Hello, crafty friends! A few recurring things have come up in the comments that I'd like to address: 1. They're cheaper to buy! This depends on where you live and what you already have in your stash. Here in the UK, craft supplies are usually expensive. We don't have many big UK-based papercraft companies, so a lot of products get shipped in from the USA, which means they're more expensive for us to buy. Also, because UK craft brands tend to have a smaller customer base than US companies, they can't offer their products at lower prices. For example, a small pack of Simple Stories enamel dots is £5 from a UK supplier, whereas the same enamel dots from scrapbook.com only cost £3.50 (at today's exchange rate). The circle die I use for making enamel dots is only £7 which makes it a great investment seeing as I already have the inks, paper scraps and glossy accents in my stash. 2. Using alcohol in home-made shimmer sprays to prevent mold growth: Please be VERY careful with this! Alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream by breathing it in and through contact with the skin. Please do your research about how to safely use isopropyl alcohol (aka: rubbing alcohol and surgical spirit). 3. How to stop home-made shimmer sprays from rubbing off once dry: Some pigment powders contain binders that fix the pigment and mica to the paper once they've dried, so they won't significantly rub off. If you find that your pigment or shimmer rubs off, you can spray it with hairspray or a transparent fixative. This should keep it in place. (Use in a well-ventilated area). Hope that helps! x
Hey where did you get the small circle die for the enamel dots? I only have a sidekick so I can't get the regular size. Thank you for all your great ideas I'm definitely a new subbie🎉
Watching the replay from Palm Bay FL. This is a great video. I love how you've shown us to use what we already have to make embellishments and what not. Thanks for sharing😊
@@makeishiagrant5602 Just shooting from the hip here, but, if the die is problematic, maybe different sized paper PUNCHES would work? I’m thinking of the simple ones used to validate tickets. Granted, most of the ones sold in stationary sources, drug stores, etc., are standard ¼”, but they do come in various sizes. During CV-19 I found a range of 5 sizes - WITH 2” ‘throats’ !! - that I intend to use for bubbles on some card ideas. The punched circles would be good for “dots”. F.Y.I.: Stick them onto a small piece of “Freezer Paper”, and store in a zippered sandwich bag.
It took me decades to realize that I didn't need fifty-eleven colors of embossing powder and just needed clear. Now I have fifty-eleven ink colors. LOL!
Same here. I cut up some foiled gift bags & embossed the large pieces & die cut the side panels where the folds interfered. Some cheaper gift bags the foil breaks when embossed, creating a silver layer accidentally.
I love DIY craft supplies! I started crafting 35+ years ago - it was all about recycling, DIY, repurposing. In the last 10 years or so, the craft industry has pushed trendy things that are replaced with new trendy things on a monthly basis. The cost of these tools/supplies are crazy! I'm still using my Cuttlebug, which cost $35 in 2004 (a big investment in those days). 🤣 I did not know about DIY enamel dots until watching your videos - thank you!!! A couple of my DIY's: I make shimmer sprays with isopropyl alcohol and never have mold. It dries very fast compared to water. (It has the initial smell of alcohol when spraying it, but then fades away.) You could probably use a water/alcohol mix if the smell is too much for you. And I use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to seal my distress/oxides inks instead of Microglaze, blending with a flat blender sponge. It can remove some of the "chalky" look of oxides, so important that the ink is completely dry, you use a light hand in blending and a very thin layer. (It should not feel greasy afterwards.) Thank you for all your wonderful videos! ❤👍❤
I do a lot of scenes with stamps and backgrounds. For the latter I have cut my own masks from any pieces of stiff-ish acetate, wavy lines for mountains and lots of moons, crescent and half ones plus I use the holes for suns. Also I have cut window shapes, church windows and round- topped ones for Xmas scenes, turned upside down I can get little animals or fairies in “ glass jars” ! I get so much use from these and when I see the costs of them, I am over the moon myself!
I bought fabric dye and use that in place of brushes etc. So much more for your money, and you can always add in mica powder etc. Some beautiful colours available too
Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous! This has been one of the BEST videos on ways to DIY versus buying these supplies over and over again! Thank you for sharing! GREAT demonstrations!
This is the first time I've seen your videos and having lots of different types of muca powders would love new ideas for using them. Thank you for sharing your ideas ❤❤❤
Excellent advice. Another reason patterned paper isn't useful to me these days is that I've come to prefer making clean-and-simple cards, and the busy-ness of so many store-bought papers takes away from that look. 😊
Thank you for an awesome video. I made sure I liked and subscribed . Instead of printed paper I too agree with another that I love clean and simple for the most part . I also love using embossing folders especially 3d ones. You can ink the inside of the folder with water base pigment ink from your ink pads before embossing. If I do wish to use some printed paper , I print my own card stock. Thank you for so many great ideas . 💜
I haven’t bought patterned paper for bout 8 years once I discovered Distress inks and stains. I do buy clear rhinestones and color those with alcohol ink pens. I do buy Distress or Dylusions shimmer sprays though. I used to belong to monthly Tonic Studio club in which monthly we got Nuvo drops. I do like them but often I forget I have them.
I love how you make your own embellishments/enamel dots so much that I bought a bubble coverplate die with 3 sizes of small circles so I can make my own. I love being able to make them the color I want to use. The other toys are great too. I'm saving this video.
Love videos like yours that are DIY cost saving ideas. As I am a retired lab person, I enjoy creating potions and such in my craft room. Pigment powders would be an excellent video!
A series on pigment powders would be great! I have Brushos, Luscious, Nuvo Shimmer and Micas. Haven't been very successful using them, so look forward to your ideas.
Pigment/mica other powders that rub off do not have a binder in them. Add GumArabic small amount to powder and mix it. Gum Arabic is a binder. I'm still learning about all these powders etc. You can get it at your craft store in art supplies.or at a art store. I have to start playing and see where it goes. 😅 have fun at what ever you do.. OH, you can also use clear nail polish for shine and if put on thick and several layers, works great to give shapes or areas dimension. Also glitter nail polishs. I got mine at our dollar store. Swatch out on a piece of card stock to see how they dry and how many coats need to get the effect you want. And write it next to it.Thanks for Sharing. I took notes.
Very helpful hints. Another way to create shimmer sprays is using metalic acrylic paint, folk art works lovely, and watering it down to a liquid watery consistency. It works beautifully and most crafters have acrylic paint in their craft stash.
I make my shimmer sprays with Isopropyl Alcohol/Surgical Spirit instead of water. It dries quicker and never moulds (well I haven't had any in 6yrs so far so good) I do a lot of what you do, but there was some that helped me. TFS and have a great Easter weekend. 👍❤
I hit a sale on Lucious powders. I bought them because they look wonderful, but they have been sitting ever since. I’d love and appreciate videos on this product!!!🎉🎉🎉 This video is invaluable. ❤️👍🏻
We all do that!😂 I have at least 60 jars of colored embossing powders. I have only opened and used about 20. The same goes with markers (expensive Copic because they will make me into a spectacular artist, just like in the videos). And who has a box of distress sprays that you can never find until you give up and used something else or abandoned the project? But this video gives me hope! I shall get out something and use it. 😊
You can use glitter glue in tubes to create flat backed beads when you pour a dot onto wax paper . Allow it to dry and you have easy embellishments. Make your own glitter glue mixing glitter with clear school glue .
I used to buy a lot of psper flowers. I don't even prefer them anymore over my own creations. I have small paper punches that are very inexpensive and some die cuts I've had for 10+ years. I cut several bits and glue them together to make dimensional flowers. I save flyers from the mail and do my punches and cuts from the colored areas. I get great variation of color from a pile of lemons or strawberries, etc. in grocery ads. Even outdoor scenes provide winter greys and blues. Recently, I cut several sizes of hearts from ads for Valentines Day. I especially love when it is not a solid color and I get that variation in my pieces. that were very inexpensive
Thank you for showing us this Natalie, some great ideas here. Can you please do a video on different ways you can use brushos & mica powders, and the difference between mica & pigment powders? Thank you
Could you show us how to make refills for our Wink by Stella to again save money. Or just use the sprays you mentions and dip a brush to color or splatter. I'm thinking they are the same thing just delivered in a different expensive brush/squeeze system. Thanks for all you share. You have taught me soooo much in a very short time!!!❤❤
Your shimmer spray will last longer on the paper with a little liquid hair spray added. The mold can be prevented by adding a little isopropyl alcohol. I make it with no water, just hair spray and isopropyl alcohol . You can add mica powder or ink. A glass bead in the spray bottle helps to mix it.
Thanks! Be careful with spraying alcohol. It's dangerous to breathe in the vapours. I don't need to add liquid hairspray as the powders I use already have a binder in them so that they don't rub off the paper. x
I have jeweller’s boxes and whenever I have little bits from die cutting that look promising for embellishments I pop them in one of the little containers. Then I can colour what I like later as required. Your idea about Glossy Accents on the top will make them that much better.
This is an awesome video! Thank you so much for these great tips. Can you please tell me the name of the cover plate you used for the sequins at 8:30? As well as the tiny butterfly cover die at 9:18?
Very good video for today's card makers. There are so many products marketed to us that we really don't need. We can make most of this stuff on our own, and it would help get rid of all the products we already own.
You presented so many good ideas. Thank you. I have perfect pearls, color sparks and Lindy’s powders. I would very much enjoy ideas that would inspire me to get even more use of them.
You are changing my thought process completely and I'm loving it. Anything that saves me money so I can buy more dies is so helpful. I appreciate your ideas. Whatever you can think of for a series sounds great to me. Thank you as always Natalie.
First time watching and now I'm a subscriber. This was very informative. I have Pearl X Powers and other brands and just didn't know what else to do with them. Thank you.👍🏻🙏🏻
I REALLY enjoyed watching. I do a bit of what you do. And, I get why a little better now... it is the process of MAKING my own that is fun. And making an exact match when needed is so satisfying too!😅
I hadn't thought to mix in my pigment powders with embossing powder! Also, your charity shops sound AMAZING! I haven't had much luck with crafting supplies.
Brilliant iv just gotten into pigment powders, iv luscious powders by Indigoblu, I also have some pearl powders, and I have loads of mica powders, cant wait for the video now.. xx
Thank you for all these ideas. I still buy all of these categories but I never bought more than a few items in each, so I never had to stop, except for patterned paper, which I have waaayyyy too much of. 😂 I use clear Nuvo crystal drops instead of glossy accents. For me the glossy gets goopy and unusable. For embossing with mica, I prefer heat and stick powder. It’s like glue when heat embossed, then you sprinkle the mica (or glitter) over and lightly heat again to “set” the powder in place. It’s the strongest and most vibrant color method I tried. I also never bought into laminating machine or foiling heat machine. I am fine w ironing any laminating pockets (but I have never found the need). I have tried foil sheets with glued design sheets. I think just heat embossing is just as good. I never tried Cricut machine. I love cutting vinyl colored sheets to make decorative designs. But i use my dies for this. For alphabets, I prefer the stickers over dies, which is very expensive, I have one 12” die strip that has all alphabets and numbers and 2nd 12” die strip that says Happy birthday. that’s it. Bit I don’t make any thick letters, as you do. I use small sticker letters in various fonts, and I find them much faster and cheaper by far. To each her own! Please keep this up. Ideas for multi-use of card supplies are always in demand. ❤
Making shimmer sprays with rubbing alcohol instead of water helps it dry quicker and shouldn't mould. EDIT You could do the same but put the rubbing alcohol and mica powder into a water brush. One where you put water in the handle. Shake well before use.
I love enamel dots. I make my own melting plastic beads. The sequins mix is very interesting, I have noticed that I get shaker cut out bits with a lot of dies. I made my shimmer sprays with alcohol a couple years ago and they are still good. One tip you can do when making your own thickers is use clear packing tape to cover the paper before you cut them out and they will be shiny
Don’t forget about the lowly hole punch or 3 hole punch you may have. I don’t use a die cutting machine or inks so making enamel dots from Nuevo drops or purchasing enamel dots might make sense.
Oh my gosh, this is brilliant, totally brilliant!! Love these ideas and thank you for sharing. Your video just popped up in my you tube and have no reason why!! But super glad it did. I’m commenting right after the “creating the dots” played! Have to stop video and tell you I’m already pumped to watch the rest of it. New subbie here and clicked for future videos. Great and again, thank you so much. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Sealing wax works great for dots as well, if you have that on hand 🤗 and you can mix in glitter, pigment powders etc, or dab a marker like the Sakura pen-touch over them
Just found your Channel, love what you have demonstrated. Such clear instructions, have now subscribed, liked & saved, will look out for you new demo's. Thanks again. ❤
Me, too! I've been decluttering my craft room, and giving a lot of supplies to a family at church that I haven't used in a long while. I gave them a couple of alphabet dies. Now I almost regret doing that, but I just remind myself that I hadn't used them in recently. However, my other ones stay!
Great tips on making your own stash. My favourite is mixing mica powders with clear embossing powder. I have loads of the stuff and never use it because it never stays on the cardstock, it always rubs off so this is a great way to use it up. Thank you for the idea.
Thank you. I am fairly new at card making and don't have much of a stash, so very useful to know what not to invest in. Your advice is very timely for me. 😊
Just came across this video and it’s exactly what I needed. Your ideas are brilliant! I’m extremely new to card making (didn’t even know it was a thing). This video just helped me to save money just as I was about to go on a buying binge to get started with this new hobby. Really appreciate you doing this video.
Alpha dies. "I'm sure you don't need as many as I have." That's not true. LOL. The more of these you have, the better! I only get really unique ones from Temu anymore. However, having a wide variety of alpha sets opens up different techniques. I use them to make backgrounds, stencils, stamps for custom birthday cards (cut foam and stamp), math cards, etc.
@ReesaReeselynn I thought it was lovely. I'm glad she left it in. So realistic and relatable. I'm always getting my words mixed up and saying funny stuff. 😁
I LOVE this! Such simple ideas, that I've never thought of! I don't have a lot of money to spend on my papercrafting addiction, and have lamented several times over the fact that i don't have all the metallic accents I see favorite crafters using. But I DO have metallic papers, and I DO have a cover plate that cuts circles...duh! Thanks for all the great ideas! This is my first time here... Liked & subscribed. ❤️
Great tips Natalie, thank you! Your videos have given me lots of ideas on how to use what I have - my New Year’s resolution was not to buy any more crafting goodies (this year at least!) - so far so good!
I try not to buy patterned paper, but I still sometimes do. I dont just have a pouch of pretties. I think I probably have 3 or 4 large drawers full. Hard to throw little bits away...might just need that sometime 😅
Would you consider doing a video of your journaling? I also do mixed media and watercolor. I actually added card making to my repertoire more recently.
Yes please Natalie, a video on the different kinds of powders and more ideas to use them would be appreciated. I have the cosmic shimmer powders but I am unsure if they are the same as the Luscious powders. ❤
Shimmer sprays, colored embossing powder and I like your idea for the enamel dots and shaker bits. I will buy patterned paper because I’m not a fan of mixed media.
Love your show. In your “Not Going to Buy…” show you said that homemade sprays may mold so don’t make too much ahead of time. I was wondering if you made your sprays with old eye shadow. I’ve seen other crafters who make their own sprays with eyeshadows from the Dollar Store. And since the eyeshadow is a commercial product there’s got to be some kind of preservative in it. Just wondering. Keep making your lovely shows. Della👏🏼👍🏼
Thank you. I hadn't considered making my own embossing powders before. I just looked on Amazon and found bulk clear embossing powder so that would work. I have lots of random pigments and mica powder but they're all no-brand things..
Like you, I no longer purchase enamel dots, colored embossing powder, foam, thickers, and rubber stamps. Unlike you, I love love love patterned paper! Especially for my scrapbooking (but card making too). Would love to see some of your scrapbooking someday!
I purchased some generic pigment/mica powders off of Amazon. I purchased them to make shimmer sprays, but would love If you would do a video or series on how to use them in different ways. I really appreciate all of these tips, because I'm trying to get the most out of my current supplies and to stop spending money unnecessarily.
Lots of wonderful tips, thank you so much! May I ask what that die storage is you use for your alphabet dies please - its awesome! Thank you. As you have probably realised I am catching up on lots of your past videos as well as watching all your new ones - I am loving them, thank you so much! xxx💖💖💖
![10 Clean and Simple Birthday Cards for the Young At Heart! [2024/230]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bVsj0BYWt4c/mqdefault.jpg)
Hello, crafty friends! A few recurring things have come up in the comments that I'd like to address:
1. They're cheaper to buy! This depends on where you live and what you already have in your stash. Here in the UK, craft supplies are usually expensive. We don't have many big UK-based papercraft companies, so a lot of products get shipped in from the USA, which means they're more expensive for us to buy. Also, because UK craft brands tend to have a smaller customer base than US companies, they can't offer their products at lower prices. For example, a small pack of Simple Stories enamel dots is £5 from a UK supplier, whereas the same enamel dots from scrapbook.com only cost £3.50 (at today's exchange rate). The circle die I use for making enamel dots is only £7 which makes it a great investment seeing as I already have the inks, paper scraps and glossy accents in my stash.
2. Using alcohol in home-made shimmer sprays to prevent mold growth: Please be VERY careful with this! Alcohol can be absorbed into your bloodstream by breathing it in and through contact with the skin. Please do your research about how to safely use isopropyl alcohol (aka: rubbing alcohol and surgical spirit).
3. How to stop home-made shimmer sprays from rubbing off once dry: Some pigment powders contain binders that fix the pigment and mica to the paper once they've dried, so they won't significantly rub off. If you find that your pigment or shimmer rubs off, you can spray it with hairspray or a transparent fixative. This should keep it in place. (Use in a well-ventilated area).
Hope that helps! x
Hey where did you get the small circle die for the enamel dots? I only have a sidekick so I can't get the regular size. Thank you for all your great ideas I'm definitely a new subbie🎉
Watching the replay from Palm Bay FL. This is a great video. I love how you've shown us to use what we already have to make embellishments and what not. Thanks for sharing😊
@@makeishiagrant5602 Just shooting from the hip here, but, if the die is problematic, maybe different sized paper PUNCHES would work? I’m thinking of the simple ones used to validate tickets. Granted, most of the ones sold in stationary sources, drug stores, etc., are standard ¼”, but they do come in various sizes. During CV-19 I found a range of 5 sizes - WITH 2” ‘throats’ !! - that I intend to use for bubbles on some card ideas. The punched circles would be good for “dots”. F.Y.I.: Stick them onto a small piece of “Freezer Paper”, and store in a zippered sandwich bag.
@@makeishiagrant5602Thanks! This is the die: amzn.eu/d/8nQQwaa
@@micheletrow1382Thanks for watching! x
It took me decades to realize that I didn't need fifty-eleven colors of embossing powder and just needed clear. Now I have fifty-eleven ink colors. LOL!
I hear you! The struggle is real. Thanks for watching. x
I just found you!! I love this tutorial. Thank you so much! “Liked and subscribed I did”!
Fifty-eleven! I didn’t know others used this phrase. LOVE IT!
@@nancywatson9084 Thanks, Nancy! Welcome aboard. x
My mother used to say that. Made me smile
If you use glitter paper with the glossy accents, you get glittery dots. I did this for Christmas cards. Very pretty
Ooh! Fantastic idea. I'm stealing that! ;) Thanks for watching. x
Same here. I cut up some foiled gift bags & embossed the large pieces & die cut the side panels where the folds interfered. Some cheaper gift bags the foil breaks when embossed, creating a silver layer accidentally.
Fab idea! x @@brrjohnson8131
This is an excellent idea! Thank you for sharing.
I love DIY craft supplies! I started crafting 35+ years ago - it was all about recycling, DIY, repurposing. In the last 10 years or so, the craft industry has pushed trendy things that are replaced with new trendy things on a monthly basis. The cost of these tools/supplies are crazy! I'm still using my Cuttlebug, which cost $35 in 2004 (a big investment in those days). 🤣 I did not know about DIY enamel dots until watching your videos - thank you!!! A couple of my DIY's: I make shimmer sprays with isopropyl alcohol and never have mold. It dries very fast compared to water. (It has the initial smell of alcohol when spraying it, but then fades away.) You could probably use a water/alcohol mix if the smell is too much for you. And I use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to seal my distress/oxides inks instead of Microglaze, blending with a flat blender sponge. It can remove some of the "chalky" look of oxides, so important that the ink is completely dry, you use a light hand in blending and a very thin layer. (It should not feel greasy afterwards.) Thank you for all your wonderful videos! ❤👍❤
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing. x
I'm also still using my old Cuttlebug from about 2010. Works perfectly!
@@cherylmurphy1549 I wish a lot of things were as well made as back in the day. 😊
Thank you so much for this video. Crafting is so terribly expensive, no matter where you live, and anytime we can save a bit of $$ helps.
Thank you! x
I do a lot of scenes with stamps and backgrounds. For the latter I have cut my own masks from any pieces of stiff-ish acetate, wavy lines for mountains and lots of moons, crescent and half ones plus I use the holes for suns. Also I have cut window shapes, church windows and round- topped ones for Xmas scenes, turned upside down I can get little animals or fairies in “ glass jars” ! I get so much use from these and when I see the costs of them, I am over the moon myself!
Fantastic! They sound great. x
Yes!! A special series about pigment powders❤ I have and love Brusho’s and Lindy’s
I'll start work on a series soon! :)
I bought fabric dye and use that in place of brushes etc. So much more for your money, and you can always add in mica powder etc. Some beautiful colours available too
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. x
I've got Brushos and really old pearlex powders in my stash. 😂
Cool! @@tjyb1502
Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous! This has been one of the BEST videos on ways to DIY versus buying these supplies over and over again! Thank you for sharing! GREAT demonstrations!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. x
This is the first time I've seen your videos and having lots of different types of muca powders would love new ideas for using them.
Thank you for sharing your ideas ❤❤❤
Thanks so much! I'm putting together some pigment powder video ideas.
Me to
Excellent advice. Another reason patterned paper isn't useful to me these days is that I've come to prefer making clean-and-simple cards, and the busy-ness of so many store-bought papers takes away from that look. 😊
So true. :)
Thank you for an awesome video. I made sure I liked and subscribed . Instead of printed paper I too agree with another that I love clean and simple for the most part . I also love using embossing folders especially 3d ones. You can ink the inside of the folder with water base pigment ink from your ink pads before embossing. If I do wish to use some printed paper , I print my own card stock. Thank you for so many great ideas . 💜
I haven’t bought patterned paper for bout 8 years once I discovered Distress inks and stains. I do buy clear rhinestones and color those with alcohol ink pens. I do buy Distress or Dylusions shimmer sprays though. I used to belong to monthly Tonic Studio club in which monthly we got Nuvo drops. I do like them but often I forget I have them.
Great ideas there! Thanks for sharing. x @@sirrahinct471
@@patriciacyzauskas4067 It's so easy to forget what we've got isn't it?! Thanks for watching. x
I love how you make your own embellishments/enamel dots so much that I bought a bubble coverplate die with 3 sizes of small circles so I can make my own. I love being able to make them the color I want to use. The other toys are great too. I'm saving this video.
That's great! Have fun making your dots. It's so satisfying. :)
Yes, a series about pigment powders please! I have a lot and rarely use them, got a great deal on them!!
Will do!!
Love videos like yours that are DIY cost saving ideas. As I am a retired lab person, I enjoy creating potions and such in my craft room. Pigment powders would be an excellent video!
Coming soon! x
Great ideas - not only saving money, but also storage space!
Yes! Thank you!
A series on pigment powders would be great! I have Brushos, Luscious, Nuvo Shimmer and Micas. Haven't been very successful using them, so look forward to your ideas.
Coming soon! x
Perfect Pearls pigment powders ... yes pls to vid ❤
Coming soon!
Pigment/mica other powders that rub off do not have a binder in them. Add GumArabic small amount to powder and mix it. Gum Arabic is a binder. I'm still learning about all these powders etc. You can get it at your craft store in art supplies.or at a art store. I have to start playing and see where it goes. 😅 have fun at what ever you do.. OH, you can also use clear nail polish for shine and if put on thick and several layers, works great to give shapes or areas dimension. Also glitter nail polishs. I got mine at our dollar store. Swatch out on a piece of card stock to see how they dry and how many coats need to get the effect you want. And write it next to it.Thanks for Sharing. I took notes.
Thanks for sharing your tips!
I'm not very good at mixed media but I'm going to practice.. Thanks to your inspiration.
You can do it!
Very helpful hints. Another way to create shimmer sprays is using metalic acrylic paint, folk art works lovely, and watering it down to a liquid watery consistency. It works beautifully and most crafters have acrylic paint in their craft stash.
Great tip! Thanks for sharing. x
I make my shimmer sprays with Isopropyl Alcohol/Surgical Spirit instead of water. It dries quicker and never moulds (well I haven't had any in 6yrs so far so good) I do a lot of what you do, but there was some that helped me. TFS and have a great Easter weekend. 👍❤
Thanks for sharing! :)
I hit a sale on Lucious powders. I bought them because they look wonderful, but they have been sitting ever since. I’d love and appreciate videos on this product!!!🎉🎉🎉
This video is invaluable. ❤️👍🏻
Thanks, Robin! x
We all do that!😂 I have at least 60 jars of colored embossing powders. I have only opened and used about 20. The same goes with markers (expensive Copic because they will make me into a spectacular artist, just like in the videos). And who has a box of distress sprays that you can never find until you give up and used something else or abandoned the project? But this video gives me hope! I shall get out something and use it. 😊
Now I want to look up Lucious powders and buy some for my unused stash pile.😂😊
I'm working on a low spend year, so I appreciate you demonstrating ways to make enamel dots and how to make use of embossing supplies.
Thanks! x
Yes please! That would be awesome!! Thank you💖 This was so so helpful. Love your videos so much!!❤️👍
Thank you! x
You can use glitter glue in tubes to create flat backed beads when you pour a dot onto wax paper . Allow it to dry and you have easy embellishments. Make your own glitter glue mixing glitter with clear school glue .
Thanks for the info!
I used to buy a lot of psper flowers. I don't even prefer them anymore over my own creations. I have small paper punches that are very inexpensive and some die cuts I've had for 10+ years. I cut several bits and glue them together to make dimensional flowers. I save flyers from the mail and do my punches and cuts from the colored areas. I get great variation of color from a pile of lemons or strawberries, etc. in grocery ads. Even outdoor scenes provide winter greys and blues. Recently, I cut several sizes of hearts from ads for Valentines Day. I especially love when it is not a solid color and I get that variation in my pieces.
that were very inexpensive
That sounds like a great way to create embellishments. Thank you for sharing! x
Thank you for sharing your amazing gifts. Your ideas make a craft possible for those of us who choose not to break the bank.
You are so welcome! It's always good to use what we have. :)
I'm so glad I found your channel. I have just really been enjoying your content & creativity. -Sarah
Thank you! :)
Thank you for showing us this Natalie, some great ideas here. Can you please do a video on different ways you can use brushos & mica powders, and the difference between mica & pigment powders? Thank you
Sure thing! Thanks for watching. x
Could you show us how to make refills for our Wink by Stella to again save money. Or just use the sprays you mentions and dip a brush to color or splatter. I'm thinking they are the same thing just delivered in a different expensive brush/squeeze system. Thanks for all you share. You have taught me soooo much in a very short time!!!❤❤
Thanks, Suzy! x
I refill my WOS brushes with my home made shimmer. Works a treat 😊
So glad you showed us mixing the powders with the clear embossing powders 😊
Glad it was helpful!
I've got so much patterned paper, but I have sworn off it now. I'm continuing on with my OSW's plus I'm now going to do mixed media backgrounds.
Great! TFS. x
thank you so much. Mica, I put a little amount of glue in water, then mica. Works OK.
Wonderful!
Thank you..more pigment powder info…on my list..you are so generous for sharing…
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching. x
Your shimmer spray will last longer on the paper with a little liquid hair spray added. The mold can be prevented by adding a little isopropyl alcohol. I make it with no water, just hair spray and isopropyl alcohol . You can add mica powder or ink. A glass bead in the spray bottle helps to mix it.
Thanks! Be careful with spraying alcohol. It's dangerous to breathe in the vapours. I don't need to add liquid hairspray as the powders I use already have a binder in them so that they don't rub off the paper. x
Great ideas!
Yes please Natalie. I have Brushos, Cosmic shimmer powders, Pearl Ex .and a heap of no name pigment powders I bought .online. Barb
Coming soon! x
I have jeweller’s boxes and whenever I have little bits from die cutting that look promising for embellishments I pop them in one of the little containers. Then I can colour what I like later as required. Your idea about Glossy Accents on the top will make them that much better.
Sounds fab! Let me know how you get on. x
This is an awesome video! Thank you so much for these great tips. Can you please tell me the name of the cover plate you used for the sequins at 8:30? As well as the tiny butterfly cover die at 9:18?
Great hints and tips👌
Thanks for watching!
Very good video for today's card makers. There are so many products marketed to us that we really don't need. We can make most of this stuff on our own, and it would help get rid of all the products we already own.
Thanks so much! x
Love this so much!! Reduce, reuse, recycle - cut down on consumption AND match!
Thanks! x
You presented so many good ideas. Thank you. I have perfect pearls, color sparks and Lindy’s powders. I would very much enjoy ideas that would inspire me to get even more use of them.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching. X
You are changing my thought process completely and I'm loving it. Anything that saves me money so I can buy more dies is so helpful. I appreciate your ideas. Whatever you can think of for a series sounds great to me. Thank you as always Natalie.
Oh absolutely! The less more I spend on consumables, the more dies and stamps I can buy! ;) Thanls, Jan. xxx
First time watching and now I'm a subscriber. This was very informative. I have Pearl X Powers and other brands and just didn't know what else to do with them. Thank you.👍🏻🙏🏻
Thanks! I have a whole series on pigment powders here: ua-cam.com/play/PLrdeSKOxOe6ZFmFmx9OVZaAjyrsaGCPWK.html&si=LdZVsJzAnQZ8NSJJ
I Thank you for this video and so does my wallet!! Best info ever!
Glad it was helpful!
I REALLY enjoyed watching. I do a bit of what you do. And, I get why a little better now... it is the process of MAKING my own that is fun. And making an exact match when needed is so satisfying too!😅
Wonderful! Thanks for watching. x
Just found your videos & love them! I’m learning so much. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
I hadn't thought to mix in my pigment powders with embossing powder! Also, your charity shops sound AMAZING! I haven't had much luck with crafting supplies.
Thank you! x
I'm with you on that! I've NEVER seen crafting supplies/items in the charity shops around my location.
@@GayleRobinson-bu2vt I feel very lucky to live near such a great charity shop.x
Brilliant iv just gotten into pigment powders, iv luscious powders by Indigoblu, I also have some pearl powders, and I have loads of mica powders, cant wait for the video now.. xx
Coming soon! x
Love the tip for embossing ink over a color ink! Genius!
Thanks so much!
Marvellous ideas. I shall be experimenting with your ideas. Thank you
Great! Thanks for watching. X
Thank you for all these ideas. I still buy all of these categories but I never bought more than a few items in each, so I never had to stop, except for patterned paper, which I have waaayyyy too much of. 😂 I use clear Nuvo crystal drops instead of glossy accents. For me the glossy gets goopy and unusable. For embossing with mica, I prefer heat and stick powder. It’s like glue when heat embossed, then you sprinkle the mica (or glitter) over and lightly heat again to “set” the powder in place. It’s the strongest and most vibrant color method I tried. I also never bought into laminating machine or foiling heat machine. I am fine w ironing any laminating pockets (but I have never found the need). I have tried foil sheets with glued design sheets. I think just heat embossing is just as good. I never tried Cricut machine. I love cutting vinyl colored sheets to make decorative designs. But i use my dies for this. For alphabets, I prefer the stickers over dies, which is very expensive, I have one 12” die strip that has all alphabets and numbers and 2nd 12” die strip that says Happy birthday. that’s it. Bit I don’t make any thick letters, as you do. I use small sticker letters in various fonts, and I find them much faster and cheaper by far. To each her own! Please keep this up. Ideas for multi-use of card supplies are always in demand. ❤
Lots of great ideas there! Thanks for sharing. x
It's also a solution to only buy white dots and color them with an alcohol marker.
I don't have any alcohol markers ... but for those who have them it sounds like a good alternative. :)
To make shimmer sprays I also have used alcohol there is less chance of Mould and such. These are awesome ideas! Thank you.
Thanks!
Thank you for this video. I never knew about making embossing power with Lucious powder. A video on Lucious would be very appreciated.😊
Coming soon! x
Making shimmer sprays with rubbing alcohol instead of water helps it dry quicker and shouldn't mould.
EDIT
You could do the same but put the rubbing alcohol and mica powder into a water brush. One where you put water in the handle. Shake well before use.
Cool! Although I'm not a fan of spraying alcohol - it's not good to breathe it in. :)
I use distilled water for crafting….I haven’t had any issues with mold…
@sam08330 Sometimes, I use filtered and then boiled water.
@@sam08330 Good to know. Thanks! x
@@auzzygirl8175 Good idea!
I'm totally in agreement on ALL of these... and regularly do the very same as shown! Yay!
Great! Thanks for watching. x
I love enamel dots. I make my own melting plastic beads. The sequins mix is very interesting, I have noticed that I get shaker cut out bits with a lot of dies. I made my shimmer sprays with alcohol a couple years ago and they are still good.
One tip you can do when making your own thickers is use clear packing tape to cover the paper before you cut them out and they will be shiny
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing. x
Don’t forget about the lowly hole punch or 3 hole punch you may have. I don’t use a die cutting machine or inks so making enamel dots from Nuevo drops or purchasing enamel dots might make sense.
Indeed! :)
Oh my gosh, this is brilliant, totally brilliant!! Love these ideas and thank you for sharing. Your video just popped up in my you tube and have no reason why!! But super glad it did. I’m commenting right after the “creating the dots” played! Have to stop video and tell you I’m already pumped to watch the rest of it. New subbie here and clicked for future videos. Great and again, thank you so much. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks so much! 😊 Glad you found it helpful. x
Another brilliant video. Thank you Natalie
You are so welcome!
Sealing wax works great for dots as well, if you have that on hand 🤗 and you can mix in glitter, pigment powders etc, or dab a marker like the Sakura pen-touch over them
Good to know! Thanks for watching. x
great video, would love more like this. Using your stash in a different way or alternatives to expensive items.
Thanks!
Just found your Channel, love what you have demonstrated. Such clear instructions, have now subscribed, liked & saved, will look out for you new demo's. Thanks again. ❤
You're so welcome! Thanks so much for watching and subbing. x
I’m an Alphabet addict myself. Thanks for a great video.
I just can't say no to an alphabet die set! Thanks for watching. x
Me, too! I've been decluttering my craft room, and giving a lot of supplies to a family at church that I haven't used in a long while. I gave them a couple of alphabet dies. Now I almost regret doing that, but I just remind myself that I hadn't used them in recently. However, my other ones stay!
@@kristytyra2633 Not sure I could give away my alphabet dies! ;)
Great tips and tricks. Thanks for all of the ideas. I love all of your unique papers
Thanks so much! x
Great tips on making your own stash. My favourite is mixing mica powders with clear embossing powder. I have loads of the stuff and never use it because it never stays on the cardstock, it always rubs off so this is a great way to use it up. Thank you for the idea.
You're very welcome, Kerry! Thanks for watching. x
Thank you. I am fairly new at card making and don't have much of a stash, so very useful to know what not to invest in. Your advice is very timely for me. 😊
You are so welcome!
So very useful. We end up with so much product we never use. I’ve just completed a major purge and feel so much better for it.
Glad it was helpful!
Just came across this video and it’s exactly what I needed. Your ideas are brilliant! I’m extremely new to card making (didn’t even know it was a thing). This video just helped me to save money just as I was about to go on a buying binge to get started with this new hobby. Really appreciate you doing this video.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching. x
I make my own sprays in tiny bottles with ink refills, water & perfect pearls for shimmer
Fab!
How do you get the mica powder and water to stick to the cardstock? Mine brush off...
@@mb6285 When the paper is dry, spray it with hairspray or a transparent fixative.
Just found your channel….love your ideas, tips and tricks. Thank you for sharing them with us!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching, Sandy! x
Alpha dies. "I'm sure you don't need as many as I have." That's not true. LOL. The more of these you have, the better! I only get really unique ones from Temu anymore. However, having a wide variety of alpha sets opens up different techniques. I use them to make backgrounds, stencils, stamps for custom birthday cards (cut foam and stamp), math cards, etc.
They are definitely versatile! x
Great ideas! Im a scrapbooker who is new to card making. Thank you!!
Great ideas! Be kind to each other. Stay safe. Love to all
Always!
Peelable offable. Love it 😂😅😊
Thank you! 😃
I thought the same thing!! I love when people say stuff like that that just makes me giggle!
@ReesaReeselynn I thought it was lovely. I'm glad she left it in. So realistic and relatable. I'm always getting my words mixed up and saying funny stuff. 😁
Fantastic as always, thankyou Natalie xxx
You're so welcome, Lindsay! x
Very clever.
Thanks! x
Awesome tips and thanks so much. Sure is a game-changer for me.
Great to hear!
Great video and ideas!! Thank you for sharing this!👏🏼👏🏼🥰😍🇬🇧🐶🐶
My pleasure! x
Fantastic ideas, thanks Natalie. Jenny ❤😊
You are so welcome!
I LOVE this! Such simple ideas, that I've never thought of! I don't have a lot of money to spend on my papercrafting addiction, and have lamented several times over the fact that i don't have all the metallic accents I see favorite crafters using. But I DO have metallic papers, and I DO have a cover plate that cuts circles...duh! Thanks for all the great ideas! This is my first time here... Liked & subscribed. ❤️
Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful! xxx
For colored gems fast, just use clear or white gems and color with alcohol ink pens..
Thank you! ❤️😀
Great tips Natalie, thank you! Your videos have given me lots of ideas on how to use what I have - my New Year’s resolution was not to buy any more crafting goodies (this year at least!) - so far so good!
That's great! Well done. x
Thank you!! So many great ideas plus it just inspires me to think differently. This is so helpful.
Thanks, Sharon! x
I try not to buy patterned paper, but I still sometimes do. I dont just have a pouch of pretties. I think I probably have 3 or 4 large drawers full. Hard to throw little bits away...might just need that sometime 😅
I know your struggle! 😀
Would you consider doing a video of your journaling? I also do mixed media and watercolor. I actually added card making to my repertoire more recently.
Maybe one day. :)
This is brilliant …I’m finding it harder to find enamel dots,so this will solve the problem! Thank you, can’t wait to try this technique!
Glad it was helpful!
That is some great tips. I’m really going to have to look at my stash that I don’t use. ❤ thank you 🎉
You are so welcome!
Thank you for all the great tips!
You are so welcome!
Yes please Natalie, a video on the different kinds of powders and more ideas to use them would be appreciated. I have the cosmic shimmer powders but I am unsure if they are the same as the Luscious powders. ❤
I think the cosmic shimmer powders are very similar to the luscious powders, so should work much the same. x
Brilliant, thank you.x
You are so welcome!
Shimmer sprays, colored embossing powder and I like your idea for the enamel dots and shaker bits. I will buy patterned paper because I’m not a fan of mixed media.
Sounds good! Thanks for watching. x
A video on pigment powders would awesome!!! I have Lindy’s, Elements and Brusho.
Coming soon! x
Great ideas! I do have patterned papers but cannot work out how to use them so will not buy them again! Prefer to make my own patterns now!
Same here! Thanks for watching. X
Love your show. In your “Not Going to Buy…” show you said that homemade sprays may mold so don’t make too much ahead of time. I was wondering if you made your sprays with old eye shadow. I’ve seen other crafters who make their own sprays with eyeshadows from the Dollar Store. And since the eyeshadow is a commercial product there’s got to be some kind of preservative in it. Just wondering. Keep making your lovely shows. Della👏🏼👍🏼
Thanks! I have used eye-shadow before. I don't know if they contain a preservative but it's worth giving it a go and seeing how you get on. x
What a wonderfully helpful video. Thanks for all the tips!
You're welcome!
Thank you. I hadn't considered making my own embossing powders before. I just looked on Amazon and found bulk clear embossing powder so that would work. I have lots of random pigments and mica powder but they're all no-brand things..
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching. x
Like you, I no longer purchase enamel dots, colored embossing powder, foam, thickers, and rubber stamps. Unlike you, I love love love patterned paper! Especially for my scrapbooking (but card making too). Would love to see some of your scrapbooking someday!
Maybe one day. :) Thanks for watching. xxx
I purchased some generic pigment/mica powders off of Amazon. I purchased them to make shimmer sprays, but would love If you would do a video or series on how to use them in different ways. I really appreciate all of these tips, because I'm trying to get the most out of my current supplies and to stop spending money unnecessarily.
It's in the works. :)
Lots of wonderful tips, thank you so much! May I ask what that die storage is you use for your alphabet dies please - its awesome! Thank you. As you have probably realised I am catching up on lots of your past videos as well as watching all your new ones - I am loving them, thank you so much! xxx💖💖💖
You're very welcome! This is the die storage: amzn.eu/d/iM2KS05
@@nbcascards thank you so much! xxx💖💖💖
Thank you
You're welcome!