White-on-white Elegance...

Hi! I recently finished the Mission: Inspiration class by Altenew Academy. The instructor, Nicole Watts, is an amazing teacher and the class focused on where and how to find inspiration. It also included several tips on organizing the inspiration and converting it into actual cards. If you are like me and end up spending a lot of time surfing on the net, this class is for you.

I made two white-on-white cards with loads of texture. This is the first card. I will post the second next week.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper and the Foliage stencil by Altenew. I used the Mixed Media Paste by Little Birdie instead of inks or paint for the first layer. Made by Itsy Bitsy India, the Mixed Media paste is a great product. Applied directly it works as texture or embossing paste. It can also be diluted with water and used as gesso. After the panel was completely dry, I used the Sparkle Paste, also by Little Birdie for the second layer. Here is a closer look at the panel.

I trimmed the panel and mounted it on a top folding ivory card base with foam tape. The sentiment is from the Cross Stitch Flower stamp set by Altenew. I stamped it with black ink on a strip of dark orange paper.

The sentiment strip is also popped up on foam tape for added dimension. Here is another look at the completed card.

I just love the gentle shimmer of the Sparkle Paste and the pop of the sentiment strip.

Hope you liked my card. I would love to hear from you.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Yes, Virginia January Show & Share:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - All Loved Up:

Timeout Challenge #153 - Wardrobe:

I was inspired by the beautiful Chikankari Kurtis that I have. Chikankari is a form of traditional Indian embroidery that is done on thin cotton fabrics in white. The fabrics are generally white or very pastel colors. Here is a typical example.

As You See It Challenge #217 - Love is in the Air:

Love,
Nandini

Product Review for Itsy Bitsy...

Hi! I am here today to do another product review for Itsy Bitsy. You can find my previous reviews here and here. I am reviewing a total of four products today.

I had picked up the Mixed Media Paste and Embossing Texture Paste some time ago. I found both these work very well with the Sparkle Paste and Mica Powder. So I decided to review all four products.

My first two cards are like a twofer. I wanted to see the difference between using Sparkle Paste versus Mica Powder. I started with two pieces of white cardstock. I blended distress oxide inks on both. I covered the panels with a stencil and applied Black Soot and Faded Jeans distress oxide inks through it. Without removing the stencil, I added Sparkle Paste to one with a palette knife. On the other panel, I brushed a the Mica Powder with an old make-up brush. I also added a light mist of water to fix the powder.

Here is the card with Sparkle Paste.

The effect is beautiful and sparkly. Perfect for a festive card. Here is another look at the card. I tilted it so that the sparkle is seen.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Monday Challenge - Add A Little Sparkle:

Use Your Stuff Challenge #321 - Birthday:


The Mica Powder gives a more subtle effect.

There is a beautiful, satiny sheen which is gorgeous in real life.

Inkspirational Challenge #165:

For my next card, I decided to mix the Mica Powder with Mixed Media paste which is a great product to have in your stash since it combines the functions of both gesso and modelling paste.

I diluted the Mixed Media paste with a little water and then mixed some Mica Powder with it. I placed a stencil over a panel of kraft cardstock and applied the paste with a palette knife. Once the paste was dry, I added a little distress oxide ink with a sponge dauber.

Here is a closer look at the stencilling.

You can see the lovely sheen that the Mica Powder brings to the mix.

To complete the card, I die-cut a heart from some pink paper. I added some sheen to the die-cut with the Mica Powder. I simply took a glue stick and rubbed it all over the paper. I brushed the Mica Powder with a makeup brush and let it dry.

The sentiment was stamped with Versamark on a strip of black paper and heat embossed with metallic pink embossing powder.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Week 476/477 - Flowers All Over:

Paru's Card Making Challenges - July:

For my third card, I decided to test the products on some dark cardstock.

I coloured the mix of Mixed Media Paste and Mica Powder with black photo ink and applied it to a piece of black cardstock through a stencil. The result was a gorgeous metallic grey texture. Here is a closer look.

I trimmed the panel and adhered it to a grey card base. I die-cut the hibiscus flower and coloured it with my Zigs. The sentiment was die-cut from a piece of cardstock that I coloured with two shades of green dye inks. I just rubbed a little Sparkle Paste on the die-cut to give it some extra pop. Here is a closer look.

To finish, I mounted a piece of black cardstock on foam tape. The flower is also popped with foam tape. I applied a little Sparkle Paste to the stamen for added interest.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

CAS Mix Up July Challenge:
I coloured my hibiscus die cut with Zig Clean Color Markers and the sentiment with photo inks. I stamped part of the sentiment with Versamark and heat embossed with silver EP. For the mixed media component, I did stencilling with texture paste.

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Use a die and/or punch:

Fusion Challenge - Outdoor Room:
I used only the sketch which I flipped.

Watercooler Wednesday WWC179 - Masculine Anything Goes:

The final card is probably my favourite. I decided to mix the Mica Powder with the Embossing Texture Paste. I wasn't sure it would work. But it did. And I love the result!

The Embossing Texture Paste pops up when you apply heat. The amount of popping depends on the thickness of application and dryness of the layer. Since I wanted less popping and used an intricate stencil, I allowed it to dry completely. The result after applying heat is a soft nap, almost like a rug. The Mica Powder gives it a lovely shine. Here is a closer look.

To complete the card, I trimmed the panel and mounted it to a turquoise card base. I die-cut a heart from the same paper and popped it up on foam tape. I die-cut the sentiment thrice and adhered the layers together. I also applied some Sparkle Paste to it for added shine. Finally, I die-cut some small stars and adhered them to the heart.

Entering this card in the following challenges:

Sunday Stamps SSC183 - Tranquil Cottage Colors:
I used turquoise, kraft and cream

The Sisterhood of Crafters - What's YOUR Favorite Color?:
I love turquoise colour. Especially when combined with kraft. 


I have really loved using these products. Initially, I wasn't sure how much use I would get out of them since my style is very CAS and I mostly make cards. But they are wonderful products to keep on hand. The Sparkle Paste is great for adding some shimmer and shine to your projects. I have used it before for making a card set.

As you can see, Sparkle Paste is very easy to colour and use with stencils.

The Embossing Texture Paste adds great texture without adding weight. It is also very easy to colour with inks. It spreads very well. So a little goes a long way.

My biggest surprise was the Mica Powder. It can be used to add some shimmer to your projects very easily. I used the clear glue stick with great results. It also mixes well with water and can be used with a spray bottle. And of course, it gives great results when mixed with Mixed Media Paste and Embossing Texture Paste.

Sparkle Paste and Embossing Texture Paste are both available in beautiful colours too. I picked up neutral colours since I wanted to test them with photo inks. But you can buy the ready coloured pastes as well.

Here is a photo of all the cards with the products I used.

I hope you found my review useful and will give them a try. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Love,

Nandini