Thursday, July 19, 2018

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 PowderI 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.




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

21 comments:

  1. I found your review really helpful and I enjoyed reading your posts and learning about the products...Thank you x. What a fabulous collection of cards, all unique and so beautiful. Extra love the card with the teal and the popping of the paste and powders, as it has such a marvellous texture. All the cards have wonderful shimmer and shine to them. The hibiscus flower die is so pretty, love how you've coloured it and added the pop of colour to the grey, which I also love. Thank you for joining in the fun challenge at The CAS Mix Up with your beautiful card. Thank you too for the step by steps and it sure look like you had fun x.

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  2. Gorgeous cards Nandini! All of them are absolutely stunning!! I love how you showed the difference effects of the products! FABULOUS!! :-)

    thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
    Luv
    Lols x x x

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  3. Thank you for the wonderful review on 4 of the Little Birdie products Nandini! It was so refreshing to see the various permutations & combinations you have tried, loved all the amazing effects you have achieved!

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  4. WOW these are all just gorgeous! Awesome job on the technique! Thanks for sharing these beauties! Thanks so much for joining us at The Sisterhood’s ‘Your Favorite Color’ challenge and please come back again soon!
    Darlene
    one of the 'Sistahs'
    The Sisterhood of Crafters
    DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS Please come for a visit!

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  5. Lovely review n the cards are so unique n beautiful.

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  6. What a gorgeous background technique. Thanks for joining the Sisterhood's "Favorite Color" challenge.

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  7. Wow, what fun pastes and goodies you had to play with! The one you made for our colors is really cute - what amazing texture! Thanks so much for playing at Sunday Stamps!

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  8. Great comparison of products and lovely cards, Nandini! Love that hibiscus blossom! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at CAS Mix Up!

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  9. What an amazing set of cards! I just love the sparkle card for Ink-the depth of colours and then all that lovely texture and sparkle. A joy! Thanks for joining Ink

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  10. Enjoyed your review of the products Nandini! I learned a lot! That sparkle paste is so beautiful. All your cards are amazing. Love that set of cards done in the different colours - gorgeous! The silver/gray embossing paste stenciling over the black is really elegant, and the bright colours of your hibiscus really make it pop off the dark black. Thanks for sharing with us at CAS Mix Up!

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  11. These are all wonderful cards, thanks for joining us at Allsorts, xxx

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  12. You have been busy with a pretty array of cards, many thanks for joining in with our 'Flower all Over' theme at Allsorts challenge.

    B x

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  13. Wow, your cards are so stunning with these sparkle paste products! Thanks so much for joining us in the challenge at Fusion!

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  14. What a stunning group of cards, Nandini. Great techniques and colour choices. Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.

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  15. Wow! You really had some fun with these! They are just really great - not sure what else I can say! I love the textures, I love the colors ....just all round a pleasure to look at! Thanks for sharing with us at Use Your Stuff and hope to see you again!
    Tammy DT

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  16. You've done a great job comparing all the products Nandini! Your cards are amazing! Very clever! Thanks so much for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week!

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  17. Wow those are some amazing cards Nandini! I love pastes too so it was so nice to see the comparison that you did and I love the effect of the embossing texture paste the best too, I have to get some! Thanks for sharing it at The Sisterhood of Crafters and we look forward to seeing more of your wonderful creations again soon. Hugs, DT Gwendolyn

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  18. Stunning cards Nandini! The sparkle paste is so pretty. Thank for joining us at Use Your Stuff Challenge. You are a winner for this week's birthday challenge. Congrats! Get our badge to add to your blog. :)

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  19. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges! I love the textures and colors on your cards.

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  20. Gorgeous selection of cards Nandini! The colours, textures and designs are really striking.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    Mandy xx

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  21. Lots of texture on your cards. Love the vibrancy of that hibiscus.
    Thanks for joining us at CAS Mix Up!

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