Back in 2015, I tried Color Burst Powders for the first time. I believe they're now called Color Sparx and co-branded with The Crafter's Workshop. I've been using them a lot with my son (he loves spraying what looks like nothing and seeing the color magically appear), so I thought it was a good time to re-post my original video all about them. Here's 2015 me trying out Color Burst Pigment Powders for the first time: As a side note, I re-watched this video last night and was inspired! 2015 me really had a lot of good ideas! ;) Here... Read more →

The ScanNCut is a mega scrap busting machine! Because of the built-in scanner, I'm able to save and use all of my little scraps of paper, fabric, vinyl, and other materials. One of the techniques that I go back to time after time is "the baseball field method." What's that you ask? Well, I'd be delighted to tell you! The baseball field method is a simple technique that allows you to maximize your time and effort. In essentials, I take different colors/patterns of the same material and place them onto my cutting mat spread apart -- like bases on a... Read more →

Last week I posted a short video of me creating a printing plate using Scratch Foam on instagram. You can see that video HERE. I got so many comments and questions about it. I was actually surprised by the level of interest. It's an old product that has been around for a very long time. In fact, I did a post about it in 2013. This is one of the samples I shared where I printed directly into my art journal: You can see that post HERE. I also have a lesson in my "Year of Gelatin Printing" class all... Read more →

Today we are playing with TCW960: Cosmic Music. This is the last of the six stencils from this release, but the first stencil I designed for the release. I love how this stencil design is both rigid and free at the same time. It makes for very dynamic images. In this short video I'm sharing how I like to use a stencil brush and acrylic paint with stencils, along with how to make a simple card with your stenciled paper. This is the card that I made in the video: I have really enjoyed sharing these simple stenciling and card... Read more →

Today we are playing with TCW957: Quartered Blocked. This is the stencil that I previously mentioned was based on a photo of an old door. In this short tutorial video I'm showing you how I like to create ghost prints - with a reverse of the stencil - and combine various colors of those ghost prints for a simple and beautiful greeting card! Enjoy! This is the card that I made in the video: You may recall that I used a similar technique a few years ago, but with very different looking results. Stencil links if you wish to buy... Read more →

Do you know what sublimation printing is? In essentials, it's using heat to permanently transfer ink from a piece of paper onto another surface. If you look around your house you probably have sublimation printed items and don't even know it. Mugs, t-shirts, socks, tote bags, mouse pads...the list is pretty long. If you look online, you'll find hundreds of videos with hacks and instructions for doing sublimation printing at home. So, of course, I wanted to try it! I bought two different brands (and styles) of sublimation markers – one with a very thin pen tip and one with... Read more →

Today we are playing with TCW958: Splash Whoosh. Have you ever tried stamping through a stencil? It's lots of fun and if you use pigment ink, there's a bonus way of coloring in your image. I took the paper I stamped and turned it into a simple and beautiful greeting card, which I'm sharing in this video! Enjoy! This is the card that I made in the video: I enjoy making holiday cards that aren't quite the expected motifs. Stencil links if you wish to buy any of them: TCW956: Viney Flowers 12x12: https://shrsl.com/3clb8 6x6: http://shrsl.com/3clbe TCW957: Quartered Blocked 12x12:... Read more →

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Today I thought I would share a quick and easy card that you can make for someone you love. We are using TCW961: Basketweave to make the magic happen! Jaime, from The Crafter's Workshop, wasn't sure about this stencil when I submitted the design. But I'm pretty sure it's going to be in regular rotation for me. The fact is, selfish as it may be, I really design the stencils that I want to use, so I hope you like it as much as I do! In this short tutorial video I'm showing... Read more →

Today we are playing with TCW959: Rainbow Branch Circle. This is another stencil that Maker & Super Learner Members may recall was the SVG of the month several months ago. It's such a great design and I'm so pleased to be able to offer it to a wider audience. In this short tutorial video I'm showing you the single easiest way to use spray inks with your stencils, get great results, and get two prints with just one application of spray ink! Sounds too good to be true, right? This is the card that I made in the video: And... Read more →

There's no need to reinvent the wheel. You don't have to create cut files from scratch or spend hours hunting down the perfect file. You can take existing files and customize them - for free - in CanvasWorkspace Online. In fact, you can even find the files to alter - for free - in CanvasWorkspace Online. There are dozens of pre-designed projects - all 100% free - with instructions and cut files for you to use. From cards to cake toppers to lamp shades to hair clips. There's an enormous variety of projects at your fingertips. In this technique tutorial... Read more →