Metallic Foil Star **Rinea & Beacon**

Want to make a beautiful New Years party decor item to hand from the ceiling, lay on the table for decor, or for a fun centerpiece?  Check out these fun stars made from Rinea foil.

This star measuring out to be about 5 inches across and is 3 dimensional and just shines!!  Here is a video on how to make these fun stars.

Supplies Used
Foil - Rinea
Stencils - Rinea
Pencil
Scissors - Fiskars
String
Glue - Beacon

Brutus Monroe Stamp and Ink Haul plus Ink Swatches

I got in my new box of Brutus Monroe inks, stamps, papers, and a couple of other fun surprises a few days ago, so let jump in and see what I got!!



I got an amazing box of goodies filled to the brim, check out my video for full details!

Since have now a have nice collection of the inks, I did a swatch of the color to see how they all look!



Only 5 more colors left until I have the whole collection!!!  Here is the link to the swatch ink guide so you can do it yourself for your own inks!!

I also got some of the re-inkers and decided to swatch them too! 

I still need to get a few more of those, hehe.  Now for some fun news!

Brutus Monroe is offering an amazing deal for all Chalk Ink Pads plus Chalk Ink Re-inkers for the next couple months - a 20% off your ink purchase

coupon code: erinreed 

Plus here is the best part, you have a chance to win a set in mini chalk inks for just subscribing to my YouTube Channel, full details are on my channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/scrapsofreflection), but there will be 4 winners, each receiving one set of 4 mini chalk inks!! 

Now off to play with my new supplies!!

7 More Ideas for Christmas & Winter Cards Plus a Little Tutorial **Paper Wings Productions & Eyelet Outlet**

Need some last minute inspiration for card right before the holidays, check out these fun ones I got from happy mail or that I made this past week!  One is even a winter card you can use after Christmas is over!  Look below for my fast and fun winter card!!

Here is a video filled of fun card ideas.

It is never too late in the winter season to send out those winter card to friends and family!!

Supplies Used

Card - Canvas Corp

Washi Tape - Eyelet Outlet

Foil - Rinea

Punch - Fiskars

Stamps - Paper Wings Productions

Ink - Brutus Monroe

Adhesive - Xyron

Ink Test Lab - Part 4: Heat Embossing, Generation Stamping, Blending, & Distress Edging **Giveaway**

Time for part 4 of the Brutus Monroe Ink Lab were I test to see how the various inks all compare to various inking techniques including heat embossing, distressing edging, generation stamping up to 4 generations, and blending with a blending tool.

So for these tests I did a video to show how they all compered against each other.  Brutus Monroe is offering an amazing deal for all Chalk Ink Pads plus Chalk Ink Re-inkers for the next couple months - a 20% off your ink purchase.

coupon code: erinreed 

Plus here is the best part, you have a chance to win a set in mini chalk inks for just subscribing to my YouTube Channel.  All you need to do is
1) Subscribe to my video - if you are already a subbie awesome!!
2) Leave a comment on this video that you have subbed and would like to win the prize!!

 

The inks I tested were Brutus Monroe Chalk ink in Wagon, Ranger Distress ink in Fired Brick, StazOn in Pumpkin, Dare 2B Artzy in Red, Studio G Chalks in Red, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Tangerine, Prima Quick Dry fluid chalk ink in Brick Wall, and Prima Resist Chalk Edger in Rose Bud.  I kept all the color as close as possible in the range of red and oranges.

Test 1 - Blending

I tested each of the 8 inks on a small squares of white cardstock to see how well each blended on the paper using a blending tool.  I compared each of the inks to the Ranger distress ink because that is one of the main purposes of that ink.  The best matches are the Brutus Monroe, Dare 2B Artzy, and The Studio Chalk inks.  For full results please see the video.   

 

Test 2 - Heat Embossing
I tested each of the 8 inks on a square of white cardstock with a gold embossing powder, a generic brand I have had for years as we were testing the ink and not the powder.   I tested to see if the gold covered up the red and orange ink, if it did a good coverage then it worked well.  All but the Stazon and Dar2B Artzy worked great, those 2 did not work at all.  For complete results please see the video.

Test 3 - Generation Stamping up to 4 Generations

I tested each of the 8 inks on white paper.  I stamped each stamp with one ink application to the stamp to see how well each stamp lasted being stamped without re-inking through 4 generations of stamps.  Some faded nicely (Brutus Monroe, Stazon, Studio G, and Colorbox) and some were blotchy past the generation 1 stamp.  For full results please see the video.

 
Test 4 - Distress Edging

I tested each of the 8 inks on a section of white cardstock that one side was left smooth and the other was distress with a edge distress tool.  I then inked the edges with all 8 inks.  They all work just fine, but the application and the durability of the ink pad are what I was comparing.  Over time the Prima inks, Studio G, and Colorbox all tear and fall off over time when you edge with them for too long.  The other 4 inks all work great with out tearing or fall apart.  For full results please see the video.

I will say that the Brutus Monroe inks were amazing for all these tests.  I loved that they held up too different kinds of tecniques and are holding up tho the name of an all purpose ink!!  Amazing inks!!

 

 

Swirl Christmas Tree Card

I love the idea of a swirl Christmas tree, I got the idea from a painting I made a Painting with a Twist - see below, but I had to do it my own way!!  So why not with clay and make it a card!!

This was my inspiration canvas I made at the painting event, ya I took a few liberties and made a forest, hehe.

I used the clay and form it into swirls that I then glued with Beacon 3 in 1 glue to the Canvas Corp burlap stitched card, and then inked the edges in ink.  Here is a complete video tutorial on how I made this card.

And a few up close pictures.

Let your imagination soar when it come to what supplies you use in your card, crafts, and projects - have fun with it!!

Supplies Used

Card - Canvas Corp Brands

Clay - Makin's Clay

Clay Tools - Makin's Clay

Ink - Brutus Monroe

Glue - Beacon Adhesives

Decorative Christmas Jam Jar Gifts

I made some jam (well it turned out to be more like syrup when it was done, but it still tasted super yummy) from all fruit in my backyard that I froze through out the season. We have blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, apples, peaches, limes, and a plum!  It became my Holiday Syrup (it is great on waffles) that we gave out to friends, family, and teachers for Christmas.  Now I know that the syrup is good all by itself, but I needed to dress up the jars a bit, because it is me after all.

I stared with the plain filled and sealed jars, placed the label on the back, added a little flower on the top, bling along the lid, and them tied a sting with the label along the rim.  Here is a video on how I made this cute little decorated jam jar.

I made over 30 jars, but it made for an easy gift to hand out to all that needed one this year.

I used my Xyron Creative Station to stick the labels I made on my computer onto the jars, this is so easy!!!

Adding that pretty little something to the top of the jars just makes it all that much sweeter!

Supplies Used

Interested in the supplies I used in this project?  Most are listed below and some are affiliate links, which generates a me little commission (at not extra cost to you at all) when you click on the link and make a purchase.  Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here.

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive Shop at: AZ	Fiskars Scissors Shop at: AZ	Rinea Foiled Paper Shop at: R
Prima Assorted Flowers Shop at: SB | AZ	Eyelet Outlet Bling Shop at: AZ	Cardstock Printer Paper Shop at: AZ
Eyelet Outlet gems Shop at: AZ	Epson Printer Shop at: AZ	CCB Rope Shop at: AZ
Xyron 3" Sticker Maker Shop at: SB | AZ

Brutus Monroe Ink Lab - Part 3: Clay, Foil, Tile, & Wood **Giveaway**

Here we go again, let test some more surfaces with various types of inks, this time it is clay, foil, tile, and wood.  I also did the same tests on a variety of other inks in my Brutus Monroe Ink Test Lab Part 3.



So for these tests I did a video to show how they all compered against each other.  Brutus Monroe is offering an amazing deal for all Chalk Ink Pads plus Chalk Ink Re-inkers for the next couple months - a 20% off your ink purchase

coupon code: erinreed 

Plus here is the best part, you have a chance to win a set in mini chalk inks for just subscribing to my YouTube Channel.  All you need to do is
1) Subscribe to my video - if you are already a subbie awesome!!
2) Leave a comment on this video that you have subbed and would like to win the prize!!

The inks I tested were Brutus Monroe Chalk ink in Wagon, Ranger Distress ink in Fired Brick, StazOn in Pumpkin, Dare 2B Artzy in Red, Studio G Chalks in Red, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Tangerine, Prima Quick Dry fluid chalk ink in Brick Wall, and Prima Resist Chalk Edger in Rose Bud.  I kept all the color as close as possible in the range of red and oranges.

Test 1 - Air Dry Clay

I tested each of the 8 inks on a Makin's Clay rolled of sheet of white clay and let it air dry for about 2 hours.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped and how well it heat set.  For results please see the video.

Test 2 - Rinea Foil Paper
I tested each of the 8 inks on a sheet of Rinea foil in silver.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped and how well it heat set.  For results please see the video.



Test 3 - Tile
I tested each of the 8 inks on a section of white tile.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped, how well it heat set, and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

Test 4 - Wood
I tested each of the 8 inks on a section of untreated sanded pine wood.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

I will say that the Brutus Monroe inks were amazing for all these tests.  I loved that they held up too different kinds of surfaces and are holding up tho the name of an all purpose ink!!  Amazing inks!!

21 Christmas Card Ideas from a Card Swap

I got a chance to be apart of a card swap about a month ago, and I got some amazing cards back from some fantastic crafty ladies.

I made 2 of the cards, but the other 21 cards are all from the various ladies in the swap.  Here is a complete video rundown of all the amazing cards in the swap, plus my thoughts on how they made them!!

The big themes for this year based on these cards:
1) Foil  - there are some many card that had foil on them in some way, embossed foil, foil cut outs, foil on the bow, it really does make for a beautiful card!!

2) embossed white cardstock - take a simple sheet of white cardstock and embossing it seem to be a huge trend, and it looks amazing!!

3) Vertical Flip up Cards - cards that open differently, those that flip up but are vertical seemed to be a huge trend!

Enjoy some amazing cards from some truly talented ladies!!!

Brutus Monroe Chalk Ink Test Lab: Part 2 - Canvas, Burlap, Plastic, & Glass **Giveaway**

We are back for part 2 of the Brutus Monroe Ink Test Lab where we test a variety of inks such as Brutus Monroe, Ranger Distress, Colorbox, Stazon, and more on canvas, burlap, plastic and glass to see if the stamped image would hold.

So for these tests I did a video to show how they all compered against each other.  Brutus Monroe is offering an amazing deal for all Chalk Ink Pads plus Chalk Ink Re-inkers for the next couple months - a 20% off your ink purchase

coupon code: erinreed 

Plus here is the best part, you have a chance to win a set in mini chalk inks for just subscribing to my YouTube Channel.  All you need to do is
1) Subscribe to my video - if you are already a subbie awesome!!
2) Leave a comment on this video that you have subbed and would like to win the prize!!

Here is my video.

You can also go back and leave the same comment on the Part 1 Video where I test out the inks on cardstock, glossy paper, if it the ink can be turned into a water color, and how it holds up to various markers. This give you 2 entries into the giveaway!! 

Here is the link to that video:

The inks I tested were Brutus Monroe Chalk ink in Wagon, Ranger Distress ink in Fired Brick, StazOn in Pumpkin, Dare 2B Artzy in Red, Studio G Chalks in Red, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Tangerine, Prima Quick Dry fluid chalk ink in Brick Wall, and Prima Resist Chalk Edger in Rose Bud.  I kept all the color as close as possible in the range of red and oranges.

Test 1 - Canvas

I tested each of the 8 inks on a Canavs Corp Brands square of white canvas material.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped, how well it heat set, and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

Test 2 - Burlap

I tested each of the 8 inks on a Canvas Corp Brands square of ivory burlap material.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped, how well it heat set, and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

Test 3 - Plastic

I tested each of the 8 inks on a section of acrylic plastic sheet.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped, how well it heat set, and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

Test 4 - Glass

I tested each of the 8 inks on a section of a glass pane.  I tested if it smeared when it was first stamped, how well it heat set, and if it bled when water was sprayed on it.  For results please see the video.

 I will say that the Brutus Monroe inks were amazing for all these tests.  I loved that they held up to different kinds of surfaces and are holing up tho the name of an all purpose ink!!  Amazing inks!!

Enjoy!