If you are a paper crafter you have likely dabbled with heat embossing powders and stamping. I love the way embossing powders enhance the look of your project.  So of course we had to try using the embossing powders with our Chalk Couture stencils and it was fabulous creative success!

Supplies
Chalkology Ink
Silk Screen stencil
Heat embossing powder
Heat gun
Surface such as cardstock, wood

We had an idea... dangerous I know. Would heat embossing powder work with our Chalk Couture silk screen stencils?  So we tested it. After much thought, we decided that ink would be the better choice over paste because the ink is made to be heat set and the paste can have negative effects when heat set.  
Following the same process as normal for applying the ink--

• place the stencil,
• spread the ink across- removing the excess,
• peel the transfer & reveal your design,
• quickly wash the transfer off. Remember you do not want the ink to dry in your stencil.
• Apply the heat embossing powder to the wet ink, gently tap off the excess.  
• Using the heat gun heat the embossing powder until it transforms. My favourite part!

Step back and enjoy your project - Then come share it with us in our DIY craft group

Water bottles, plastic cups, Tupperware labels and more.  Sometimes you want to personalize them to stand out for quick identification or a joyful look to your eyes! 
This easy DIY sticker will allow you to create a long lasting, washable design with ease. For yourself or for a gift these will be an easy project for you!

Supplies
Chalkology Ink
Iron, heat press or mini press
Stencil of choice
Permanent vinyl-- my preference Oracal 651
parchment paper
Your creativity

Grab your vinyl colour of choice. You can pre-cut a shape by hand or use your electronic cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette Cameo.  Or you can create your design and cut it out after-- a little fussy cutting (hand cutting close to the design) can create a unique look.

* Fuzz of your stencil (Tap it a few times on a towel to remove a little of the stickiness, we don't want to pull the vinyl off it's backer yet!). 
* Place your stencil as desired. 
* With your inks and create, create create.  Gently pull your inks across the design, remember no need for hard pressure.
*Gently remove your stencil. Wash the ink out of the stencil so you can re-use it. 
*Allow your ink to dry on the vinyl, you can speed this up by using a cool air fan/hair dryer.
*Using an a heat press at 300F or an iron (med heat),  heat set your inks by placing a piece of parchment between the design and your iron.  Press for 30 seconds -- just long enough to set your ink but not enough to melt the sticky off your vinyl!
*Stick your vinyl to the item of choice & admire your fabulous work!

Let's STICK on the creativity!
I'd love to see your designs.

There is nothing like a customized coffee mug or wine glass created perfect for yourself, gifting or selling. We want that fabulous DIY design to last for days to come even after washing. 
It's quick and easy with permanent inks and little bit of heat.

Let's get creative!

Here are my steps for DIY inked mugs and cups success!
1. Select your cup or coffee mug. This will be going in the oven so ensure there is no plastic that could melt on it.
2. Wipe off dust/oils with rubbing alcohol (manufacturing-store dust, finger oils)
3. Select your stencil or plan out your free hand painting!
4. If using a silk screen stencil ensure to Fuzz it (remove excess sticky by placing it on a towel or your shirt a few times). These stencils love to stick but they are reuseable so we don't want to ruin them by stretching when removing!
5. Apply your inks.  If painting with a paint brush get creative.  If using your stencil gently pull across the mesh with your squeegee.
6. Allow to FULLY dry.  This is important or it will run in the oven instead of setting. I like to leave it overniht but if it's really humid out you may need more time.  I have also used a fan blowing on my design to speed up the drying process
7. Heat set time

Place the cup/glass/mug into the COLD oven.  Set the oven to 350F.  Allow the cups to warm up along with the oven. .Once to temperature set the timer for 30min.  Allow the cups to COOL down along with the oven. 

Your ink is now ready for use!
I still recommend gentle hand washing for longest lasting results.

Start by Inking your design on the cup.  Fuzz your stencil (this removes some of the stickiness since the silk screen stencils love to super stick to glass!  Lay it flat ensuring no ripples or bubbles are happening (or ink will leak under).  
Take a small amount of ink & gently pull across the stencil design.  You do not need to push hard, just light pressure across. 
Scrape off the excess ink. 
Slowly & gently remove your stencil. 
Allow your ink design to fully dry. Depending on your humidity this can take a day or two, you can speed it up with a hair dryer or fan.
Once your ink is fully dry, heat set it to help the permanency of it.  Place it in a cold oven, set oven to 350F, once oven is at temperature set 30min timer. Allow cup to cool along with the oven.
Although some have run their cups through the dishwasher, I personally suggest gently hand washing for long lasting designs.

FILL your cup!
Add in a packet of Hot chocolate, chocolate kisses, candy cane, instruction poem & "freeze dried snowballs" aka Marshmallows. I wrap up regular mini ones. 
I have even seen some people like to dehydrate their marshmallows in the Air Fryer (adds to list of things to try!).

 There are 3 main products of Chalk Couture.
1- Reusable Silk screen transfers in 5 different sizes (5x7 to 18x24)
2- Chalkology paste-- perfectly formulated for a a project that stays & yet removable
3- Chalkology Inks- for long lasting, washable designs on fabrics, glass and more

Let's take a look at working successfully with Chalk Couture Chalkology Inks for permanent designs on fabrics!

Step one- Prepping your surface.  When working with fabric is is highly recommended to have an ink mat like this one >>
under your fabric. This will prevent inks from bleeding through to the backside (like a t-shirt) or work surface, as well as help stop your fabric from moving.
You can also use items like a cutting machine mat (Cricut, Silhouette, Nipica) or even cardboard.

Step 2- Place your transfer on your fabric.  If you are a messy crafter (everyone looks at me... )  You may wish to use placement tape or painters tape to frame your transfer with a bigger border.  I know of a few crafters who will tape wax paper all the way around... no way to accidentally get an inky finger print or inky squeegee on your fabric!

Step 3-- Let's get inky!  Chalk Couture Chalkology Ink goes a long way. Use a small amount on your squeegee. Start on the teal non-image part and gently pull across the mess image.  You will use very light pressure, you do not need to force the ink through. Light pressure will also help stop the transfer from popping off the fabric.  If you need more coverage, use a little more ink. I find it best to use less and then add more.   Another helpful tip is to ink in one direction. 

Step 4-  Check your fingers!  Nothing like a perfect project with a signature fingerprint beside it (who me?!) .  Carefully remove your transfer from the fabric. Remember to avoid pulling from the corner, the transfer can be used again- we do not want to stretch it!)  The ink will still be wet, so pull slow and steady to avoid splatter. Also avoid dropping your transfer upside-down on your fabric (it's almost like I've done these things!)

Step 5- Let your image dry. (see step 5A while you wait). To speed up dry time you can use a hair dryer.  Once it's dry you will need to heat set it to make it permanent. Remove your ink mat/cardboard before heat setting. You can heat set with a heat press/ easy press or home iron.  Place a piece of parchment paper (not wax paper!) or a Teflon sheet between your heat source and your image.  Iron on medium heat, no steam for 4 minutes on each side (front & back of image) OR heat press at 350F for 30secs. Adjust heat according to your fabric as needed.

Step 5A -- While you wait for your image to dry.  Wash your transfer.  The ink must be washed out before it dries in the mesh (remember it's permanent even there!).   Run your transfer under cool water, gently rub off the ink. If needed use the board eraser to help remove in & staining. 

Is staining a big deal?

Step 6- Show off your project proudly!

Chalkology paste is perfect for projects that will not be washed or those you want only temporarily.  The paste is designed to be removed with water and rubbing.  Perfect for chalkboards, windows, appliances, walls.  As with any product certain colours may stain (often removed with the Chalk Couture board eraser), so use caution on non-replaceable surfaces. You can also use paste on artist canvas, wood, plastic, metal, fabric (that won't be washed), paper and glass.

Chalkology Ink is designed to be permanent once heat set, meaning you can wash it and your design will stay.  Any item that can handle heat (from your  household iron, heat press or oven) is perfect for ink!  If you are not planning to wash an item, many other surfaces will work with ink even if you are unable to heat set it.  We have even used Ink on sticker vinyl & HTV, this allowed us to heat set the sticker & then apply to the non-heat item (such as a water bottle with a plastic insert). 

Check out our many Facebook live videos to see the wide variety of items we have pasted & inked.

Tips for surfaces:  The smoother the surface the better your transfer will adhere, therefore less paste/ink leaks.  Surfaces like barn wood and inexpensive artist canvas often work better with sanding and either painting or applying a sealant as a layer before your transfer & paste/ink.

You can seal your paste to give your project more permanency by spraying a sealant on top.

The great thing is that your designs use very little product! So test, try & play.
The only surface I have found so far that doesn't work with either product is Silicone... because let's face it, even burnt cookies don't stick to that!