When I was approached to test out a new tool called Groove, the Penmaker asked me what I thought about it after reading the specs. I said I would probably never buy one, but I might as well give it a try. When it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see a box full of Art-C mixed media products along with the tool. I was impressed with the quality of the embellishments.
In starting out, I needed to place two AA batteries in the tool, not included. I did some playing around with it first before deciding what I would create.
For my first project, I chose to make a pocket card... surprise, right? I used the ink tip and both of the sanding tips. With arthritis in both hands, the course sanding tip proved to be one I'll probably use from now on instead of my distress tool, which I'm finding really difficult to handle. I distressed all my edges using Walnut Stain DI and the sponge ink tip. It worked okay, but I certainly need a little more practice with it. I had ink heavier in some areas than normal, but that just adds to the distress look. All in all, I liked working with these tips and am sure I'll get a better feel for the tool with more use.
I made my flower using Alterations Tattered Florals die and crinoline. I had planned on giving it some color with my inks, but decided I liked the white instead. I added a My Mind's Eye brad for the center. The cloth leaves are by Petaloo.
Beneath my flower are two Spellbinders Floral Doily Motifs die-cuts, popped up with 3-D foam, and a ring of Darice natural hemp cord. It was applied with my Liquitex matte medium so it will stay put.
My sentiment was cut with Alterations Handwritten Love Thinlits. I did some machine stitching on the base layers. This was a scrap of my hoarded Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden.
For my tag inserts, I used one of Art-C embellishments. The smaller tag I cut from another scrap of the BG paper using one of the smaller embellishment tags from Art-C as a template. I added a wide antique gold eyelet, a piece of dyed seam binding and two of the Art-C keys and an Idea-ology jump ring.
After my first use, what do I think? For me being able to distress paper edges pain-free is a plus. The inking part... I guess, I need more practice in controlling the tool. I'll try out the brush tip next and let you know how that goes for me. In the mean time, you may want to also read what Julie Balzer thought of the tool, and check out the product video here.
Thank you for stopping by!
Linda
