Do you have multiple cardstocks for different techniques? Today I unboxed and tried out a new ‘all purpose’ cardstock, would you like to know what I think???

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BREAKING NEWS: Crafty Critta is celebrating their 6th BIRTHDAY and that means that YOU get to celebrate too! Last chance to claim 20% off your entire shop (excludes Best Mate), you have until July 17th.
Click HERE to SHOP
Use the Code: HAPPY

You can see the LIVE video replay right HERE.

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#HAPPYBIRTHDAYCC

What better way to celebrate a birthday than have a release! Crafty Critta not only added 6 new Toner Foils to their collection (making a massive total of 116 colours), but they have also been working behind the scenes trying to source an all purpose ‘cardstock’.

So I thought I would put it to the test and you can watch the unboxing in the Live video. Obviously, I need to play with it more, but I thought I would share my initial thoughts.

#STAMPINGBLENDINGPAPER

PROs

• Nice bright white
• Smooth finish (feels real nice to touch… maybe we papercrafters are a little weird 😉)
• Heavy weight 250gms – can be used for a card base (similar to Neenah 80lb weight by the feel… there I go again 🙄)
• Available in both US A4 letter size 8.5 X 11″ as well as A4 metric size
• Stamped well (especially after I cleaned my stamp)
• Alcohol markers blended very nicely for my first try.
• Ink blending was even easier…
• I didn’t get a chance to try watercolouring yet, so I will try that soon (apparently it works well)
• Die cuts easily with nice crisp edges

CONs

• Typically I choose a heavier weight cardstock for a card base, but I can always add a panel of this card to my regular card base if I want (this is what I often do on many cards anyway)
• Because the paper is smooth, it is not as suited for pencil colouring though I tried it anyway. It worked better with Gamsol
• Heat embossing caused some warping
• It worked with Hot Foiling but definitely not as crisp as the Crafty Critta Foiling Cardstock (which is my ‘go to’ for foiling but not great for marker colouring)
• Crafty Critta is based in Australia so postage is international, but prices are competative especially with currency conversion

As for anything ‘practice makes perfect’ and I am accustomed to colouring with alcohol markers on Neenah 80lb, but I have to say I wasn’t a fan when I first tried it (not smooth enough), but I kept at it because it was a versatile cardstock that was available to most papercrafters. And, eventually I ‘bonded’ and now can easily colour on Neenah with markers.
In saying that, my first attempt to colour with markers on the Stamping, Blending cardstock was much easier, so I have high hopes that it will only get easier.|

And, even though I know that I ‘overworked’ the colours, the paper did not pill or mash.

I also used the same cardstock to make the card base and even though it was not as heavy weight as 110lb Neenah, it was still ‘heavier’ than store bought cards.

I love how crisply the sentiment stamped, and it die cut beautifully.

My initial impression of this cardstock is that it does cover many techniques as promised and I can’t wait to try out some more. I’ll let you know how I go. But there is one other thing that I am very excited about, it’s the…

#BESTMATE

Calling all Australian papercrafters! Did you see that Crafty Critta have their new laminating machine ‘Best Mate’ on a special PRE-ORDER price with a ton of extras (and it’s due in August). I can’t wait for mine to arrive, it has similar features to the Minc with multiple heat settings and it’s ‘cardmaking’ size… perfect!

Let me know if you like today’s video and card, and I’d love to know if you love Crafty Critta foils as much as I do!

Sending crafty hugs your way!

Other Supplies:
Copics: BG11,13,72 | YG00 | Y00 | G20,24,43 | 0.
Artist Markers: G713
Cardstock: Concord & 9th – Tidepool
Dies: Alex Syberia Designs – Tiny Dots Cover Die
Stamps: Altenew – BAG Sulfur Cosmos (sentiment)

Affiliate links are used

Stamping Blending Paper US 8.5X11″ OTH	Stamping Blending Paper Metric A4 OTH	A4 Foiling Paper 250g Au OTH	Foiling Paper 250gsm (100lb) 8.5″ X 11″ USA OTH
Metallic Gold Toner Sheets OTH	White Toner Sheets OTH	Foil Art OTH	Toner Foil OTH
Hot Foil OTH	Best Mate Foiling Machine AU OTH	Sweet Jasmine Bundle ALT | AUZ	Versamark Ink SSS
Ink Blending Tool ALT | SSS	Mini Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS	Micro Blending Brush Set ALT | SSS	Copic Markers SSS
Battery pencil sharpener AMZ	T’Gaal Sharpener AMZ	WOW Heat Tool SSS	Opaque Bright White SSS
Powder Tool SSS	Scissors SSS	Bone Folder Altenew ALT	Score Board ALT | SSS
Acrylic Blocks SSS	Minc Machine SSS	Mini MISTI SSS	9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ | SSS
Bigshot SSS	Go Press N Foil OTH	Satin Masking Tape ALT | SSS	Bearly Art Glue SSS
Glue Tape ALT | SSS	Foam Tape ALT | SSS