Creative Metal™ by Walnut Hollow

Reported by Lisa Fulmer

Creative Metal™ is a selection of tools and texture plates for embossing or debossing soft metal sheets. You can adhere the decorative metal designs you create on to frames, boxes, vases, etc. My first thought when I saw this product at Winter CHA 2010 was to create my own metal embellishments for greeting cards and artist trading cards.

The beginner kit comes with a TON of stuff, including 2 pen-sized handles,18 different interchangeable tips, metal scissors, a ruler, a paper stump tool, a texture plate, and a foam work pad. It came with only one 3.5” square piece of practice metal...I definitely could have used another sheet or two to practice on, before opening up my pack of “good” sheets (sold separately).

I spent about 30 minutes with the instructions and the piece of practice metal, trying out all the different tools and parts to see what they did. I was surprised at how heavy my hand was; I tore the metal several times. After a little while, I got the hang of using a lighter touch. I found the paper stump tool to be easier to play with first, then I graduated to the metal tool.

I also played with two additional packs of texture plates. I found these to be a bit challenging to keep the sheet in place and feel my way around the pattern as I pushed the metal into the crevices. Could just be that I lack patience and I was trying to move too fast...you definitely want to work slowly to prevent the tool from slipping and denting the metal in the wrong places. I found if I pressed the metal sheet all around the texture plate with my fingers first, I could see a trace of the pattern, making it easier to start using the tools. Once you have debossed the pattern, then you can turn the metal over so the design is now embossed. Either way looks nice!

Using different tips, you can make the edges of the design nice and crisp, or smooth the metal around the edges to “erase” stray dents. My boo-boo’s were still noticable...but with some practice, my skills improved! I actually liked the smaller patterns best; it was easier to control the debossing.

I really liked the “ball and cup” tip sets that came in two sizes. First you dent the metal with the ball on the foam pad, then you turn the sheet over onto a hard surface and seal it into a cute little raised dot.

All the different border wheels were fun and super easy to use too, with or without a ruler.

My favorite tip of all was the one for writing and drawing...I love the look of freehand lettering and doodling in the metal. The metal is soft enough that your normal handwriting comes across nicely as a debossed image. If you can write backwards, the letters look even better embossed.

Tinting the metal with alcohol inks was really fun, too! I doodled an embellishment for an ATC...I used one of the rollers to add texture to the petals of a punched flower for a greeting card...then I went all crazy, cutting and debossing petals that I painted first with red and gold alcohol inks to make a big flower for a holiday wreath. And I’m saving all my metal scraps to make a cool mosaic one of these days!


Pros

• The instructions for each piece in the kit are informative and free projects are included
• Metal sheets come in a variety of sizes and colors—small squares, strips or larger pieces on a roll...in aluminum, brass or copper
• Lots of cute project ideas on the Walnut Hollow site
• Metal is soft enough so that the edges are not sharp
• Plenty of accessories in the line, including different project kits
• Reasonably priced - the beginner kit I used is $30, but you can get started with a tool, a few tips, a pad and some metal sheets for under $20

Cons

• The paper texture tool (aka “stump”) came unglued after a few minutes of use and started to unravel...but a little gaffer tape fixed it right up
  
• The soft metal sheets are fairly fragile...hard to handle without denting them
  
• The smoothing tools don’t completely restore the surface
• Working with the texture plates takes quite a bit of practice (and patience) to get a nice design without the metal slipping around, or tearing, or getting dented in the wrong places

Have you used the Creative Metal™ set by Walnut Hollow? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Disclosure

X-Acto Swivel Designer Series Craft Blade

Reported by Jenny Barnett Rohrs


I have a love/hate relationship with craft blades. Every crafter needs one- or a few- but sometimes they are tricky to work with. Either they are uncomfortable to hold, or it's difficult to change the blade without nicking yourself, or they are just unwieldy it's hard to make delicate cuts. And I have to admit, the only swivel blade I've ever owned is languishing in the bottom of a drawer, unused and unloved.

So I needed to be really "sold" on the X-Acto Swivel Craft Knife (Designer Series). And I think I was!

First impressions out of the package is that the handle is really large- maybe overly so- but as I began to experiment with it, I found that the handle is very ergonomic and really an integral part of the tool. Because the blade swivels, you have to keep a really good grip on the handle, and the Designer Series version enables you to do this without excessive hand fatigue. So far, so good!

For my cutting tests, I decided to use a heart shape. This shape incorporates some interior points, some exterior points, and curves; good to really test drive the blade. I also used an old self-healing cutting mat underneath (that probably goes without saying, but just to be clear).

First up- old sheet music. It's so old it's a little brittle.

Result? Smooth as butter. No tearing at all in the inside or outside points. Nice.

Next up: Copy-weight paper.

Also worked well. Good maneuverability in the interior and exterior points. No tearing or drag.
So next I moved up to cardstock:


It was a little harder to control the blade on this one- I found I had to grip the handle more firmly and let the blade to the work, which it did. I had to fight the urge to twist the handle the way I do with a straight blade. Some drag in the points, but the cut is still clean.

The next example I just tried wavy lines on lightweight paper. Not surprisingly, large waves were the easiest, small waves more challenging...and zig-zags were tough. Not recommended for that!

So then I got the bright idea to try fabric. I prepped the fabric with some paper-backed iron-on webbing.
And then I cut a heart & a scalloped frame. The X-Acto Designer Series Swivel Blade actually did an amazing job. No loose threads, minimal drag, and I LOVE the idea of being able to cut free-shapes and make them into appliques without the use of scissors! This is the most impressive selling point for me!

So, because I'm a practical gal, I also tried out changing the blade (I'm a little dense here, because it took me 15 minutes just to figure out how!). You'll need to grab the metal collar with your non-dominant hand, then twist the grey tip of the handle towards you. It will loosen the collar and pull out of the handle with the blade still in it.

Tip the collar over to empty out the blade.

Drop a new blade in the bottom of the collar, then insert the collar back into the handle and twist the grey part to tighten it all back up.

So, all in all, I really like this blade. It's comfortable to hold, works will with different weights of paper and fabric, and gives you the flexibility of making your own shapes without a stencil or ruler. I certainly will be keeping this blade on TOP of my craft desk!

I used the negative and positive shapes in a collage.

Pros:

• Ergonomic handle
• Easy to change blades
• Works well on different weights of paper/fabric
• OK price point (between $8-$12 USD)
• Kinda cute!

Cons:

• Cap is not attached, prone to loss
• Not great for tight turns with thicker cardstock
• No holder/stand
  

The X-ACTO Designer Series Craft Swivel Knife is available at Amazon.com

Have you used the X-Acto Swivel knife? Have a comment? We'd love to hear from you!

Disclosure

Omnigrid Foldaway Cutting & Pressing Station

Reported by Cassandra Darwin

When I first started quilting my mom gave me a few of the "essentials" that she thought every quilter should have. Looking back on it, I think they were bribes to get me to on the quilting train more quickly. It worked. But back to the story - one day she showed up at my house with the Omnigrid Foldaway to use on a quilt that we had started making.

image taken from the Dritz website

The Foldaway is an all-in-one tool for cutting and pressing, marketed especially to quilters. Even though I'm not a professional quilter by any means, I've noticed a lot of great qualities about this combo product. I am especially fond of the non-stick pressing surface. It's more than large enough for every project I've worked on in the last year, and I love that I can use it to iron on my dining room table or granite countertops without any worry about heat damage. After one ironing session I lifted up the pressing side and the granite counter was still cool to the touch.

The other half of the Foldaway is a self-healing and gridded cutting mat, much like a standard Omnigrid cutting mat that you would find in your craft store. I've used a couple different rotary cutters with it and have not had any problems.

When folded in half with the velcro closure done on top, the Foldaway I have measures 13" high, 19" wide, and 3/4" thick and retails for about $40. I have also seen other versions in 8"x11" and 7"x7" sizes for even more compact traveling.

Pros:

• Cutting and pressing in one compact item, with convenient carrying handles
• Really great pressing/ironing surface
• Durable black canvas cover
• Variety of sizes and widely available

Cons:

• I would really like to see a pocket on the outside for my quilting rulers (the Foldaway will not completely close with rulers inside)

• Both the cutting and pressing surfaces are attached permanently, so you can't replace one part if anything happens to it...I don't see that happening though

The Omnigrid Cutting and Pressing Station is available at Amazon.com

Have you used this handy quilting tool, or do you have other solutions for cutting & pressing on-the-go? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Disclosure

Studio Sticky-Back Canvas

Reported by Erin Bassett

As someone who dabbles in mixed media projects, I was thrilled when I first found out about Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky-Back Canvas. Using the Sticky-Back Canvas allows crafters the ability to add the nice texture of canvas to projects that they wouldn't easily be able to create with bolts of canvas fabric or stretched canvas art boards.

One of the first things I tested was how well gesso, ink, and Glimmer Mist took to it. -They all did so wonderfully. I tested them out by making a bookmark. I cut out a 1 1/2” x 4 3/4” piece of Sticky-Back Canvas and with my finger applied Studio Gesso on top of it. I then allowed it to dry for a few minutes, and then stamped on it with black Stazon ink.

After the ink was dry I sprayed it with two colors of Glimmer Mist. I love how the gesso resits the mist, but the canvas soaked it right up.

Next, I removed the paper liner on the back of the Sticky-Back Canvas and stuck it on a coordinating scrap of seersucker fabric I had.

The Sticky-Back Canvas adhered to the fabric really well, but I still added some decorative stitches with my sewing machine. Lastly, I frayed the edges of my fabric.

For my next project I wanted to see how well my Cricut Expression would do cutting out a design so I decided to make a flower pin.

The Sticky-Back Canvas cut very well using the standard Cricut blade. There was one little corner that I had to snip with my scissors, but other than that, my Cricut Expression cut through it like butter.

Once I had my flowers cut out I used Studio Acrylic paint to paint them and then I let them dry.

After they were dry I decided to run them through my Cuttlebug to see if it would emboss like paper would. Guess what? It does! On my first test one I just ran a piece of Sticky-Back Canvas (with the backing on it) through the Cuttlebug...it worked! For another test I cut out a flower out of Bazzill cardstock with my Cricut and adhered the Sticky-Back Canvas directly to the cardstock flower to give it some support. I then ran it through the Cuttlebug and it worked just as well. After embossing the flowers I rubbed brown ink over the top of them to further enhance the embossing.

You can see a video of how to make a flower pin like the one I made above.

Also, check out this video on how Tim Holtz uses Sticky-Back Canvas to create a brad with an Imaginisce i-Top brad maker.

Pros:

• Acid-free, non-toxic adhesive
• Heat gun can be used on it
• Many, many media can be used on in to decorate it
• Can be cut with electronic & manual die-cut machines
• Easy to sew through

Cons:

• The canvas is lightweight, so you may need to adhere it to something stiffer to support it.
• Only comes in 8 1/2” x 11” and 12” x 12” sheets, so people who do larger projects will have to attach multiple pieces together to get the size they need.

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Sticky Back Canvas 12'' x 12'' By The Package is available at Amazon.com

Have you had a chance to play with Sticky-Back Canvas yet? Show us the link to your project...we'd love to take a look!

Disclosure Statement

Canvas Corp

Reported by Jenny Chesnick

I had the pleasure of discovering this company at 2010 Winter CHA in Anaheim, CA. They are family owned and operated company and while this was not their first CHA, it was the first time they appeared in the Scrapbooking and Paper crafts section of the show. Their website is mainly geared toward the interior design segment of their business. You can find updates on their crafting wares on their facebook fan page. Their product line includes canvas, burlap, thinstock, cardstock, thickstock, wood frames, metals, vintage pins, spools, cork & tacks. You can see many more photos of their scrapbooking and craft products on my original review here.

I picked up several pieces of their product to work with, including a raw piece of 30"x 36" canvas, painted clothespins, and a 12" x 12" doubled up scrapbook "page." These canvas mini banners were my very favorite item in the ENTIRE show! If you have not been on the banner craze these may change your mind. They come in packs of 3 and 2 banners sewn together. So technically you could pull them apart and use them singly. The banner measures 4 inches on the long side and 3.5 along the top. They are raw canvas and can be sprayed and painted without issue.

Originally I started out with Ranger Masks and spraying the word Family on the banner. This photo shows that the canvas took the spray, sewing and masking without issue. I didn't like how the letter was not defined so I used a Marvy Marker to outline the masked letter. The marker did not bleed or run even after spraying with Glimmer Mist a second time.

The canvas held up nicely and so I turned it over! to try again. So on the second go around I used some fabric to embellish the canvas. On these pieces I re-sprayed, sewed and sewed and glued onto the same banners from before. No issues what so ever, the banner held up much nicer then I believe a normal piece of fabric would have. It took all of my abuse and came out delightfully!

The final piece came out beautifully (if I do say so myself!)

Pros:

• Cute designs & fresh ideas
• Crafting, Sewing and Scrapbooking versitility
• The Canvas is "raw" so you can paint, spray and sew with it
• Cost for the banners seen above is $2.00(MSRP). If you were to separate the pieces you get 6 total banners
  

Cons:

• Hard to locate a retailer who sells their wares
  
• Website is not geared toward crafting
• No blog for inspirational ideas, but you can follow their projects on their facebook page

Has anyone had the chance to play with these canvas goodies? I would love to see what you have created and here your stories!

Disclosure

Adhesive Removers: Un-Du® Vs. Duck

Reported by Jessica Ripley

I remember first reading about Un-Du in an online scrapbooking forum where countless scrapbookers were expressing their love for a product I had never heard of before. It was statements such as "I could not scrap without it!" and "It works like a miracle!" that got me intrigued, and I decided to seek some out for myself to try.

But how great could it really be I wondered? Especially when I found Duck Adhesive Remover in the same section of an online craft store that looked to be so similar? Not to mention Duck was cheaper for a larger bottle, and Duck is a brand I know and trust (I'm partial to their adhesive runners for scrapbooking). Still I remembered what I had read, and added both to my cart determined to test them out on equal ground and decide for myself.

Well, after the tests I performed below, add me to the believers in Un-Du!

As mentioned above, both products look fairly similar. They both come with handy scrapers attached to the nozzles of the bottles meant to aid in getting the product where it needs to go and then for removal of the stuck on item.


The difference is when you open the cap however, that Un-Du has a drip nozzle, where as Duck has a sponge applicator. I thought that I would prefer the sponge at first. The drip nozzle made it a little difficult to not use too much remover without first having to screw the cap back on.


However the "well" in the applicator for Un-Du caught any extra fluid that dripped out, and it didn't create a mess. It was also a bit easier to control the flow from a drip nozzle once I got the hang of it, rather than dabbing a project with an overly saturated sponge from the Duck brand.

The Sticker Test:

I'll admit many a time have I applied a letter sticker on a layout only to do so crooked. I've tried all the tricks; using a vanishing ink pen to draw a line first, sticking the very edge of the letter to a ruler first to be sure they are lined up, etc. They just don't always work! And I'll end up with a wonky title with no hopes of saving it.

What I'd do in the past is try to deftly remove the sticker with my fingernail, and depending on the quality of the sticker, would usually end up with this:


Ruined (and time for some creative embellishment masking).

So, I was particularly interested in this test and grabbed the Un-Du

At first application, it soaked the paper and I got a bit concerned:


However the letters came right up with hardly any poking or prodding. The soaking actually helped the product get to the adhesive and make it easy to lift the letters off the page un-damaged.


Next I tried the Duck bottle, and dabbed the product on the letters using the sponge. This brand also soaked through the paper:



And the stickers once again came off fairly easily. I found the edge of the Duck scraper to be a bit sharper and better at getting under the sticker to lift it off. Again not really any damage to the face of the sticker.


And here is key point number one about the comparison of these two brands (and I'm guessing just about any remover compared to Un-Du since it's formula is patented, invented by the gentleman that created Twister by the way)

Un-Du evaporates, leaving any removed product re-usable.

The removed stickers were just as tacky and sticky as they had been when originally applied. How wonderful! To be fair, the stickers removed with Duck were also still slightly sticky on the back and could have been reapplied to a project, but a greasy film remained on them several minutes after removal, not to mention:

It ruined the paper I was using. The amount of product that soaked through stayed and did not evaporate away. The only way to remove excess fluid from the Duck brand would be to wipe and clean it away, not something that can be done with paper.

The Photograph Test:

To anyone reading this review who has been an Un-Du fan for sometime, I'm sure this is the reason why you love it so much and was the first thing that popped into your head about comparing these two brands. When it comes to using either on a photograph (which most of us have on our scrapbooking pages of course), there just really is no comparison.

Un-Du is acid-free and photo safe. Duck is not.

With that in mind, I only tested the Un-Du on a photograph. Besides, after the sticker test above, I didn't care to chance it with the Duck. I dug into an old scrapbook, the one where I keep my first layouts from years ago when I was still learning that I don't really care to show off. It was there I found a good test subject. A layout I wouldn't mind redoing, especially since I had scrapped the only, original copy of one of my favorite photos of my sister, mom, and me (I know! I know! Never scrap the original!).


I wanted to cut that photo out of there, but would have been stuck with half a butterfly sticker on one corner if I had done so. This sticker has been there awhile too, at least 5 years, so I was wondering how this would work if at all.

Using the Un-Du it came right off quickly and easily:



Though just a little residue was left behind:


However using my finger I rubbed a little of the fluid on the residue, and it easily wiped away as if it had never been there.



Not to mention, that 5 year old sticker? Completely sticky and re-usable. That part really amazed me.


Unfortunately, Un-Du does not work on glue (nor water-based adhesives, so no using it on a sealed envelope if you wish to play super spy and open a letter without anyone knowing, not that any of you would do that). So since the photo was attached with a glue stick back in the day, I couldn't completely remove it from the layout. Still, now I could trim it out and scan it for safe keeping.

As this layout was going away in the name of science anyway, I decided to try the Duck brand on the same type of sticker which was applied to an area of the layout with no photos. I didn't have nearly as great a result.

Once again soaked paper with a greasy feel:



And it didn't work very well. This sticker is toast:



The Price Tag Test (on a wooden item):

For my final test I wanted to try out both products on what I thought now the Duck brand would be most useful for, removing those pesky price tags that are stuck on and impossible to remove. I found a wooden box I had planned to alter. Just peeling the tag off wasn't going to work, I could barely budge it:




On one side I used the Un-Du and it worked just as well as in other tests. On the other side I tried the Duck, and it didn't work at all. Duck is not recommended for use on furniture, perhaps this is one reason why.



When all is said and done is there really any comparison? Well, no not in my mind. While there are applications for using Duck I'm sure (mostly household cleaning remedies come to mind), when it comes to crafting, there is one clear winner.

Here's a chart of some of my final thoughts (click for a larger view):

In summary:

Un-Du brand:

Pros:

• Acid-free and photo safe.


• Completely evaporates leaving no trace of product behind (and removed items re-usable).


• Works on almost any surface, including wood.

Cons:

• The applicator and scraper are a little cumbersome.


• Doesn't work on glue or water-based adhesives.


• Unfortunately from what I have read, is not available to be shipped to certain states or internationally (it can't be sent via air). Of note however is that recently a low VOC version of it has been made available for residents of California.

Duck brand:

Pros:

• I preferred the scraper on this brand, it has a slightly sharper edge for removing items.


• You get more product for a cheaper cost.


• Has a nice citrus scent.

Cons:

• This product is not photo safe.


• Leaves a greasy residue.


• Didn't work well on items that had been "stuck" for quite some time.

All in all, when it comes specifically to crafting I have to declare Un-Du the clear winner. While Duck may have its uses, if you had the other in your stash, why even bother?

Have you used either of these? Are you a huge fan of Un-Du? Or any stories about either to share? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Disclosure for Duck and Un-Du