(click on the pics to enbiggan)
I'm always looking for easy ways to enhance my cards--items that add a special touch, but aren't overly labor intensive.
Prills, a natural, non-toxic, tiny, hole-less pearl-like bead, are a new-to-me embellishment that can be used in a myriad of ways.
Here I used the Minnie (white) on the centers of my vellum poinsettias, for added texture and interest! A clear-drying adhesive works best for this particular application, but you can also apply them to Be Creative Tape, or try using them as filler on your next shaker card! I also think the colored ones would be super fun as "candy sprinkles" in embossing paste "frosting" on a cupcake image!
It's hard to capture the sparkling golden effect on this design, but it is lustrous and beautiful in real life--take my word!
After misting over the top of the Hero Arts Star Snowflake Stencil with Hero Arts Gold Shimmer, I allowed it to dry completely, and then over-stamped with a large greeting in Archival ink. The outer panel was edged with Stickles Glitter Glue, the perfect finishing touch on a modern, elegant design.
I recently had a chance to play with the Minc Toner Pen. This is a pump-action pen that draws toner fluid down the barrel and into the nib; you can write or draw and once dry, apply heat-reactive foil over the top of your designs using the Minc.
The pen's nib is on the thicker side, so it doesn't work well for "fine-line" writing or drawing and I found I needed to keep it upright to get the most consistent line of toner fluid.
The packaging states that best results are achieved on smooth or glossy/coated papers, so I tried it on Neenah Solar White and on glossy white; the most impressive results were indeed on glossy.
In a quick experiment, I tried applying the toner pen to a stamp then impressing it to paper (see acorn images above)--I think I need to play with that more to figure out how to get a consistently even application of the toner fluid onto larger stamp images, but on small ones, I was surprised it worked fairly well! The toner didn't seem to harm or stain the stamp at all and cleaned off easily with just a baby wipe. *fist pump*
I also tried it on Bazzill Card Shoppe and achieved fair results, but miniscule particles of foil from the piece placed over the toner pen transferred to the paper, leaving a super subtle golden sheen over the surface. It's not really perceptible in the photo, but if you are a perfectionist, you will probably notice this and may need to adjust your design to accommodate for that, when working with non-glossy papers.
On this sample, I hand-lettered a simple word over Avery Elle patterned paper and foiled with the Minc. Although there was some residual gold shimmer on the paper, it didn't detract from the design and I was pleased with the end results.
So, how would I use the pen? I think it's a great option for larger scale hand-lettering (due to the tip design) and for spot foiling pre-stamped images, patterned papers, or decorative chipboard pieces that are thin enough to go through the Minc machine, etc. and for "inking" up smaller stamp images and foiling those.
As with all things, it's important to experiment with any new-to-you tool, to find a method that works for you!
Enjoy watching this month's video in HD on our YouTube Channel, and thanks for taking a moment to give it a thumbs up!
Thanks for stopping by and for joining me for the November issue of In Touch!
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