Tuesday, July 17, 2012

X-Acto and Elmer's (A Giveaway!)

A couple of weeks ago, a nice lady from the X-Acto company (famed for their awesomely sharp blades) contacted me and offered me a chance to participate in testing their new Z-Series blades and then talking about them. Being a lover of all things sharp and shiny- and a consumer of tons of X-Acto blades in my work- I jumped at the chance. She also offered me a chance to give two of my readers a 25.00 Walmart gift card, as well! I'll talk more about that at the end of this post!

They sent me a HUGE kit of goodies...

     ·         X-ACTO #1 Z-Series Hobby Knife
·         X-ACTO Z-Series #11 Blades – 5 Pack
·         X-ACTO 12 x 18” White Translucent Self Healing Mat
·         X-ACTO Designer Series Metal Ruler
·         X-ACTO Designer Series 8” Scissors
·         X-ACTO Designer Series 9” Trimmer
·         X-ACTO One Hole Grip Punch
·         X-ACTO Mini StandUp Stapler
·         X-ACTO Rotating Top Handheld Pencil Sharpener
·         Elmer’s Foam and Display Board (Mini Bi-Fold and Mini Tri-Fold Boards)
·         Elmer’s Craft BOND™ Permanent Dot Runner
·         Elmer’s Acid-Free Designer Tape (3 ct.)
·         Elmer’s Painters – 5-Pack (Metallics)
     ·         Elmer’s Glue All

... which I really wanted to photograph before tearing into, but the weather wouldn't cooperate and only gave me weeks of gray, dingy skies! Anxious to play, and bored silly living in temporary housing until the new house is finished, I finally gave up waiting for great lighting, and dug into the box, cutting, pasting, cutting again, and generally playing like a little kid.


 I had a blast and made a mess!


I treated all the elements in the box as a challenge... what could I make with just these items, some simple copy paper, and paint?


These three small-scale pieces emerged.

I cut up the foam core to make both the larger base pieces and the small (3" x 3") collage elements, which I then covered in painted paper using the Elmer's glue dots. I loved that product more than my usual brand because the dots hold tremendously well.

I cut up the display board, peeled back one layer of the cardboard and used the corrugation underneath as a stamp. I also cut up smaller pieces of the foam core, removed one side of the paper and created stamps with those, too. (Sorry- like I said, the days were rainy and gray so I wasn't taking photos of any of it, but both techniques are covered in my stamping tutorial!) Finally, I used the printed masking tape, which is really a beautiful washi tape, as embellishments.

I LOVE the new Z-series blades. Here is what Z-Acto says about them on their web site:

"The gold hue on the cutting edge is a zirconium nitride coating applied at the atomic level after blades are atomically sharpened.  The result is the sharpest blade in the industry."

I would have to agree, too- these blades cut easily through all the materials I used and stayed sharp throughout my play sessions. The guillotine style trimmer sliced through the cardboard bi-folds like butter, and the scissors were mega sharp, as well.

All in all, I really have to thank the X-Acto folks for saving me from weeks of boredom while I wait to move into my new studio!

So, for the awesome giveaway all you have to do to enter your name in the drawing is go over to the X-Acto page on Facebook and give them a shout! Then come back here and let me know you've done that (so I can track all of you, otherwise I might miss someone and then you wouldn't be entered to win!) If you don't have a Facebook page, that's ok... just comment here and I will enter you in the giveaway, anyway!

Happy cutting and gluing!

21 comments:

jinxxxygirl said...

What a great giveaway!! How nice of the x-acto company to entertain you for a while. LOL! No facebook page but you said to leave my name anyway! Thanks for the chance to win! Hugs! deb

Kathy said...

Sounds like a good remedy for your boredom, and you sure are already an expert with an Exacto knife! Went over and commented on their page, 'cause I never want to pass up a chance to win something! Stay cool--oh, wait--you're the one having rain and we're having the heat wave. Heat must have gone to my head!!!

Fulvia said...

Like their blades alreay so this is a great chance to try their best. Thanks, Judi!

Unknown said...

I would love to try these blades. Mine are not nearly sharp enough to do a good job. Thanks for participating in this give-away.

Leanne E said...

Hi. I have liked the xacto site on Facebook and would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks so much for your inspiring posts :)

Nancy Kelley said...

Awesome Stuff! Gelli has offically 'liked' the xacto page.I have a favorite Gelli post from Lynn Krawczyk where she took an x'acto knife to a gelli plate! These goodies would get lots of use here :)
Nancy
Gelli Arts

tlccreates said...

I would love to try out those new blades! thanks for sharing your explorations

Anonymous said...

These blades sound tremendous. I am ready to give them a try.

dwright33055 said...

Hi Judi, I left a message on the x-acto facebook page, thanke for sharing about the blades....

Dolores said...

I was just on FB and left a comment or two. Thanks for showing us what you did with the goody package you got. I love your little creative projects.

Pamela said...

What would we do without X-Axto and Elmers? I'm excited to experiment with their new products.

Gill said...

I don't do FB and I'm not sure if I can enter from the UK ????? but if I can, count me in please!

Mami2jcn said...

What a cool giveaway! Thanks for the chance!

Jeannie said...

Wow! I love what you created with your box of goodies! I told X-acto how much I look forward to using the new blades. As you know, I have a new obsession with cutting my own stencils and the new blades are on the shopping list. Are the scissors sharp too? I am looking for a good pair of multi use scissors. Hope you continue to create with your magic box. xo

Lynda said...

Great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.

KAM said...

Just made a visit to the Facebook page, liked and posted a comment

Kristin

KAM said...

The collection of goodies would be a super addition to my craft supply storage containers...I still have the x-acto knives from my college days back in the 60's

Kristin

Anonymous said...

I don't belong to facebook.

I use X-Acto and Elmers glue in my work. I didn't know about the Z-series blades, so thanks for the heads up Judi.

Barbara

Amber said...

I posted on X-ACTO's wall and mentioned you! I love what you made! :D

Ronni said...

That's an awesome package they sent you! Thanks for the chance at winning a giveaway. I left my comment on the X-Acto Facebook page.

Anash said...

thats just so cool , would love to enter, i dont have facebook, so count me in here please! Thanks for a super giveaway!
My email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com