Custom Faux Leather Scallop Edge Bookmark Personalized with Name

 

There is another new item in the Etsy shop.  If you love bookish merch, this is for you!  Available in five colors with a choice or white or gold lettering and tassel and a choice of block or script font, these bookmarks are personalized with a word or name up to 9 letters.  Bring some style to your book-reading or a gift for the book lover in your life with these customizable, scallop-edge bookmarks.  Get one today.  Only 4.47 plus shipping.  While you're there, also check out my floral scallop-edge bookmarks!

Thanksgiving Gratitude Bundle for Kids

 There is a new product in the Etsy shop!  It's a bundle of 7 activities designed especially for kids to help them express their gratitude and thankfulness this Thanksgiving season.  Check it out here!

 

Take advantage of all access to over 18 million fonts and graphics at an 86% discount from Creative Fabrica!  Plus, get additional free graphic bundles and discount codes to some of the best suppliers in the craft world.

The Spooky Halloween Sale lasts from October 1 - October 31!

Quick Tip Tuesday - Ink Swatch

 

If you enjoy ink blending or stamping, keeping a list of ink swatches can be beneficial. Why?

1.  It helps to organize your supplies.  I like to keep my ink pads in color order (ROYGBIV then neutrals).

2.  You can easily see what colors you have so that you don't accidentally purchase a color you already have. It can also show what color family you might need.

3.  Swatching helps you see the ink pad's true color as it can look different on the lid than it does on paper.

4.  A swatch list can help you plan projects with colors that complement each other.

5.  Last, a swatch will show you the actual properties of the ink such as saturation, shimmer, or having a chalky appearance (like Oxides).

Making ink swatches is easy to do, and it doesn't have to be fancy or time-consuming.  I suggest using the same card stock you typically use for crafts.  You can apply the ink to small cards and attach them to a piece of cardstock, or you can directly swipe the ink onto the paper. Then write with a pen what type or brand of ink each sample is as well as the name of the color. Last, decide where you will store your ink swatches so they will be handy when you need them.

I hope this encourages you to make some ink swatches.

Green Ink Blending a Background with Video

 Watch my ink blending video.  I use Catherine Pooler Matcha and Grass Skirt as well as Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Forest Moss, to make a background that is lighter in the middle and darker near the edges.  I'm still new at making videos, so please don't judge too harshly!

Favorite Weekly Project - Infusible Ink Cosmetics Bag

 I have been wanting to use infusible ink (again, as I tried it last Christmas and liked the look), so I decided to take the plunge.  I used a Cricut cosmetic bag blank and the rainbow triangles infusible ink.  I used a brushstroke pattern for the background then used regular Cricut iron-on vinyl in black for the words.  Both sides are the same. I'm using this bag to store all of my ink-blending tools because the drawstring bag I had them in was getting too small.

 I love the vibrancy of the infusible ink and how it becomes part of the fabric.  It was not as difficult as I remembered.  The process went very smoothly following Cricut's directions.  I hope you'll give infusible ink a try!

Quick Tip Tuesday - Card Sizes

 If you are a paper crafter who enjoys making greeting cards, it is helpful to know the common sizes. This diagram should help.

In the card-making world, A2 seems to be the most popular.

It could be 4.25x5.5 or 5.5x4.25 and either top fold or side fold regardless of which side is the longer one. 

A2 cards can be found at most craft stores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and JoAnn as well as online retailers such as Blick Art Materials (for a really reasonable price), Scrapbook.com, and A Cherry on Top.  I hope this information helps in your card-making journey.

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