Road Test Friday - WOW Embossing Powder with Michelle

Hello Crafty Friends!

Welcome to another Friday Road Test! We'll be giving our Road Testers new products to try out and reporting back the results and (hopefully) great experiences.

We have started to stock WOW Embossing Powder on the website, so today Michelle has a play and lets us know what she thinks...........     

Unfortunately, I had some issues with the embossing powder.

1.   I found to get a high gloss I had to emboss 3 times - but normally if I wanted such a gloss I would use an Ultra Thick Embossing Powder.      

2.   The embossing powder doesnt always melt smooth, I applied very little and applied quick heat to the powder and it often bubbled or appeared rough which is fine .......if you like the look.

3.   I tried the embossing powder on a number projects, paper and chipboard. I found the clear powder didn't stay very clear and the vibrant colours were lost.

4.   The biggest problem is that it is only a teeny jar :(     

Thses are the cards I made with the Wow Clear Embossing Powder.......     

I used watercolour resist, which came out lovely and two white cards with Clear Embossing Powder. All the cards turned out lovely.   My only complaint is that it is not completely clear.     

I found with the Red Embossing Powder that it changed the depth of colour - on some of the chipboard it was beautiful and vibrant, and others it came out darker

With the Red, I created one Red on Red card for Valentines Day and a Watercolour Card.   I liked the results of both cards :)     

I also mixed the red powder with some Stamp It 'Snowflake' Embossing Tinsel to create this canvas......

The white embossing powder stayed lovely and bright on Chipboard.     I was happy with the results. The red embossing powder was used on the hearts and I used the clear to give it extra gloss

'

I then created some cards using the white powder.

With the Wedding card - All white - I was a bit disappointed that it didn't come out a bright white but the card is still lovely.         

   I had some difficulty using it with a resist technique where I put the white embossing powder down first, then coloured - I wasn't happy at all with the texture. With the third card, I put down distress inks first then embossed on top and I was happy with the results.

So there you have it.... pros and cons,,,, pluses and minuses..... You may or may not like this embossing powder, depending on how you wish to use it.

We'd love to hear your comments and experiences (if you've tried this one yourself) in the comments below.

Have a fabulous Friday!

Aunty Vera :)

Hello, I Love You - Donna's February Project #1

Hello Crafty Friends!

Today's February Project from Donna is pink and pretty and full of love.

Enjoy!!.........

Hello, wonderful people..

Here we are again.  I have the honour of showing you my projects from the

 February Kit 'Hello, I Love You' from Aunty Vera Scrap and Craft...

 WOW, I was totally blown away with this kit which is available HERE.

I had so many ideas that it was impossible to write them all down so

I combined a few and came up with this little 'My Heart' Book which is

a passport size..

COVER:

When I first saw this letter box die in the kit, I knew

I wanted it on the cover of what ever I made, I looove it..

and the little envelope that came with it was perfect

to have a tiny notecard in it to say 'Smile, I love you'...

And isn't the little stamp 'happy mail' from Lawn Fawn 'Love Letters'

just to die for (forgive the pun hehe)







Did you note the little fussy cut butterfly from the

Waffle Flower Stamp Set -'Happy Mail'..

Lots of lushness coming your way...

I mainly focused on three items from the kit for this little book,

1. Washi Tape from Pebbles

2. Printed Cardstock Shapes from Pebbles

3. White Heart Doilies from Royal Lace

All the shapes were placed on an ATC size white cardstock

which measures 3 1/2 inches x 2 1/2 inches.. 

'This kitten is smitten' as I was with the

Printed Cardstock Shapes..

A Spellbinders Scalloped Heart behind her was

just right to showcase her cuteness... And what about the little envelope/letter

 from Lawn Fawn - 'Love Letters' stamp set,

with the 'I Love You' sentiment !! Wonderful...

These two pages are gorgeous...

I thought the Dovecraft Back To Basics ribbon - 'Pretty in Pink'

looks brilliant on the clip and don't you just Loooove

the little chickens - Lawn Fawn 'Love Letters' stamps

and Lawn Fawn matching dies, with the heart between them..

 Have you spotted the Rosy Belle Trim - Prima Marketing Inc, from the January kit..

And don't you love the heart die-cut (I used the negative for this page) from the Impression Obsession Heart of Hearts die.

Also from the January kit - Nuvo Jewel Drops - Strawberry Coulis

(You can buy all of these items from Aunty Vera HERE )

I'm sorry, but this pair of glasses on the 'I only have EYES for you'

 Printed Cardstock shape

was too good a chance to pass up on some goggly eyes..

I used the scrap pieces of the washi tape to add a little

interest to the clips..

I just LOVE this Washi Tape...

And seriously, who thinks these quotes up lol..

The red spotted heart is die cut from fun foam,

a very versatile product, and I thought it matched the

heart washi tape and the heart in 'You'..

On all the pages I have used the Heart Doilies, as you can see in this photo..

And of course an arrow always goes straight through a heart

doesn't it lol..

I think these two pages are adorable...

and what a coincidence the 'cool and chill' kind of go together lol..

Again I have used the negative of the Heart of Hearts die but this time

I have added a few of the hearts...

Almost makes you want an ice cream doesn't it.. c'mon now you're thinking about it right? lol..  Have you noticed I have stamped all the pages with the Lawn Fawn

stamp sets.. They make wonderful backgrounds..

As you can see here, I have used the scraps of the washi tape

on most of the pages as well. Why waste it !!

And the last page for this little book is 'You Are a Grape Friend'..

This purple ribbon was perfect for this page and the heart and arrow

Printed Cardstock Shape finished the page for me..

Pretty !!

The Finished Book, So what do you think, Pretty as..

I was not a washi tape person but I think this project has changed my mind

and I do love that mail box die..

You can find the Video HERE





Here is a little Sneak Peek for you for my 2nd Project ..

 Which just happens to fit on this page..





........................................

FIND ME:

 http://funtobehadhere.blogspot.com.au/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DonnasFunStuff/

 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/DonMarTri

AuntyVera's BLOG: http://auntyverascrapandcraft.blogspot.com.au/

..............................

CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT IS IN AUNTY VERA'S FEBRUARY  BOX?

- Watch my Aunty Vera's February Unboxing HERE

(do not take notice of me saying Aunt Vera as it is AUNTY Vera

as Aunty Vera and Amira have told me; I am in the naughty corner lol) 

BUY Aunty Vera's MOonthly Kits HERE 

February Monthly kit is available for $110.00 which is a saving of 20% on buying the items separately.

Two mini kits are the Hello Kit.... $49 (with 10% saving) and the I Love You Kit...... $26 (with 10% saving)

Postage is $8.50 anywhere in Aus.

For internationals, please email for accurate prices.

C O N T A C T:

info@auntyverascrapandcraft.com.au

 ................................

I hope I have inspired you to create Glorious things..

Thank you for stopping by...

Hugs

Donna xx



Oh, Crafty Thing, I Love You So . . . Lolly's top crafty toys

Hello Crafty Friends....... and welcome to a fun series on our blog... Get to Know Our Creative Team where we ask our Team some crafty questions each month and let them give you an insight into their worlds. Being Heart Month, we thought what better topic than true love.... in the craft room that is!
Today Lolly shares with us her crafty loves........ not an easy job when you are challenged to only pick the top 10 or so...lol
Enjoy!

You may already know that I've started a video series titled Lolly Tops, in which I share my favorite craft tools and supplies, grouped into categories.  Well, now I'm challenged with sharing my top picks of all crafty things, no matter the category!    *gulp!*

Are you giggling?  I dare YOU to come up with your top picks (without changing your mind).  
Okay, you are right.  I was stalling for time.  Here I go . . .

We can't have a serious discussion about crafty things without mentioning the Silhouette Cameo.  I am still a newbie at using it, but it has seriously changed my life.

I have been learning to design my own files, which has surprised me so much.  I have very little (okay, I have NO) design training.  I've been designing covers to notebooks, paper clip art, memes, cards, file folders, and really cute images!  Well, I think they are cute, anyway.  And -- get this -- I figured out how to sell digital files in my Etsy shop!  What?   Me?  I would not have believed it!





Next, I'd have to say the Cinch binding tool has "saved my bacon" on more than one occasion.   The Cinch punches beautifully lined up holes (this one does square ones) through my papers and my chipboard covers, then binds wires through the holes to make a journal.

I have made a journal on-the-fly with this because I needed a quick gift for a friend's birthday (but don't tell her that it was super quick, okay?).

I have made a couple of junk journals with it, too, and they turned out great.  I have a video on how to use it HERE.

Next, the Big Shot die cutting and embossing machine has stolen my heart!!   Ooh, la la! Even with a digital cutting machine like the Cameo, there is always a place for a manual machine.  My die collection is growing, and I'm starting to emboss, too.

"What is a die cutting machine?", you ask.  Well, I'm so glad you asked, because you can watch the explanation HERE.









Now this may surprise you,
but I actually have an affordable
crafty thingy on my list:  scissors!
 The Cutter Bee scissors are a small pair of scissors that are sharp to the point, which makes them an excellent choice for fussy cutting.  Fussy cutting is cutting out tiny detailed images, and it requires SHARP scissors.  I should explain that I only use these for fine detailed cutting, since I want them to remain sharp.

This may seem like cheating, but my computer is the most important crafty thing I own.  Without it, I could not post crafty videos, watch crafty videos, search online for crafty tools, order crafty tools, design images on the Cameo, and hang out in crafty groups!  I also couldn't blog for Aunty Vera!   Crafty people need inspiration and community, and I love my crafting community and Facebook groups.   I have gained some amazing friends whom I hope to meet in person some day, and I really, really need to get to Australia!


Actually, in spite of all this, my all-time favorite crafty thing is paper.  I consider myself first and foremost a paper crafter.  How can I do that without paper?? I can't!  I love all sorts.  Junk papers, scrapbooking papers, double sided paper (oooh-la-la!), stickers, note cards, tags, pockets, envelopes, paper, paper, paper, and more paper!

There, that wasn't so bad, now was it, Lolly?  Well, yes.  Yes, that was very difficult!  My favorite crafty things might change tomorrow.  As a matter of fact, my favorite crafty things might need to evolve and include the Stitch Happy sewing machine in April!!  

Crafty hugs,
Lolly

Hello, I Love You: Candy Tin - Lolly's February Project #2

Hello Crafty Friends!

Our February Kit is all about Love and Happy Mail, and Lolly has brought the 2 together very nicely with her gorgeous Candy Tin. It's SO sweet! 

Enjoy!.....

A friend recently gave me some plain silver tin boxes to decorate.  Me? Oh, yes, I'd love to!
I am loving the stamp and die sets from Lawn Fawn that are in the February Kit, and they are the perfect size for this tin.

I knew right away that I wanted a belly band across the lid of the tin, and I wanted it to be made of a row of envelopes.  I stamped the envelopes onto watercolor paper and used a blue paper mask to mask off some of the envelopes when I stamped, to create a layered effect.  I used a very pale blue watercolor to shade the envelopes.

  I love the way it turned out!  I glued the belly band on the right and left sides with Scotch Tacky Glue and let it dry about an hour (I wanted to take extra care that I could slip a card under the band without pulling it up!





(The card and papers used on the tin are from the paper collection is Valentine's Day by Recollections.)

Oh!  The inside of the card! Let's not forget THAT!

Those chickies are TOO CUTE -- and what a great reminder to focus on being a blessing to someone we love, instead of just texting.  :) Technology and instant communication have taken some of the joy and wonder out of relationships.  How often do we receive cards in the mail any more?




Next, I used watercolor paper and the Lawn Fawn ink pad again and stamped out these cuties.  I love that little ink bottle and fountain pen!  Be still, my heart!   And the tiny dies are perfect -- no more fussy cutting.

I also wanted to add chocolates as a gift inside the tin, but I wanted pretty tissue paper, so I stamped on tissue paper.  The Lawn Fawn ink pad dries quickly, so it's great on tissue paper.  I used distress ink for the hearts, and you can see they are more fuzzy (let's call them "dreamy" instead!) because they had time to bleed into the paper due to slower drying times.

So that's my decorated tin project!   I think it turned out so adorable.  If you want to see the video, you will find it HERE.

Thank you for taking a look --

Lolly

Kit products used:

Lawn Fawn black ink pad

Dovecraft Ribbon

Lawn Fawn "Love Letters" stamps and dies

The BESTEST Giveaway.... Follow the Glitter Trail Step 2

Hello Lovely Crafters.........

It's Valentine's Month and we're telling you all - our friends and customers - how much we love you with the bestest - yes BESTEST - giveaway. Just to say thank you and we love you :)

Are you following the Glitter Trail for our Bestest Giveaway?
If not, take a quick step back to our facebook page for step one of the giveaway.......

Ok, commented on facebook for prize number 1?
Great!
Now let's look at prize number 2..........

It's the new Kaisercraft DIY Cuts die-cutting machine! WOOHOO!!

As well as working with the entire Kaisercraft die collection, this machine  is also compatible with most other brand dies and embossing folders. Each machine includes a pair of cutting plates, die adapter plate, metal adapter plate and base plate.

Want to win it?

Simply place an order of $50 or more on our WEBSITE between now and Friday the 17th of February to go in the draw. One lucky winner will be drawn and win this cool new machine!
Winner will be announced on Saturday the 18th.

With apologies to our International Friends....... because of the great weight of this machine, this part of the give-away is only for Australian Residents.

Ok... ready for step 3?

Join us in our facebook group Crafty Vera and Friends for a super secret prize draw!

Love and hugs
Aunty Vera and Team xx

Hello, I Love You! Lolly's February Project

Hello Crafty Readers and welcome to a whole new month of awesome crafting! 

Our February Kit is a bit of a hybrid....... we've mixed a little bit of Valentine love with a whole lot of happy mail to bring you "Hello, I Love You" and our Creative Team has gone bananas over it! We think you will too!

Today, Lolly brings us her first February project.... it's so sweet and totally awesome!

Enjoy!!................................

February's kit is uh-MAZ-ing.  If you didn't see my box opening, check it out HERE.
There is something so sweet and encouraging about love, hearts, and happy mail, right? (Just nod your head in agreement.)

I knew right away that I wanted to make a mailbox with Valentine's Day cards in it. I had a white metal mailbox that was blank and just screaming to be decorated!

First, I removed the red flag so that I could paper the mailbox easily.    Well, okay, it was actually my husband who removed the flag by drilling out the post.

     

Then I used a paper heart doily, a burlap heart, and some Scrabble tiles and red ribbon flowers -- the flowers were a thrift store find!  I used a combination of Scotch Tacky Glue and Fabri-Tac adhesive, then E6000 for the Scrabble tiles.   Every time I added a layer, this project seemed to come alive!

 On this side, I glued a layer of burgundy lace seam binding and red rik rak across the bottom, and then some letter tiles I got on clearance last year.

On the flag, the little envelope stamp from Lawn Fawn fit perfectly, and the pink ribbon tied it off nicely.   I reattached the flag with a brad and then covered the brad with a pink heart.

This is the front of the box, on which I used a combination of several pieces of the My Funny Valentine cutouts from Pebbles.  I tell you, those cards are cute, adorable, and downright funny!

There is also a letter & envelope charm here that is so adorable!

What could be more fun than a sweet Valentine mailbox?  A mailbox filled with Valentine cards! I made a set of cards and envelopes to fill my mailbox, but to see them, you are going to have to check out the video!  Tricky, huh?    Check out the video HERE.


This is a genius of a kit, and you can get yours HERE.


Thank you for sharing in my fun, and . . . happy Valentine's Day!
~Lolly

Aunty Vera February Kit Reveal - Hello, I Love You

Hello Crafty Friends - are you ready? It's time to reveal our February Kit.

Our monthly kits are delicious pizza boxes filled with enough goodies to get you busy crafting and creating for the month. This month we have a Mega Kit - for those who want to play with EVERYTHING...... as well as two mini kits - one for each aspect of our February theme (more on that later). Plus - we are also selling all the parts of the kit individually..... (all in the one place where you can easily find them :)
And to give you a good look at what's in the kit, our Creative Team have filmed special Box Openings just for you....... showing you what's in the kit as well as sharing their favourite products!

We couldn't do a February Kit without at least a reference to Valentine's Day..... so with a sprinkling of love..... and some cheeky penpal friends... let's have a look at our February Mega Kit - "Hello, I Love You".

What a super fun kit!!

And here is our Creative Team with their unboxings...... oh such fun!!!

Watch Lolly's Box Opening HERE

Watch Donna's Box Opening HERE

Watch Amira's Box Opening HERE

Best pizza ever!!

xx Aunty Vera and the Creative Team xx