Nov 16, 2008 |
Hi Stampers! A few weeks ago I uncovered a box of old blender pens that I have had for over 10 years! As my blender pens started to get dried out (and the tips too mushy to color in details like the beaks of birds and little eyeballs) I replaced them with new ones. Over and over again -now I have a box of 40 or so that have accumulated and remind me of how much I spent on just blender pens!
I’ve tried to refill my pens before but didn’t give it a real effort. It was too easy to buy new ones. The refill recipe couldn’t work as well as a new pen – or could it?
These recipes have been around a long time with lots of different variations. I pulled up several through searches on Google and found one that popped up over and over so that is what I used:
1/4 tsp. rubbing alcohol
2 tsp. glycerin
4 tsp. distilled water
For the experiment, I stamped a bird in black StazOn several times on watercolor cardstock and on whisper white cardstock. Each bird represented a different coloring medium – Watercolor Crayon, marker, watercolor pencil, classic ink and pastels. Then I colored each one with a refilled blender pen and then a new one. (too much time on my hands or just obsessive…?)
Here are my “scientific” findings to answer the question for myself once and for all! (and maybe it can help you to save your abandoned blender pens, too)
*A few days after making the video, I found out that submerging the pen barrel in the solution WAS too much. I know, you told me but I just had to try it….! Just put an 1/8 tsp inside the barrel and that’s it!)
Video:
(Song “Colour My World” by Petula Clark 1967)
Next week, I’ll debunk the many theories of embossing and static reduction!
Linda
p.s. Almost forgot! Remember last week’s punching our soda cans to sharpen them? Look what Marni Levett did using those punched out soda can pieces!
Clever girl!
You can check out more of Marni’s blog here!
Nov 9, 2008 |
I know I had told you I would test out Blender Pen refill recipes but had a terrific-ly busy week and didn’t make it to the store for glycerin. I promise next Sunday I’ll post the video for that!
I LOVE my Stampin’ Up punches. They add a little bit extra to projects, save time from cutting out stamped images AND they are easy to use. Over time, they seem to get a bit dull. I’ve tried the tin foil method, the wax paper to help them glide better but it doesn’t really sharpen as much as I would like.
My demonstrator buddy, Toni Ballesteros, shocked me when she said we could sharpen our punches using soda cans. (maybe some of you already do this but news to me).
In Mythbusters style, I’m testing to see if it REALLY does sharpen my punches or does it ruin it forever?
Watch my experiment in the video below:
Linda Heller
Oct 13, 2008
Hi Stampers! Here are more of my Holiday swaps from the Founder’s Trip! p.s. If you want to see what fun Matt and I had this weekend, visit his page on the blog!
(All images are copyright Stampin’ Up! All supplies are Stampin’ Up!)
I think this was my favorite of the swaps! Stamped by Giorgia Giguere, using the Top Note Die to frame their picture. It was printed in a sepia tone and mounted under the Chocolate Chip frame. Baja Breeze is the main card and a Baja Breeze die cut snowflake.
Stamped by Michele M. Smith from TX. Stamp sets “A Flower For all Seasons” and “Short and Sweet” . The base of the card is Kiwi Kiss. She used the Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon and cs for the circle. Markers to color in. I thought matching up that stamp with our designer paper “Holiday Treasures” was very smart!
Stamped by ? There wasn’t a name on the back! Adorable little card though. The base of the card is Certainly Celery cardstock and it is layered with Bashful Blue. The stamp set is “Merry and Bright”
Stamped by Debbie Moczek. The base of the card is Riding Hood Red. Then she folded a white card, trimmed down a bit and cut a circle out of the front of the card. There is some glitter and the taffeta ribbon tied through the circle and side of card. Stamp set is “Holy Triptych”
Stamped by Jen Jacobsen. “Deer Friends” L2 hostess set. This is one you almost have to have in your hand to see how it opens. The red layer is actually the card and is held shut with the slit punch. It is mounted on kraft cardstock.
Stamped by Natalie Travis. This is a great workshop card! “Bold Snowflakes” jumbo wheel is rolled with Bravo Burgundy (I think) on white cardstock. Then I think she swiped a Mellow Moss ink pad across it for the striae effect. The base of the card is Always Artichoke and layered with burgundy cardstock. The tag is punched out of Kraft cs. I love our new striped ribbon from the Holiday Mini Catalog called “Alpine”
Stamped by Beckie Kareck. The base of the card is Pacific Point (the darker blue) and then she cut the Top Note Die frame with the Baja Breeze, so the darker blue is recessed. Does that make sense? The tree is embossed white on Kiwi and cut out. For the snow on the bottom, it smells like shaving cream and some glitter!
Stamped by Stella MacKay. It’s nice to see some Glorious Green this year! And a creative use of the Top Note Sizzix die. “Season of Joy” stamp set.
Stamped by Cindy Fodor. The main card is Baja Breeze with snowflakes stamped in white craft ink. The snowman is stamped in Baja Breeze, layered with Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip. “Holiday Treasures” Designer paper, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon. Stamp set is “Two Cool Dudes”
Stamped by Janet Wakeland. I’m a big fan of the Pacific Blue, but this card really showcases it! She used textured cardstock and used our new big circle punch on the front of the card. Not sure if you can see it, but the image in the circle is a metal edged tag. The layer on the front is Baja Breeze and has a piece of Kiwi striped ribbon under it. Stamp set is from the Holiday Mini Catalog, “Season of Simple Grace”
Stamped by Susy Miller. Stamp set: Christmas Classics”. Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze. The texture on the card you see (ok, squint a little, it’s there) is possible Twill with versamark. Nice extra touch. Also the bell is stamped again in Baja Breeze on a scrap of white and punched out with our 1/2″ circle punch and popped up with a dimensional.
Stamped by Kimberly Van Diepen. I like how she created a card that looks like a package to give someone! Stamp Set is “Curly Label Punch Bundle” with the coordinating punch. (love that, no need to cut it out) “Holiday Treasures” designer paper and “Snow Swirled” versamarked in the background on Riding Hood Red cs. It’s hard to see here, but the label is glittered also.
