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Post by joblackford on Sept 10, 2023 20:58:38 GMT
Oh no! I thought this was going to be a warning about what a mess black embossing powder can make if you don't use the anti static powder liberally. I've never used black - much safer to use clear over black ink. But this is much worse!! I can only imagine the mess.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 9, 2023 21:39:20 GMT
My marker coloring skills are a work in progress, shall we say, but I’m trying to learn how to color these adorable spooky-cute images from Sweet November Stamps. I’m going to make quite a few changes on my next attempt but here’s my first try. First try by jo.blackford, on Flickr
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Post by joblackford on Sept 9, 2023 20:11:41 GMT
Last year I didn't buy a thing during Stamptember. I did end up buying the Printmaking Birds stamp and die set during the big Thanksgiving sale though. I've used them for exactly one series of cards this past spring, I think I made 10-12 cards total. Not a great cards to cost ratio so far! Wondering if I can walk away from this Stamptember unscathed again. Man these prices are The prices are extremely off putting, especially knowing that you might end up on the hook for multiple shipping charges. I was a little tempted by the printmaking birds, iirc, but not enough to break my general-SSS-avoidance. Now I can only vaguely remember them. I buy way too many things that are fun the first time I use them and then never get pulled out again.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 9, 2023 20:07:29 GMT
I am so confused by Stamptember! Everything seems really disorganized and I can't seem to work out which thing is being released on which day. When I go to the website it is all lumped together. So what I did instead was go to Spellbinders Fire Sale lol. That’s possibly by design. You’re supposed to stalk them on all their social media, stay up until midnight waiting for the announcement and then panic buy! Except on the days when they announce at midnight that, nah, Gina K is going to show us her thing tonight, and everyone in the IG comments says, gee, thanks, I guess I can go to bed now… sigh. Some years the preview page goes in order so you can at least figure out which companies you love and make a point of reminding yourself to watch for them. Not this year. I’m lucky to be on the Pacific Coast so all the releases are at 9pm, if I care to follow/check. If I forget the good stuff is sold out by morning, but so far I haven’t wanted anything. Was the beginner/gateway drug/primary color release done in place of one of the collabs? I watched Jennifer McGuire’s video while crafting and even with something else to do it was so boring I almost switched it off. The SSS YTer I notice most, Prairie Paper and Ink looks like she only just got her DT supplies, lost in the post in Canada, so I haven’t felt as bombarded as usual.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 22:51:26 GMT
joblackford , I love all the different looks you are getting with that same die set! Thank you. I am too! And I've mostly stuck to traditional colors so far. I've made about 40 cards with this die so far without getting bored and I haven't even started cutting it up to go on one line yet.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 19:52:01 GMT
Seven more Noel cards! I'm experimenting with fancy die cuts inside the O now, and adding in some different colors. The snowy black background is a patterned paper panel freebie from Honey Bee Stamps. I like it! http://instagram.com/p/Cw7-drnLTUq
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 19:48:43 GMT
Imagine all the cool creepy dips you could make to go with these chips. So much fun for a potluck! I didn't buy any so I can't report on taste but if they still have them in October I'll get some. Halloweeny by jo.blackford, on Flickr
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 19:43:54 GMT
This is more of a general observation, not just about Krystal, but I have noticed a lot of crafters throw themselves wholeheartedly into things and love the hard work, but then something else comes along that catches their attention, or their life takes a different direction that means they can't keep that level of energy up. A lot of them are very good and work really hard, but they also seem to be the kind of people who hold themselves to a very high standard and perhaps offer too much that they can't keep up in the long run.
It's hard to keep up a creative business that relies on you making new things month after month with no downtime. Even Ali E had a few months/years when she was just phoning it in, and she has a team of people do the crap part of the business. Almost all of the crafty creators are juggling some combination of kids, elders, or day jobs on top of the behind the scenes grind of the business aspect of content creation. It's a wonder any of them can keep being creative at all.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 19:28:04 GMT
I think embossing looks cool and I want to try that. I looked up that thing that I liked from Tim Holtz that looks like all the decorations fell down after prom and people have done some gorgeous things with it. But I also feel like once I do something one time, I won't want to do it again. This seems like a really big investment. Embossing folders are very fun, there's lot of techniques you can do with them, and they're mostly cheap to buy. But they're very unstandardized - I only have a handful but they're almost all different sizes roughly 4x5.5, 4x6ish, 5x7ish, and 6x6. There are thin narrow ones for borders too but they're the only ones that would fit in one of the mini machines. I have a Big Shot but if I was buying again I'd probably get a Spellbinders Platinum 6 or a Gemini Jr. The folding platform bit saves some space, and it looks nice. But you do have to keep your plates elsewhere. I keep my plates in my machine all the time but it takes up a big chunk of my desk. They're all heavy by design - even as heavy as mine is it wiggles around my table as I crank unless I press down a bit on the top handle. And yeah, they're pricey, and there are usually different bundles where you get a bunch of dies (you might want) with them. I got mine from scrapbk dot com during a Black Friday sale. Getting something very cool and then being done with it after one session is a very real problem, both for embossing folders and dies. And they're not cheap. As I speak I'm trying to resist the ad below this reply box - it's tempting me with a beautiful fox die and another one the one with 3 different animals where the fox is more stylized, so maybe I need them both...? ugh! But the machine will prove very useful year after year. I resisted getting one for quite a while but I use it all the time now and have tried lots of different things with it. I like the smooth cut it gives compared to the electronic cutters, and a lot of dies add texture or faux stitching that I love. It's a slippery slope of spending though, for sure... You should also know that the cutting plates are a consumable. They last a decent amount of time but you will have to replace them periodically. I agree that Marketplace would be a good hunting ground. Try Craiglist too? Being hella heavy they're going to cost a lot to ship so eBay is not such a good option. If I lived on your side of the country I'd sell you mine for cheap and get a Platinum or Gemini, but I just bought a magnetic platform for my BS and I'm expecting it will last me many more years.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 8, 2023 0:33:20 GMT
I'd like to play with this month's sketch, I bought SO many fall papers last year, and a lot of them are still here in my office . When I started card making last year I was such a soft touch when around PP, I've shown more restraint since then, but only after I stocked up on a ton of it this past spring. Oy! ANYHOW, I don't have any 5x7 bases or envelopes around so I want to do A2 size instead. Before I figure out new cuts, I am wondering if any of the designers happened to adapt the sketch for that size card? If so, could someone point me in that direction? Thanks either way. I think she usually releases a mid month video but looking at last month she didn’t show the adaptation for 6x6 paper until the 24th! I couldn’t really figure out why people needed instructions on that since that cutting guide was really obvious (to me) but anyway, hopefully she will share the A2 adaptation a little earlier.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 7, 2023 2:38:06 GMT
I was really hoping GinaK would have something different. I think this is at least the third yr she’s done snowflakes. So far my bank account is holding steady. I was going to say, snowflakes again? It’s pretty but I notice the bird doesn’t look great, especially not when it’s embossed. And the set is kind of one-note. Maybe if I liked the sentiments and fonts better I would value it a little more highly. Too much money for a design that isn’t particularly versatile.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 14:54:24 GMT
Tombow has a dot tape runner too. I find the permanent one (which I use for cardmaking) is quite repositionable if you only use a small bit, but they make a repositionable version too. When you want to remove the die cut a little twist will help the glue disconnect. I keep my die cuts in divided pocket pages in a binder and it’s definitely easier to look through and find than keeping them in original packaging.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 14:47:25 GMT
…one would think I have 6 kids, 12 grand babies and continuously go on vacation and celebrate Christmas. Trying to find a piece of pink paper that’ll go with a page, and turned around to have a hard look at the state of my craft room. I was frustrated with how difficult it is to reach what I need. I’m actually kinda sad that I won’t use all of the pretty stuff I’ve collected over the 27 years that I’ve scrapped. That’s the thing - as much as some people can handle and enjoy more stuff and feel like there’s never too much, if you personally find it frustrating to not find what you want easily, you might have too much *for you.* Dana K White calls it your clutter threshold - how much you can personally keep under control and find and use easily. It might be neat and tidy, it might be the perfect amount of stuff for someone else, but if it makes you feel sad or overwhelmed or frustrated it might be time to pass some of it on. I would start with getting rid of some of the stuff that isn’t so pretty. I’m sure there must be some things that haven’t aged well or that aren’t as pretty as the rest of the collection.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 14:38:48 GMT
Hmmmm...or maybe it was me? Well, probably a combination, since it was first time with this type of product. But, my point is, I followed the package instructions and cut my paper to 8 x 10.5 and tried to align things using the etched rectangle of that size. The little square registration marks would be outside the paper if you do that. Do people actually usually leave the card stock at 8.5 x 11 and cut it down afterward? I personally find it easier to leave the paper full size. I’m going to have to cut it down later anyway so why get the cutter out twice? I align the top corners and use post it tape to attach each stencil to the paper in turn. I just tape it around the edge. It’s a bit clumsy, but it didn’t make sense to me to cut the paper down first. I’ve seen demos where they attached the paper to a blotter mat/work pad and then colored in the registration squares on the blotter, lining up the engraved edge to the paper and checking the colored-in squares with each change of the stencil. I might try it once just to see if it’s easier. I’m not sure if you got a wonky one or not.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 4:57:17 GMT
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 2:37:13 GMT
I like both, but I’m not going to use them together. Christmas is the one time of year when I’m enthusiastic about gold. I think it looks great with traditional red and green. But I’m cool with silver and non traditional colors too. As long as it makes sense as part of the overall color scheme I’m happy for any shiny stuff.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 6, 2023 2:31:50 GMT
Am I hosting? I’m available to be a host
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Post by joblackford on Sept 5, 2023 19:09:41 GMT
Here's a funny sort of "now what?" question about using stuff up. If you use up a discontinued ink pad, clearly you toss it, because it can't be reinked. What if you use up an ink pad that's still in production, has reinkers available, but you personally don't care to refill it? Do you offer it as a RAK, noting that reinkers are available? Or just toss it? It's really pathetic how much I hate trashing things.... It wouldn't hurt to offer it as a RAK. You'll find out pretty quickly if anyone wants it. But most likely it's going to cost the same to ship it as it's worth to buy a new one so it's most likely trash. Everything will one eventually be trash so don't feel too bad.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 5, 2023 15:57:28 GMT
So far I’m very safe. It looks like the preview page is not in any particular order, at least now I see it clicking the link above. That’s a shame. I do appreciate being able to see the prices though.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 22:22:13 GMT
I've already failed at a new technique (using markers and a waterbrush to try and stamp/paint an image) and thrown it in the shredder so I can't claim sharing points for it, lol. And I just made my own red cardstock with ink and water spritzing and learned some things about the physics of water droplets in white kitchens. I also learned that a Magic Eraser will clean watery red CP ink off white grout, thank goodness! sounds messy but fun. Glad the Magic eraser was there for the rescue! I really should learn to do this kind of thing in the basement or with proper spill/overspray precautions. This is why I am better off sticking to patterned paper and leaving the mixed media to other people. Hopefully the result will be worth it!
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 22:19:21 GMT
I made 6 Noel cards (2nd picture) using the negative space pieces from die cuts layered over foiled polka dot red cs (I didn't foil it, it came like that). I added some die cuts to fill in the center of the O. I'm experimenting with many ways to use the Noel dies and their negative space pieces. I really love the folk art inlay of the die (first picture) and I'm working on different color schemes for the inlay, using up scraps. http://instagram.com/p/Cwt5WGmOiL9
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 22:13:23 GMT
Linda great to see you off to a scrappy start. Love that you were able to use some vintage supplies to go fill in gaps in your past albums. That must've been very satisfying. grammadee love all the movement on your pages. Those shots from barrel races are so cool. cannmom lovely colors and textures on your Iceland geyser page. Those will be some fun photos to scrap. MDscrapaholic I love your fall leaves and how you turned them into Halloween cards. You gave me an idea for a patterned paper I have to use. I have been working on some of my challenges. I've already failed at a new technique (using markers and a waterbrush to try and stamp/paint an image) and thrown it in the shredder so I can't claim sharing points for it, lol. And I just made my own red cardstock with ink and water spritzing and learned some things about the physics of water droplets in white kitchens. I also learned that a Magic Eraser will clean watery red CP ink off white grout, thank goodness!
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 19:40:57 GMT
OTHER: Try something, fail at it, throw it in the bin, still get a point joblackford , your last suggestion made me laugh out loud. I have already earned that point!! ME TOO! I shredded my failures so I can't get the sharing points, but yes, that "challenge" was inspired by a true story
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 18:17:34 GMT
Also, I LOVE YOUR CARDS So cute!
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 18:17:14 GMT
I've heard about not mixing the brushes, too, which means I'll have to buy another set just for my Oxides. I'm really impressed with how vibrant the oxides look on your cards! So I just received another set of the blending brushes, but while I was waiting for them to arrive, I used some old Tim Holtz foam dome blenders, and those worked pretty good too! The foam domes are cheaper than the brushes, and take up less space on my table. It's hard to label them, though! I love my oxides - so easy to clean (just run stencil under running water) and the colors are vibrant. I need to start buying reinkers for these. Shimelle made a storage solution for the foams out of a cheap frame with plexi. She created a grid in the frame with the color names and added velcro to the squares to hold the foams when not in use. That worked well with the domed foams especially - they can't be stored under the ink pad with velcro because they're too domed. Here's a guide to how she did it: www.instagram.com/reel/CbFet91Is6k/Personally I just have a tupperware full of foams and can usually find the one that's the right color, or close enough. I also sometimes use the same brush for CP inks and oxides and nothing has been ruined yet, but I don't use them often or heavily.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 17:29:41 GMT
Not a lot, but I have a bunch of individual word dies that I keep together and I've added a couple of similar words that came with other sets to them. I have pulled out a few most used shapes to keep separately, like my most used stitched rectangle size, and some little panels that are very useful that I would never remember to look for in their sets. I've also combined a couple of sets into one envelope so they're all together to mix and match. I usually keep the inserts with them if they have layering guides so I could separate the sets later if I wanted to, and sometimes I leave myself notes in the envelope telling Future-Me where to find things.
I prefer to keep things where I would look if I was browsing for them. I'd rather have trouble re-combining a set together because I was giving it away than never use a great die because I never thought to look for it in its official set.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 17:21:53 GMT
Hope these will work Can you remind me what a recipe challenge is? I've never been too clear on those. PRODUCTS: Use twine or thread Layer or combine ribbons, trims, threads on your project TECHNIQUES: Use the negative space from a punch or die cut Put something inside a letter, like a flower in the middle of an O Stitch it, with thread or faux stitching with a die or pen Heat it up - use heat embossing or hot foiling Glue it down - use glue to add embellishment like foil or glitter Blend it - color something with ink blending Blend over the top - use more ink over the top of some ink blending (stencil, Joseph's Coat, vignette edges) Resist it - create a resist with heat embossing, wax, etc then add color Swink it - swipe ink direct to paper Custom cardstock - use any technique to color your own cardstock for an element Water it down - use watercolor or watercolor powders/pencils/crayons on your project Use markers instead of ink to stamp an image, like in the old days Smoosh some ink Splatter it WORDS Use a season name in your title/sentiment Use a holiday word/name in your title/sentiment Use wording that's specific to your family/part of an in-joke, like a nickname you use for a place you go or food you eat Use a word from your mother tongue on your project (yes, even if your native language is English!) Use a French word on your project Use a Spanish word on your project Use a word from a language you have studied on your project Use a word from any other language on your project NUMBERS/SIZES: Use a teeny tiny element on your project Use a really big element on your project (big relative to the size of your card/page/style) Use the number 31 Use the number 25 Add 5 of something, like 5 gems on a card OTHER: Try something, fail at it, throw it in the bin, still get a point Thanks
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Post by joblackford on Sept 4, 2023 16:38:56 GMT
grammadee asked me to remind you all that we need CHALLENGES for this to be a CHALLENGE GROUP. I myself haven't added any but will today. Pls ignore this PSA if you have already done your job! Ooops! I've been slacking... but I guess maybe I'm not alone in that!
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Post by joblackford on Sept 3, 2023 22:23:10 GMT
Well, this sketch was demonstrated without a true focal point and I don't have a plan yet.... You might want to check out this video for an alternative to the half circle/sentiment strip. I wasn't a huge fan of those two elements as they were in the original sketch, but this video eliminates the half circle and uses some die cuts on an embossed panel instead, with ribbon for the horizontal band. Another CT member on YT used printed tags instead of the half circle and that looked good too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUf5k5AxREY
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Post by joblackford on Sept 3, 2023 22:15:56 GMT
I haven't looked into it very much so if there's any articles you guys have seen post'em! But I wonder how many christmas movies we'll get on Hallmark this year with the strike. www.thelist.com/1354277/hallmark-christmas-movie-season-upended-hollywood-strike/Good question! According to this there were already 18 finished before the strike. That's a lot less than 43 or whatever from last year but still a decent number to supplement the old rotation. I guess we'll see, depending on when the strike finally ends.
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