I'm talking ink today - the new mixed media range from Altenew which is a water based pigment ink that can be used on a wide variety of surfaces.  Unlike some other inks with similar claims though I really have found this one able to give a MUCH more detailed impression on a variety of surfaces, and due to the release in colour families you can even stamp layering stamps with them.  I have to say I'm a little bit in love and need them to release some more colours asap!

The first two sets give you greens, black and red and pinks so great for getting started on florals!   I decided to give it a test on a few different surfaces to show you where you can with these inks - get ready to get making personalised gifts for Christmas!

First off, I went all in with layering them as I was excited to see how well it would work - oh boy!

Here I've stamped layered flowers onto a cotton twill makeup bag (you'll find them in packs of 4 on Amazon) and even though this is a rough cotton, you'll the detail the ink gets off the layered stamps is perfect!  These are going to make fabulous gifts - if you iron them with a piece of cloth over the top to stop ink getting on your iron - then they can be washed too!

The results got me thinking of the possibilities of t-shirts, bags, napkins (poinsettias and holly for Christmas would be amazing with these colours!) so I dug out a baby onesie I had in my stash - plain white are so inexpensive from supermarkets (these were £2.99 for 3) and with a quick bit of stencilling and a stamped word - hey presto - something that looks much more expensive and can be personalised with ease too with your favourite alphabet stamp.   Again - a quick iron and the ink is safe to wash.

Next I wanted to try another type of surface - metal - often tricky - I've found other inks lift off and don't really adhere to metal very well.  I tried stamping on my metal plant pot, but although the ink adhered perfectly, as its round I wasn't getting a good impression as the stamp was slipping.  So I made a paper stencil using a leaf die, sprayed that with water so it stuck to the pot, and used a sponge blending tool to dab on two shades of ink.   Set with my heat gun and that ink isn't going anywhere!   So think tiles, mirror, glass - any surface like that you can do the same thing (I'll be back with more gift ideas I'm certain!)

Next surface - wood - here a tiny little box from the Works (£1) has been stamped all over using the 3 shades of green and with another alphabet has become a little memory box (kids love somewhere to keep the bits they pick up on walks - pebbles, feathers etc so I thought this was a fun idea and it took about 5 mins to create!)   I deliberately used a VERY detailed stamp so you can see just how clean an impression these inks provide on different surfaces.

And finally, just to state the obvious - they are still brilliant on paper too!  I made a quick card with the same stamp.

So, I know these inks are a little more expensive that standard inks but I hope now you can see just why, and how they can pay for themselves easily if you make items for gifts or to sell - they open up soooooo many options.   If I've inspired you - do share your ideas in our VIPs groups on Facebook as I'd love to see what you make with them.

NEWS FROM THE STORE

We're expecting the following this week:

• The stitched die release from Waffle Flower crafts and some restocks;

• The new release from MFT plus the stamps and dies from last months kit.

The august release from Concord and 9th is coming but as always they don't ship to retailers until after the 9th when they release them on their store, so we usually get them around a week later.   NO INKS OR CARD in the restocks - their full colour release will be in September, so ink cube packs, card packs, single colour card packs, single colour large ink pads and refills NEXT MONTH.

Lots of other stuff is being ordered this week but we'll update you on that as and when we get closer to arrival.

That's all folks - happy crafting!

Tara