Thursday October 14th

 It is early Wednesday morning and I have been putting off writing about my 'hot foil' experience. I think I started this journey in June. Wow, it has been awhile! There is a backstory here. So if you will indulge me I will tell you how it started. Dawn said to me "I can't believe you don't have a hot foil system!" All I could see was the expense. Then Sara Davies did a video on the Gemini and said you could use dies you already have. You might have to 'fussy cut'  some dies in order to see the beautiful foiled lines. That was it, I was hooked! So in June I got the Gemini foilpress. I am a big Gemini supporter. I have had my Gemini die cut machine for 5 1/2 years! However, this article may not support the Gemini foilpress. I will add some pros and cons about the Gemini and the Glimmer machine by Spellbinders. I started one day with the Gemini and a couple friends. And a few dies. The 3 of us were learning. Just after one of the girls left the Gemini shorted out. Yup. That was it, GONE. 

                    First table (actually, my kitchen island) set up.

          Fast forward a month later, got the Gemini replaced. Only used it a few times for those wonderful sentiment lines by spellbinders. Love having the sentiments made ahead. Lots of Gold on black or Gold on white. Used Yanas hinge method or any of Yana Smakulas foil videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Pws1XJlcM  

              Fast forward to October, the second Gemini shorted out again. So on Saturday I bought the spellbinders Glimmer machine. Nothing should short out that easily or with so little use. This time I was upset as I was in the middle of a project. Hobby lobby had one Glimmer. No one has a Gemini as it is from the UK.

                                   one of the "mini' sentiment sets. 

           I am anxious to show a few of the cards, but later I want to include some differences in the two machines. Obviously I will eventually have the Gemini again. 

                      The Butterflies are from Pinkfresh. There is a foil die, a stencil set, a die and a stamp set. This time just stamped, die cut and used copics to color.

                    This is a Stripe background die from Spellbinders. I just put the butterflies on it to show it, then I finished a card where I used it. That IS black foil.

                      This is also a Spellbinders die set. The triangles & greenery come with it.

                               

               Here is a picture of the triangle set. The Oval came with the Glimmer machine. I really like the white & Gold.

                               

       Not sure what this is... Maybe the 'confetti' background from Spellbinders. Or an equal favorite, the big 'Happy Birthday' with the shadow die. You will see both of these soon. I see a big 'Thanks' from Spellbinders and the same one from Ali. I know.   

                     Couple more cards with a wreath die. Yes it is Spellbinders, but got this from Ali. So, let me say one thing about Ali express. I have really had pretty good luck. I did see one thing Ali dies are silver (suprise), and substantially lighter weight. When running them through the big shot... which is what I am using now, the pressure is not as good. Enter the Pinkfresh Stamps word background die. It is noticeably heavier with a better impression. My confetti die ali & it is fine. My stripe die is Spellbinders and it needs a shim. Remember, sometimes a 'shim' is too much. It can over impress.    
                

                                          Oh wait, this one above is photoshopped.

                                              

                                    Stay in touch, more 'Hot Foiling' to come!

                                         Thanks for looking!

                                                Mary