COMPARING DIFFERENT ADHESIVE BRANDS FOR PAPER CRAFTING PROJECTS

Hello again

As promised in my previous blog: here are the findings of my little experiment to compare 8 branded adhesives that can be bought in the UK. I bought all of the bottles of PVA/EVA adhesives from Craft Stash UK. I will include the links at the bottom of this blog post. However, I have not been paid by Craft Stash to complete this experiment or recommend any of the brands. I conducted the experiment out of my own interest because I consider glue/adhesive to be an everyday crafting tool and I wanted to compare similar products from different companies.

I currently use Pinflair Bookbinding Glue for most of my card-making and paper-crafting projects so I chose products that would compare to this.

The products I chose to buy and test were: (the text in italic has been taken from the product packaging)

COLLAL BOOKBINDING MULTIPURPOSE GLUE (THIS IS NOT THE CLEAR VERSION) multi-purpose pva. strong glue. transparent when dry – remains flexible. moisture-proof. solvent-free. intended for bookbinding,scrapbooking, binding agent for paints

COSMIC SHIMMER SPECIALIST ACRYLIC GLUE specialist acrylic glue, new extra strength formula, dries clear, extra bonding agents. suitable for glitter, card, paper

CRAFT STASH NON TOXIC MULTI-PURPOSE GLUE general multi purpose glue

HONEY DOO CRAFTS STICKY NON TOXIC WATER BASED GLUE sticky glue ideal for sticking paper, card and embellishments.

PINFLAIR GLUE IT BOOKBINDING GLUE strong paper crafting glue, bonds paper and cardboard and fibrous products quickly. box construction, paper flower making

PINK FROG NEUTRAL PH ADHESIVE reversible EVA adhesive. Neutral PH adhesive, free of plasticisers, reversible with water, suitable for paper, board, framing, collage, crafts, bookbinding

SIZZIX EXPRESS GLUE quick drying, tacky, fine tip nozzle for precise application, dries clear

TONIC CRAFT TACKY GLUE super tacky PVA, extra fine precision tip

ANITA’S TACKY PVA GLUE arts, crafts, dries clear, colourless, precision tip, bonding paper, card, non-washable fabric, wood craft foam

*The prices were based on the online price that I paid either on Craft Stash UK or directly from the company.

I used the same Graphic 45 papers and card stock throughout the testing process and where possible compared like for like.

I was unable to properly compare the Pink Frog Neutral PH Adhesive because the larger bottle meant the product came out rapidly. I will decant the glue to a smaller bottle and test the product fairly. Then update this blog post.

I was unable to properly compare Anita’s Tacky PVA Glue because it was an older product and once opened found to be too thick to compare like for like. Again these findings will be updated at a later date.

The video for this experiment can be found on my YouTube Channel

This table shows my findings. Please remember these are my personal thoughts. I have tried to compare like for like and I have not been paid by any of these brands to promote their products.

pdf-of-glues-adhesives-tableDownload

In conclusion, I believe you get what you pay for. If you are crafting daily, it is worth spending a reasonable amount on adhesive because it does affect the overall finished result. Often these products will last longer because you need to use less.

I will continue to use all of the products in this experiment. This may take several months and I will write a further comparison and conclusion to this blog post.

Listed below are the products I used, The links to Craft Stash are affiliated but this does not mean I recommend them individually. If you choose to buy via these links then I will earn a few pennies on the sales. This supports me in making these free videos and blog posts

Collall Bookbinding Glue 100ml. https://tidd.ly/3YQGO9l

Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue 30ml. https://tidd.ly/3JnziNn

Sizzix Making Essentials Express Glue | 120ml. https://tidd.ly/3n10g5V

Cosmic Shimmer Dries Clear Glue in Squeezable Tube | 60ml https://tidd.ly/3mW48Fv

CraftStash PVA Craft Glue 120ml https://tidd.ly/3JKAYSK

Pink Frog Crafts EVA Glue | 225ml. https://tidd.ly/3JlIpyl

These products can be found directly from the companies that sell them.

HoneyDoo Crafts Sticky Glue 120ml https://www.honeydoocrafts.co.uk/ourshop/prod_6858064-Sticky-Glue-120ml.html

Pinflair Glue-It https://www.pinflair.co.uk/adhesives-and-tools/adhesives/glue-it-bookbinding-glue

Tonic Craft Tacky Glue https://www.tonic-studios.co.uk/collections/precision/products/tonic-studios-adhesives-craft-tacky-glue-240ml-pva-glue-4487e

I would be interested to know – how useful you found the video and blog post. Would you like me to review other crafting tools and accessories? Please comment below.

Until next time.

Elisabeth xx

graphic 45 brand ambassador 2022-2023

Hello again

My season as a Brand Ambassador for Graphic 45 has officially begun. They are an international, iconic paper crafting brand and it has a privilege for me to be a part of their team. On a personal level I have lovingly curated their papers for many years and usually save, and then use them for my personal creations. The imagery evokes strong personal memories for me. My Mama was a crafter and passed her passion onto me. My Pa was an architect and my Grandad was an acrylic painter too. Creativity runs through my veins and I love keeping my family legacy alive.

If you have seen my other cards and craft makes over the years then you will see many similarities in the new creations I make. However, there will be far more personal projects using the Graphic 45 products and personal reflection so you may see another side to me. If you are new to my crafting journey then I really hope you like what you see and will enjoy following me and watching me develop throughout the coming months.

I will begin with a classy collection called Couture. I love it because my parents were born in the 1920s and they grew up with the style and colours depicted in these papers and embellishments.

KEEPSAKE TAG BOX

This began life as a simple mdf tag box. I die-cut the dress-makers mannequin and tried a few basque designs before I was happy. The buttons are tiny red sequins. It was then a matter of building up the layers using the Couture ephemera, stickers and papers. The box will hold one of Mama’s thimbles which you can see in the photo.

HANDBAG GIFT BOX AND CAS CARDS

Believe it or not, this handbag began life as Covid packaging. I have previously shown how you can adapt it. The peacock paper is wonderful to work with and so in keeping with the era. This is just one of four clean and simple cards. Graphic 45 works with all crafting genres.

LADIES DAY

This is a 4″x6″ card made for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. Funnily enough the Tonic stamp is called Ladies Day too. I stamped onto the G45 papers and fussy cut the dress which I then layered onto the main image. I am a big fan of the notecards page in the collection too because they make the perfect instant background.

MATCHING HANDBAG

Every outfit needs a matching handbag and this mini Kensington bag works perfectly with the outfit above.

COUTURE NOTEBOOK

This is a notebook cover which you would pay good money for in a shop. I often buy cheap notebooks and art journals, and decorate the covers so that the beautiful designs inspire me to work on something new. The notecard worked beautifully with the Dienamix Iron Frame Die from Craft Consortium.

DOUBLE CORNER EASEL CARD

This is a larger style card which I made because I wanted to use the notecards. I embellished the middle one with a complimenting sticker and a Sentiment stamp.

FREE TUTORIAL

This is a smaller version of the card above and you can see how to make it in my YouTube video, along with all the cards and projects I have shared today.

You will be able to see another of my makes plus a full video tutorial on the Graphic 45 Blog on Monday 20th June. Let the creative fun begin!

Until next time

Love Elisabeth xx

G45 PRODUCT LIST

https://g45papers.com/product/couture-deluxe-collectors-edition/https://g45papers.com/product/sentiment-stamps/

G45 BLOG

https://g45papers.com/blog/

In the forest

Hello again

Today, I am sharing a picturesque, new collection from the team at Craft Consortium Ltd. “In the Forest” has been illustrated by the talented Clare Therese Gray and it might be my new favourite. It features forest creatures including brown bears, squirrels and owls plus an abundance of stunning scenery and flora. This blog post shows a few of the projects I have made. You will be able to see more in my latest youTube video.

Landscape

This simple dl card has been created from one of the scenes in the 12×12 paper pad. It is a picture in itself.

Portrait

Next, I adapted a shopping list pad and added a decorated pencil.

This is the same page as above however, they have been cut in the portrait position to show two scenes

Gift wrap

This gift has been wrapped using another of the 12×12 papers and finished with a line of washi tape.

One of the most exciting additions to “In the Forest” are the decoupage sheets. These are a welcome bonus to the Clare Therese range because it extends the use of the kit. I used part of one sheet to create a topper and layers for the card and the remaining layers to create a coordinating gift tag.

Stamping and colouring

Also available in the collection are stamp sets that match the elements in the papers and decoupage. This card features a form of no line colouring using distress oxide inks.

I have created several other samples that you can see in my latest YouTube video, also available to view today. The video is longer than usual because I have included a real time stamping and colouring session which I hope you will find useful.

As always – the entire collection plus so much more is available to buy directly from Craft Consortium Ltd. https://www.craftconsortium.com/

You can also buy via my affiliate links to Craft Stash Uk

CRAFT CONSORTIUM IN THE FOREST  COMPLETE BUNDLE – https://tidd.ly/3oOIGzh

CRAFT CONSORTIUM IN THE FOREST  PAPERCRAFT BUNDLE – https://tidd.ly/3oOZMNw

CRAFT CONSORTIUM IN THE FOREST  STAMP BUNDLE – https://tidd.ly/3kUtq2T

CRAFT CONSORTIUM 12IN X 12IN PAPER PAD 40 SHEETS  IN THE FOREST COLLECTION  – https://tidd.ly/3kTXf3G

CRAFT CONSORTIUM 6IN X 6IN PAPER PAD 40 SHEETS | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3oJ0xYI

CRAFT CONSORTIUM 3D DECOUPAGE 10 SHEETS | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3DDHepJ

CRAFT CONSORTIUM WOOD SHAPES SET OF 10  | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3nzsyT2

CRAFT CONSORTIUM ADHESIVE ENAMEL DOTS SET OF 80  | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3FzqGQl

CRAFT CONSORTIUM WASHI TAPE SET OF 2  | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3CCc2pI

CRAFT CONSORTIUM METAL CHARMS BEAR SET OF 15  | IN THE FOREST COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3cuUWzl

For inspiration on how to use this very versatile collection – take a look at my fellow design team members links. You can also see our work across social media and on the dedicated Facebook page called Craft Consortium Network. https://www.facebook.com/groups/989114164562461

CRAFT CONSORTIUM DESIGN TEAM LINKS

LESLEY KILBY

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCxu-c08Yd6YS2nD3YD7mHlg
https://www.instagram.com/elegant_edges_crafts/
https://www.elegantedges.co.uk/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/scorps136/_created

KAREN MCKIBBEN

 https://www.instagram.com/karens_kardzz/

 https://youtube.com/channel/UC1mdiEzPBiKBj3Az4XECA5Q

KATE FLETCHER

https://www.instagram.com/cardsbykatefletcher

https://youtube.com/channel/UCqZLivtQUb1cG2ahYnhHlLQ

https://www.facebook.com/Cards-by-Kate-111227389688501/

http://cardsbykatefletcher.blogspot.com/?m=1

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8A5nryy/

HANNAH KAATTARI

https://youtube.com/c/TheMissHavenhttps:/

/www.instagram.com/themisshaven

JESSICA LARIOS

 https://www.instagram.com/matterofcrafts

https://www.facebook.com/matterofcraft

 https://www.matterofcraft.wixsite.com/blog

 https://twitter.com/Jessica Larios

JANINE QUINN

https://instagram.com/jaycue23

https://craftingcrackers.blogspot.com

JULIE LAVALETTE

https://instagram.com/julizdesignpost

http://julizdesignpost.blogspot.com/

ELISABETH HOGARTH

–  https://www.youtube.com/c/ElisabethHogarthDesigns

– https://www.facebook.com/Elisabeth.Hogarth.Designs/

– https://www.instagram.com/elisabethhogarthdesigns/

– https://www.pinterest.co.uk/elisabethhogarthdesigns/

– https://wordpress.com/view/elisabethhogarth.wordpress.com

– https://craftworld.com/…/Elisabeth…/user/profile/home

Between all of the design team, we should be able to inspire you to create with “In the Forest” because it is another truly beautiful collection.

Happy Crafting

Love Elisabeth xx

*** I have added some affiliate links to Craft Stash UK. I am not paid by Craft Consortium to promote their products however I do receive some free products as a member of their design team. I will never recommend products that I have not personally used or liked. The links are free for you to use. Thank you for your support. ***

SECRET GARDEN FROM CRAFT CONSORTIUM

Hello again.

Last year I was writing about the Circus collection which had been illustrated by the talented Clare Therese Gray in collaboration with Craft Consortium Ltd. Well. The team at CC H have done it again! This time the collection is called Secret Garden and is very reminiscent of the classic children’s story by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

SECRET GARDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3f97PjG

The Inspiration..

I have followed Clare Therese on Instagram for some time. When she announced this collection on her account she explained that Secret Garden was very close to her heart and was dedicated to her god-daughter Eliza.

When I am creating samples for the launch shows on Create and Craft I like to imagine who would be using the papers, stamps and embellishments and how they would use them.

❤️

This little project became Eliza’s colouring card box. The images were stamped onto plain card stock and mounted onto the pretty 6 x 6 papers. Washi tape was added to the envelopes to match too. The set of mini pencils were given the washi tape treatment too and set onto a matching piece of card. I have shared the making of these wallets before on my YouTube Channel and you can easily adapt the size –

Paper Pieced – Labour of Love

The design of this 6×6 page reminded me of a formal garden layout which in turn reminded me of the A5 Iron Frame cutting die from Craft Consortium’s range Dienamix https://tidd.ly/3faTljg.

The central die was cut several times from various shades of green, grey and peach and then the “waste” was paper pieced back into the frame. To make the outside edge I drew around the die itself because this made a good mm edge.

Same but different….

This is the same design but this time it is the 12×12 page. I wanted to share how well Craft Consortium scale the papers and how different the sizes can look.

This time I wanted to create a formal hedging border which is why I used a vibrant green with the rectangular outside edge of the A5 Iron Frame https://tidd.ly/3faTljg The opposite colour to green on the colour wheel is red which is why it makes a good contrast.

Great addition to the range….

Before I go any further, I must mention the puffy stickers within this range. I love them! They make really great toppers alongside the wooden ones and the price point is very reasonable for the amount you get and the quality of them.

I have mentioned this before in my blog but a good starting point to enhancing your cards is to match the colours of the paper design. Here I used teal and burnt orange card stock to mirror the pretty florals. Again they are opposites on the colour wheel but they work well together.

Simple, slimline….

Cards don’t have to be complicated to be pretty and worthy of sending.

Live, laugh love

I will end with this z-fold style card which is essentially two cards in one. This card make is on my to do list for video tutorials so subscribe to my channel and hit the alert bell for an update on this card style.

I know this colour theme won’t be to everyones taste but the peach in the background papers popped out to me which is why I teamed it with peach cardstock and one of my favourite Dienamix word dies https://tidd.ly/3eFnxDV

To hold the smaller card in place on the mountain fold I added smaller mini pads halfway on the back of the central wooden topper and set the smaller puffy stickers on the line where the card stopped. Pretty and useful 😉

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my thought process when making these cards. Secret Garden is a very pretty collection which can be used in a variety of ways particularly if you are able to stretch to buying both sets of paper pads.

This collection is now available to pre-order from Craft Stash so I have included affiliate links below. These help me to keep creating free content and you will incur no additional costs. I am lucky to be on the Craft Consortium design team and receive free products from them. I would never recommend any product that I have not personally tried and am happy with.

SECRET GARDEN COMPLETE COLLECTION – https://tidd.ly/3f97PjG

SECRET GARDEN 12 X 12 PAPER PAD – https://tidd.ly/3vX0Gtm

SECRET GARDEN 6 X 6 PAPER PAD – https://tidd.ly/3vXFZNY

SECRET GARDEN STAMP SET DOOR – https://tidd.ly/3vW0H0L

SECRET GARDEN STAMP SET TOPIARY – https://tidd.ly/3tGlW51

SECRET GARDEN WOOD EMBELLISHMENTS – https://tidd.ly/3hlIdm3

SECRET GARDEN PUFFY STICKERS – https://tidd.ly/2QbERqJ

SECRET GARDEN WASHI TAPE – https://tidd.ly/2QfdmwC

SECRET GARDEN METAL KEY CHARMS – https://tidd.ly/33PsPGZ

SECRET GARDEN ENAMEL DOTS – https://tidd.ly/3y1QaD0

If you would like to see the Secret Garden and my cards then watch my YouTube video https://youtu.be/_xfQHhE6dCI

For more inspiration from the Craft Consortium team then join the Craft Consortium Network on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/989114164562461

or head to the Craft Consortium website https://www.craftconsortium.com/

Until next time

Elisabeth

This is the Greatest Show!

Hello again

If like me, you are a fan of the blockbuster – The Greatest Showman – then you will adore the new collection from Craft Consortium called Circus. It is the second collaboration with British designer – Clare Therese Gray.

Craft Consortium are a UK based, family run company. The Circus is just one of the high quality collections that you can buy directly from them. They offer free shipping to the UK for orders worth over £50.

https://www.craftconsortium.com/shop

Once again I have made a few videos to showcase the collection which includes papers, stamps, washi tape and embellishments. The vintage designs depict various well known Circus characters such as the ringmaster, the clown and the acrobats.

I began working with this collection at the start of the Lockdown period when my mojo was a bit skew whiff. Unusually for me, I began by playing with the stamps and ended up creating this personal journal. It is one of my favourite projects.

Next I moved onto the papers and picked out a few of my favourite characters to work with.

To see these cards and so much more – please head over to my YouTube channel to watch three of my latest videos. I had plenty to show and tell.

Introducing the Circus Collection

Show and tell of my Design Team samples which were created for the launch of Circus on Create and Craft TV.

A close up view of my stamped Journal.

If you would like to see further inspiration from my fellow Design Team members then please head to Facebook and join the group – Craft Consortium Network.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/989114164562461/

It really is a wonderful set of papers and has sold very quickly both online and television. Please share your makes on Social Media using the # craftconsortium or # ccmakes

Keep crafting – stay safe – and keep well

Elisabeth xx

LISA HORTON – GET OUT THE FLAGS COLLECTION.

Hello again,

Lisa Horton is “getting out the flags” and celebrating the launch of another brilliant set of cutting dies, stencils and stamps. It will launch first on the 28th February on Create and Craft. Thereafter it will be available to buy directly from Lisa herself.

Lisa kindly sent me a few goodies to play with. Here are a few of my DT samples.

Ideally use a stamping platform for this style of card but it is still achievable by hand stamping. The Four Point Bloom stamps precisely and clearly.

Again use your stamping platform to create this wreath style card quickly or mark a feint circle on the background before stamping by hand. I stamped the leaves first. Then the flowers were stamped, coloured and stuck with small sticky pads.

One last card for today. This time I used the Pennies in a Line stencils for the backdrop. I used several bright colours to lightly ink in the design. Then I highlighted a few areas with the In the Loop stamps. Next I die cut a Nested Banner in vellum and laid it centrally across the card. Before stamping up and cutting out the Polka Dot Numbers and text.

I hope you will have the opportunity of watching Lisa’s shows i will include the link to all the products below. Don’t forget in a few more weeks you can buy directly from Lisa.

https://www.createandcraft.com/gb/tvschedule

For further inspiration head over to Facebook and join Crafting with Lisa Horton. My fellow DT members post plenty of inspiration and are always happy to answer any questions.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/468312444069507/?ref=share

Until next time

Elisabeth xxx

Strawberry Moon Nature Box 01

Hello again.

Sue Taylor the inspiration behind Craftwork Cards has recently launched a crafting style box full of papers, glitter card, frippery and two sets of stamps. She named it Strawberry Moon – Nature Box (Autumn)

Here are a few of the cards I created with this stylish autumnal collection.

I made the little paper pumpkin by punching out four circles, folding them in half and sticking them back to back.

The background papers match perfectly together and the toadstool stamp makes a great topper.

The pumpkin paper reminded me of Cinderella so I added a golden glitter card shoe (die cut with an old Tonic die) The glitter card cuts perfectly and doesn’t shed either.

I wanted the majestic stag to stand proud in this card so I matched all the embellishments to him. It is a stunning but simple card.

Strawberry Moon is a newly launched venture for Sue. You can find her on Facebook by looking for Strawberry Moon by Sue Taylor.

Much love x Elisabeth x

Looking through the Greenhouse

Hello again

I have to say that Hochanda television are bringing some great craft brands to the fore. One of them is Kaisercraft. I have tried out their papers before but what really caught my interest with their Greenhouse collection were the sentiments. They are so uplifting.

Here are a few of my favourites:

“Start each day with a grateful heart”

“Moment by moment, we create life’s little adventures”

“Live life in full bloom”

Aren’t they uplifting?

I spent a glorious day crafting with these papers which did my soul good.

This finished set of cards were gifted to my daughter. She then sent them to all her university friends.

Until next time

Much love x Elisabeth x

Wildflowers

Hello again

Many moons ago, Craftwork Cards released a beautiful set of Wildflower stamps. Craftstash have now updated the set with co-ordinating embossing folders and cutting dies.

I began creating my Design Team samples for Hochanda with this simply stamped black and white card.

Followed by a stamped card using the create a wreath template. This is a great way to make a circle.

Next I tried out the new embossing folders. Firstly I cut the circles within the design. Then I embossed them and layered them up.

Secondly. I embossed the background in glitter card and stamped a separate centre piece.

Finally I worked with the new cutting dies on black card.

Then I layered the black onto bold primary colours to create a tiled card.

Furthermore because there are 4 square dies in the set I made a window pane frame complete with a beautiful view into the garden 😉

As you can see, the cutting dies are a good addition to the stamps and the embossing folders.

Until next time.

Much love x Elisabeth x