Review of CraftGully Online Store...

Hi! I am here today with a review of some products by Craft Gully, a great craft supplies store based in Goa. I met Kunjal Nirwani, co-founder of Craft Gully through a mutual friend. She was sweet enough to send me a selection of products to try and review.

The very first product I tried was the glue. And I was very impressed by the quality! The glue is very strong, dries quickly and is suitable for paper as well as foam, plastics, etc. Since it dries to a clear, matte finish there are no ugly stains or shiny spots to mar your work. Definitely a winner and a product that is going to be in my stash!

Moving on, the second range that really caught my eye was the Scrappy Tales pattern papers. Kunjal is a graphic designer by training and I fell in love with her beautiful designs. Her floral papers are elegant and pretty. And the monochromatic papers are just gorgeous. I made a very simple, layered card using one of the papers from the Floral Corsage paper pack.

I took some pattern paper, vellum and black cardstock and die-cut all of them using nested banner dies. Here is a closer look at the layering.

You can really see the high quality of the design and paper. The sentiment is from the Birthday Wishes stamp set by Altenew. I stamped it with Versamark and heat embossed with metallic red embossing powder.

Here is another look at the card.

I used the two papers from the Floral Corsage paper pack for my second card as well. This time I created a baby card.

The card has a flap that opens up.

I used the Fishtail Banners Two die set by Lil Inker Designs to cut the opening. I used stamps from the Little One stamp set and the coordinating die for the onesie and the sentiment.

Here is another look at the card.

I used the Monohues Series –Black paper pack for my next card. This pack has really gorgeous papers in black, white and grey. I love the mix of floral and graphic designs. Some of them are perfect for coloring too. I went for a black-n-white card with a pop of teal.

The die is the gorgeous 3D Fantasy Florals die set by Altenew. I used a mix of pattern papers and black cardstock to cut the various layers. Here is a close-up of the flower.

I wanted some teal splatters on the card to tie in with the circle die-cut. So I used the Jamaican Teal chalk paint.

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the teal color shows up on the pitch-black paper! Even when diluted the color is so vivid.

The sentiment is from the Painted Greetings stamp set by Altenew. I stamped it with white pigment ink. I offset the stamp slightly and re-stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with black embossing powder.

To finish, I assembled the card and rounded the bottom corners with a corner rounder. Here is another look at the card.

Entering this card in the following challenge

Just Us Girls Challenge #527:

Timeout Challenge #157 - Birthday:

Craft Gully also has a range of beautiful metallic acrylic paints. They are very shiny and opaque and show up beautifully on black paper.

I created a quick background by dry-brushing the copper paint on a black panel. I stamped one of motifs and sentiments from the Persian Motifs stamp set by Altenew and heat embossed both with metallic copper embossing powder.

I adhered the die-cut circle with glue and added the motif and the sentiment strip popped up on some foam tape.

Here is another look at the card. You can see the beautiful dimension that the foam tape gives.

Entering this card in the CAS Mix Up Card Challenge March 2020. I used metallic copper acrylic paint, stamping and heat embossing.

For my final project, I wanted to test the chalk paints. So I decided to make coasters.

I used washi tape to mask off areas and painted them with the chalk paints. The Creative Genie chalk paints are creamy and have excellent coverage. Though I used two coats, even a single coat is opaque enough to give a good finish. The consistency of the paint is just right to use directly from the bottle. They also dry quickly. So I hardly had to wait between coats. Here is a close-up look of the coasters.

Note the smooth matte finish of the paint. The metallic acrylic paint is also very opaque and has a beautiful, rich sheen.

Once the paint was dry, I again masked off areas and added some stamping with the line stamps from the Painted Flowers stamp set by Altenew. Here are all four coasters.

I had lots of fun playing with the products from Craft Gully. Thanks, Kunjal for sending them to me. I hope you guys enjoyed this review and will give these great products a try. You can check them out here. Here is a final look at all the projects along with the products I used.

Love,

Nandini

Review of the Itsy Bitsy Stamp & Die Set...

Hi! I am here today to review the new Clear Stamp and Coordinating Die Set by Itsy Bitsy. You can find my previous reviews here, here and here. 

Itsy Bitsy recently launched 3 stamp sets along with their coordinating die sets under their brand Little Birdie. I selected the set called Florence which has beautiful roses along with buds and leaves. 

This set has 9 stamps and 9 dies. The price is only 999/- which makes this set very reasonable. The images are perfect for different coloring mediums. I loke that these are plenty of leaves. So building a floral cluster is very easy. I was also lucky to try the other two sets during my demo at the Itsy Bitsy store in Panaji. I will share those cards at the end of this post.

For my first card, I created a window card with some simple coloring.

I started with a white card base and a white mat. The stamping was identical on both. I stamped the large flower first. Then masked it with masking paper and stamped rest of the cluster. I used alcohol markers to color the image. I die-cut the images from the mat with the coordinating dies. This created a window that fits perfectly over my flower cluster. 

To add more interest, I inked the mat with a blue die ink. To finish, I stamped the sentiment and popped up the panel on some foam tape. Here is another look at the card.

For my second card, I decided to use some of the beautiful papers that Itsy Bitsy has. I used the Pretty Pastels paper pack. I also pulled out some handmade papers out of the Assorted Textures Value Pack. I love these packs and have several of them.

Each pack has an assortment of papers, jute, fabric etc. These packs come in really handy while card making. Here is my card.

I started with three sheets from the Pretty Pastels paper pack. I used a pink polka dot paper for the flowers and two shades green plaid papers for the leaves. I stamped the images and then cut them out with the coordinating dies. I inked the die-cuts with dye inks to add some depth and interest.

The card base is a dark grey. I stamped the smaller flower randomly with grey ink to create a nice tone-on-tone background. I cut pink, teal and white papers using the Itsy Bitsy oval dies. I stamped the sentiment on the white oval with pink ink.

To finish, I arranged the flowers and leaves in a pleasing pattern and adhered them to the card. Here is the completed card.

For my final card, I decided to do some water coloring and inlay die-cutting.

I took a panel of Little Birdie Watercolor Paper. This is a professional-grade, cold-pressed 100% cotton paper. It is thick and I love that it is bright white. I stamped only the leaves with black ink and then colored them with shades of yellow and green. Once the paint was dry, I splattered the background with the diluted paints. I also added some splatters of black and white.

I trimmed the panel and a green handmade paper with Little Birdie Rectangular Dies. These nested dies are a great addition to your stash as they are made to fit a standard A2 size card. I die-cut the leaves from the watercolored panel with the coordinating dies. I took a black card base and adhered the green handmade paper and the water-colored panel to it. I popped up the leaves and added them to the panel. This creates a lovely 3-dimensional background. Here is a look at the angled panel.

This card is now ready. I can either use it without a sentiment. Or just add a suitable one whenever I want to send the card. Here is another look at the card.

I hope you found my review helpful. I would definitely recommend these sets to crafters who like coloring and, like me, don’t like fussy cutting. At 999/- per set they are priced very well and each set has loads of options to create beautiful designs. Here are my three cards together.

I got the opportunity to use the other two sets as well during one of the demos that I do at the Itsy Bitsy store in Panjim. These demos are held every Saturday, with different techniques covered every week. You can contact your nearest store for more details. Here are the cards I made during the demo.

With the Florence set, using Song of the Sea pattern paper pack and some stenciling.

Masking and sentiment stamping. I colored the flower with the Little Birdie alcohol markers.

With the Bloom Vista set, some simple water-coloring and inking.

With the Florenza set, using the Song of the Sea pattern paper pack and partial die-cutting.

Stamp and die sets are great for creating twofer cards. The first card with an inked background.

Second card with a splattered background.

Both cards together.

I hope you will give these great sets a try.  You can buy them at any of the Itsy Bitsy stores. Or order online from the website here.

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