Balzer Designs

Avalon Fix is Awesome!

This is a review I wrote for Craft Critique.  It appeared on that website a few weeks ago.

I first became acquainted with Avalon Fix about a year ago when I took a class with Jan Beaney. Jan is a fiber artist from the U.K. and you should check out her wonderfully textural embroidery if you get a chance.

Avalon Fix is a water-soluble stabilizer. In case you don’t know what stabilizers are, here’s a great article from Threads Magazine. Essentially, a water-soluble stabilizer allows you to stitch into it like fabric and then it disappears or melts away in water. It’s an easy way to make your own lace or free standing embroidered embellishments.

Avalon Fix has two unique characteristics that I love:

1. You don’t need a hoop.
Most of the water-soluble stabilizers I’ve worked with resemble a thin plastic film. In order to work with them, you need to stretch them in a hoop. Avalon Fix is more like a woven fabric. You don’t need to use a hoop. This opens up many issues of size and shape. And, there’s less waste. (Always an important consideration for the budget minded.) Further, it’s still thin enough to see through, so you can place a pattern underneath your Avalon Fix.

2. It’s adhesive backed.

A popular lace technique is to sandwich loose fibers between two layers of water-soluble stabilizers and stitch a grid. When you melt away the stabilizer, you are left with a wonderful lacy fabric. The downside is that you can’t really control where the fibers end up all that accurately. Because Avalon Fix is sticky, you can accurately place whatever material you want onto the stabilizer. Love that!

I like to use Avalon Fix to make these bracelets:

Here’s a step-by-step demonstration of how I use Avalon Fix:

1. Adhere it to your work surface (I’m working on a piece of glass) over your pattern, with the sticky side up.
2. Begin placing your fiber where you want it.
3. Continue to fill your shape – you can see that I used felt to create some circles.
4. Place another water-soluble stabilizer (I used Sulky Solvy) over your creation so that your needle doesn’t get caught. It will stick to the adhesive of the Avalon Fix.
5. Machine stitch to secure all the disparate items together.
6. Place the stitched item into a bowl of water – warm or cold it doesn’t matter.

The stabilizer will melt away and you will be left with your finished shape. You can now embellish and use it as you wish. You can see that I used it as the centerpiece of my necklace. I also made a matching pair of earrings.

I couldn’t find either prices or product info on the manufacturer’s website, however a web search revealed that you can purchase Avalon Fix for as low as $15 a roll. I buy mine at my local quilt shop for $20.

I haven't found another water-soluble stabilizer that performs in quite the way that Avalon Fix does.  I highly recommend it.

Adobe Photoshop CS3: An Overview

This is a review that I wrote for Craft Critique.  It appeared on that blog last month.

I first stuck my toe in the digital waters about two years ago. I was largely resistant to digital scrapbooking at that time, because I love the touch and feel of paper pages way too much to ever give them up! But, Photoshop Elements had been touted to me as the greatest tool a digital photographer can have. I had become frustrated with iphoto’s range of choices and was looking for a more advanced way to edit my photos.

So, I started fooling around with a free 30-day trial of Photoshop Elements (PSE). (You can download a full, working version of any of Adobe’s products for a free 30-day trial.) Despite the fact that PSE is not exactly intuitive (there is definitely a steep learning curve), I mucked around and managed to figure some stuff out. So, I bought the full version ($89.99) and happily edited my photos for about a year.

But once I became comfortable, I wanted more.

So, I started trying to do some digital pages. Just for fun, you understand. Just to see if I could figure it out.

While I managed to accidentally stumble into some good ideas, I knew I needed a book to really harness the power of this program. So, I bought Better Homes and Gardens’ The Ultimate Guide to Digital Scrapbooking because of a recommendation. I wrote a somewhat angry review of that book here. That book frustrated me to no end because many of the really “cool” digital tricks were things that could only be done in the full version of Photoshop ($649). (I have since learned that you can use PSE for most things, you just have to be a bit clever about it.)

So, I waited and waited and then a major coupon came my way! I jumped on the opportunity to buy Photoshop CS3 (PS CS3) at a deeply discounted price. And I have been happy as a clam ever since.

I wanted to share my journey with the program, so that you would know where I'm coming from. I'm not going to do a "review" of PS CS3, so much as provide you with an overview of what the program can do for us crafters. Here are just a few of the ways you can use Photoshop CS3 (and Photoshop Elements)…

BASIC FLASH ANIMATION

This is something that you can do in both PSE and PS CS3, but it’s not something that most people realize. If you’re planning on doing a lot of animation, you should buy a program like Flash. But for the occasional fun item, like the blinkie below, Photoshop does a great job!

PHOTO EDITING

Again, you can edit your photos in many, many programs. And both PSE and PS CS3 can do amazing things to photos. I edit all my photos in Photoshop before printing them. Check out this amazing before and after…

I actually did that in PSE before I bought Photoshop CS3, but it's a dramatic change, so I wanted to share it!

DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING

Photoshop makes it quick and easy to create beautiful digital scrapbook pages. Here’s a recent page of mine:

HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING

And if you’re not sure you want to go all digi, you can always use Photoshop to help you with your hybrid (mixture of paper and digi) scrapbook pages. Check out my layout below:

I altered the photos and printed them onto transparencies.

CREATE YOUR OWN DIGITAL KITS

I have just recently started creating my own digital kits. Check out the kit preview below. I created the papers, embellishments, and even the preview itself in Photoshop CS3!

Everything that I've shown you so far can be accomplished in both PSE and PS CS3. So, here are two of the features that I love about PS CS3:

PATHS

The ability to create paths is one of the major reasons I decided to upgrade. (You cannot create paths in PSE.) Without getting too technical on you, a path is a vector line. And for crafters, one of the things we love about vector lines is that text will follow the line. In the example below, you can see that I’ve drawn a swirl shape, created a path, and now the text automatically follows that line!

Paths can also create a closed space which text will automatically fill. You can see in the example below that I drew a wonky tree shape and then typed my text. I didn’t hit “return” a single time. The path forces the text into the correct shape!

Here’s a digital layout where you can see that I used a path to get my journaling to fit on my page exactly. I traced the edge of the flowers and the edges of the page, created a path, and then just typed in my journaling! So easy!

ACTIONS

Actions are one of the coolest things around. Actions allow you to press a single button to complete a very complex task – anything from resizing a photo to inking the edge of an element. There are many sites out there that sell actions (many of which work in PSE, not just PS CS3). But, the only way to create your own actions is through PS CS3. For example, I love to take photos with my iphone, but I often find that the photos are somewhat dark and lifeless. So, I created an “iphone action” which makes several adjustments to the photo and all I do is touch a button.

This feature saves me lots and lots of time!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Photoshop CS3 is a professional level program. In all honesty, I probably use a tenth of its power. If you’ve never used Photoshop before, I highly suggesting downloading the free 30 day trial of Photoshop Elements. You should also buy a book or take a class because the learning curve can be very steep. If you find yourself using it a lot, then I highly recommend Photoshop CS3. I rarely digi scrap without using both paths and actions, two things found only in the professional level program.

A note about Mac vs. PC. Adobe develops for PC first, so the Mac version (particularly of Photoshop Elements) is a bit behind the PC version. Also, for some reason Adobe has created different interfaces for Mac and PC, so the screenshots and commands don’t always look the same. Even more frustrating, some of the Mac versions of PSE are missing things that are in the PC version. So when you buy a book or take a class, be sure that the author or instructor acknowledges these differences.

Wacom Tablet: A Rave Review

This is a review that I wrote for Craft Critique.  It appeared on that blog last week.

Several months ago, I began digital scrapbooking. I kept reading about this Wacom Tablet thing that people were raving about. And then a gal I scrap with brought her laptop and tablet to a crop. She let me try it out. I felt like a three-year-old learning to hold a pencil for the first time, but I was hooked!

I bought a Wacom Intuos 3 Graphics Tablet (6x8), which retails for $329. It is compatible with both Mac and PC (including Windows Vista). The box contains the following:

- Intuos3 6X8 pen tablet
- Intuos3 Grip pen
- Intuos3 five button mouse
- Pen stand
- Replacement nib set: 1 stroke nib, 1 felt nib, and 3 standard nibs
- CD with Quick Start Guide
- CD with tablet driver software for installation
- Software DVD, which includes Adobe Photoshop Elements 4, Corel Painter Essentials 3, and Nik Color Efex Pro 2 IE.

I have never used the mouse, the replacement nibs, Corel Painter or Nik Color Efex Pro. But, I use the tablet and pen every single time I open Photoshop.

Here’s how tablets work (regardless of the size or model): The pen tool becomes your mouse. Whatever you do with the pen and the tablet, your mouse does. But the really cool part is that the tablet is smart. If you pick up the pen and move it through the air to another area of the tablet, the mouse will follow! You do not need to drag it across the surface of the tablet.

My second favorite feature of the pen and tablet are the programmable buttons. You can program a series of keystrokes into each button. For instance, instead of having to choose “Layer>Arrange>Bring to Front” or type in the shortcut key strokes (“shift-open apple-closed bracket”), you can simply program one of the buttons on either the pen or the tablet and press it instead! This has made my life so much better! I am able to work more quickly and more efficiently, because I have programmed my most used combinations into my tablet.

This brings me to my only complaint: I wish that there were more programmable buttons. I recognize the ridiculousness of this request, but it doesn’t keep me from wanting more. They’re just so cool!

Beyond the fact that I enjoy using the pen tool and tablet, I have been able to do some very cool things that would have been very difficult, if not impossible, with a mouse. Check out these layouts…

Above: I drew the frame and the title. It's so great to be able to integrate your own handwriting into your digital work. Below: The pen allowed me enough control to create the unique (and very handmade looking) hearts on this layout.

Below: I created this layout without a single purchased digital element. From the paint to the handwriting to the doodles to the stitches, this layout was entirely created using my tablet!

Even if you don't draw, the tablet makes tasks like rotating and resizing significantly easier. Check out this layout:

From manipulating all those ribbons to creating the lace alphabet paper (a lot of rotating and sizing), my Wacom Tablet made it easy and ergonomic!

Let me add that I abuse my tablet. I drop crumbs on it. I travel with it (cram it into a backpack). I drop it. And yet, it still keeps ticking! I wouldn't advise abusing your tablet, but I wanted to let you know that it has taken a beating and survived.

The bottom line is that I cannot imagine doing any digital work without a tablet. If you're at all serious about digital scrapbooking, a tablet is a very good investment. They have less expensive versions, including the new Bamboo Fun, which is only $79.

Glimmer Mist Q&A

First up, some good news!  About three hours ago I had a layout picked up by Simple Scrapbooks for their January/February issue.  Yay!  And I got a copy of the October Memory Makers Magazine and you can see my first published digital layout on page 51!  Now, on to the rest...

This is an article I wrote for Craft Critique.  It appeared on that blog last week.

Q: What is Glimmer Mist?

A: Glimmer Mist is a glittery dye from Tattered Angels. It comes packaged in a spray bottle with a sticker showing the color of the contents.

Q: Why the sticker?

A: Glimmer Mist is basically dye with metallic pigment powders mixed in with it. You need to shake the bottle to get the powder to mix with the dye because it’s heavier and sinks to the bottom when left alone.  The color you see in the bottle is not accurate, check the sticker to see the true color of the Glimmer Mist.

Q: What does it look like?

A: With over sixty different colors to choose from, it’s hard to make a blanket statement. Generally speaking they’re very transparent, though I have found that the darker blues and browns tend to be a bit more opaque. Some of the lighter colors are almost completely transparent, adding just a bit of a sheen to your work.

Check out this layout:


I wanted the background paper to capture the feeling of New York. So I used a combination of water, walnut ink, Glimmer Mist, ink and crumpling to get that grungy but shiny and definitely aged feeling.

Q: Cool! So, what does it stick to besides paper?

A: Wood, metal, plastic, glass, photos, fabric, paint…almost everything I’ve tried it on! Here’s a canvas I made using Glimmer Mist:


Q: So I can use it on anything?

A: Well, yeah. But here’s the thing: It’s not waterproof. So, even after it has dried, if you spray it with water, it will start running again. So, if you’re using it for an altered piece or something that is going to be in any kind of weather or humidity, you need to seal it with something.

Q: Is it hard to use?

A: If you can use hairspray, you can use Glimmer Mist! It’s in a little pump spray bottle and you just push the button down and move across your project. Couldn’t be easier!

Q: Speaking of hairspray, I’ve heard that you can make your own using hairspray and pigment powders….

A: Yep, I’ve heard that too. But, with over 60 colors to choose from and such a reasonable price ($6.95 for 2oz), why bother?! Plus, I don’t love the idea of hairspray all over my stuff… And it's acid free, so if that is a concern for you, Glimmer Mist has you covered.

Q: 2 oz. doesn’t sound like a lot…

A: Trust me, I use my Glimmer Mists all the time and I still haven’t run out of a single color!

Q: Wow! That’s great! Is there anything else I need to know before I go out and buy a bunch of Glimmer Mist?

A: Nope! Just grab a bottle or two and start experimenting!

Among the comments I received over at Craft Critique, were the following concerns:

Michelle Adams said...

I heard good things about Glimmer Mist so I bought a couple of colors. Maybe I am doing something wrong, but it always comes out really blotchy for me. I never use mine. ;0(

Shelby said...

I've done the hairspray with the whatchamacallit before and it works beautifully... until the nozzle clogs. Sometimes you can unclog it, sometimes you can't. I'm wondering if the glimmer mist ever clogs up the nozzle like this?

Mari said...

While I dig the layout, I'm a little disappointed to see another Glimmer Mist plug. I actually own a bunch of GM (and other similar products) and find that GM is the one I reach for least often. I don't think you've addressed any of the negative aspects like inconsistent color, splotchy application, and clogged nozzles. And they're the most expensive of the bunch. Like I said, I own other brands that are much more user friendly - and less expensive!

Sorry, but I just don't see the critique part of this entry....

jules p said...

I have to agree...I don't see the critique of this product.

And the layout...well, the wording was not necessary. Along with that, it took away from your entire page and the product you were trying to tell us about. :(

Response From Me...

Personally, I haven't had a problem with the Glimmer Mist nozzles clogging or inconsistent color in the five months I've been using them.  As for splotchy application, that's absolutely true, but I always thought it was a feature of the product, not a downside.  I like the spattered look and it fits my style of scrapbooking.  That said, the farther away from your project you spray, the more fine the mist.  I haven't tried any of the similar products, so I don't have anything to compare to the Glimmer Mists.  But, I do use them a lot.  I feel that I should also mention that we are not usually provided with product to review at Craft Critique.  We have to use stuff we own and like.  Glimmer Mist didn't sponsor my Q&A, so it's really not a "plug."  Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns!

And now for something Sultane!  I used the Art Nouveau collection, which is all black and white papers...

 

 

I think it would have been better with black and white photos, but c'est la vie!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday's Monster Post

Today, I've got a monster post for you with a lot of stuff to share!

1. Good News

I submitted a layout to a last minute call by Scrapbook News & Review.  It was my first time submitting to this ezine and they picked up a recent layout for their August issue.  Yay!

2. Craft Critique

I've said it before and I'll say it again, you *must* check out Craft Critique for their CHA photos and news. It's so great to have it all in one place!  The thing that interested me most was this post.  They're moving CHA-Summer to Florida and adding two days of consumer shopping!  Well, it might not be shopping, but two days that regular people (as opposed to retailers and designers) can walk the show floor.  Whoa!  That's a big change and I'm very curious to see how it all pans out.

3. Crop at K&P

This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you should come and hang out at My Kits & Pieces.  We're having an online crop and there are a bajillion fabulous games, challenges (some of them are already up), and chats.  I'll be hosting a digi/hybrid chat on Saturday evening at 7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern, so be sure to stop by!  I'm also offering a FREE online class, so check the message board for that!

4. July Projects for Just Let Me Scrapbook

Just Let Me Scrapbook always had the greatest prices around!  Especially because she's always running an *amazing* sale!  She just got in a bunch of new Prima stuff and the Making Memories Noteworthy line, so I'm itching to let my fingers do some shopping!  In the meantime, here are my July projects for the store:

I made this layout at a crop I went to on Friday night with the Manhattan Scrapbookers.  One of the gals there gave me some lovely acrylic paints, so I had to try them out!  The paper is K&Co., the rubber buttons are from KI Memories, and those fabulous letters are from Doodlebug.  Lately, I am in love with all of Doodlebug's alpha stickers.  They're just fabulous!  The scan is kind of blown out, but the gist of it is that these photos were taken about 72 hours apart.  The top is my Mom (in CA with her sister) with her tongue out. The bottom is me (with my Mom in MA) with my tongue out.  Like mother like daughter.

 
After seeing the sneak peeks of Tinkering Ink's new Beadles, I had to make some of my own!  I've made lots of paper beads before, but I always coated them with Mod Podge or Diamond Glaze or something like that.  I tried using resin once, but it got messy and smelly.  So, when I read that Tinkering Ink was coating theirs with UTEE, I decided I'd try UTEE too!  Well, it's hard to see from the photo, but the finish is glossy and glass like and very, very hard.  I'm extremely pleased with the results.  I used K&Co. paper sprayed with a bit of Glimmer Mist for the bead base.

This one was inspired by the One Little Word Challenge.  This week's word is "if."  My page centers around an absolutely fabulous poem (one of my faves) by Rudyard Kipling entitled "If."  It's definitely worth a read!

5. July Projects for Amanda Dykan

Amanda has a fabulous mini kit for sale at her new site: AmandaDykan.com.  It's called Come What May.  Here's the preview...

And here are my layouts:

And she made some additions to her fabulous Pemberly Kit.  Here's the preview:

And two layouts from me:

I put a series of brushes at 28% opacity over the yellow paper (same as the top layout) to give it a very different look!

I think that's all for now!  (I know, it's a lot!)  Check back on Friday when I'll have a tutorial up for putting text on a photo using Microsoft Word!  Thanks for stopping by!