(be sure to scroll down as we have set a great new challenge today!!)
It's release day which means it's the final day of sneaks and I've been just about bursting with excitement to show you the new products I have lined up. Regular followers of my blog will know that I just **LOVE** kraft card. I have been using papertrey's kraft cardstock (which I love) but with the high shipping costs to Europe, I've had many requests for Elzybells to offer our own quality kraft cardstock. Well that's exactly what I have for you!
As Papertrey's kraft is the only other kraft card I have used, I thought I'd use it as a quick visual comparison.
You will see that our kraft is darker and more brown in colour than papertrey's kraft. I've stamped an image with white ink so you can see how wonderfully vibrant it is against our kraft.
I love nothing more than using a combination of white with kraft on my creations, whether it be an image stamped in white ink, layering with white card or various embellishments. Anything white simply looks stunning against kraft card as it really POPS!
This is why I have chosen to stock two lovely pieces of white cardstock. The first is a white lineal card, which has very subtle grooves running through it.
The second is a gorgeous leather effect card.
With our cardstock, it's all about layering. I might not recommend using them as base cards (although I did make this
gift box with the kraft) however, they are a perfect layering weight as each sheet is substantial enough to colour, punch or adhere items to without being flimsy. Yet they are light enough so you can add many layers to your card without it becoming too heavy. A great cost advantage when sending your cards.
Even simple layering with the leather or lineal cardstock will add more interest and texture to your creations. Just look how it pops against the kraft!
The white leather cardstock is perfect for winter cards, it looks like a fresh blanket of snow! :)
That's not all that's new this month. I think this next product is what I am most excited about! Please allow me to introduce you to our own new line of inkpads;
Elzybells Inky-dinks!
Elzybells inky-dinks will be our own growing range of basic inkpads. Debuting today are two wonderful white inkpads; Sugar Candy & Whipped Cream.
A high quality opaque white inkpad has proved very difficult to find. I have tried several brands over the years, only to be disappointed when stamping on dark cardstock as they do not live up to expectation.
Sugar Candy is our new pigment inkpad and Whipped Cream is our revolutionery new hybrid inkpad. I will talk more about the differences in a moment.
First I want to give you an idea of just how wonderfully white our inkpads are. Here is a comparison to Versacolour's white pigment inkpad. You can see just how superior our ink is before even stamping with it.
Here is a comparison when stamping with both inkpads.
While developing these inks, my main requirement was that the white be a truly *brilliant* solid white and that it stand out when stamped on any colour cardstock no matter how dark. Our pigment ink certainly does!
The pigment inkpad is a slow drying ink so it is great for embossing. The only downside with any pigment ink is that it does not stamp on all surfaces. For example it will not dry on some glossy surfaces even if you use a heat gun. For a long time, I have wished for a white inkpad that can be stamped on any surface, particularly acetate and cellophane. This is where I introduce to you our hybrid inkpad.
Hybrid inks are the latest advancement in ink technology. A blend of the best features of both pigment and dye ink making it one great all-surface ink. With hybrid ink, there is no confusion as to what surface it is suitable for.
It is waterproof and dries instantly on porous surfaces such as paper and card. It will dry on glossy surfaces and fabrics (it may need to be heat set depending on the surface).
It does not stamp on cardstock quite as vividly as the pigment ink but it's awesome on other surfaces like cellophane... I didn't even have to heat set this.
So I decided to offer both types of ink so that you can choose which suits you best, depending on the application it is intended for.
These inkpads are perfectly safe for use on clear stamps. They have been specifically formulated so that unlike solvent inks, they have no adverse effect on photopolymer.
All our new products and stamps will be available in the online shop from midday today. We also have a few other products new in store - I couldn't resist stocking the fabulous inkssentials opaque white pen - beautiful on kraft!
I've tried a couple of other white pens but have found this brand to be far superior. It flows extemely well which means you can make the smallest dot without actually having to move the nib along the paper for the ink to flow. It's fabulous!
Also new in store, we have stickles and liquid pearls. I found it difficult in the past seeing the colours clearly on other websites so I hope you will find my shop pictures helpful.
We also have a few other basic products available such as double sided tape, 3d foam pads etc and some fab squishy scissors. We will be gradually introducing other basic essentials to the store so hopefully Elzybells will soon become a one stop shop for (nearly) all your crafting needs! :)
Well, if you've stayed with me and read this far into the post, I think you deserve a chance to win yourself some blog candy!!
I will be having two draws this month - the first winner will receive EVERY new stamp set and rubber stamp being released this month. The second winner will receive a pack of each kraft, lineal and leather cardstock PLUS one each of the white pigment and hybrid inkpads!!!
To be in with a chance of winning, just add a comment on this post. Maybe tell me which is your favourite stamp / product from this release?
The winners will be randomly selected and posted here on Tuesday (1 Sept).
Winner of release stamps: Karen Murray
Winner of cardstock & inkpads: Darlene Pinder
