And it was pointed out to me last night that it was Felix ... and not Mickey.

😮😮😮

you are very welcome. love me some fun research.......even if I didn't find the right tracker.

condo

Figured this would be a good place to ask. I was given (yippee) several partially used small containers of different embossing powders. Some have some age and I am wondering if over time have also gotten some moisture. There are chunks in one of them which are breaking down easily, but there's one that just seems to have lost its "oomph" on the stamped image final product. Is it possible for moisture to lessen the effect or integrity of the powder? Understanding it is a poor worker who blames the tools - thanks!

From personal experience, I would say yes. And it's not only moisture, but contamination over time, as it's poured out, returned to jar, over and over. It can pick up paper dust, powder used for anti-static purposes, moisture even from the air. Sometimes it really IS the tools, not the worker. 😁

Oh, you lovely enabler, you!

I have some 20+ year old powders and I also just bought a new one at the Joann going out of business sale.

I can do a comparison and report back if you want. haha I might even be able to have them both be the same brand!

I agree- test them out and see what you get. I found a really old Ranger Queens Gold EP at a resale shop- I know it’s old because of the price on it : ). It is not sold anymore, and it’s my absolute favorite gold EP ever made. It works beautifully….
And I have a white that is not quite that old that embosses really poorly…..

Take into account embossing ink, cardstock, etc….as well.

Shelly

Surely do appreciate everyone's input, and am definitely trying each one. Only two out of the dozen or so have not performed as hoped. You bet I'll keep trying!

Today's TAP's So Random deals w shaker cards. I've got the carve, background and fun "innerds," even the thin double-sided tape. What I do not have is a thin die cut frame. Any recommendations? And more thanks!

I bought a big lot of old embossing powders at a garage sale score (Yippee!) and the only thing I have noticed is that they take longer to "melt" and the red one seems to "bleed" a bit.... but I will admit that I am not the best embosser and could use more practice. Just thought I would note my personal findings so far

I have been a lucky recipient of a beautiful cool shaker card crafted by Maude.... maybe pick her creative brain! She is a pro!

Will do, thank you! Maude ... oh, Mauuuuuuddddeeee?!

I definitely agree that any moisture will clump up embossing powder...and re-using it over & over also introduces dirt, dust, hairs, lint, etc. which is a pain to pick out! I have powders that are 10 yrs. old that work just fine, so I'm not really sure it's an "age" thing....but YES-no moisture! Fortunately, I live in a very dry climate so maybe that's why mine are ok...?

I came out way ahead in the exchange, that's for sure.

I have some powders, same brand different colors. Some work great others not at all. Test different binder inks, papers and heat time/distance.

If all else fails, find a way to use it to create interesting background papers. I know YOU will/can find a way to make it work ❣️

Welllllll ... I will say it hasn't been pitched ... yet. 🙃😊

maybe a "quiet" shaker box kind of shifting sand ltc use..............

oh.........I can see a tracker comin to a website soon

There are Lego that have been waiting patiently in line for their turn at the kitchen table. We shall see ...

Do any of y’all ever get just a wild hair from something you saw out in the world that was weird or silly or unique and think to yourself “I really have to make a card of that” with no idea what you’re going to do with it or have a trade for it? I found a picture on my phone that I took when I went to Oklahoma and I thought it would make a fun card! I suppose I could sock it away for a later trade, but I was wondering if any of y’all do the same thing???

My "wild hair" ideas usually start with "I need to carve a stamp of that."

It feels like all my best local stores keep going up in smoke, so I'm finally forced to look online. I definitely think it would help add some dimension to my cards and definitely reduce some of the anxiety I have about having too plain a background sometimes. I'm a very big fan of the 12 x 12 inch sheets with repeating patterns so I can slice those down and not need to worry about losing part of a design or putting the prettiest parts only on one card. This especially helps when I need to make more than 5 cards for a tracker since most of my supplies were bought from a defunct craft reuse center or get pulled out of my origami stash, both of which have been dwindling for related and unrelated reasons.

I'm going to be asking around for recommendations for scrapbooking shops locally (should be able to have more success with that than some of my other hobbies in this area lol), but figured I'd ask the LTC pros since most people near me don't completely understand what it is I get up to. Thanks in advance!

So sad that all the scrapbook stores and even craft stores are falling by the wayside. This is worth attending (and stocking up), if it comes to your area -

I go here paper

A Cherry on top is a family owned business I would like to recommend. They carry a great variety of products

I also like to use distress inks and: or distress oxide inks and make my own backgrounds. There are tons of tutorials on You Tube : )

Shelly

That’s actually the majority of what I have! I bought the inks originally to layer patterns on top of alcohol ink drawings like an artist I follow and then found letterboxing as I was recovering from the flu and never actually used them for the intended purpose haha. I keep forgetting I have access to a Cricut machine through my library too. Might not be a bad idea scale down some stencils. Thanks for the idea!

I have seen it at Dollar Tree

We had a paper-craft store in my small town with an amazing amount of patterned and textured paper, along with every color of cardstock you could imagine. Sadly, she closed up shop, and now the nearest in-person options are 45 minutes away - Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I really like seeing it in person and being able to buy just a few sheets at a time, so that's my first choice over online shopping.

I’m much the same way. I like being able to physically hold what I’m going to buy before I get it. The big box shops can be alright sometimes but their selection has been really bad in my area lately and I’m not particularly motivated to drive close to an hour for a shot at having the same thing happen haha. I miss my local shops a lot.

Yes, they are great and less than a mile from me. So I can do pickup and save on shipping 👍🏻

years back I decided that I would start with a blank white canvas for my LTCs. That every facet of the LTC would be my design. Those cards are in my opinion, my best cards.

I started making and trading LTCs in 2009, and those old, completely handmade cards, are memorable because they are completely handmade.