Destination Inspiration- Perfect Pearls

Hi Everyone, Annie here with this fortnight's Destination Inspiration project, sharing tips and techniques using Perfect Pearls. Like most crafters I have a huge stash and it was while searching for an item that I came across my Perfect Pearls and decided to have a play, as they create so many varying effects wet or dry and can be used with inks, acrylic paints, embossing powders even Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel in your melt pot. 

I have used them in several ways so let's get going...and you might like to grab a cuppa as there are quite a few photograph's!!!

The project below demonstrates Perfect Pearls on vellum, mixed with embossing powders. I also altered the background paper using Perfect Pearl's.

The large Butterfly was die cut using Tim Holtz Sizzix Die, Layered Butterfly. I wanted  a very light floaty effect so  decided to use the Perfect Pearl's on vellum.

I gathered my Perefect Pearls, PP Brushes and Perfect medium. I don't have the PP pen so used my Versamark pen instead. You can see the brush sizes below, just in case you don't have the PP set.

Taking my Versamark Pen I applied the embossing medium to the vellum and then brushed on the Perfect Pearls, using the small, fine tipped brush. I used three colours and once the butterfly was covered I took the large brush to  blend/remove excess powders.

See below for the finished effect and comparison. 

I then took a page from Tim Holtz Wallflower Paper Stash and once distressed, stencilled etc I applied  embossing ink using my Versamark Pen to alter the paper. I then took some dry  PP powders and applied them to the inked areas, which included some foliage and  parts of the butterflies. This really altered the paper to accommodate my beautiful, shimmering butterfly.

I have tried to catch the highlighted areas on camera and you can just see the effect in the photograph below.

Tim Holtz Sizzix Trellis die was inked in Perfect Pearl's Medium.  

Perfect Pearls were then well mixed with clear embossing powder and applied to the die cut shapes before heat embossing. (I just mixed products in my lid as it was easy to clean and i used a coffee stirrer to mix, but you may require something bigger depending on the size of the areas you are embossing x)

Please be very careful when heat embossing and allow the items to cool as you could burn your fingers etc. You can see the finished look below, which was stitched on to the background paper's in keeping with Brenda's current challenge theme 'All Sewn Up'.

On the tag below I used Perfect Pearls with Stamps and Stencil's

You can use any stamp, which you ink up with Perfect medium, Versamark or any other embossing ink of your choice. Although Perfect pearls can be used on any colour of paper, I chose to chose a black tag for this project as I liked the vibrancy created. The stamp I used is a new release from Paper Artsy and is now a huge favourite.

Once I had stamped my image on to the tag I dry brushed the Perfect Pearls powders over it, once again using the fine brush. The large soft brush was then used to remove excess powder. 

Tim Holtz Holly Bough stencil was placed on top of the tag and Perfect Medium was applied over it using Ranger Cut 'N' Dry Foam. Again I took the Perfect Pearl's powders and dry brushed them over the inked images. Ranger Stickles  then completed the look.

The tag below was created using Perfect Pearl's and Tim Holtz  Holiday Knit Stencil.

For this project I decided to tape down my tag and the stencil so I had the continuity of the pattern without worrying it might move. 

Ranger Cut 'n' Dry Foam was used to apply the Perfect Medium to the tag.

I applied two colours of Perfect Pearls using the dry brush technique and you can see the outcome below.

Once brushed with the larger soft brush this is how it looks........I love it !!! To finish I die cut Tim Holtz New Alterations Thinlits, Holiday Greens and Holiday Words-Script in Kraft card stock and adhered some berries/hand dyed ribbon

On the tag below I used the Perfect Pearls with water, painting in some of the area within my stamped image. 

First of all I stamped my image using Jet Black Archival Ink, then applied clear embossing powder before heat setting with my heat gun. 

Once it has cooled I placed some water on my brush and then mixed in a little Perfect Pearl's powder on my craft mat. ( You could use a little palette if you had a larger area to cover)

 Once satisfied with the consistency of the PP's I painted Santa's hair and beard. ( I wish you could see the shimmer  :-))

I then took some Distress Marker Pens to highlight Santa's cheeks and to colour the foliage in his hat. Vintage Photo was then applied through Tim's Holiday Knit Stencil. I then blended Vintage Photo DI around the sides of the tag and edged with Walnut Stain for more depth.

So there we have it, some simple ways to use perfect pearls, with stunning effect...................I am thrilled with these tags and I love the shimmer of the Perfect Pearls :-)

The project below is not quite complete but will be posted on my blog at some point next week..so I hope you can join me then x

Thank You for sticking with me and I hope that I have managed to inspire you or refresh your knowledge of this wonderful product and it's amazing uses.  (Can also be mixed with your home made sprays to obtain that wonderful shimmer effect, just mix with water and your favourite DI.)

Products used can be purchased from Country View Crafts, who are our regular sponsor here at A Vintage Journey, and Susan's prices are very competitive, coupled with free P&P.

I have provided a list and link to the products for your use below.

Perfect Pearls

Perfect Medium Pens

Ranger Cut n Dry Foam

Tim Holtz Wallflower Paper Stash

Clear Embossing Powder

Heat Mat

Stickles

Archival Ink

Distress Markers

Distress Inks

Tags

Paper Artsy Mini Stamp

Heat Gun

Tim Holtz Holiday Knit Stencil

Tim Holtz Holly Bough Stencil

Tim Holtz Sizzix Trellis Die

Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz Die and Embossing Folder- Layered Butterfly

Tim Holtz Sizzix Alerations Thinlits Holiday Words- Script

Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations Thinlits Holiday Greens

Huge Hugs to you all and I hope to see you soon. Particularly looking forward to viewing your entries  in our current challenge theme, which was chosen by Brenda and is 'All Sewn Up'. The winner receives an online gift voucher to spend at Country View Crafts and we have a Top 3, with Pinworthy Badges to display on your blog.

Take Care

Annie xx