<Jambalaya> this is a discussion class
<stampverb> I have ESP, I know what Jam is gonna mention!
<Jambalaya> how do you know when a card is done?
<stampverb> oops, maybe not....
<BlackCats> sometimes a difficult thing to decide
<Wanda> sometimes ya just know and sometimes ya can't figure it out
<Jambalaya> what did you think i was gonna say verb?
<stampverb> it is done when it achieves your goal
<Julie> when I'm done copying jam's example :)
<BlackCats> lol
<Wanda> lol
<Jambalaya> lol
<Jambalaya> hi kriz
<Wanda> hi kriz
<Julie> hi kriz
<Kriztina> hi
<BlackCats> but sometimes you get to what you think is a finished card and it just doesn't have the feel you were going for
<BlackCats> hi kriz
<stampverb> lol, I thought we were going to discuss finishing touches, and you would splain about embossing brads! never mind, I am gonzo today!
<Jambalaya> lol, well that is one of my favorite "touches"
<stampverb> i know
<Jambalaya> to me nothing pulls a card together better than having brads embossed to match whatever other embossing is on the card
<BlackCats> yes, or embossed eyelets
<Jambalaya> i like eyelets too, but brads are so much easier<g>
<BlackCats> true
<BlackCats> Lumieres work good on changing the color of eyelets to match or coordinate with your cs
<Wanda> monica, have you embossed eyelets and then set them??? wouldn't the ep chip??
<BlackCats> yeah, you have to be very careful or they will chip
<Wanda> thought so
<BlackCats> letting it cure a while seems to help keep it from chipping
<Jambalaya> the pearlustre ep's are sturdier than most
<Wanda> really
<BlackCats> right
<Julie> oh, good to know
<stampverb> or set the eyelets and THEN emboss--boy, what a pain THAT would be!
<Jambalaya> not to say they won't crack, but they're better than most
<Jambalaya> sharpie pens also work well to change the color of eyelets and brads
* Wanda can just see verb with a little paint brush and embossing ink
<BlackCats> lol, that would be a sight to see
<Julie> what about fibers or ribbon to finish--although me and fibers just don't seem to "get it"
<stampverb> yes Wanda, a 1-bristle brush, lol
<joy> so do stazon inks
<Wanda> lol
<Jambalaya> i love fibers
<Wanda> i love fibers
<BlackCats> I use fibers a lot as a finishing touch
* Jambalaya and wanda play tug o war with fibers
<Wanda> lol
<Wanda> na, i have plenty enough to share :-)
<BlackCats> the shaped chipolas are good for attaching fibers/ribbons
<Julie> they never look how I envision or I just don't know what the heck I'm doing
<Jambalaya> you do have to be carefule with fibers though, it's easy to go too far
<stampverb> I find I have more trouble knowing when a card is "done" when I am making it for a certain person, vs. just playing around or making stuff for my stash
<Jambalaya> true verb
<joy> good point verb
<stampverb> so i have a little trick
<Julie> hi scout
<scout> hi
<stampverb> I sometimes try to articulate what I am aiming for before I even start (I got this idea from the "interviews" I do when making custom-ordered cards)
<BlackCats> do tell verb
<stampverb> that's it
<stampverb> no biggie
<Wanda> everytime I try to really think something through before I start - the end is bad
<Jambalaya> me too
<stampverb> sometimes it is harder to STOP in time, before you do too much
<BlackCats> yep
<Jambalaya> i generally get the basic card laid out, then pull out 15 things to see which one speaks
<BlackCats> somehow I think overthinking & planning a card gets you boxed into an idea and you can easily get stuck
<Jambalaya> and i never adhere anything until i'm sure what is going on the finished card
<Julie> I get the basic card laid out and then I can't find something that I think will go with it
<cak> as will feeling like you have to know before you do (so to speak--and don't ask me how I know)
<Jambalaya> jeez, and then i wonder where the tornado came from that turned my whole room upside down<g>
<cak> lol
<Julie> lol
<Wanda> lol
<BlackCats> lol
<BlackCats> but pulling out papers, fibers and embellishments and trying different looks is what is necessary most of the time
<Jambalaya> yep
<cak> how do you know what to pull out?
<Julie> may be I should quit cleaning up my room :)
<Jambalaya> anything that even remotely goes<g>
<BlackCats> yep
<BlackCats> I like the multicolored ribbons/fibers cuz they're easier to find a match
<stampverb> ok, I don't mean plan all the details ahead of time, but know in yer head what overall effect you want--then when you ask "is it done yet?" you can ask whether it meets your objective (yet)
<Jambalaya> i worked on a card today, and had at least 10 different fibers laid across it
<cak> by color? or do you also go with texture? something(s) else?
<Jambalaya> well, i had two colors, and at least 5 different textures of each
<Wanda> with fibers I'm usually looking at color first and then texture, etc.
<Jambalaya> i can't tell much about the card, cuz it's for mystery stamp
<cak> I think general approaches are going to help me more than "here's what I did for this"
<BlackCats> true
<cak> thanks!
<stampverb> oooh, the Mystery stamp is to die for!
<BlackCats> everyone has different color/texture preferences so general guidelines work better
<Jambalaya> also, you need to make sure the finishing touch doesn't take away from the focal piece
<Wanda> yes
<BlackCats> yep
<cak> unless, of course, you don't have a focal piece yet!
<Wanda> sometimes I'd like to know someones thought process as they go about figuring out finishing touches
<Jambalaya> oh and a lot of "finishing touches" happen by accident<g>
<BlackCats> that's why you want to wait to make permanent attachments until you're absolutely certain that's what you want to do
<Jambalaya> funny story:
<Jambalaya> i was taking a class at a convention once,
<Jambalaya> and the card we made was oriental themed, using a domino
<Jambalaya> which we edged with gold krylon
<Jambalaya> well somehow, the side of my hand got in the puddle of gold ink, and smudged on the card
<Jambalaya> i was sooooo embarrassed
<Jambalaya> but before anyone saw,
<Jambalaya> i crumpled up a piece of trash paper, and dipped it in the ink, and dabbed it all over the card
<cak> lol
<Jambalaya> everyone at my table copied it<g>
<stampverb> lol
<Wanda> lol - great save!!
<BlackCats> oooh, good save...and sounds like it would really pull everything together
<Jambalaya> it really looked good!
<cak> another tool in the toolbox! I bet you think of doing that as a finishing touch now
<cak> do you find that you fall back on the same finishes or do you make an effort to try new ones?
<Jambalaya> so i guess thats what's called a happy accident
<BlackCats> yep
<Wanda> definitely a happy accident
<Wanda> both, cak
<Jambalaya> well there are things that work so well, you tend to gravitate to them
<Wanda> when I notice I seem to be doing similar stuff a lot then I try to break from that
<joy> I pretty much like trying new
<Jambalaya> simple things like edging a layer with krylon never gets old, imho
<Wanda> true
<joy> or a little spritz of wonder wash
<Jambalaya> it's not for every card, but i use that a lot
<Jambalaya> oooo yes joy, good one
<joy> i think that edging cut paper just gives it that finished look of thought through
<Wanda> it does
<BlackCats> using a corner rounder on layers is a good touch too
<Wanda> or any decorative corner punch
<cak> I can see that. I think that's what often bothers me with layers and layers, the edges are unfinished
<Jambalaya> or other corner punches
<joy> yes, those little extras that just do the trick
<Jambalaya> i also like the "surprise" of not doing all four corners
<cak> oooo, interesting
<Wanda> it's amazing how those "little" details make such a BIG difference
<BlackCats> yep
<Wanda> ya, jam
<Wanda> i don't think often enough of not doing all four
<Jambalaya> one of my favorites, is to do the 2 opposite corners with the simple rounder
<Jambalaya> i love that look
<cak> adds visual interest without overwhelming--perfect
<BlackCats> sometimes adding just a bit of glitter glue on a detail of an image really makes it pop
<Wanda> or wrap ribbon or fiber just around opposite corners
<cak> (I like shimmer)
<joy> there is also a punch that will make little nitches of the corners so you can wrap fiber in them and it gives a nice look
<Wanda> love that punch, joy
<Jambalaya> ya, the southwestern punch
<Jambalaya> i don't know why it's southwestern, but thats what it's called<g>
<cak> lol
<BlackCats> I have a cat image that has a heart charm on the collar...painting the charm is nice but red stickles really makes it say wow
<Wanda> i'm bad with glitter glue - i really can't figure out how much to do with that
<stampverb> i use that one for Asian designs a lot
<Jambalaya> yep
<joy> ya, I end up with more globs then I would like Wanda
<Jambalaya> and they're hard to find for some reason
<Wanda> or i just can't figure out the best places to just add a little
<cak> is glitter glue globby? (I've never used it)
<Jambalaya> well there are different glitter glues
<Wanda> what are hard to find?
<joy> would prefer fine lines or touches of it and am not too lucky with it
<BlackCats> the trick is to get it started on a scrap piece of paper, do the outline and then fill in the middle
<Jambalaya> the sw punches
<stampverb> say that 5 times fast, cak! <g>
<cak> embellish an embellishment in the image (like the collar charm on BC's cat)
<cak> lol
<cak> ?
<Julie> clear crystal lacquer is good to make cat's eyes pop
<BlackCats> yes
<Jambalaya> good one julie
<cak> oh! I bet it will
<joy> and wonderful for lipstick, lol
<cak> not on you I hope!
<Jambalaya> i don't think of the lacquers often enough
<joy> well cak, then it would be long lasting huh
<cak> lol (but the cracking!)
<Jambalaya> btw, glossy accents, diamond glaze, crystal lacquer are all the same thing
<cak> Can you tint them with dye inks?
<Jambalaya> yep
<Jambalaya> but it's easier now to just use the glaze pens
<scout> Are they all the same liquid as far as flow, and drying time?
<cak> oh yeah
<cak> forgot about those
<Jambalaya> pretty much scout
<joy> but glaze pens aren't as good as laquer on regular cardstock
<Jambalaya> the only real diff i've found, is the nozzles, the glossy accents one doesn't clog as much for me<g>
<cak> how come joy?
<scout> Don't know why I thought some were gooier than others.
<joy> they don't stay as raised up on cardstock as glossy paper
<scout> Perhaps the word should be runnier?
<Jambalaya> joy, thats only a difference in volume
<Jambalaya> the stuff in the glaze pens is colored crystal lacquer
<cak> how do you add more without smearing if you use the glaze pens?
<BlackCats> let the first coat dry thoroughly and then add another layer
<Jambalaya> well you can let a coat dry, and do a second coat, that would be easiest
<stampverb> but that requires... <insert the "p" word here>
<scout> Jam, are you just saying that about the glaze pens, or is it really true?
<BlackCats> and do it as dot,dot,dot instead of a back and forth motion with the glaze pen
<Jambalaya> check the manufacturer, on both
<cak> cool, thanks
<Jambalaya> it's Sakura
<Jambalaya> the colored crystal lacquer didn't sell well, but hey put it in a pen, and conquer the craft world<g>
<BlackCats> lol
<joy> I have the old colored laquers, they are great
<Wanda> i would think if it was exactly the same formula then the tips would clog and stick????
<Jambalaya> it might be a tad thinner, but not much
<Jambalaya> ya somehow, they beat the clog factor with the pens
<scout> I wish some other pens could beat the clog factor
<Jambalaya> me too scout
<BlackCats> sometimes you do have a bit of buildup on the nib but easy to just pick it off
<Jambalaya> i just threw away a ton of gel pens
<Jambalaya> not glaze, but the regular gel pens, i've had terrible luck with those
<joy> you should use some undu on the glaze pens, sometimes it will do the trick of unclogging
<cak> yeah, once they stop writing do they ever start again?
<Jambalaya> now she tells me about undo<g>
<scout> I keep thinking they should be like the Marvy La Plumes, unscrew the bottom of the pen, drop in some reinker or plain water and they are good to go again!
<Jambalaya> never thought of it, joy
<joy> i'm telling you the stuff is the best!
<Jambalaya> heh, good idea scout, write the gel pen makers
<scout> Oh, I will try that tonite with the undu. Oh, wait, I have goo gone, not undo.
<cak> can you use the undu on the gel pens too?
<scout> How do you do it with the undu?
<joy> haven't tried that cause I have had no problems with them
<Jambalaya> goo gone and undo are a lil different
<stampverb> where is undo sold?
<joy> i dropped some undo on the tip and rolled around on paper, once I even pened the end and dropped some in
<cak> joy! you lucky person you--you must be the only one who hasn't had problems with those gel pens
<joy> opened
<Jambalaya> i know joanns has undo
<joy> wally world sells a big one in scrapbook section
<Jambalaya> and prolly wally world?
<cak> most of the office supply stores have it too
<scout> Ah, I knew I saved that 40% coupon for something
<joy> I can't tell you how often I use it
<Jambalaya> oh but lemme give y'all a tip about undo
<Jambalaya> if you find a great sale on it, don't buy a bunch
<Jambalaya> it will evaporate on ya
<cak> that I *do* know--
<joy> Wally world seel about 4 oz for $5
<Jambalaya> i caught it on a clearance sale a couple years ago, and bought several
<cak> and used how many?
<joy> someday I'll tell you about the underwater room I made for my son
<Jambalaya> the last 2 were completely empty without ever having been opened
<stampverb> wow
<Jambalaya> ya, and i'm not used to stuff evaporating on me<g>
<stampverb> I have a store merchandise certif from Office Max -- hmmmmm
<BlackCats> lol
<cak> lol--a unique experience for you
<scout> Don't give out anymore good tips as I have to go as my 8 yr old grandson is begging to play "something"
<cak> lol
<joy> sorry scout we saved them all for now
<Jambalaya> lol
<scout> And laying across my lap, pleading!
<Jambalaya> hurry back scout
<Jambalaya> give the kid some candy
<cak> lol, you'll have fun scout
<joy> have fun!
<cak> (or a stamp and some apaper)
<scout> I've already given him M&M's, that's why he's acting this way.......vbg
<Jambalaya> lol
<joy> or a credit card to decorate
<Wanda> ya
<Wanda> lol
<scout> Can't get him interesting in stamping, darn it. His mom stamps, but not him.
<scout> So good nite all.
<Jambalaya> nite scout
<Wanda> nite, scout, have fun!!
<cak> maybe later or before the M&Ms
<Julie> nite scout
<cak> Night scout
<Jambalaya> lol
<Jambalaya> oh speaking of credit cards
<Wanda> yes
<Jambalaya> wanda, what did you cut that one with the other night?
<Wanda> an exacto knife
<Jambalaya> and did you heat it or anything to make it softer to cut?
<Wanda> no
<Jambalaya> k, ty
<Wanda> yw
<cak> was it the thick plastic one or the thinner fake ones?
<Jambalaya> i don't directly copy much, but i plan on swiping that idea<g>
<Wanda> thinner fake one (junk mail)
<cak> (I'm so sorry I missed that--it's just fabulous)
<joy> I've been staring at this blue credit card that came in the mail, wondering what I am going to do with it
<Wanda> go for it, jam
<cak> cool--I keep trying to find a reason to keep those
<Wanda> i have so many that i was starting to trash them, but no more :-)
<cak> if it's the thick one joy, use it like Jamba does for backgrounds
<Jambalaya> cak, there are tons of uses for fake credit cards, don't you dare toss them
<Julie> I missed the credit card idea
<stampverb> cut the thin ones with old pinking shears, for making "comb" effects in paint
<Jambalaya> http://www.cyberstampers.com/stampnight.html
<joy> Jam maybe you should host a discussion on credit card uses sometime
<cak> lol, sounds like it!
<Jambalaya> good idea joy
<Jambalaya> i always need discussion topics
<Wanda> or junk mail ideas
<Jambalaya> ya that would ensure a full hour of discussion, to make it all junk mail
<stampverb> Jam, you could call the class "credit where credit is due" <g>
<Julie> wanda, that's cool--great card!
Log file closed at: 6/18/05 10:16:22 PM