I am finally getting back into the swing of things after being in Chicago for 6 days last week. Deb and I had a great time at our new home, Idea-ology (
because really, if you have seen the Idea-ology booth, you want to live there). Thank you to Tim and Mario for the fabulous CHA experience! We felt
"at home" and you can't ask for more than that, really just perfect. Everyone at Advantus, Ranger, Sizzix and Stampers Anonymous was also so very nice and welcoming. So glad to re-connect with friends at the show and meet many new faces that I know we will see again.
Part of the CHA experience was participating in a retailer event where we learned about new products from the companies I listed above. Most products will arrive at your local retailer in about 8 to 10 weeks, so I thought in the meantime we could test drive some of our favorites to show you what the product does and why we like it (
this might be a good time to start a list).
First up,
Ranger Sticky Embossing Powder
I know... you are probably saying, I already have embossing powder, why buy another? Let me show you...
I used the Alterations die,
Regal Crest to cut out the shapes. Paper is from Paper Stash - Holidays Past.
Get out an
Embossing ink pad...
I inked the leaves with the clear side of the pad.
Then placed the leaf shape on a piece of paper.
Cover the leaves with
Sticky Embossing Powder then tap off, just like regular embossing.
Return the excess embossing powder back into the jar by folding the paper over and sliding it back in (
but you knew that part, right?)
Use a
Heat Tool to melt the embossing powder. It melts rather fast compared to regular embossing powder.
Can you see that it is shiny? When heat embossed, this
powder provides a sticky surface for adhering.
NOTE:
You have about 30-40 second window to add something to the "sticky" surface so my best advice here is to know what you want to add to the sticky surface before you melt the embossing powder.
This is the cool part...I added the new
Stickles Dry Fine Glitter - Platinum over the top. The glitter sticks to the melted embossing powder (
and very well I might add). Again, tap off the excess and slide the extra glitter back into the jar.
LOVE IT!
You could never get these leaves that flat and clean using regular glue. Virtually no clean up, other than sliding the excess glitter back into the jar.
I need more pieces to complete the card. So back to the cut out banner.
I added some doodling.
Then I cut out a shape for a background from the new
Paper Stash - Holidays Past using the Sizzix
Alterations Baroque die. I also cut a piece of black cardstock 5.75 x 9", then folded it in half for the card base.
So lets try the Sticky Embossing Powder again with chipboard and foil.
Same first steps...
ink chipboard with embossing ink...
pour on the Sticky Embossing Powder, tap off excess...
then heat with a Heat Tool until shiny.
Lay the foil sheet on the chipboard and rub to adhere.
Peel away the foil to reveal the silver star. This is just what I was looking for...texture and not too perfect. Eventually, I inked up the edges with some Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and added the word
wishing.
So, time to make the card. I added the Baroque die cutout to the black cardstock then started layering the pieces. I used a soft graphite pencil to add shading around the leaves. The large star was raised with a thin pop dot.
I added 3 dots of
Adirondack Dimensional Pearls in Cranberry to mimic holly.
Once the Dimensional Pearls was dry I had to try stamping with the new embossing powder. So on the inside of the card I stamped stars with the new Stampers Anonymous
Christmas Time stamp.
Just follow the same steps to heat the embossed image and add glitter. I used a big fluffy brush to wipe away any leftover glitter particles.
I had to take a picture at night just so you can see how lovely the new Platinum glitter is. It looks gold in the jar but it has just the right amount of silver in it.
I love the end result...and by the way, it can adhere not only glitter and foil, but micro beads and flocking too.
Personally, I would buy the embossing powder just for the fact that the glitter has no glue clean up.
Oh, and one more thing before I go...we brought home samples of many of the new
products so when you see the posts marked
Test Drive...there's gonna be a
prize.
Hope you will come along for the ride!
Leave us a comment for a chance to win the new Stamper Anonymous Christmas Time Stamp, Ranger Stickles Dry Glitter and Sticky Embossing Powder.
You have until Friday the 27th at midnight.
And remember, most of the new product I talked about today arrives in stores mid-September, just in time for Christmas!
cheers!
paula
