this looked promising. The package claims "super fast, doesn't wrinkle paper, precise application, washable, and non clogging." Well the first thing I used it on was a cuttlebugged card. I thought this would be perfect so I didn't ruin the embossing trying to stick it to the card. Well it didn't wrinkle the paper but it made the card bow after it dried. Now maybe this could have been helped if I had placed something flat and heavy on top of the card but in my opinion you shouldn't have to do that.
I decided to try it again on something else. I decided to see how it would hold embellishments. If you remember the fabric challenge I had a scrapbooking layout with rows of buttons. I decided to lay a strip of the glue then apply the buttons. They held for a while but then just started popping off if I barely touched the page. Needless to say I wasn't too thrilled with this outcome and I re-attached my buttons with Stampin' Up!'s Crystal Effects (held perfectly by the way).
Well because of the type of person I am I thought I would give the UHU glue pen one more chance. Well if you remember me saying the label itself said "non clogging." When I pulled it out the third time what did I find...totally clogged. I had to go at it with a safety pin to clear it. I decided to try it with ribbon this time. Yeah, didn't stick. It stuck for a while but I noticed any time I touched the ribbon it would make a "crinkling" sound. I figured that couldn't be a good sign and the next time I touched it the ribbon popped off. Basically from what I can tell about this glue it doesn't seem to soak in to the paper/embellishment at all so it never forms a bond. I'm not too impressed.
I also tried the 2 Way Glue Pen by Zig Memory System (also sold by Stampin' Up!). It reminds me a lot of a paint pen in its design. It is acid and xylene free (perfect for scrapbooking). The 2 ways it's used are a Wet or Dry bond. When you apply the glue it is blue. If you immediately attach it to the other paper it dries and makes a permanent bond. If you wait and let it dry and become clear it makes a temporary bond which is good for repositioning. I tried the permanent bond and found it was strong. It came apart after I pulled but I don't think it would have fallen apart on its own. It's also good for applying glitter and other small embellishments. However I would not try to apply something heavy with it. I've also used it under a strip of ribbon to hold it in place while I attached a stronger adhesive. Overall I think it's pretty good and versatile.
As far as glue tape rollers go I tried 2 different ones. The first is the Glue Roller by UHU. I bought the permanent version. It is similar to the dotto because it leaves tiny dots of glue. I thought this one would be promising. However I was very disappointed. I taped 2 pieces of cardstock together and they came apart with very little force. I double checked to make sure I didn't get the repositionable variety but I did not. It didn't hold anything and I can definitely see cards falling apart after using it. However, I found it might be good for sealing envelopes I want to reopen.
The other is Stampin' Up!'s SNAIL adhesive which is the same as Tombow Mono Adhesive. I will start by saying it is a strong adhesive. I went back and checked some cards I made a while back with it and the bonds were still very strong. However I find it hard to use. The glue often trails off leaving what I call the packing tape effect. You know when you are trying to start a roll of packing tape and you get that piece that goes off on it's own. The snail adhesive does the same thing to me. I feel it's very wasteful. However the bond is strong and it may be a type of runner that might work for you (or who knows...I could have totally been using it wrong). The runner itself is very comfortable and easy to use but I did find it to be a little on the expensive side (I was looking at Michaels...I'm sure it could be found cheaper).
I think with all adhesives it's a trial and error situation. What works for me might not work for you. And for some projects you need a variety of products. However I hope we can provide some sort of insight for all of you.
Let us know what adhesives YOU LOVE for papercrafting/scrapbooking! There may be some reward in store (hint, hint) for people who leave helpful comments!
I find adhesives tough. Because for the most part I've only ever used one adhesive with my scrapbooking/card making. That would be the Creative Memories Tape Runner. I love love love this product. Instead of a strip of glue it leaves "stickers." It is very easy to use, easy to refill (always a plus) and there's never any problems with it trailing off (I will explain this more later). I've never had anything I've made fall apart with it. Granted if I pull on it the pieces will come apart but it will totally mess up the paper and it's difficult. However, I wanted to review products that anyone could buy in the store. The CM tape runner is only available through a CM consultant.
I started off with glue pens. I received a free sample of UHU's Scrapbooker's Pen. I really thought this looked promising. The package claims "super fast, doesn't wrinkle paper, precise application, washable, and non clogging." Well the first thing I used it on was a cuttlebugged card. I thought this would be perfect so I didn't ruin the embossing trying to stick it to the card. Well it didn't wrinkle the paper but it made the card bow after it dried. Now maybe this could have been helped if I had placed something flat and heavy on top of the card but in my opinion you shouldn't have to do that.I decided to try it again on something else. I decided to see how it would hold embellishments. If you remember the fabric challenge I had a scrapbooking layout with rows of buttons. I decided to lay a strip of the glue then apply the buttons. They held for a while but then just started popping off if I barely touched the page. Needless to say I wasn't too thrilled with this outcome and I re-attached my buttons with Stampin' Up!'s Crystal Effects (held perfectly by the way).
Well because of the type of person I am I thought I would give the UHU glue pen one more chance. Well if you remember me saying the label itself said "non clogging." When I pulled it out the third time what did I find...totally clogged. I had to go at it with a safety pin to clear it. I decided to try it with ribbon this time. Yeah, didn't stick. It stuck for a while but I noticed any time I touched the ribbon it would make a "crinkling" sound. I figured that couldn't be a good sign and the next time I touched it the ribbon popped off. Basically from what I can tell about this glue it doesn't seem to soak in to the paper/embellishment at all so it never forms a bond. I'm not too impressed.
I also tried the 2 Way Glue Pen by Zig Memory System (also sold by Stampin' Up!). It reminds me a lot of a paint pen in its design. It is acid and xylene free (perfect for scrapbooking). The 2 ways it's used are a Wet or Dry bond. When you apply the glue it is blue. If you immediately attach it to the other paper it dries and makes a permanent bond. If you wait and let it dry and become clear it makes a temporary bond which is good for repositioning. I tried the permanent bond and found it was strong. It came apart after I pulled but I don't think it would have fallen apart on its own. It's also good for applying glitter and other small embellishments. However I would not try to apply something heavy with it. I've also used it under a strip of ribbon to hold it in place while I attached a stronger adhesive. Overall I think it's pretty good and versatile.
As far as glue tape rollers go I tried 2 different ones. The first is the Glue Roller by UHU. I bought the permanent version. It is similar to the dotto because it leaves tiny dots of glue. I thought this one would be promising. However I was very disappointed. I taped 2 pieces of cardstock together and they came apart with very little force. I double checked to make sure I didn't get the repositionable variety but I did not. It didn't hold anything and I can definitely see cards falling apart after using it. However, I found it might be good for sealing envelopes I want to reopen.
The other is Stampin' Up!'s SNAIL adhesive which is the same as Tombow Mono Adhesive. I will start by saying it is a strong adhesive. I went back and checked some cards I made a while back with it and the bonds were still very strong. However I find it hard to use. The glue often trails off leaving what I call the packing tape effect. You know when you are trying to start a roll of packing tape and you get that piece that goes off on it's own. The snail adhesive does the same thing to me. I feel it's very wasteful. However the bond is strong and it may be a type of runner that might work for you (or who knows...I could have totally been using it wrong). The runner itself is very comfortable and easy to use but I did find it to be a little on the expensive side (I was looking at Michaels...I'm sure it could be found cheaper).I think with all adhesives it's a trial and error situation. What works for me might not work for you. And for some projects you need a variety of products. However I hope we can provide some sort of insight for all of you.
Let us know what adhesives YOU LOVE for papercrafting/scrapbooking! There may be some reward in store (hint, hint) for people who leave helpful comments!
March 26, 2007
Mono Multi... When you really want it to STICK!
Reported by Amy Westerman
Adhesive. Where would we all be without adhesive? I can probably take a wild guess that most of us wouldn’t be big card makers or scrappers without it!
Over the years, I’ve used many, many kinds of adhesives. When I first started scrap booking, I used Creative Memories Photo Splits, but those required some work. Trying to pull the split off the strip, then trying to get the backing off the split! Whew. No wonder it took me so long to make a scrapbook page! After the splits, I graduated to the Creative Memories Tape Runner, which was much better than the splits, but good heavens that thing broke and got jammed a lot.
Once I started card making, I happily began using the Mono Adhesive Glue Dispenser, because that’s what everyone used, right? Well, many card makers DO use the Mono Adhesive Glue Dispenser, but I found the tape broke quite often, and for as many cards as I made in a month, I was going through the dispenser way too fast! Not to mention, it didn’t do a really good job of actually holding the layers together on my cards, which was totally not cool. It really became an issue of cost inefficiency and reliability that made me switch adhesives, again.
So, where have I ended up in the world of adhesives? Well, through Splitcoast Stampers, I learned of this “fabulous” glue that everyone was RAVING about in the forums. Glue? On my cards? Yuck. Why would I want to mess up my cards with glue? No way. As time went on, and my investment in the Mono Glue Dispenser tripled, I could ignore the chatter no longer. I decided to try the glue that everyone was going gaga over. How good could this Tombo Mono Multi Liquid Glue really be? I was envisioning glue seeping out from under the edges of the cardstock on my beautiful cards. Did I really want to try this stuff? I sucked it up and I went to the store to buy the glue. I brought it home and gave it a try. And, to be honest, my card making has never been the same! Multi is as great as everyone says it is. It holds the layers of my cards together unlike any other adhesive had been able to. It’s got a dual tip end, one end is broad and the other end is narrow. Most of the time I use the broad end because it’s easier to apply smaller amounts and the end makes it easy to spread the glue out farther and thinner. Do you know what this translates to? Money. More of it to buy fun designer paper or jazzy embellishments. No more would I need a small fortune to buy adhesive! This stuff is so cost efficient it’s amazing! It takes me forever to go through a bottle of Multi, and I make TONS of cards. I think Multi and I are going to be stickin’ together for quite a long time.
Sarah Speaking now...
Hey crafty gals! Where do you buy your Mono Multi? We want to know where the best deals are! Tell us and maybe you will win something... (Hint, Hint, Hint). Keep checking craft critique... we like to give stuff away, and we have something fun in store... your participation matters!
Wanna stay in touch? You should just subscribe... there is that link over there on the side bar just enter your email>>> What? You have too many blogs to read you say??? Then you best start using Google Reader. It's what all the cool kids are doing.
Adhesive. Where would we all be without adhesive? I can probably take a wild guess that most of us wouldn’t be big card makers or scrappers without it!
Over the years, I’ve used many, many kinds of adhesives. When I first started scrap booking, I used Creative Memories Photo Splits, but those required some work. Trying to pull the split off the strip, then trying to get the backing off the split! Whew. No wonder it took me so long to make a scrapbook page! After the splits, I graduated to the Creative Memories Tape Runner, which was much better than the splits, but good heavens that thing broke and got jammed a lot.
Once I started card making, I happily began using the Mono Adhesive Glue Dispenser, because that’s what everyone used, right? Well, many card makers DO use the Mono Adhesive Glue Dispenser, but I found the tape broke quite often, and for as many cards as I made in a month, I was going through the dispenser way too fast! Not to mention, it didn’t do a really good job of actually holding the layers together on my cards, which was totally not cool. It really became an issue of cost inefficiency and reliability that made me switch adhesives, again.
So, where have I ended up in the world of adhesives? Well, through Splitcoast Stampers, I learned of this “fabulous” glue that everyone was RAVING about in the forums. Glue? On my cards? Yuck. Why would I want to mess up my cards with glue? No way. As time went on, and my investment in the Mono Glue Dispenser tripled, I could ignore the chatter no longer. I decided to try the glue that everyone was going gaga over. How good could this Tombo Mono Multi Liquid Glue really be? I was envisioning glue seeping out from under the edges of the cardstock on my beautiful cards. Did I really want to try this stuff? I sucked it up and I went to the store to buy the glue. I brought it home and gave it a try. And, to be honest, my card making has never been the same! Multi is as great as everyone says it is. It holds the layers of my cards together unlike any other adhesive had been able to. It’s got a dual tip end, one end is broad and the other end is narrow. Most of the time I use the broad end because it’s easier to apply smaller amounts and the end makes it easy to spread the glue out farther and thinner. Do you know what this translates to? Money. More of it to buy fun designer paper or jazzy embellishments. No more would I need a small fortune to buy adhesive! This stuff is so cost efficient it’s amazing! It takes me forever to go through a bottle of Multi, and I make TONS of cards. I think Multi and I are going to be stickin’ together for quite a long time.Sarah Speaking now...
Hey crafty gals! Where do you buy your Mono Multi? We want to know where the best deals are! Tell us and maybe you will win something... (Hint, Hint, Hint). Keep checking craft critique... we like to give stuff away, and we have something fun in store... your participation matters!
Wanna stay in touch? You should just subscribe... there is that link over there on the side bar just enter your email>>> What? You have too many blogs to read you say??? Then you best start using Google Reader. It's what all the cool kids are doing.
March 24, 2007
More on Adhesives
Choose the Right Tool for the Job
By Reporter Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Let’s start with the most controversial: Hermafix Dotto (“Dotto”). Coming in both permanent and repositionable versions, Dotto is a refillable dispenser that releases a continuous line of small dots of adhesive. It handles curves easily and both the permanent and repositionable versions hold extremely well. I’ve never had a problem with slippage or “losing its stick.” I use it every single time I sit down to scrapbook. It is my number one adhesive, adhering paper, photos, chipboard, and embellishments (including metal). The reason it’s controversial is that many users have expressed frustration with “gunking up” after replacing the adhesive roll several times. I find this is solved by taking three easy steps:
1. The plastic roll that accepts the used paper from the adhesive roll has a small plastic square tab attached to a crescent. Use a pair of tweezers or pliers to remove this little square and crescent.
2. After removing an old roll (and before inserting a new one), use tweezers to remove any excess adhesive that has gathered in your Dotto.
3. Remove the plastic circle the adhesive dispenses across (the only exposed circle on the Dotto when it is closed) and clean it thoroughly with Un-du.
Two last notes. One, I feel that the adhesive gets used up very quickly in the Dotto. I definitely have to bring several refills to a crop. That may be a testament to how much adhesive I use. Two, I love that if you make a mistake, you can rub away the adhesive dots with your finger. This works much better on cardstock and patterned paper than on a photo or other shiny item.
My go-to adhesive for all dimensional or non-traditional items is Glue Dots. I use two of the variations of Glue Dots: Mini Glue Dots and Craft Glue Dots (larger). Both of these come on a cardboard roll with waxy paper wrapped around it. To “dispense” a glue dot, you pull back the paper to reveal a dot, push your item onto the dot, lift the item (which lifts the dot), and then adhere it wherever you please. Glue dots hold extremely well, and are thus very difficult to remove. But, they work magic with surfaces that don’t like other adhesives and require a strong bond. I use glue dots to adhere buttons, flowers, quilted items, metal, plastic, beads, glass, and so much more!
Finally, I adore Xyron adhesives for their full coverage! I use the following four Xyron adhesive products: Xyron 150 (little orange “x”), Xyron 500 (items up to 5 inches wide. Pictured at left), Xyron 850 (items up to 8.5 inches wide), and the 4-inch Xyron Cheetah. For those unfamiliar with the Xyron sticker maker, it’s a brilliant concept. You place an item into the hole or opening on any of these machines and either turn the handle or simply pull the item through to the other side. Some of the machines have a built-in cutter, others have a jagged edge (like an aluminum foil box) for you to rip off your new “sticker.” The item you inserted will emerge from the other end with full coverage adhesive on the back, and attached to a waxy piece of paper (like a sticker). I like to use my Xyron machines with fabric, ribbon, die-cut letters or shapes, small scraps of paper, or anything that needs full coverage (such as items that will be well-handled). The only warning is that there is sometimes excess adhesive on the edges of items put through the Xyron machines. This is easily solved by using an adhesive eraser (or the cheaper alternative: your finger) to rub away the excess.
The Xyron Cheetah is a little different. It is a hand-held roller that lays down a 4-inch sheet of dots of adhesive. It’s wonderful to have the option of laying down so much adhesive all at once (you can cover the back of a 4x6 photo in a single swipe)! The Cheetah doesn’t work as well on textured surfaces or non-traditional surfaces such as fabric. I use mine for paper and photos exclusively.
In the end, my greatest discovery about adhesive is that there is no perfect adhesive. You have to use a combination of things: “Choose the right tool for the job.”
By Reporter Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
- It’s the one thing I always run out of.
- It’s the one thing I never feel guilty buying.
- It’s the one thing I use the most.
- And, I have a drawer full of it.
Let’s start with the most controversial: Hermafix Dotto (“Dotto”). Coming in both permanent and repositionable versions, Dotto is a refillable dispenser that releases a continuous line of small dots of adhesive. It handles curves easily and both the permanent and repositionable versions hold extremely well. I’ve never had a problem with slippage or “losing its stick.” I use it every single time I sit down to scrapbook. It is my number one adhesive, adhering paper, photos, chipboard, and embellishments (including metal). The reason it’s controversial is that many users have expressed frustration with “gunking up” after replacing the adhesive roll several times. I find this is solved by taking three easy steps:1. The plastic roll that accepts the used paper from the adhesive roll has a small plastic square tab attached to a crescent. Use a pair of tweezers or pliers to remove this little square and crescent.
2. After removing an old roll (and before inserting a new one), use tweezers to remove any excess adhesive that has gathered in your Dotto.
3. Remove the plastic circle the adhesive dispenses across (the only exposed circle on the Dotto when it is closed) and clean it thoroughly with Un-du.
Two last notes. One, I feel that the adhesive gets used up very quickly in the Dotto. I definitely have to bring several refills to a crop. That may be a testament to how much adhesive I use. Two, I love that if you make a mistake, you can rub away the adhesive dots with your finger. This works much better on cardstock and patterned paper than on a photo or other shiny item.
My go-to adhesive for all dimensional or non-traditional items is Glue Dots. I use two of the variations of Glue Dots: Mini Glue Dots and Craft Glue Dots (larger). Both of these come on a cardboard roll with waxy paper wrapped around it. To “dispense” a glue dot, you pull back the paper to reveal a dot, push your item onto the dot, lift the item (which lifts the dot), and then adhere it wherever you please. Glue dots hold extremely well, and are thus very difficult to remove. But, they work magic with surfaces that don’t like other adhesives and require a strong bond. I use glue dots to adhere buttons, flowers, quilted items, metal, plastic, beads, glass, and so much more!
Finally, I adore Xyron adhesives for their full coverage! I use the following four Xyron adhesive products: Xyron 150 (little orange “x”), Xyron 500 (items up to 5 inches wide. Pictured at left), Xyron 850 (items up to 8.5 inches wide), and the 4-inch Xyron Cheetah. For those unfamiliar with the Xyron sticker maker, it’s a brilliant concept. You place an item into the hole or opening on any of these machines and either turn the handle or simply pull the item through to the other side. Some of the machines have a built-in cutter, others have a jagged edge (like an aluminum foil box) for you to rip off your new “sticker.” The item you inserted will emerge from the other end with full coverage adhesive on the back, and attached to a waxy piece of paper (like a sticker). I like to use my Xyron machines with fabric, ribbon, die-cut letters or shapes, small scraps of paper, or anything that needs full coverage (such as items that will be well-handled). The only warning is that there is sometimes excess adhesive on the edges of items put through the Xyron machines. This is easily solved by using an adhesive eraser (or the cheaper alternative: your finger) to rub away the excess.
The Xyron Cheetah is a little different. It is a hand-held roller that lays down a 4-inch sheet of dots of adhesive. It’s wonderful to have the option of laying down so much adhesive all at once (you can cover the back of a 4x6 photo in a single swipe)! The Cheetah doesn’t work as well on textured surfaces or non-traditional surfaces such as fabric. I use mine for paper and photos exclusively.
In the end, my greatest discovery about adhesive is that there is no perfect adhesive. You have to use a combination of things: “Choose the right tool for the job.”
March 23, 2007
The Search for the Sticky
By Reporter Colleen Schaan
Any crafter knows that finding just the right adhesive can be a sticky situation (sorry for the pun…I couldn’t resist). In my opinion, many adhesive products offer promises they just can’t keep, so I am on a search for the sticky!
Wanna hear what my experiences have been? (Of course you do…many of you have had the same ones and misery loves company right?)
As a novice paper crafter, I used regular old Elmer’s…big mistake! Wet paper blobs and wrinkles ruined my projects no matter how little I used. I quickly moved to Elmer’s Craft Bond Rubber Cement. I liked the cost, the ease of application, and the ability to “move” layers for a few seconds after attaching. I liked how I could easily rub off any extra glue that seeped out after it dried by just gently rubbing my finger over it. I also liked the permanence of this adhesive…until I moved into a home with LOTS of windows in my craft room. All of the cards I created using Rubber Cement quickly fell apart after just a week or two in the sun. (Bummer Dude – I thought I had a winner!)
No longer a novice, I started using Stampin’ Up’s Snail Adhesive when I became a demonstrator. (I later found out that SU uses the Tombow Mono Adhesive brand product.) I LOVE my snail adhesive…so very easy to use. I hate getting gunky fingers and this was the perfect “clean hands” product. I can get adhesive exactly where I need it (except very small spaces) and there is no run-off when layers are pressed down. There are no wrinkles, bubbles, or wet spots. Again, I thought I found a winner in the search for the perfect adhesive…until the layers on my swaps started falling off.
I was so dejected! I had found two adhesives that I really thought were perfect. Why couldn’t they just HOLD? After all…they both said “permanent” on the packages. So my search continued.
I just recently found a new adhesive to try out. I wanted to give Tombow another try, so I purchased a Tombow Mono Aqua (Liquid Glue) with dual applicators. The pen tip is awesome at getting the glue into the smallest of spaces while the broad tip can be used for general application. Like the rubber cement, I like the fact that I can “adjust” a layer as I am attaching it due to the slower drying time. (This may not sound like a big deal, but as I don’t always get the layer on perfect, I often find myself making minor adjustments before I press down.) Even though it is a liquid, the broad applicator tip has minute “bristles” to spread the glue evenly, eliminating blotches and bubbles in the paper. The best part? Nothing (and I mean NOTHING) is going to fall apart after using Tombow’s Mono Aqua. (Why they can’t get that staying power in the Snail is beyond me.) The only complaint I have is that my cards are starting to curl…just the areas where I have used the Mono Aqua. My solution? I keep my card “pressed” under a stamp box for a night or two and that seems to do the trick. I am happier, but it is still not perfect.
My latest acquisition in the search for the sticky is a trio of UHU glue sticks. (Pronounced “You Who”) I have not had the opportunity to use them a lot, but I can tell you already…I don’t like ‘em. Why? Glue sticks = gunky fingers!
So for now I will stick with my Tombow Mono Aqua (sorry, I still can’t resist) until I read about something better. Glad gluing to you all!
Any crafter knows that finding just the right adhesive can be a sticky situation (sorry for the pun…I couldn’t resist). In my opinion, many adhesive products offer promises they just can’t keep, so I am on a search for the sticky!
Wanna hear what my experiences have been? (Of course you do…many of you have had the same ones and misery loves company right?)
As a novice paper crafter, I used regular old Elmer’s…big mistake! Wet paper blobs and wrinkles ruined my projects no matter how little I used. I quickly moved to Elmer’s Craft Bond Rubber Cement. I liked the cost, the ease of application, and the ability to “move” layers for a few seconds after attaching. I liked how I could easily rub off any extra glue that seeped out after it dried by just gently rubbing my finger over it. I also liked the permanence of this adhesive…until I moved into a home with LOTS of windows in my craft room. All of the cards I created using Rubber Cement quickly fell apart after just a week or two in the sun. (Bummer Dude – I thought I had a winner!)
No longer a novice, I started using Stampin’ Up’s Snail Adhesive when I became a demonstrator. (I later found out that SU uses the Tombow Mono Adhesive brand product.) I LOVE my snail adhesive…so very easy to use. I hate getting gunky fingers and this was the perfect “clean hands” product. I can get adhesive exactly where I need it (except very small spaces) and there is no run-off when layers are pressed down. There are no wrinkles, bubbles, or wet spots. Again, I thought I found a winner in the search for the perfect adhesive…until the layers on my swaps started falling off.
I was so dejected! I had found two adhesives that I really thought were perfect. Why couldn’t they just HOLD? After all…they both said “permanent” on the packages. So my search continued.
I just recently found a new adhesive to try out. I wanted to give Tombow another try, so I purchased a Tombow Mono Aqua (Liquid Glue) with dual applicators. The pen tip is awesome at getting the glue into the smallest of spaces while the broad tip can be used for general application. Like the rubber cement, I like the fact that I can “adjust” a layer as I am attaching it due to the slower drying time. (This may not sound like a big deal, but as I don’t always get the layer on perfect, I often find myself making minor adjustments before I press down.) Even though it is a liquid, the broad applicator tip has minute “bristles” to spread the glue evenly, eliminating blotches and bubbles in the paper. The best part? Nothing (and I mean NOTHING) is going to fall apart after using Tombow’s Mono Aqua. (Why they can’t get that staying power in the Snail is beyond me.) The only complaint I have is that my cards are starting to curl…just the areas where I have used the Mono Aqua. My solution? I keep my card “pressed” under a stamp box for a night or two and that seems to do the trick. I am happier, but it is still not perfect.My latest acquisition in the search for the sticky is a trio of UHU glue sticks. (Pronounced “You Who”) I have not had the opportunity to use them a lot, but I can tell you already…I don’t like ‘em. Why? Glue sticks = gunky fingers!
So for now I will stick with my Tombow Mono Aqua (sorry, I still can’t resist) until I read about something better. Glad gluing to you all!
March 21, 2007
Have You Enjoyed Our Challenge?
Did you enter our Fabric Challenge Contest yet? look at our sidebar for a note about how you can win some cool stuff! >>>
TIP: sewing directly onto paper requires a different tension/stitch length that you are used to with fabrics. So you don't have to go through a new learning curve every time you use your sewing machine on paper, just make yourself a stitch "cheat sheet". On a piece of scrap cardstock, sew your favorite lines of stitching and then jot down the machine settings next to each line. Then tuck this card into your sewing basket or machine case. Next time you need to sew on paper it will remind you how to properly set your machine.
After sewing the last card base I was playing around with scraps and I created the background to this next card by just sewing some random lines onto paper. I tore the paper along one of the stitch lines to get a scalloped edge and I sponged the edges of the paper with Rose Red Ink. Again I love how the stitching and loose threads show. I thought this jumbo Prima Flower would be a nice compliment to the sewing. I sprayed it with a bit of silver glitter to sparkle it up some.
I used teeny dots of silver Stickles on the right side of the background to spruce it up further, and a SU! clear button backed in cool caribbean paper topped with a matching gem in the center. here is a touch of stamping on the caribbean background as well... just some random confetti images stamped tone on tone. Organdy ribbon and silver cord add the finishing touch! This card measures 5 1/2 X 5 1/2". The stitched layer adds a unique dimension to this card and helps make it soft and feminine.
I really enjoyed this challenge and hope you did too; we are loving the artwork we are seeing from all of you and hope more of you will enter our current contest! You can win of you don't play!
Google/other feed readers... click HERE.
Edited to add: Some of you have stated you are unable to see the photos in this post. I don't know why this is happening, and things look normal from my end. Hope fully this is a temporary blogger problem. Please check back later; hopefully they will reappear. If anyone knows why this might be happening I'd love some feedback! Thanks!
Inspired to Sew!
Article By Sarah Moore
It was weeks ago that I asked Julie Fei-Fan Balzer if she wouldn't mind kicking off Craft Critique's first Craft Challenge. I though it'd be fun for us to spread our creative wings a bit; and provide a more decorative content to our blog... I mean the Cuttlebug is cute, but it isn't something I want to hang on my wall, you know what I mean? Plus I wanted to give you all a chance to see some of the talent we have here at Craft Critique. I think our reporteds did an amazing job with this challenge, and I hope you are as inspired by their creative stretching as I have been!
I have had a chance to think about this challenge all week; and as in typical Sarah Moore style; I waited until last night to actually sit down and work. I am so intrigued by the Paper/Fabric fusion look. I especially love the look of the sewn line; zig-zag or random quilted shapes... that was really my inspiration for these pieces. I confess; I help many a swatch of fabric in my hand but I couldn't bear to use any of them! I really had this ribbon thing stuck in my head, and I wanted to show you something that anyone with a sewing machine could accomplish, even if they didn't have any suitable fabric handy.
I tend to work on the messy side; and this goes for my sewing too... so I try to just embrace that and let it work FOR me instead of against me. Straight lines, neat corners, everything all lined up... it's just not gonna happen in this brain! These scraps of Yellow Grosgrain are sewn in place by machine with Hot Pink thread. I used a pale pink bobbin thread; so the underside is less dramatic; and surprising. I love how when you open this card you see the stitching, and how the loose strings hang off the ends. I contemplated hiding the sewing between sandwiched layers of paper; but I decided against it. This card is all about showing that each line is sewn, and letting the ribbon and thread really create some terrific texture. It's a card with lots of volume to it already; so I think additional paper layers would just make it heavy and stiff.
TIP: sewing directly onto paper requires a different tension/stitch length that you are used to with fabrics. So you don't have to go through a new learning curve every time you use your sewing machine on paper, just make yourself a stitch "cheat sheet". On a piece of scrap cardstock, sew your favorite lines of stitching and then jot down the machine settings next to each line. Then tuck this card into your sewing basket or machine case. Next time you need to sew on paper it will remind you how to properly set your machine.
After sewing the last card base I was playing around with scraps and I created the background to this next card by just sewing some random lines onto paper. I tore the paper along one of the stitch lines to get a scalloped edge and I sponged the edges of the paper with Rose Red Ink. Again I love how the stitching and loose threads show. I thought this jumbo Prima Flower would be a nice compliment to the sewing. I sprayed it with a bit of silver glitter to sparkle it up some.
I used teeny dots of silver Stickles on the right side of the background to spruce it up further, and a SU! clear button backed in cool caribbean paper topped with a matching gem in the center. here is a touch of stamping on the caribbean background as well... just some random confetti images stamped tone on tone. Organdy ribbon and silver cord add the finishing touch! This card measures 5 1/2 X 5 1/2". The stitched layer adds a unique dimension to this card and helps make it soft and feminine.I really enjoyed this challenge and hope you did too; we are loving the artwork we are seeing from all of you and hope more of you will enter our current contest! You can win of you don't play!
March 20, 2007
Taking the Challenge!
Reported by Amy Westerman
Boy, the fabric challenge Sarah and Julie gave us was truly a challenge for me! I’m strictly a paper and ribbon kind of gal, so using fabric in some way on my cards was going to be a push, to say the least!
In the “olden days”, I loved to sew curtains for my house. But clothes, never! To be honest, I had a hard time understanding pattern directions, so eventually, sewing went by the wayside. Luckily, I had purchased some really fun tie-dyed fabric about a year ago, so I set about figuring out how I might use it in my card making. The fabric was luscious shades of bright orange and pink. I wanted to make this as simple as possible, so I just cut a piece of the fabric nearly as big as the card front, and treated it simply as I did designer paper. The fabric became my first layer on the card. This is what I eventually ended up with. A vibrant card inspired by the luscious colors in the fabric! I was surprised….this was a fairly easy thing to do!
The second project I did with the same luscious orange and pink fabric. It is my book on Color. Or more importantly, it’s a book that will highlight the role color plays in my life. I want the book to eventually be filled with the papers, flowers, ribbons and fabrics that inspire me every single day, in every single thing I do. Seeing as I’m such a designer paper freak, this book will be filled in no time! On the cover, I laid out papers that I love in a quilt like fashion. The cover was made over a year ago! I must have been thinking “fabric” even back then! I haven’t worked on the book since I did the cover, so I thought this fabric challenge would be the perfect time to start working on it again.
Here’s the completed page I made using the orange and pink fabric. I included a photo of me as a young girl on the page, because I was inspired by these two colors all the way back then. In fact, my bedroom was decorated in these very same colors! I actually weaved two different fabrics together to make the fabric the base of the page. Then I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the letters that spell out “Color Inspires Me”. The center of the flower is chipboard covered in some new Basic Grey paper. The leaves of the flower are cardstock punched out with my new tiny scallop punch.
It’s amazing how easily fabric was incorporated into my work. I loved it and will definitely use it on my cards again!
Boy, the fabric challenge Sarah and Julie gave us was truly a challenge for me! I’m strictly a paper and ribbon kind of gal, so using fabric in some way on my cards was going to be a push, to say the least!
In the “olden days”, I loved to sew curtains for my house. But clothes, never! To be honest, I had a hard time understanding pattern directions, so eventually, sewing went by the wayside. Luckily, I had purchased some really fun tie-dyed fabric about a year ago, so I set about figuring out how I might use it in my card making. The fabric was luscious shades of bright orange and pink. I wanted to make this as simple as possible, so I just cut a piece of the fabric nearly as big as the card front, and treated it simply as I did designer paper. The fabric became my first layer on the card. This is what I eventually ended up with. A vibrant card inspired by the luscious colors in the fabric! I was surprised….this was a fairly easy thing to do!
The second project I did with the same luscious orange and pink fabric. It is my book on Color. Or more importantly, it’s a book that will highlight the role color plays in my life. I want the book to eventually be filled with the papers, flowers, ribbons and fabrics that inspire me every single day, in every single thing I do. Seeing as I’m such a designer paper freak, this book will be filled in no time! On the cover, I laid out papers that I love in a quilt like fashion. The cover was made over a year ago! I must have been thinking “fabric” even back then! I haven’t worked on the book since I did the cover, so I thought this fabric challenge would be the perfect time to start working on it again.
Here’s the completed page I made using the orange and pink fabric. I included a photo of me as a young girl on the page, because I was inspired by these two colors all the way back then. In fact, my bedroom was decorated in these very same colors! I actually weaved two different fabrics together to make the fabric the base of the page. Then I used my Cuttlebug to cut out the letters that spell out “Color Inspires Me”. The center of the flower is chipboard covered in some new Basic Grey paper. The leaves of the flower are cardstock punched out with my new tiny scallop punch.
It’s amazing how easily fabric was incorporated into my work. I loved it and will definitely use it on my cards again!
March 19, 2007
Inspired By Fibre Arts!
Firstly... be sure to look at our sidebar for a note about how you can win some cool stuff! >>>
Cindy slowly guides this folded ribbon through her machine, using an object
(not her finger... OUCH!) to lead the fabric. What a handy tip!
Google/other feed readers... click HERE.
Cindy's love of quilting inspires her work
By Reporter Cindy Keery
If you've ever been to a Fibre Arts Festival you'll know what I mean when I say how inspiring it can be. I had the wonderful opportunity to take in the Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival last summer in Gibsons, BC,
Seeing all the beautiful quilts on display was so awe inspiring. You can't help but want to start quilting when you see all the amazing possibilities. There's such a huge range of gorgeous fabrics and an endless number of patterns and quilting techniques to try. Entire lines of fabrics are all designed to coordinate perfectly, taking the guess work out of fabric selection and quilt design. In a way it's like purchasing a kit of coordinating designer papers for scrapbooking or card making.
One particular brand of fabric really caught my eye was Moda Fabrics. My first quilt was a 36" square quilt made with star blocks and for this quilt I used Moda Poetry Collection designer fabric by April Cornell. It's such a delightful, feminine, springy line. Then I used the Moda Chocolat fabric to make a queen sized quilt for my husband and I. I just LOVE how well these fabrics are designed and how beautifully they coordinate together. The Moda Chocolat line is so incredibly rich both in how in looks and also how it feels. I just love the paisleys and the florals… ahhhh just beautiful!
One thing I discovered is that Daisy D has a line of paper that is based on the Moda Fabrics! I was able to find some recently at my local scrapbook shop! It will be so neat to be able to make a scrapbook page about my quilt using paper that coordinates with the quilt!
I quickly learned that there's a huge difference between fabrics available on the market. For example, you can pick up some cute looking polyester at Wal Mart for around $4 (CDN) per meter or you can visit your local quilt shop and purchase 100% cotton top quality designer fabric for $15.95 (CDN) per meter. The difference in your final product will astound you! It's just like the difference between the patterned paper you can get at the Dollar Giant (a whole package for only $1.00!) and the gorgeous Crate Paper that you can get at your local scrapbook store. While the Dollar Giant paper may seem like a really great bargain, your finished cards & scrapbook pages will be 100 times more beautiful if you use the quality products. The bottom line is you get what you pay for whether it's in quilting or paper crafting.
When I heard about the latest challenge on Craft Critique I sat down in my craft room and got busy sewing on cards! If I'm sitting at my stamp table all I have to do is spin around in my chair and I am sitting at my sewing machine! Sometimes it pays to have a tiny space. LOL.
For awhile I've been doing faux stitching on my cards, but I haven't been really thrilled with the results. I've been using a brass template from Lasting Impressions as a guide for poking my holes with the Making Memories piercing tool. The problem is that you can't see through the brass template to see the edge of your card stock in order to line it up properly. To remedy this situation I've ordered the Stampin' Up! mat pack from my demonstrator. The downside to the Stampin' Up! piercing template is that it's smaller than a card front, but for now it will have to do. The other thing I do not like about faux stitching is the white pen I use to draw the stitches between the holes doesn't work very well. I have the white Signo gel pen from Stampin' Up! and I find that it's streaky and doesn't work half the time. It has been like this since the day I got it… so it's not like it's worn out.
To tell you the truth, I much prefer REAL stitching over the fake stuff! I find it much faster to just zing my card stock through my sewing machine to add a pretty stitched border, 2 piece card stock together or to attach ribbon - with real thread! If you have a sewing machine that's just collecting dust I encourage you to dig it out and set it up in a corner of your craft area. Then thread it and plug it in so it's ready to go when inspiration hits! Next time you're thinking about faux stitching why not try the real thing instead? I am sure you'll be delighted with the results.
Cindy slowly guides this folded ribbon through her machine, using an object(not her finger... OUCH!) to lead the fabric. What a handy tip!
March 18, 2007
Create Memories with Fabric
Firstly... be sure to look at our sidebar for a note about how you can win some cool stuff! >>>
Google/other feed readers... click HERE.
By Reporter Melissa Norris
Papercrafts and fabric have slowly been fusing together for a while now. First with ribbons, eyelets, buttons, and snaps, now with sewing, embroidery, and fabric itself. This challenge had been set before us for a while but I didn't know quite where to begin. Well the same day I was thinking about it starting the challenge the Splitcoast Stampers Ways to Use It challenge was on the same topic...using fabric with your cards. I pulled out my fabric and got to work!
I was working on some scrapbooking layouts for a potential job and I decided to use sewing and fabric elements. I wanted the pictures and buttons to be the the focal point so I chose some Pink Passion (SU) cardstock to match Haydrienne's dress and hat. I wanted the paper to have some type of background print but I didn't want it to be a focal point so I chose to pin stripe it. I used the zig zag stitch on my sewing machine and made my own patterned paper.
To cover up some of the starting points/ends I sponged the sides in black ink (Basic Black SU). To mirror the ric-rac on her dress, I chose some Gable Green (SU) cardstock and cut it using my Creative Memories decorative trimmer. I glued it on the pink and placed my pictures. Next I took my bag of buttons (assorted bag from Wal-Mart) and with my Crystal Effects glue (SU) I glued the buttons along the edge. I chose, at the time, not to add any titles or journaling but I may still do that. I mostly just wanted to enhance the pictures instead of overshadowing them with a bunch of stuff.
Google/other feed readers... click HERE.
By Reporter Melissa Norris
Papercrafts and fabric have slowly been fusing together for a while now. First with ribbons, eyelets, buttons, and snaps, now with sewing, embroidery, and fabric itself. This challenge had been set before us for a while but I didn't know quite where to begin. Well the same day I was thinking about it starting the challenge the Splitcoast Stampers Ways to Use It challenge was on the same topic...using fabric with your cards. I pulled out my fabric and got to work!
To cover up some of the starting points/ends I sponged the sides in black ink (Basic Black SU). To mirror the ric-rac on her dress, I chose some Gable Green (SU) cardstock and cut it using my Creative Memories decorative trimmer. I glued it on the pink and placed my pictures. Next I took my bag of buttons (assorted bag from Wal-Mart) and with my Crystal Effects glue (SU) I glued the buttons along the edge. I chose, at the time, not to add any titles or journaling but I may still do that. I mostly just wanted to enhance the pictures instead of overshadowing them with a bunch of stuff.
When doing the fabric kitties card (featured on my blog in the last Carnival) I really got to thinking about how fabric can bring back memories. I used the kitty fabric to make a dress for Haydrienne last summer and now every time I see that fabric I think about her and the dress.
When going through my drawer of fabric scraps I found this plaid fabric. This fabric was used on a t-shirt I received in college from one of my sorority sisters. In sororities we have a big sister and a family. This is my family fabric and was used on our family shirt. When I saw the fabric all of those memories came back and I knew I had to use it as a background for a card for my big sister. I sewed the fabric directly on the card (I find that easier than trying to get different adhesives to stick well). I then stamped images from the Love Matters (SU) set and colored them with my pastels and blender pens. Then I popped the cut outs up with dimensionals. I can't wait to send her this card because I know that all those good memories will come back to her too.
Now I am definitely not the sewer in my family. That's my mom. She was making things since way before I was born. But one of the things she made me was this quilt of all of my sorority t-shirts (she also made me one of all my high school shirts). When I saw the quilt on my bed and thinking about this challenge it really got me to thinking about how a quilt can be a scrapbook in it's own right. I never could have put all of these shirts in my paper scrapbook, so she made the memories into something else. I can't wait to get to share these memories with Haydrienne when she gets older and with other sisters who have never seen it. So I just wanted to give this shout out to my mom for taking the time to make this "scrapbook" for me and hopefully I will be able to do the same someday.
When going through my drawer of fabric scraps I found this plaid fabric. This fabric was used on a t-shirt I received in college from one of my sorority sisters. In sororities we have a big sister and a family. This is my family fabric and was used on our family shirt. When I saw the fabric all of those memories came back and I knew I had to use it as a background for a card for my big sister. I sewed the fabric directly on the card (I find that easier than trying to get different adhesives to stick well). I then stamped images from the Love Matters (SU) set and colored them with my pastels and blender pens. Then I popped the cut outs up with dimensionals. I can't wait to send her this card because I know that all those good memories will come back to her too.
Now I am definitely not the sewer in my family. That's my mom. She was making things since way before I was born. But one of the things she made me was this quilt of all of my sorority t-shirts (she also made me one of all my high school shirts). When I saw the quilt on my bed and thinking about this challenge it really got me to thinking about how a quilt can be a scrapbook in it's own right. I never could have put all of these shirts in my paper scrapbook, so she made the memories into something else. I can't wait to get to share these memories with Haydrienne when she gets older and with other sisters who have never seen it. So I just wanted to give this shout out to my mom for taking the time to make this "scrapbook" for me and hopefully I will be able to do the same someday.Everything in our life holds a memory. Whether it be a picture, a letter, or a newsclipping to a t-shirt, piece of a dress, or part of an old blanket. It's up to us as crafters to take those everyday items that may get lost in the shuffle by themselves and to work them into something important and treasured so that they can be passed on to others.
March 17, 2007
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Please enjoy this break in our Fabric Challenge while we celebrate St. Patrick's Day with our Reporter; Michelle Laycock!
If you are like me and you admire the Celtic designs on Irish dance costumes, then you will love the line of rubber stamps at Scottish Borders Stamping. Today I offer a St. Patrick's Day special Craft Critique feature all about Celtic stamps and also an additional Celtic stamping feature on Ink Artist! Grab an ale or Irish Breakfast Tea and enjoy!
Scottish Borders Stamping has a full line of Irish, Scottish, and British stamp designs. They also carry Medieval, mythological and fantasy designs. Their stamps are available in either unmounted or mounted and they are red rubber and deeply etched. They are a Scottish owned and operated family business based in Houston, Texas. With greeting stamps in English, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh languages, they cover just about all the stamping needs of British Isles fans worldwide.
For those who can only dream of what it was like to be a Medieval scribe creating beautiful illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, Scottish Borders Stamping satisfies this dream by offering a selection of beautifully illuminated words. These stamps are perfect for using in scrapbook pages chronicling your own family.
Brides who wish to design wedding invitations and accessories with a Celtic theme simply love their selection of Celtic wedding symbols.
For some people, the whole idea of coloring small detailed areas of Celtic knotwork images isn't very appealing. I have a tip that will help you conquor your fears of knotwork detail and bring out your Irish creativity!
My easy tip? Emboss first! That's right, Use a pigment ink to stamp your Celtic image and emboss using either a clear or sparkly embossing powder. Once your image is embossed, the raised lines will keep your marker tip in check, enabling you to keep the beautiful colors inside the lines! Please enjoy a video Tutorial here.
This bookmark was made with a circular knotted stamp image from one of the cube stamps. The cube stamps include 4 different images on one stamp cube. Waterfall cards are ideal to create with the four coordinating circular images on the cube stamps. Take a look at this waterfall card.
The Design Team at Scottish Borders Stamping has created other Waterfall card samples here. Some are colored in, some are embossed and some are just stamped direct to paper.
Ever fancy ordering a clan badge for using on stationery? Make the members of your family "green" with envy when you use your clan badge! Here is a notecard I made with my clan badge "Macpherson"! If they don't have a stamp for the clan you are looking for, they will do their best to have one made up!
If knotwork is not your style, Scottish Borders Stamping has whimsical Irish images to satisfy you.
Design Team member Julia Shanahan from Dublin, Ireland made this fun card:
A little gold marker makes the gold shine in the pot of gold on this card:
Scottish Borders Stamping is the only company currently offering a selection of stamps in the style of Charles Rennie MacKintosh, a famous architect and decorative arts designer. Take a look at Ink Artist today for some samples featuring a Charles Rennie MacKintosh inspired greeting!
Additional websites for artistic inspiration:
Website of Celtic artist Courney Davis
Website of Celtic artist Cari Buziak
Rubber Stamp artist Lynn Mercurio stamps St. Patrick's Day cards
Snowflake Ornament post at the blog "Indigo Inklings" which was decorated with a stamp from Scottish Borders Stamping
Have a safe and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
If you are like me and you admire the Celtic designs on Irish dance costumes, then you will love the line of rubber stamps at Scottish Borders Stamping. Today I offer a St. Patrick's Day special Craft Critique feature all about Celtic stamps and also an additional Celtic stamping feature on Ink Artist! Grab an ale or Irish Breakfast Tea and enjoy!
Scottish Borders Stamping has a full line of Irish, Scottish, and British stamp designs. They also carry Medieval, mythological and fantasy designs. Their stamps are available in either unmounted or mounted and they are red rubber and deeply etched. They are a Scottish owned and operated family business based in Houston, Texas. With greeting stamps in English, Irish Gaelic, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh languages, they cover just about all the stamping needs of British Isles fans worldwide.
For those who can only dream of what it was like to be a Medieval scribe creating beautiful illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells, Scottish Borders Stamping satisfies this dream by offering a selection of beautifully illuminated words. These stamps are perfect for using in scrapbook pages chronicling your own family.Brides who wish to design wedding invitations and accessories with a Celtic theme simply love their selection of Celtic wedding symbols.
For some people, the whole idea of coloring small detailed areas of Celtic knotwork images isn't very appealing. I have a tip that will help you conquor your fears of knotwork detail and bring out your Irish creativity!
My easy tip? Emboss first! That's right, Use a pigment ink to stamp your Celtic image and emboss using either a clear or sparkly embossing powder. Once your image is embossed, the raised lines will keep your marker tip in check, enabling you to keep the beautiful colors inside the lines! Please enjoy a video Tutorial here.
This bookmark was made with a circular knotted stamp image from one of the cube stamps. The cube stamps include 4 different images on one stamp cube. Waterfall cards are ideal to create with the four coordinating circular images on the cube stamps. Take a look at this waterfall card.
The Design Team at Scottish Borders Stamping has created other Waterfall card samples here. Some are colored in, some are embossed and some are just stamped direct to paper.Ever fancy ordering a clan badge for using on stationery? Make the members of your family "green" with envy when you use your clan badge! Here is a notecard I made with my clan badge "Macpherson"! If they don't have a stamp for the clan you are looking for, they will do their best to have one made up!
If knotwork is not your style, Scottish Borders Stamping has whimsical Irish images to satisfy you.
Design Team member Julia Shanahan from Dublin, Ireland made this fun card:
A little gold marker makes the gold shine in the pot of gold on this card:
Scottish Borders Stamping is the only company currently offering a selection of stamps in the style of Charles Rennie MacKintosh, a famous architect and decorative arts designer. Take a look at Ink Artist today for some samples featuring a Charles Rennie MacKintosh inspired greeting!Additional websites for artistic inspiration:
Website of Celtic artist Courney Davis
Website of Celtic artist Cari Buziak
Rubber Stamp artist Lynn Mercurio stamps St. Patrick's Day cards
Snowflake Ornament post at the blog "Indigo Inklings" which was decorated with a stamp from Scottish Borders Stamping
Have a safe and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
March 16, 2007
More Fabric Inspired Cards
Cards Inspired by Home Decor
Reported By Colleen Schaan
I love to go to fabric stores! I walk down the aisle dragging my hand over the bolts of cloth; I touch and see and feel the textures and colors…I become ONE with the material. I have always loved the velvety smoothness of satin, the cool slither of silk, even the heavy depth of upholstery.
I was challenged to put my love for paper and my love for fabric together this past week. It was much more difficult than I imagined.
I am just a novice when it comes to sewing. I valiantly decided to make my own draperies for our new house a few months ago, and I did okay (as long as you don’t look too closely…and is Velcro cheating?) With this same determination, I decided to whip out my new machine and put thread to paper. I cut out various “squares” from two different patterns of designer paper. I sewed each piece of paper to the slightly larger cardstock backing (as you can see, I don’t do straight lines or stops and starts very well…) and then pieced them together to create a “quilt-like” layout. I added the sentiment (machine stitched also) because it reminded me of those cross-stitch samplers that are so popular.
The actual fabric I used for our bedroom curtains inspired my second example. The fabric is a thick and elegant in rich browns, golds, and musky blues…(I LOVE it). I wanted to showcase the intricate design of the fabric while keeping the “feel” it creates. I used Chocolate Chip and Not Quite Navy to mimic the colors. I cut a strip from the fabric and used it as an accent behind the main image which is lightly watercolored and distressed. I added faux stitching around the sentiment and main image, wrapped gold thread randomly around it, added a clear button with a gold thread tie, and pulled it all together with a leaf-like image cut from the fabric. I am really excited about the outcome of this card…I think it exudes the warmth and richness that the fabric inspires.
This challenge has made me look at both fabric and paper in a different way. Now when I visit the fabric store and run my hand over the bolts of cloth, I am imagining cards and scrapbook pages as well as pillows and curtains.
For an additional “fabric” inspired creation, check out my blog; Distinctive Touches.
Reported By Colleen Schaan
I love to go to fabric stores! I walk down the aisle dragging my hand over the bolts of cloth; I touch and see and feel the textures and colors…I become ONE with the material. I have always loved the velvety smoothness of satin, the cool slither of silk, even the heavy depth of upholstery.
I was challenged to put my love for paper and my love for fabric together this past week. It was much more difficult than I imagined.
I am just a novice when it comes to sewing. I valiantly decided to make my own draperies for our new house a few months ago, and I did okay (as long as you don’t look too closely…and is Velcro cheating?) With this same determination, I decided to whip out my new machine and put thread to paper. I cut out various “squares” from two different patterns of designer paper. I sewed each piece of paper to the slightly larger cardstock backing (as you can see, I don’t do straight lines or stops and starts very well…) and then pieced them together to create a “quilt-like” layout. I added the sentiment (machine stitched also) because it reminded me of those cross-stitch samplers that are so popular.
The actual fabric I used for our bedroom curtains inspired my second example. The fabric is a thick and elegant in rich browns, golds, and musky blues…(I LOVE it). I wanted to showcase the intricate design of the fabric while keeping the “feel” it creates. I used Chocolate Chip and Not Quite Navy to mimic the colors. I cut a strip from the fabric and used it as an accent behind the main image which is lightly watercolored and distressed. I added faux stitching around the sentiment and main image, wrapped gold thread randomly around it, added a clear button with a gold thread tie, and pulled it all together with a leaf-like image cut from the fabric. I am really excited about the outcome of this card…I think it exudes the warmth and richness that the fabric inspires.
This challenge has made me look at both fabric and paper in a different way. Now when I visit the fabric store and run my hand over the bolts of cloth, I am imagining cards and scrapbook pages as well as pillows and curtains.For an additional “fabric” inspired creation, check out my blog; Distinctive Touches.
March 15, 2007
A Book Review!
Scrapbook Styles: Fabrics & Florals by Jill Miller 
Watson-Guptill Publications 2006, 80 pages
Reported By Donna Lannerd
I am a textile person. I like to feel fabrics and yarns. I have always like the idea of scrapbooking but to just work with paper never took hold of me like fiberarts, but I have tons of photos. I have boxes of print photos. I have files upon files of digital photos. I really need to do something with them. That is why I was so excited to find this book and I cannot put it down.
Jill Miller has compiled an impressive collection of ideas for you to use, not only with fabrics but ribbons, yarns, keepsakes and silk flowers. She also shows pages using quilting as inspiration for your scrapbook pages by using papers and photos as part of the quilt pattern. Another one of her ideas is creating a digital page and embellishing it with fabric trims after printed. You can also see pages with papers machine and handstitched to the background page. One of the more unusual ideas is using a shirt and tie to cover a page and then adorned with photos. The ideas are really limitless.
The book has beautiful photographs of Jill Miller's scrapbook pages and even the pages of the book are done in a scapbook style. Each page shown has a photo, description of the project, materials used and level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). This is an idea book and lacks step-by-step tutorials but it will give you a good sense of design elements without all the technical jargon. It is a source of great inspiration.
I have started this page using ideas from the book. Although she has used tape to attach fabric to a cardstock sheet, I used Heat-n-Bond to fuse my cat fabric and paper together. I matted my photos onto cardstock that I pen-stitched the edges as shown in the book. I tore a strip of fabric, stamped my images, then did a running stitch to attach it to the page. You can see the penstitching and running stitch better in the close up.
If you decide to Buy This Book
Please use the links on this post to connect to Amazon.com. Doing so will help keep us blogging!
Watson-Guptill Publications 2006, 80 pages
Reported By Donna Lannerd
I am a textile person. I like to feel fabrics and yarns. I have always like the idea of scrapbooking but to just work with paper never took hold of me like fiberarts, but I have tons of photos. I have boxes of print photos. I have files upon files of digital photos. I really need to do something with them. That is why I was so excited to find this book and I cannot put it down.Jill Miller has compiled an impressive collection of ideas for you to use, not only with fabrics but ribbons, yarns, keepsakes and silk flowers. She also shows pages using quilting as inspiration for your scrapbook pages by using papers and photos as part of the quilt pattern. Another one of her ideas is creating a digital page and embellishing it with fabric trims after printed. You can also see pages with papers machine and handstitched to the background page. One of the more unusual ideas is using a shirt and tie to cover a page and then adorned with photos. The ideas are really limitless.
The book has beautiful photographs of Jill Miller's scrapbook pages and even the pages of the book are done in a scapbook style. Each page shown has a photo, description of the project, materials used and level (beginner, intermediate, advanced). This is an idea book and lacks step-by-step tutorials but it will give you a good sense of design elements without all the technical jargon. It is a source of great inspiration.
I have started this page using ideas from the book. Although she has used tape to attach fabric to a cardstock sheet, I used Heat-n-Bond to fuse my cat fabric and paper together. I matted my photos onto cardstock that I pen-stitched the edges as shown in the book. I tore a strip of fabric, stamped my images, then did a running stitch to attach it to the page. You can see the penstitching and running stitch better in the close up.
If you decide to Buy This Book
Please use the links on this post to connect to Amazon.com. Doing so will help keep us blogging!
March 14, 2007
Fabric Challenge Carnival!
Look at all the cool bloggers who decided to take place in the Fabric Challenge Carnival! Thanks to all of you for your wonderful submissions. Stay tuned for an announcement on Saturday afternoon about an additional Challenge and an opportunity for you to win some fun stuff! Whoo Hoo!
Be sure to visit all these links, and tell 'em Craft Critique sent you!
ALSO: if you find YOURSELF listed here... we'd love a little "Link-back Love"! It's not required but it is a nice thing if you can do it!!
............
First up we have Cathleen at Crafty Thoughts... she has a couple cool fabric related cards. First a Faux stitch card, and also a great post with several lovely cards... but be sure to check the second card down; really sweet card with stamping on Aida cloth and then WATERCOLORED! Really "out of the box"! I love it!
Our own Melissa Norris has a great card with a simple fabric background... what a great idea Melissa!
And Amy, also A Craft Critique Reporter... well she did the same thing! What a bright and pretty card!
Thanks to Bobbie at Inspired By Ink... She has a super cute Crazy Quilt card! WONDERFUL work!
Gina K. has a fantastic looking and EASY way to add fabric to your cards... take a look at how a Paper Punch can help you out!
Be sure to visit all these links, and tell 'em Craft Critique sent you!
ALSO: if you find YOURSELF listed here... we'd love a little "Link-back Love"! It's not required but it is a nice thing if you can do it!!
............
First up we have Cathleen at Crafty Thoughts... she has a couple cool fabric related cards. First a Faux stitch card, and also a great post with several lovely cards... but be sure to check the second card down; really sweet card with stamping on Aida cloth and then WATERCOLORED! Really "out of the box"! I love it!
Our own Melissa Norris has a great card with a simple fabric background... what a great idea Melissa!
And Amy, also A Craft Critique Reporter... well she did the same thing! What a bright and pretty card!
Thanks to Bobbie at Inspired By Ink... She has a super cute Crazy Quilt card! WONDERFUL work!
Gina K. has a fantastic looking and EASY way to add fabric to your cards... take a look at how a Paper Punch can help you out!
Also from Craft Critique; we have Cindy Keery... she has a Faux Stitching Tutorial, and a beautiful card with a stitched embellishment of linen thread... pretty!
Here is another Faux Stitching card; although you'd never know it! What grabbed me MOST about this was the intricate quilted layout. Thanks Lisa!!
Check out Belle Papier... I know this isn't fabric as a focal point... but it's a swell example of how just a touch of fabric can add some tactille fun and uniqueness to a project!
Paige McKay at Little Green Dot is such a terrific artist... she has an elegant "no sew" fabric card made with Gold Silk! It's quite lovely, and a great use for little scraps!
Dale Anne is a Multi media artist... Obviously with papercraft and quilting colliding a lot! I loved this concept... Fabric Postcards! How COOL are these!!!
Lori at "Make a Difference" made what I thougth was a wonderful "no sew" card with Fabric used instead of background paper. Simple and SWEET!
Check out the Fabric Embellishments on this card over at "Paper Sunshine". I am totally gonna bust out my Cuttlebug and try this!!! Cool!
Look what I did over at "Sarah and the Stampstars!" I used fabric scraps instead of ribbon to decorate the top of my Altered Paint Can! Toot-toot!
Jana Weaver... We love this faux fabric quilty card! Bonus that it has a SUPER CUTE Stamping Bella Stamp! We love our Bellas!
And check out this WHOLE BLOG :Beate's Fabric Art... (no, it's not SCS Beate... this is ANOTHER amazing Beate!) This stuff is so inspiring! WOW!
And last but not least... this week's "Ways to use it Challenge" on Splitcoaststampers was with FABRIC! Take a look at all the creations HERE... if you can't see all the images; then you should register for SCS. It's FREE!!
Hey... did we forget something cool from your blog or your fave bloggers??? Just leave a comment and let the world know! :)
Here is another Faux Stitching card; although you'd never know it! What grabbed me MOST about this was the intricate quilted layout. Thanks Lisa!!
Check out Belle Papier... I know this isn't fabric as a focal point... but it's a swell example of how just a touch of fabric can add some tactille fun and uniqueness to a project!
Paige McKay at Little Green Dot is such a terrific artist... she has an elegant "no sew" fabric card made with Gold Silk! It's quite lovely, and a great use for little scraps!
Dale Anne is a Multi media artist... Obviously with papercraft and quilting colliding a lot! I loved this concept... Fabric Postcards! How COOL are these!!!
Lori at "Make a Difference" made what I thougth was a wonderful "no sew" card with Fabric used instead of background paper. Simple and SWEET!
Check out the Fabric Embellishments on this card over at "Paper Sunshine". I am totally gonna bust out my Cuttlebug and try this!!! Cool!
Look what I did over at "Sarah and the Stampstars!" I used fabric scraps instead of ribbon to decorate the top of my Altered Paint Can! Toot-toot!
Jana Weaver... We love this faux fabric quilty card! Bonus that it has a SUPER CUTE Stamping Bella Stamp! We love our Bellas!
And check out this WHOLE BLOG :Beate's Fabric Art... (no, it's not SCS Beate... this is ANOTHER amazing Beate!) This stuff is so inspiring! WOW!
And last but not least... this week's "Ways to use it Challenge" on Splitcoaststampers was with FABRIC! Take a look at all the creations HERE... if you can't see all the images; then you should register for SCS. It's FREE!!
Hey... did we forget something cool from your blog or your fave bloggers??? Just leave a comment and let the world know! :)
March 13, 2007
Stiffy Fabric Stiffener
Add Texture to Your Papercrafts
Reported by Michelle Laycock
Several years ago I taught a fabric stiffener technique at a paper crafting class. When Craft Critique was in search of tips on using products related to fabric I decided to dig my Stiffy Fabric Stiffener out of the cabinet and play.
Stiffy fabric stiffener is a liquid medium that dries invisible and leaves a matte finish on your fabric. It is a popular product used in crochet. In sewing, it can be used to laminate lace to fabric and for applique.
But Stiffy isn't just for sewing! It can also be used in paper crafting. Add fabric to your cards to give the receiver a tactile treat.
Start with a thin, light fabric
For use in paper crafting, Stiffy works best if you start with a thin, light fabric. In this tutorial, I've chosen a beautiful chocolate brown stone-washed silk. (I happened to have an out-of-date silk skirt that I no longer wear, so I'm giving it new life by recycling it for this project).
Brush Stiffy fabric stiffener all over the silk using a foam craft brush. Let dry at least 45 minutes. You may want to hang it on a clothes line. If you are impatient, speed up the process by using a heat gun.
When it is dry, iron your silk with a low setting.
The silk can now be cut with a scrapbooking cutter just as if it is paper. You can also stamp on your silk with pigment ink, punch the edges of your silk with a corner punch and adhere using glue stick or glue dots.
Looks like cardstock, feels like silk!
In my finished creation, all of the chocolate brown layers are actually stone-washed silk which gives the card a nice feel!
To use lightweight fabrics in paper crafting, Stiffy fabric stiffener is exactly the medium you need to make the job turn out right. Even a light, airy, untameable silk can be used in the same way as cardstock... for a beautiful effect!
Reported by Michelle Laycock
Several years ago I taught a fabric stiffener technique at a paper crafting class. When Craft Critique was in search of tips on using products related to fabric I decided to dig my Stiffy Fabric Stiffener out of the cabinet and play.Stiffy fabric stiffener is a liquid medium that dries invisible and leaves a matte finish on your fabric. It is a popular product used in crochet. In sewing, it can be used to laminate lace to fabric and for applique.
But Stiffy isn't just for sewing! It can also be used in paper crafting. Add fabric to your cards to give the receiver a tactile treat.
Start with a thin, light fabricFor use in paper crafting, Stiffy works best if you start with a thin, light fabric. In this tutorial, I've chosen a beautiful chocolate brown stone-washed silk. (I happened to have an out-of-date silk skirt that I no longer wear, so I'm giving it new life by recycling it for this project).
The process
Place your fabric on a non-stick surface. Don't use a paper surface, as the fabric will stick to the paper. I use my craft table with no surface protection.
Place your fabric on a non-stick surface. Don't use a paper surface, as the fabric will stick to the paper. I use my craft table with no surface protection.
Brush Stiffy fabric stiffener all over the silk using a foam craft brush. Let dry at least 45 minutes. You may want to hang it on a clothes line. If you are impatient, speed up the process by using a heat gun.
When it is dry, iron your silk with a low setting.
The silk can now be cut with a scrapbooking cutter just as if it is paper. You can also stamp on your silk with pigment ink, punch the edges of your silk with a corner punch and adhere using glue stick or glue dots.
Looks like cardstock, feels like silk!In my finished creation, all of the chocolate brown layers are actually stone-washed silk which gives the card a nice feel!
To use lightweight fabrics in paper crafting, Stiffy fabric stiffener is exactly the medium you need to make the job turn out right. Even a light, airy, untameable silk can be used in the same way as cardstock... for a beautiful effect!
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