Clearly iStamp

Chalkboard Technique Tutorial

 

Happy Tuesday Tutorial! It's Kathy here again. I have decided this tutorial would be simple and MESSY!! Nothing like getting out the chalks and just playing.

A couple months ago I was introduced to the Chalkboard Technique and I have decided to share it with you. It takes a little practice and learning to be okay with NOT a perfect-stay-in-in-line end product. You will see what I mean as we get going. So let's get to it!

SUPPLIES:

Silhouette Thoughts Clear Acrylic Stamps (solid stamps work best with this technique)

White pigment ink (chalk ink is too dry for this technique...at least for me it was)

Black Cardstock (I used Bazzill)

Chalk

Q-tips or Daubers

Scratch paper on your work surface

Krylon Preserve it (or something similar)

Step 1: Ink up your stamp with the White Pigment Ink and stamp it on the black (or dark) cardstock

Step 2: Before the ink dries you will want to cover the image with chalk. For this example I used my daubers and designated one dauber for each color. But you can use q-tips if that is what you have.

Step 3: Take a paper towel and wipe the image to get the excess chalk off of it. Wipe around on the black areas pretty good to get off as much as you can. ** This is where you have to be ok with it NOT being perfectly kept on the image. But that is part of the beauty of this technique.

I sprayed the image with Krylon Preserve It to keep the chalk from smearing. (make sure to follow the instructions on the can)

Step 4: Make a card with your beautiful image.Card was inspired by Mojo Monday Sketch #234.

Ohhhh, this card is perfect for the Clearly Inspired Challenge #49 that starts on Friday! Can you guess what the challenge is?? Pop on over on Friday to see if you guessed right!!!

 

Here are some other examples done using this stamp set and technique.

Card was inspired by the Stella Says Sketch #107 (SSS107) at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

 

Card was inspired by Card Positioning Systems #259

Now it is your turn to try it and show me your cards! Please leave a link in the comments to your cards so I can see the beautiful creations you make.

Have fun and I will see you again on another Tuesday Tutorial!

- Kathy D.

 

A little Black Dress is all you need...

Got your attention didn't I?? Seriously if you want to make a cute fun loveable Valentine gift for your husband that is all you need! Look...

 

 

I made this 6 x 6 album completely out of Basic Grey's Little Black Dress 6 x 6 Paper Pad. If you don't have this paper pad it is a MUST!! It made it so easy and fun to create this. I also loved how it was romantic but easily made manly all at the same time!

SUPPLIES:

Kitchen Clutter Digital Stamp

Yummy Cupcakes Digital Stamp

Little Black Dress 6 x 6 Paper Pad - Basic Grey

1/2 inch Scor-Tape

Scor-Pal Multiple Scoring Tablet

Black, Red and Creme Cardstock (I used Bazzill - Beetle Black, Kisses, French Vanilla)

Ribbon

Stapler

Pen

Black ink pad for inking edges (I use Versa Magic Midnight Black)

Pop Dots

Xyron 150

Adhesive

Heart punches

Cruicut

George & Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge (used it for the hearts)

Corner punch

Decorative edge punches (Martha Stewart & EK Success)

Decorative Corner Punch (EK Success)

Clear photo corners  (I used 3 on the coupons so they are easy to get out)

Computer & Printer

Font: Angelina

This tutorial is more about a Gift Idea and inspiration for you to be creative this Valentine's Day. My husband will totally be surprised and shocked when I give him this as it will be a first in 14 years of marriage.

I decided to not only give him a coupon book but to make it a mini album so we can write about or take photos as we make memories with each coupon that is used.

Here are the steps to making the base of the album:

Book - Step 1: Take 12 x 12 Black Cardstock and cut it in half so you will have 2 sheets of 6 x 12

Book - Step 2: Take your piece of 6 x 12 cardstock and score each one in the middle at 6 inches.

Book - Step 3: Once you have all your black cardstock scored you will staple them in the middle to make a book.

Now it is time to decorate the pages. You will make a coupon for each page and this is how I did that.

Coupon - Step 1: Make the coupon the size you want it and add dotted lines around the edge with a black pen (you can do this now or after you printed)

Coupon - Step 2: Type up what you want it to say in Word then print it out on plain paper.

Coupon - Step 3: Place the paper over the printed part (I hold mine up to light to get it aligned). I use scotch tape on the edges but you can also use a little removable adhesive on the back)

Coupon - Step 4: Put paper in printer and reprint the coupon.

When you make the cover of the book I put down Scor-Tape (double sided tacky tape) to adhere the ribbon to the book. I did this on the front and back of the book. See below.

Here is the whole album:

Pg 1 - 2 (Inspired by the Bugaboo Birthday Celebration Sketch)

 

Pg 3 - 4 (Inspired by Card Positioning Systems Card Sketch #251)

 

Pg 5 - 6 (Inspired by Bugaboo Stella Says Sketch #102)

 

Pg 7 - 8 (Inspired by Tuesday Morning Sketches #127)

 

Pg 9 - 10 (Inspired by Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #141)

 

Pg 11 - 12 (Inspired by Clearly Inspired Challenge #30 Sketch)

 

Pg 13 - 14 (Inspired by Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #139)

Pg 15 - 16 (Inspired by Tuesday Morning Sketches by Melissa Craig)

 

Pg 17 - 18 (Inspired by Stamptacular Sunday Sketch Challenge #119)

 

Pg 19 - 20 (Inspired by me!)

 

Pg 21 - 22 (Inspired by Crafty Creations Challenge #131)

 

I have done all the "thinking" for you, now all you have to do is create (I did this in one day)! Have fun and if you create one let me know as I would love to see it.

 

God Bless -

    Kathy D.

 

CDS Digital Year Round Calendar Blog Hop

 Welcome to the Digital Design Team's first ever blog hop! We've got a special set to showcase for you in twelve exciting ways, you are not going to want to miss out on the fun! We're using the set Year Round Calendar, which is great to use for so many different projects. Each design team member has taken a month and will show you what they can do. 

Every great hop comes with a great prize, and this one is no different. Two different hoppers will be chosen to receive this wonderful set! To be eligible to win the prize, you must comment on every blog.

Patti is starting us off with the month of January. Here is your list of design team blogs to visit should you get lost along the way.

Patti

Barb

Lisa

Lorie

Jan 
Dawn

Sarah

Linda

Karen

Kathy

Sandy

Jerusha

Once you have visited all of the blogs and left comments along the way, please head back here and leave a comment on this blog telling us what you would like to do with this set. The winners will be announced here on the CDS blog on Wednesday, November 9th. 

Happy hopping!

 

Something to be x-static for

Hi friends, its Katie here to welcome you to another fun Tuesday!  Today, I'll be showcasing a new product that Lori has in the store that is really quite cool and packs quite a wallop for such a little thing.  Its an EMBOSSING ANTI-STATIC POUCH that is made to make your heat embossing a breeze.

This product is brand new to me in any form since I've never used anything quite like it and I'll tell you up front that I was rather impressed.  I didn't honestly know what to expect.  What I didn't realize is that there is a powder residue that does come off the pouch and once you rub it over your cardstock you do have to tap off any excess that is on the cardstock.

And of course once you have used your embossing pouch you need to handle your cardstock with care by holding it on the edges as much as possible.

For this first picture, I cut my Cottonball White cardstock like normal and I cut 2 pieces.  For both pieces I used Versamark ink and gold embossing powder, the only difference was that I used the x-static pouch on one piece.

I haven't heat embossed these yet, but you can see that the one on the right has quite a bit of residue.  I don't honestly know what I did, but the embossing powder stuck to that section.

Now, I think the true test for me was with the use of black embossing powder.  I have always stayed away from black embossing powder because I always had issues with the powder staying on my cardstock, but not with the pouch.

One of the easiest ways to control your watercoloring is to emboss your images on watercolor paper (heavy and light) .  This slightly raised edge helps keep that color inside the lines 

Here, I used an image from the stamp set Fashionably French.  Stamped and covered with black embossing powder, but hasn't been heated yet.... see no flecks of left over powder.

Here are a couple of samples I made with some of my embossed images.  This first card uses a Sizzix embossing folder, labels 10 nestability, Wild Huckleberry Cardstock , Night Eclipse, and the matching tombow marker.

For my second card I went with more black embossing powder... love this look.  I used the largest flourish from the set Plumes and Blooms with the Designer Label Dies and the sentiment is from All Around Sentiments.

So make sure when you've come to shop, throw this little guy in your shopping cart and I promise you'll be x-static when you get it home!

Thanks as always for hanging with us here at Clearly iStamp and have a wonderful day!

Clearly Inspired Challenge going on right now!!

 

Designer Dies Ins and Outs

Hi Friends, welcome to a fun filled Tuesday Tutorial.  Today, Lori wanted us to focus on some detailed descriptions on how you can use the new Designer Dies that were just released this month.

Here is a card that I created using the new Designer Label Dies as well as our FREEBIE digital image that we are offering this month for or to play in October's Clearly Inspired Challenge. Just click on the freebie text (above), add to shopping cart and print.

The Designer Labels are the very first Clear Dollar Stamps dies and they won't be the last either, but what a fabulous way to start CDS very own line of dies. Click HERE to see the computer generated photo of some of the die options.

When you order your very own set or if you already have you set, we want you to be successful when you use them.  Seriously, the options are limitless and ease is bar none.

The premise of these dies is to coordinate with matching stamps.  There are 3 coordinating clear stamp sets that are made to work with these dies - Designer Label Additions, Designer Label Christmas Tags, and Curved Sentiments.

Here is a photo of what you'll receive for the Designer Labels: a set of 3 metal dies as well as 3 plastic guides too. 

You will use these in basically 2 main ways and you will consistently use them both ways.

• Cut with the dies and then stamp with your coordinating stamp images or,
• Stamp your images and then cut with your dies.

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I'm going to show you how you can get perfect placement by using the clear positioners with your new dies.  I've got all 3 main shapes in the picture below along with the matching stamps.  

As you can see, I've already stamped my images.

Next, grab your clear positioners.  Make NOTE that each one has text that says THIS SIDE UP.  Make sure that when you are placing your clear pieces that you can read it correctly.

Notice those small little "handles" with the holes in them?   Those are the key to perfect die cutting.

After you have stamped your image, line up the clear piece over your stamped image, and then use a pen/pencil and mark right in the center of those "handles".

Next, you will remove the clear plastic pieces, grab your metal dies and match your marks from your "handles".  Don't forget to tape your your dies down onto the cardstock to prevent shifting when cutting.

In the cuttlebug, you will use the same sandwich that you use for your nesties... A, B, Dies (face down), and then C (listed from the bottom up).

This is what you will end up with... perfectly placed and cut dies and images.

Here are some more pictures to help you visualize what you can do with these dies and what the shapes look like.

Here is the largest die shape. As you can see many of the pieces are interchangeable which again provides so many options and looks.

Second die...

3rd die...

And here are some ways you can layer these dies and stamps.

Imagine the possibilies when you add in your Clearly Coordinating Cardstock to the above options too.

Plus, these dies work with so many Clear Dollar Stamps that you already have.  Now, if you didn't realize, a new Clearly Inspired Cahllenge is going on right now.  You've got all month to play and because we really want to focus on CDs stamps and how you create with them, but we also realize that there are many just starting their CDS collection we wanted to offer a FREE digital image for you to play with too!

This oak leaf is our freebie challenge image this month and I used it for my sample today.  I printed this image and used my Copic markers to color it in.  I used the clear positioner piece to decide how I wanted my image to fit in.  I printed my image larger than my die, but I love the look of partial images so it was all good.  I made my marks...

Then matched the marks with the die itself, taped it down and cut.

I also decided I still wanted a mat around my image so all I did was trace around the label die and then just hand cut.  It was seriously not a difficult cut at all.

Here it is on my card again.  I then used one of the other dies to stamp my sentiment on.  Many of the sentiments from All Around Sentiments fit perfectly on this rectangular die.

So, I hope this tutorial helped you to visualize what these new dies are all about and what they can add to your card making arsenal.  The shapes are beautiful and the matching stamps are so fun to use with them and the uses are limitless.

CLICK HERE  to see more samples that were shared during sneak peeks.

Don't worry though... your dies will come beautifully packaged with a fabulous sheet that you can refer back to when creating your beautiful layers!  Plus, the dies are on being introduced for a phenomenal price.

Don't forget to join us for this month's challenge... no excuses friends... grab that free digi and get to creating.

Thank you all for joining us and spending your time here at Clearly iStamp.

Sponging isn't just for bathing

 Hi Friends, its Katie here with another Tuesday Tutorial.  Today, I'm going to focus on a new product that Lori is carrying at the store that is a great accessory to your stamping arsenal and won't break the budget. Sponge daubers won't necessarily do anything revolutionary but they are a great alternative to using regular sponges or other "sponging" tools.  They are very convenient and easy to use.  The sponge will stain, but you can rinse/wash them and continue to use them with other inks, although once you use them, you'll probably want to dedicate at least a few for your most used colors.

With this in mind, I've created a couple of cards for you today that showcase a couple of ways to use your sponge daubers and some hints to help you along.

There are a couple of reasons that I like to sponge around an image.  The main one is to "soften" the look surrounding the space around any stamped image.  Another reason is to give dimension to your cardstock edges, and finally, sponging is a great way to create an "edge" or "border" when you are working with your Spellbinders Nestabilities.

I'm going to start with the way I sponge the most.  In the picture below you can see that I have alraedy stamped this bee image.  I decided to go with a bit of non-traditional "bee" color and the new Clearly Coordinate Collection inks were perfect.  

I used Hot Cocoa and Wild Ginger to stamp my bee and the set called Home Sweet Hive.

 

As you saw, I used a circle nestability to cut my image.  Once its cut, the key is to keep the die and image intact.

The key to the soft sponged look is to NOT make DIRECT contact with your sponge dauber and your paper.  I personally like the feel of a slick surface while I'm doing this and for my purposes, I use a sheet of clear acetate as my work surface.

I also like to add ink to my work surface versus going straight from my ink pad. I decided to use Tropical Mist as my sponging color.

 

So all you do is place that sponge right over your finger tip.  This allows for precise control and in my case, my fingers often get tired of pinching a regular type of sponge (the kind that looks like a real sponge)

 

SOFT... LIGHT...GENTLE...AIRY... these are the MOST IMPORTANT WORDS TO REMEMBER!  Less is definitely more in this circumstance.  You can always add more color as you go.

I also work in a circular motion when adding the ink to the paper.  I personally use a counter clockwise motion.

I also actually do this circular motion before I even make it onto the cut image.  You are basically traveling onto your image.

Remove die and you get a prefectly sponged image plus a great border as well.

REMEMBER to wipe off your die afterwards with a tissue to get rid of any residual ink.

 

 

Below is close up of direct contact of  the inked sponge dauber and cardstock.  You can see that its not as soft and you can actually see the print of the sponge.

 

Another way to use the sponge dauber is to apply ink directly to the edges of your cardstock.  For this example I decided to ink up my card base.  I generally always use the Cottonball White as my card bases and if I don't want the white to show, I'll often just ink the edges. Again, this gives a softer look than applying the ink pad directly to your cardstock edges.

 

Here is my completed card.

 

Stamps/Images: Home Sweet Hive

Cardstock/Papers: Cottonball White, Hot Cocoa, Wild Ginger, Tropical Mist, Basic Grey Max and Whiskers

Ink: Hot Cocoa, Wild Ginger, Tropical Mist

Accents/Tools: Tropical Mist Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, SU! border punch, Circle Nestabilities,

************************************************************

Another great use of the sponge dauber is for a technique called emboss resist.  Again, allows for a bit more control than a squished up sponge.

For this card, I grabbed a new release stamp called Peace Out and stamped it with Versamark, covered it with Clear Embossing Powder.  I used Cottonball White as my card base and once everything had been embossed it is just a matter of applying your ink.  I used the same sheet of acetate to lay my ink down.

 

The nice thing about this method of application and technique is that there is a lot less finesse needed.  You will be adding additional colors and they will just blend together and your goal isn't for the soft sponge look this time around.

Here is my finished card.  You will definitely want dedicated sponge daubers per color for this technique. But remember, you can just wash these and then re-use at a later time.

 

Stamps/Images: Peace Out and Daisy Flower Tag 

Cardstock/Papers: Cottonball White, Wild Huckleberry

Inks: Spring Leaf, Wild Huckleberry, Pucker Up, Wild Ginger, Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black

Accents/Tools: Adhesive waterdrops, clear embossing powder, sponge daubers, heat gun

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That's it for me today... if you noticed I just gave you all an inadvertent sneak peek of something... did you guess what it is?

Thanks for coming by and visiting us here at Clearly iStamp!  Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

  

Product Highlight and Technique

Don't forget to join us for this month's Clearly Inspired Challenge (#15) 

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Hi friends, its Katie here to share today's Tuesday Tutorial with you.  I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable holiday.  Today, I'm focusing on a product that Lori introduced a few months ago which is pretty darn cool.  These clear ultrafine Microbeads are a great and different way to embellish your cards and images.

I'm also going to share one of my favorite new release stamps for the month of July.  The Striped Background is a simple 2 lined image that allows you to create your very own backgrounds.  Today, I paired the microbeads and this technique to create this card.

 

Let's start with the striped background.  Take your stamp and because I'm using Copics, I am using the Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Stamp in one direction... remember you don't have to be all perfect with this, in fact its better to have different spacing.  The lines of this stamp image are not perfectly straight which just makes this whole concept fun and easy.

Turn your piece and stamp the lines across again.

Then I picked coordinating cardstock and Copics to create my plaid background.  For this card I used:

• Red Velvet Cake Cardstock and Copic Marker
• Mustard Seed Cardstock and Copic Marker
• Spruce Needle Cardstock and Copic Marker

I love the fact that I can use the CHISEL end of my Copic marker.  It just makes me happy :)  This technique is all about easy.  You don't have to fill in all the white space and you just quickly run your marker between the lines.  No need to be perfect here!

 

And here is your custom plaid background.

   

Now its time to create our image.  I used a tree from the set Scenic Trees for my focus image.  I stamped in regular dye ink.

I then cut both the tree image and my Scor-Tape (6x6) with the same long rectangle nestability.

 

Peel off the bottom layer and line up with your cut image.

I used my scor tool and burnished it down before peeling off the top layer.

  

Then just peel that top layer off.

Tuck under any excess tape you might have hanging over your edges.

Now, just pour your micro beads over the top of the entire surface and shake off excess.

  

 

And one picture to help you see the difference between these beads and a different brand.  The Clear Dollar Ultra Fine beads are on the bottom and the other brand is on top.

 

Don't forget that coordinating Spruce Needle Ribbon on my card too :)  Thank you for coming to visit Clearly iStamp.  I hope you stop by the store and grab some of these great new stamps and fun embellishments.

Have a wonderful day!

 

Glitter, Glitter, Everywhere

Hi friends!  Its Katie here and that must mean its Tuesday!  Well you are absolutely right and today's card features some great products from Clear Dollar Stamps that all work so well together.  Today's project is also meant to get you inspired to come and join us for our Monthly Challenge.  If you haven't read all the details, make sure to --->CLICK HERE<--- to get all the info.  This month's challenge is all about the FLOWER!

So with that said, I wanted share with you one of my most favorite ways to create glitter objects.  The basic materials are included in the picture below.

 

So the first step is to cut the Scor-tape to the correct size.  If you aren't familiar with Scor-tape it is a double sided adhesive sheet.  It is available in a package of 6x6 sheets and just new to the store, you can purchase single 8 1/2 x 11 sheets too. 

In this case, I decided to go ahead and cut the entire set of flowers with this die.

 

Then cut a piece of cardstock according to size.  I use cardstock to give my pieces more stability and I find that the Neenah is perfect.

 

Then peel off the brown layer and place it directly onto the piece of cardstock.

So the picture below is the piece of cardstock and then the Scor-tape adhered onto the top of that. 

 

Now, create your cutting sandwich.  I'm using a cuttlebug so I ended up using a "shim" which just means I used an additional piece of cardstock to create a tighter sandwich which means a better cut with the die.  My extra "shim" is another piece of Neenah cardstock.

Click --->HERE<--- to find out more about the cuttlebug cutting sandwich with your nestabilities.

 

Here is what your cardstock with scor-tape looks like after its cut.  I will be honest and say that you might have to work at some bits here and there to get them to pop up or even a sharp pair of scissors, but overall the pieces come out quite nicely.

 

After your pieces are punched out, then peel off that top layer.

 

Then its just time to pour that glitter right on over.

Then just flip over and smoosh like crazy so you get good coverage.

 

For added measure, I placed my glitter flowers on my paper, folded over, and then took a brayer and just rolled over and over to make sure I got as much glitter onto my pieces.

 

And there you go.  For my eventual card, I opted to pick the same flower shape and use two different colors of glitter.  AND definitely don't forget your Glitter Cloth for easy clean up.  You can see a more detail product review HERE.

 

I paired these glittery beauties with some Basic Grey Euphoria, Bubble Gum and Tickled Pink (Summer Fun) cardstock from the Clearly Coordinating Collection, and Bubble Gum satin ribbon.  And topped it off with some Bling it Basic Grey rhinestones.

 

Additional notes:  I used 2 different types of embossing (cuttlebug folder and a Spellbinder's Impressability)

Thanks for stopping by and remember, you've got all month to join in on the fun with our Clearly Inspired Flower Challenge.

The Perfect Tin... just in time for Teacher Appreciation

Hey friends, its Katie here to welcome you to another wonderful Tuesday.  If you didn't know, Teacher Appreciation time is coming up very, very soon.  Today, I've got a great little project that is perfect for the teachers in your life or your children's lives but at the same time can be given to anyone for any reason.  It is so easy to adapt all year long.

If you haven't seen these tins and thus gotten a stash for yourself yet, you really must rush over and stock up. They are perfect for any occasion and can house just about anything you'd like. 

For today's focus, I'm sharing a little gift that I created for that special teacher.  I thought I would share several stamp sets that would work for this project or any other you had in mind.  The reason I chose these sets is because they are so easy to cater to your gift giving needs.

Sweet Accents

Chocoholic

 

Teacher Treats

 

Now for the project... of course you will need to start out with this fabulous tin.  I opted to make a couple of dividers, but depending on your gifts inside you may or may not need the dividers and of course they are customizable to what you will put inside your tin.

I'll show you how I created my measurements. I started off with a piece of  Lime Juice Cardstock (Clearly Coordinating Collection) measuring 6 3/4" x 4 1/4"

I scored 1" in because I knew that what I was placing inside was about 1" wide (you'll see soon)

This part of the measuring won't change for these tins.  Your dividers will be 3/4" tall.  This is how I created the divider height with my Scor-pal.

Once I made my score mark at 1" I scooted my cardstock over so that the 1" mark was lined up with the 3 1/2" mark on the scor-pal.  I then scored at the 4 1/4" mark to create a distance of 3/4".

 

Then scoot your piece of cardstock over so that the score mark you just made at the 4 1/4" mark is lined up with the 3 1/2" mark and score again at the 4 1/4" mark.

 

Then fold on your score marks.  You have created a mountain fold and you will apply adhesive in the "house" part.

 

Finish this off by using a corner rounder for all 4 corners.  It just makes the cardstock lay better in the tin.

 

Here is the next divider I created.  This piece measures 5" x 2"

Score at 2 1/2" and create your divider the exact same way you just did for the previous piece.

The fit doesn't have to be perfect and I like the fact that you can adjust your spaces, so don't glue down.

 

And now the fun part... filling your tin.  I decided to put in a bit of a hodge podge of items and of course you would put in whatever you wanted or what the recipient would want.

I put in assorted band-aide sizes, paper clips, binder clips, and the "life savers".

Then its just a matter of tying it up.  You could add cardstock to the outside, but I opted to keep this simple but fun.  I used the Turquoise Gem ribbon paired with the Lime Juice Ribbon for some bright fun.

I also used the "life saver" stamp image from Sweet Accents since I had decided to put some candy in there.

I added a button and tied the whole thing with a bit of  twine.

I love how the bright ribbon added so much to this cute little tin.

So there you have it folks.  Get ready to show your appreciation to the teachers in your lives or to anyone that is special to you.  This is a great economical and fun way to do it.

Thanks for coming by and visiting us here at Clearly iStamp.  I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

 

Product Focus - Glitter Cloth by Scor-pal

Hi friends!  Its Katie here to welcome you to another Tuesday.  Today, I'm focusing on a product that Lori has available at Clear Dollar Stamps that I LOVE and USE, not necessarily every day, but EVERY time I use embossing powders and/or glitter and anything else that is made of a fine consistency like the fore mentioned.

This Glitter "Clean Up Cloth" is brought to you by the lovely Diana Crick of Scor-pal fame.  I've been lucky enough to meet her and she is truly lovely and not only that she has produced some great products that WORK!

As you can see from the picture, the glitter cloth comes packaged to you very neat and tidy and I'm going to show you how should separate it and use it :)

The picture below is after I've unfolded the initial fold.  The first thing you'll notice when you touch the glitter cloth is that it is slightly tacky, very similar to tack cloth.  Its not a residue that will stay on your fingers or anything, but it is there.  Secondly, you'll notice that it also resembles cheese cloth for those of you that are familiar with that.

Keep on unfolding.  This stuff is very sturdy, but fine as well so it might take a little bit of picking to get your edges going.  Just keep pulling it apart... it won't rip.  Notice how tight it is.

So this (below) is what it looks like after that last "unfold". 

 

This last unfold will start in the center and will fold out to the right and to the left.

This is your final cloth measuring approximately 18" x 36".

The instructions suggest cutting it into 4 sections, but for my own personal use I cut it into 8 sections consisting of 4 cubes (using the existing fold lines) as seen in the photo below.

 

Now how about seeing it in action.

I decided to create a card that used both embossing and eventually glitter, but check out the embossing powder that was left over (lol)... and clearly, I'm normally much neater but for today's purposes I left a lot on the table.

So I stamped my image on watercolor paper because I'm going to use tombow markers (098-avocado, 249-hunter green, 676-royal purple) and a waterbrush.

 

As I'm putting the powder away, I've left a mess.  Also, another note here.  I normally work on a self-healing mat and clean up is very smooth, but the table I'm using for the photos has a textured surface (table from Costco).

 

Place cloth right on top and swipe away.

And after... you can actually see the outline of my hand where I swipe.  Now obviously you have to take my word for it since you can't actually see it in action, but once the powder is on the cloth, it doesn't leave the cloth.  Shake and it stays.

 

Now time for the glitter (Martha Stewart).  At this point, I've stamped, colored, and its time to add accents of the glitter where I wanted.  To do this, I used my very favorite Quickie Glue Pen for my border on my cardstock mat and for my stamped image.

Here comes the glitter cloth...

There is a lot of life in this particular piece of cloth.  Imagine, I've got 7 more sections to use.  These are not reusable and are not washable.  Once you start cleaning up powders and glitters and it doesn't stay on the cloth, throw away and start with a fresh piece.

Now, I can't possibly let the post go by without showing you what I created in my non messy area too :)  I used one of the new release stamps from October that is part of the Flower of the Month Series... the pansy.  I made it into a birthday card so I grabbed a sentiment from another fabulous set called Ageless Antiques.

I used some Basic Grey Porcelain for my designer paper and used  the Textile Texture embossing folder to emboss on it.  Then I used some distressing inks to add some age to it.  I used a rectangle nestability to outline my frame around my pansies and then used a blade, ruler, and scissors to cut my flower out.  For the mat, I also used the nestability to cut and then emboss (click here for more info about this process) and then used my quickie glue pen to apply glue and then glitter to the edges of my cardstock and stamped flowers.

 

 

That's it for me today and if you don't have a glitter clean up cloth... definitely think about picking one up.  It is well worth the cost and does what its supposed to do!  Thanks for stopping by and spending time here with Clear Dollar Stamps.

This is Katie signing off for Clearly iStamp.

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Items you can find at Clear Dollar Stamps:

• Glitter Cloth
• Pansy - February flower of the month Stamp set
• Ageless Antiques Stamp Set
• Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
• Quickie Glue Pen
• Tombow Markers
  
• Nestabilities
• Basic Grey Paper
• Embossing Powder
• Aquapainter/waterbrush
• ATG tape

Other items used: Papertrey ink cardstock and ink, May Arts Silk Ribbon, Watercolor Paper