Yup. I looked through ALL 156 pages of this limited time sale category over at Ellen Hutson’s and snagged a list of my go-to’s. And, I’m also listing reasons WHY they are my go-to’s:
Hero Arts Embossing Powder, White - I’m super picky about my embossing powders and how they come packaged. This powder has a nice loft, shiny and smooth when heated and a bright white, which I love. The jar lids seal well and I never have a leakage problem.
Stampendous Embossing Powder, Detail White, 0.76 oz. - This embossing powder is fantastic for finer detail images and sentiments and I’ve used it for years and years to get a nice, crisp bright white emboss. I also reach for this powder when I know I’m going to die cut the embossed images out because it doesn’t crack or chip off from the pressure of the die edges, when passing through my die cutting machine.
Lawn Fawn Embossing Powder, Rose Gold & Rose Gold Metallic, Avery Elle Embossing Powder - Of all the “rose gold” embossing powders I’ve tried, these two yield my favorite “rose gold” tone with a shiny, smooth finish and true hints of rose among the gold. Note: See further below; I list HAI Rose Gold Washi Tape and it coordinates STUNNINGLY with these two powders. If you’re looking for a sophisticated finishing touch, pair that tape with these powders and •BOOM•
Woodgrain Embossed 110 lb White - 10 Pk, Essentials by Ellen Cardstock - I adore woodgrain and the texture of this paper is sublime! It’s also heavier weight and sturdy—I love using it as a card base!
Letterpress 110 lb. White - 10 pk, Essentials by Ellen Cardstock - Nothing will give your card designs a more luxurious, high quality appearance and feel than letterpress paper. It is my favorite paper for my hot-foiling projects with the Gemini Foil Press because it comes closer than anything else I’ve ever used for recreating authentic letterpress style stationery.
Paper Pack, Modern Graphics by Julie Ebersole, Essentials by Ellen - I love simple, modern background patterns and find I reach for black and white patterns more than any other to compliment my projects because they’re so versatile.
Tonic Nuvo Jewel Drops, Sea Breeze - I actually love all the jewel and crystal Nuvo Drops, but this transparent color is one I often reach for because it works on so many different projects.
Tonic Nuvo Glimmer Paste, Moonstone - A glittery clear finish that works over any base color you lay down—if you love a shimmery/glittery finish, but want something that doesn’t flake off, this is the answer!
Peerless Watercolor, Small Bonus Pack, Set of 40 - When I need to watercolor something quickly or I’m traveling, I reach for these ahead of anything else. An easy DIY portable palette (tutorial link) makes them sooo convenient and the colors are beautiful!
Kuretake Gansai Tambi, 36 Color Set - When making watercolor washes or coloring large expanses, I love using this set—all the colors are included in this set and are richly saturated, lovely to work with. Mine have lasted me a long, long time since I use them for card making. Ellen Hutson also carries the colors individually so if you happen to run out of a color, you can replace it.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Pearl Colors, 6 Color Set - Like the afore-mentioned Gansai Tambi, the colors are lovely but this gives you the benefit of gorgeous shimmer, built right in.
Kuretake Gansai Tambi Starry Colors, 6 Color Set - Shimmery watercolor in metallic hues—I also love using these to watercolor images on black card stock—I just control how much water I add when loading the color on to my brush to minimize any warping (black card stock really isn’t designed for wet/watery mediums).
ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker, Set of 36 - Great range of colors, wonderful for watercolor work! I especially love using these by applying color just to the inside area of the heat embossed lines of my images and then pulling and blending the color out with an Aquash/water brush.
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Marker Set B, Set of 12 - These are such soft/pale colors, they can be applied directly to the stamped image (on paper—not directly to rubber), with little to no blending out necessary.
Zig Art & Graphic Twin Tip Marker, Bright set of 12 - My favorite for adding color selectively direct to rubber. A great way to achieve multi-color inked images, just apply where you want a specific color, then mist lightly with water and stamp onto watercolor paper for a beautiful effect!
VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne - Right now, this is my go-to black ink because it is a rich deep black; when dry, you can color over with pencils and water-based mediums. You can also heat emboss it. If you heat emboss with clear powder, you can safely use alcohol markers with this ink—just remember it will need to be clear heat embossed or the alcohol markers will react and smear the image.
Spring Fling, Catherine Pooler Mini Ink Pad Bundle - Catherine Pooler Water-based Dye Inks have a wide range of colors, are richly saturated, and can be used for a variety of techniques, in addition to just simple stamping. I love the ink pad surface (it is a unique gel/foam style so you don’t end up with a linen texture showing in your impressions). Whether you’re a beginning stamper or experienced, these are a fantastic, quick drying ink that works well on either matte or glossy card stock. (Please note that it’s not a permanent ink so it’s not suitable for plastic, glass or other non-porous surfaces.)
Hero Arts Ombre Ink Pad, Light to Dark Peach - These Ombré pads make it extremely easy to get well-blended ombré ink effects. I have almost all the colors, and especially love using them with my solid stamps and with a small brayer to create backgrounds.
HAI Sequins, Clear Droplets - They look like little droplets of dew—great for water-themed projects or when you need an accent, but want it to enhance, not over-power, your design.
HAI Sequins, 4mm Flower Cup - These little rainbow posies remind me of the stunning glass works of Chihuly and I love adding them to my nature themed projects for pops of color.
HAI Washi Tape, Gold Foil Spots - Little spots of gold that go with pretty much anything and everything—I adore this tape and find it compliments so many of my projects!
HAI Washi Tape, Rose Gold Foil - Gorgeous. Just flat-out gorgeous. Try pairing it with the “rose gold” embossing powders I mentioned earlier in this list.
Lawn Fawn Hemp Cord, Black - Again, versatile (black and white always is), and I love the heft/weight of this cord—it just feels nice to the touch.
String by the Spool, Natural Burlap - This one goes with soooooo many projects! It’s a great neutral—I go through gobs of it. Literally.
Happy, colorful shopping!
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