wizards and muggles, wizards and muggles

the wizard is a great new die cutter. not only do the dies made by spellbinders cut, but get this—they emboss and stencil as well!  can this be any more versatile?  in no time at all you’ll be cutting out shapes like a pro.

yep, the wizard is a great tool for scrapbooking, but there’s so much more you can do with it! 

using the big scalloped circles dies (nestabilities), cut out several flowers in two different sizes and colors, and then emboss them all for a more dimensional effect. once several flowers are cut and embossed, these cards are so simple to make: tear some blue paper to fit the card, and then randomly place the red and yellow flower shapes until you get an arrangement you like.  cut some green strips for stems, add a couple of leaves and black-and-white spotty centers, and the word “spring” to the top of the card, and you’re done!

these dies aren’t just for cutting paper…oh no, my friend.  they actually cut felt!  cut two of the larger hot pink flowers, one medium baby pink flower, and a small hot pink flower for the center. sew a pinback onto one of the largest flowers, and then sandwich the two together and stitch them with a blanket stitch.  stitch around the other two shapes, tack them to the back with a couple of stitches in an “x” pattern, and add some leaves, and you’ve got yourself a lovely little pin.  it’d also be cute as a brooch, or pinned to a hat or purse.

the dies also work great for cutting stencils. for this shirt, place four of the scalloped circles on some freezer paper and run them through the wizard. then take the three smaller dies, place them on the other side of the large flower, and run them back through the wizard to repeat the pattern. with the many different dies available from spellbinders, the design possibilities are endless!

spellbinders makes lots of great border dies as well. to make this tag, use the classic scallops border petites, (from the borderabilities line). cut the end of the tag, emboss it, and then use the die to stencil some color on the area. this edge really sets off the steampunk collage on the rest of the tag. this border die can be used to jazz up stationery and all sorts of other paper crafts.

not too bad for a hundred bucks!

mod podge fabric

seems some folks were pretty excited when they learned about mod podge and its availability for use on fabric, and wanted me to delve into this one a bit further.  happy to oblige!

with the availability of many beautiful fabrics in coordinating colors and patterns, fabric is the perfect material for creating decorative projects throughout your home. although you may have used mod podge on paper and wood surfaces to create lots of diy home projects, now you can create fabulous projects with fabric and mod podge!

using mod podge with fabric is very easy. with a simple few tips you can expand your creative options and create even more projects for your home. ready to get started? here’s a step by step guide to get you mod podging with ease!

1. for best results, remember to use mod podge for fabric .  this formula was specially created for crafting with fabric, and you can use it in two ways:  for preparing fabric for decoupaging it onto a surface, or for decoupaging things onto fabric.

2. wash and dry fabric before using, and set the iron on the appropriate setting for the particular fabric.  lay the fabric out on your work surface

3. prepare your fabric by spreading a thin layer of mod podge fabric on the top. cover as much fabric as you will need and allow to dry for at least an hour. this will prevent the fabric from fraying when you trim it to fit your project.

4. trim the fabric to fit with scissors or a cutting blade. apply mod podge to the surface of your project in a medium layer and press the fabric down to smooth. allow to dry for 15 – 20 minutes

5. put another coat of mod podge over the fabric and the rest of your project. apply at least two coats and allow to dry for 24 hours before using. 

sweet!

which mod podge is right for your project? part 4 of 4

glitter mod podge: offers the same great mod podge formula as the classic, but with a glitter finish! metallic sheen shows up great on dark surfaces.  available in gold and silver formulas! 

 

 

 

shimmer mod podge: add a touch or gold or silver without adding an extra step to your next project. mod podge shimmer is perfect for wedding and anniversary projects or any craft that needs a little shimmer!

 

glow-in-the-dark mod podge: create fun, glowing crafts for a child’s room, halloween, science fair projects and other imaginative creations! glow-in-the dark pigments add a glow effect to your favorite decoupage surface, and it works well on wood, foam, paper mache and other surfaces.

which mod podge is right for your project? part 3 of 4

outdoor mod podge: prootect your projects from moisture and other outdoor elements with outdoor mod podge.  this specially formulated mod podge provides a water-resistant finish so projects stay as beautiful as the day you made them.  for use on wood, tin, terra cotta, slate and more.  perfect for creating decorative accessories for your door, front porch or patio.

sparkle mod podge: add glitz and glimmer to any decoupage project with sparkle mod podge.  this formula has the all-purpose performance of original mod podge with the added bonus of sparkle!  a fun and festive touch to jewelry, fashion accessory or holiday projects.

puzzle saver mod podge: preserve a favorite puzzle with mod podge puzzle saver!  easy to use…this formula secures your puzzle pieces together and provides a protective topcoat.  a great way to use completed puzzles for wall art or other decorative uses.

which mod podge is right for your project? part 2 of 4

brushstroke mod podge: enhance your projects with a textured finish! brushstroke mod podge is a top coat finish with a highly visible, dimensional texture. simply apply over posters, prints or to decoupaged canvas projects for an artistic look that’s an affordable alternative to genuine painted wall art. available in matte or gloss.

fabric mod podge: embellish wearables, linens and home décor like never before…decoupage them with fabric mod podge!  specially formulated to adhere fabric to fabric or paper to fabric, fabric mod podge expands your creative projects to include a variety of textile surfaces.  makes it very easy to customize a denim jacket or snazz up a ready-made pillow or tablecloth in just minutes!

paper mod podge: an acid-free formula that is friendly to paper crafting!  paper mod podge is perfect to use when decoupaging paper-to-paper and to keep photographs and papers from yellowing. extend the life of your memory, cardmaking, scrapbooking and altered art projects with paper mod podge.

which mod podge is right for your project? part 1 of 4

the most important thing about mod podge is that it comes in several varieties, so you’ve got to be sure to pick the right one for your current project. here’s the rundown

classic mod podge: the original mod podge formula that’s a glue, sealer and finish all in one!  use this crafting favorite to decoupage almost anything on wood, glass, terra cotta, metal, canvas and more, then seal with a top coat of mod podge. projects dry to a protective matte or gloss finish. available in multiple sizes to suit any project including a gallon bottle for group projects or classes, or if you just love the stuff and like having it around.

hardcoat mod podge: the ultimate durable finish! hard coat mod podge provides extra protection for your decoupage projects that are functional, frequently used or handled.  perfect for furniture, book shelves, table-tops, serving trays, floor cloths and more. be sure to sand between coats for an ultra-smooth finish.

satin finish mod podge: the same great performance and versatility of original mod podge, but in a satin finish.  projects dry to a soft-to-the-touch finish with a subtle sheen.  this is great for home décor projects such as picture frames, wall or door plaques, decorative boxes, and the like.

what exactly is mod podge, anyway?

mod podge is the original all-in-one glue, sealer and finish. from fashion accessories to wall art, furniture and more, only mod podge offers so many creative possibilities!  for over 40 years, crafters have used mod podge for their most treasured creations. this amazing all-in-one glue, sealer and finish has come a long way since its invention in the 1960’s and has become a true favorite among crafters of every style and skill level for its versatility, dependability and value.

it’s a glue to adhere paper, fabric and other porous materials to almost any surface, it holds tight and dries clear; it’s a sealer that protects decoupage, acrylic paint, stain, fabric and more; it’s a finish that is durable, smooth and fast-drying! non-toxic with a simple soap and water clean up makes it great for kid’s crafts, too.

history of mod podge

the inventor of mod podge, jan wetstone, first developed mod podge in the 1960’s in her garage. the name of this now-famous mixture came from the term “modern decoupage.” she tested it on all kinds of surfaces; she even decoupaged a volkswagen beetle using bed sheets!  you’re my hero, jan. 

over the years, mod podge has grown to become a favorite of crafters everywhere, including martha and rosie and jana.  

now that you know what mod podge actually is, over the next several days i’ll give the rundown on the variety of formulas and finishes to suit your next mod podge project.

heavy metal

for ages i’ve wondered why no one made metallic cardstock.  sure there’s that sparkly iridescent hologram stuff on the market, but i’m talking about a pure metallic coating.  i was excited when i heard about the recent invention of spray paint for crafters that has a metallic appearance, but spray paint just isn’t practical for all craft needs. 

a huge thanks to bazzill basics…they’ve come up with metallic cardstock and it’s now available in 12×12 sheets!  the bazzill basics metallic cardstock assortment includes these metallic colors – platinum, charlie, gold leaf, rusted, bazzillberry, copper, sunkiss, gold, onyx, ziff, galaxy, emperor, luster, emerald, starburst and silver.  comes in a pack of 32 sheets, 2 each of 16 colors, retails for $30.

for pete’s sake, would you cut it out?

the making memories slice think pink cordless digital designer is available for a limited time only. this kit includes a pink slice and two design cards! users will enjoy the fresh and feminine shapes on the new think pink design card and will go back to the updated basic elements card time and time again.

and that’s not all…making memories will donate a portion of the proceeds from each sale of the pink slice to help aid in the fight against breast cancer.  each kit includes:

pink slice cordless design cutter

basic elements design card and think pink design card

6″ x 6″ glass cutting mat, five blades, blade replacement tool, blade adjustment wrench

repositionable adhesive and foam applicator brush

basic elements and think pink design guides

power cord and user manual

what can you make with this digital designer?  here’s just a sample:

speaking of cutting, there’s a new product on the market from fiskars that is killer…a retractable fingertip knife!

 

the blade of the fiskars ergonomic fingertip knife retracts for cap-free storage. all you do is insert your finger through the loop, and let the natural motion and weight of your hand control your cutting. comes with a hang clip for convenient storage.  genius!

a cut above the rest

 

you get the idea.

fringe scissors…so many possibilities!

worth a thousand words.

on paper trimming

making memories has come out with a paper trimmer.  let’s see if it’s all that meets the eye.

when you purchase it:

you’ll pay about $50 bucks for this trimmer, which only comes in one style…black and silver.

there are no parts to put together, and it’s ready to use with a straight-edge blade.  it comes folded in half for up to 6 ½” cuts, or you can unfold it for 12 ½” measurements. you will need to unfold the trimmer and reach underneath to use the magnetic ruler which keeps papers in place.

it’s appearance:

this is one of the most attractive trimmers out there. very gender-neutral and will probably look good in your studio.

on the front of the trimmer, when folded, you see dark black 90 degree notches for guided trimming of 3″ x 5″, 4″ x 6″, and 5″ x 7″ cuts. the measurements on top of the trimmer are small. it gives options for centimeters as well as inches, but they’re not very useful because they’re so tiny.

how it works:

place one to two sheets of paper underneath a clear plastic strip and position it at the measurement desired, and then secure your paper with a magnetic ruler. to cut the paper, slide the blade case across the rail until your paper is trimmed.

to fold your trimmer, just bend it in half…there are no clips or levers to play with. to change your blade, you pull on the red clasp and slide the old blade off and replace with a new one.  making memories claims the blade self-sharpens each time you use it, so you’ll rarely ever have to replace the blade.  of course you’d change the blade for a wave cut, if desired.

got to love it:

the detailed measurements are a great touch…you can even cut to 1/8 of an inch to make your own quilling paper!

the trimmer has little slip-proof “feet” at the bottom of it, which lift it slightly off the surface used and keeps it from slipping.

some things to consider:

if you’re used to the other trimmers on the market where there is a raised edge at the sides of the trimmer (which is used to make sure your paper is straight), this trimmer does not have that. yes there’s an edge, but it’s not straight. where the trimmer folds in half, the edge raises or drops just slightly, causing your paper to shift. you can fix this problem by using it only when it’s folded in half, but that’s not very practical.

removing the red clasp for a blade change can be pretty tough.

the trimmer is heavy and might not be travel-friendly for everyone.

the magnetic strip holds tight, but it’s not perfect. there may be some shifting of paper when you’re trying to keep it still.

the clear plastic piece used to secure your paper against the blade is about 1″ wide, so if you have a scrap of paper narrower than that, you will not be able to use it with the trimmer. the scrap will slip under the plastic piece, but you won’t be able to hold it still enough to trim it.  get the scissors and a ruler instead. 

if you do a hell of a lot of paper trimming and you’re satisfied with your current trimmer, then don’t bother switching.  but if you do occasional trimming and aren’t completely satisfied with your current trimmer, you might want to check it out.  beats the old butcher block and pull-down machete method any day.

using clear acrylic stamps

sassafras lass has some fabulous acrylic stamps (pretty much a staple in my bag of tricks when i leave the scrapbook expos!), and they’ve provided simple tips for creating beautiful card such as this one.  check it out!

how to:

stamps on a clear block:

apply the self adhesive stamp to an acrylic stamping block.

apply ink or dye to the stamp surface, then press the stamp firmly against the object to be stamped.

remove self-adhesive stamp from block and clean surface of stamp.

nesters stamping:

choose desired ink or dye colors. for best results use a lighter color for the background and a darker color for the foreground.

apply self adhesive background stamp to stamping block. apply ink or dye to stamp surface. press stamp firmly against object to be stamped. clean stamp surface.

apply self adhesive foreground stamp to stamping block. apply ink or dye to stamp surface. align stamp surface with background stamp image. press stamp firmly against object to be stamped.

flip-a-roo stamping:

apply self sticking stamp to stamping block image side down. apply ink or dye to stamp surface. press stamp firmly against object to be stamped. remove. clean stamp surface.

apply self sticking stamp to stamping block image side up. apply ink or dye to stamp surface. align image and press stamp firmly against object to be stamped. remove. clean stamp surface.

tips and tricks:

to ensure you’re applying even pressure with your stamp block, attach another clean stamp from the same set parallel and approximately 1 inch apart from the stamp you are using, being careful not to get ink on the stamp used for leveling.

try different types of inks and dyes to achieve various effects. test them out on scrap material first to make sure you have chosen the right one for your project.

try using multiple stamps side by side on the block at the same time and create your own unique pattern.

cleaning and storage:

to keep stamps clear and free from ink stains, clean each stamp immediately after use with a brush and cleaning solution or slightly soapy water. wet wipes also work well.

wash stamps as needed in warm soapy water to return the surface to its original sticky condition.

stamps can be stored on the provided clear plastic carrier sheet or in cd cases.

smooches all around

if you like cute packaging, then you’ve probably already noticed the cute little bottles of smooch pearlized accent ink in the craft aisles.  if the adorable packaging doesn’t have you convinced, then consider the name, “smooch,” and the wonderful colors it comes in: green apple, siren, sugarberry, pumpkin, moonlight, azure,  gold lame, and silver fox.

so what does this ink do, other than look great on the shelf in that wonderful packaging? looks like nail polish, but the applicator has a much finer tip. 

 

the fine tip is great for coloring in stamped images, even those with small sections. it is very easy to use and to stay within the lines, even for a complicated image. although the packaging looks like nail polish, the actual product is not thick like nail polish at all, and it has a thin, pearlized finish. the fine tip can also be used for adding freeform accents to all sorts of projects.

so, what doesn’t it do?

although it is called ink, it does not seem to be very useful for stamping because the image won’t come out clearly.  also not good for coloring metal embellishments.  but if stamping is your thing, then don’t go another day without getting a smooch!

the one-two punch

punches are some of the oldest and easiest tools to use in crafting. with a wide variety of styles available and their ready availability pretty much everywhere, why not pick up a few?

there are a few types of punches:  a border punch allows you to create a decorative edge along the side of a piece of paper; a corner rounder rounds the corners of photos or paper; a shape punch comes in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, from dinosaurs to trees to alphabets; a hand held punch is for making a tiny punched shape, like the type used to make holes in paper for binders, and they come in many designs as well, such as hearts, stars, and the like. not going to talk further about the corner rounders, because they’re pretty self explanatory…want something with a rounded edge? use a corner rounder. 

now as for the others:

using border punches

using a border punch eliminates the need for buying pre-cut border strips. when using this type of punch, start by lining up the end of your paper with the center of the punch (there is a little line in the center for this purpose). then, use the picture on the side of the punch to line up the paper and repeat the design until an entire border has been punched. some ideas:

• punch one side of a strip for a single border
• punch both sides of a wider strip and use as a mat for photos
• punch a few strips and layer for a “ruffled” look

border punches are not just for scalloped borders…many fun designs out there including drippy goo and cityscapes.

using shape punches

this type of punch is mostly used for making shapes to use as a surface embellishment.  with a vast array of shapes and sizes available, you can make a perfect accent for just about anything.

• punch several sizes of the same shape and layer them. use many sizes of circles and embellish with a button or brad to make your own paper flowers.
• punch many small squares and create a mosaic effect.
• use a larger punch to punch a shape, then stamp with the design of your choice to make gift tags.
• confetti!!!!!

using hand held punches

tiny punches can be fun to use on a page. some ideas:

• punch tiny shapes on premade borders for even more detail.
• use a 1/8″ circle punch to create holes for brads.
• again, confetti!!!!

getting inked

chalk ink, dye ink, pigment ink, StazOn, VersaMark—what are all of these inks? which ones do you need? what’s the difference between them all? read on.

chalk inks

chalk inks are archival, acid-free, and fast-drying, and they give a soft look. you can use them on wood, leather, paper, and more.  heat-setting chalk inks will enhance their permanence, and they are great for distressing papers and using background stamps along with regular stamping. the inking surface is usually a sponge.  brands include:

color box fluid chalk

 versamagic chalk ink

dye inks

dye inks are water-based and are permanent once stamped onto paper. they are a great general-purpose ink that can be used on all types of paper and are great for everyday stamping and scrapbooking. dye-based inks fade over time. tThey are more difficult to use for embossing because they dry quite fast, but Ranger Distress Inks and Nick Bantock inks tend to dry a bit slower so they can be used for embossing with some success. dye inks are great for distressing paper, and work really well with Copic markers or Prismacolor pencils.  the inking surface is usually raised felt. brands include:

nick bantock

 

ranger distress ink

 

pigment inks

pigment inks are wonderful to use on clay, mica, wood, paper, shrink plastic, and more. pigment inks are thick and fade-resistant, and the inking surface is usually a sponge because it is thicker and distributed better over a sponge. they are also archival and acid-free, and are perfect for embossing! pigment ink will not dry on coated papers unless you emboss the image.  brands include:

tsukineko brilliance pigment ink

 

adirondack pigment ink

 

StazOn

StazOn inks are acid-free, archival and dry within three to five minutes. StazOn is perfect for surfaces such as transparencies, vellum, glass, tile, metal, and plastic.  StazOn will stain your stamps, so you’ve got to get a StazOn-specific cleaner.

 VersaMark

VersaMark is a clear pigment ink, and is great for watermarking or embossing.  for a great look, try using it with dye inks…ink up your stamp with VersaMark first, then use dye inks with it to emboss. beautiful!

this is by no means all-inclusive…there are a whole lot of brands of ink out there.  before you make your purchase, be sure to read the product label to make sure it’s what you are looking for. have fun!