Category Archives: brushes Applicators

Using Craft Stamps and Some Fun Rubber Stamping Techniques to Make a Handmade Greeting Card

January 3, 2012

It’s been a while since I made a greeting card with my craft stamps. I have been using my Cricut Expression machine to make my greeting cards lately and I wanted to go back and use some of my craft rubber stamps that I have, and boy do I have craft stamps. one day I will post some pictures of all the craft stamps that I have.

Anyway, for this birthday card I wanted to share with you first of all a really cute craft stamp, some cool rubber stamping techniques and all this while I am making a birthday card for my father-in-law. When he was at my home in March, I took him to his first ever craft rubber stamps convention. he couldn’t believe how many different rubber stamps they had as well as how many ladies were all in one convention center. It was great and where we found some special craft rubber stamps, so I thought I would show him what I can create using some rubber stamping techniques that I have learned over the years.

I just love craft stamps that pertain to cats, and this particular craft stamp reminds me of my cat Tapioca. he is so cute.

What you will need:

Cat rubber stamp (Stamps by Judith)
Sentiment – Happy Birthday perfectly Clear craft stamps (Stampendous)
StazOn Black Solvent Ink Pad
Watercolor pencils (Loew-Cornell)
Water Brush
Flower Pot paper punch (Emaginations)
Paper from Stampin’ Up: Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, and Basic Black. I have no clue where I got the white card stock from.
Adhesive pop dots and tape runner

How to make it:

First I cut all the card stock listed above to get the layered look that I wanted for this card.
Then I stamped the cat craft stamps image with my Black StazOn ink pad. I then put embossing powder on the wet ink and heat set.

The reason why I used the solvent ink and embossed is that I am now going to use my watercolor pencils to color in the image and I did not want the black ink to run into the colors.

I used watercolor pencils along with my water brush, to color the cat and the stem and leaf. I then used another of my great rubber stamping techniques and that was to color the flower with an embossing marker and then put on the embossing powder. using my heat gun I then made the flower have a shiny finish.

I punched out of brown paper the flower pot. I put the pop dots only at the rim of the flower pot, and then used my tape runner for the bottom of the flower pot. I wanted to give a three dimensional look like the cat was really sitting in the flower pot.

I then used Tulip Color Point Stitch paint to make the dirt. I really got inside the rim to get the effect that the cat was in the pot. I again used my heat gun to set the paint and give it the uneven puffy look. (When I was cleaning my craft closet a few months back I came across all of these Tulip paints and all of my craft stamps and I wanted to start using them for fun projects like this one).

For the inside I used one of my perfectly Clear craft stamps and stamped Happy Birthday. Nice and simple.

I almost forgot, I finished him off with a little black and white ribbon that I tied around his neck, for a fun look for my cat.

I hope he like the card, since I used the craft stamps that we bought together. I sure had a lot of fun making it. I think now that I had so much fun with this card that I will start using more from the collection of my craft stamps for upcoming birthdays and holidays.

Hope you enjoyed it too

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Professional Makeup Brushes – Natural Vs Synthetic Fibers and How to Choose the Best Cosmetic Brush

September 30, 2011

If you are looking to purchase some professional makeup brushes, you may be wonder which fiber is best. the answer to this question depends on both your personal preference and the intended use for the brush. the following is a description of the various types of hair used to create makeup brush sets. Understanding the various type of bristles can be helpful when trying to choose which brush will be right for you.

Goat Hair:

Goat hair is the most common fiber used for makeup brushes. the bristles are not quite as soft as squirrel and some of the other natural fibers, but they are good at holding large amounts of powder. Goat hair is a good choice for blush, bronzer and face powder brushes because you’ll get an even application and the makeup won’t get trapped in the brush.

Sable Hair:

Sable hair is soft and fine and makeup brushes made of this hair typically have pointy tips. the pointy shape and softness of sable hair makes it an ideal choice for eyeshadow and eyeliners. As with most natural fibers, the powder is easily transferred to your skin and doesn’t get left behind on the makeup brush.

Pony Hair:

Pony hair is strong and durable. It tends to have a cylindrical shape where there is a consistent thickness from root to tip. the tips tend to be less pointy than brushes made from squirrel hair. Pony hair is a versatile fiber and is good for powder, blush and eyeshadow makeup brushes.

Camel Hair:

Camel hair is a generic term used to described makeup brushes that are made with a mix of squirrel, goat or pony hair.

Squirrel Hair:

Squirrel hair is the softest natural hair type. this softness typically makes squirrel hair brushes the most luxurious and also the most expensive brushes. Similar to sable hair, the brushes are wide in the middle and have a pointed tip, which makes them ideal as blending brushes and for use on eye creases.

Squirrel Mix/Squirrel Blend:

Makeup brushes made with a mix of squirrel and other natural fibers are a more affordable alternative to pure squirrel brushes.

Synthetic:

Synthetic makeup brushes are made of nylon, which is less absorbent than natural hair fibers. because they are less absorbent, synthetic brushes are typically used for applying liquid-based products. Synthetic brushes typically do not last as long as natural fiber brushes.

Duo Fibre: Natural/Synthetic Mix

A mix of natural and synthetic fibers is typically referred to as duo fiber brushes. this mix of fibers increases the durability, stiffness and liquid handling ability of the makeup brush. One common type of duo fiber brush is a stippling brush, which is very popular with people who want an airbrushed quality application of their liquid foundation.

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Make Up Powder

July 21, 2011

Make up powder is available in a wide variety of color shades. The best time to use make up powder is at the end of the make-up application, i.e., after applying the foundation, base, concealer, blushes, shadows, and liners. when these and other cosmetic products are used, a final dusting of the facial powder is essential to seal in color and prolong the effect of the make up. you can apply make up powder with a puff or a brush. These puffs and brushes have to be washed on a regular basis.

Make up powder is available either in a compact with a puff or sponge, or in a loose powder container. Compact powder is more suitable for touch-ups away from home. The loose powder is suitable for at home application. The make up powder application generally includes just dip, shake and dust.

Make up powder is available in colored form or with shimmering components to provide a sparkling, bright appearance for the skin. Make up powders for certain particular skin types and hues are also available nowadays. certain make up powders possess a light reflective oil free formula that offers great coverage without clogging skin pores. this provides a great light and oil-free make up. The bronzing powder compact is a popular type, which is a refillable tanning powder. The microfine components and special pigments offer a soft, silky, smooth “one day” tan instantly. this compact can also be used as the natural looking rouge. it is water repellent and therefore long-lasting. it is also free of mineral oils, talc and fragrance. Other types of compact powder moisturize the skin and protect it with hyaluronic acid. Loose make up powder absorbs excess oils and leaves the skin with a silky, smooth touch. most make up powders are available with SPF for added protection from the sun. The SPF is the sun protection factor which denotes the degree to which the powder protects the skin from ultraviolet rays.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Riverside

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How do I tame my hair?

July 15, 2011

Ok, my hair is about 3 inches longer than my chin. It's super straight and all the same length. when I use a large cylinder brush and a blow dryer to do my hair, it looks fine. The only problem is that some curls under and some curls out. How do I get it all to go the same way (under)? I use hairspray and an anti-frizz heat conditioner, but not too much.
Also, how do I keep my hair from knotting up during the day. it looks great just after I brush it, but I don't have time to brush it every 10 minutes. what can I do to keep it full and pretty?

Thanks for everything!

P.S. sorry, but I can't put pics online, it's just one of MY rules.

the curls that don't go the right way you have to train your hair so try a roller any kind I like Velcro leave it in a minute or 2 and do it every day this way it will train you hair to go that way under instead of out. I far as knots go I sounds like you might have fine hair so if a little spray all over should do the trick what I mean is use more spray then you already are using and if that doe not work you could always put some de tangle into a mist bottle and all over the back of the head spray a little Good luck

I had the same problem. I tried a small container of Paul Mitchell Super skinny serum. just a little bit on damp hair and I think it will do the trick. If not.. I usually walk into a salon and ask a hairdresser what she/he suggests. They usually have the answer to any hair problem. you may pay a bit more than what you would normally pay at a drugstore, but well worth it especially when your hair stays the way you want it to! Good luck!
Kasi, Bristol, RI

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