Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Review & Giveaway: CRI-Kits Gel Pens!


I have to say I'm super excited to share today's post with you.  I was asked to review and create a few projects with CRI-Kits gel pens.  I had a blast working with them and now you can too!   These pens are meant to be used in a cutting machine like a Cricut, Silhouette, Pazzles or Sizzix eclips, so instead of cutting your paper, you are drawing the images.  Pop them in your cutter to draw detailed designs, add extra embellishments or perfectly scripted text.   And even if you don't have one of these machines, the pens are still excellent to use by hand.  There are tons of crafting possibilities for using them.  So here are a few of my project ideas & how the pens work.

There's a special holder that uses a rare earth magnet to hold the pens firmly in place.  Super easy to load:


Simply swap it in where your blade housing normally is and presto!  You're ready to draw.


The pens have a nice consistent flow - no worries about ink blobs or smearing.  And they dry lickety-split, so as soon as you're done drawing, the ink is dry!

There are several inks available too - Regular & Neon, Glitter, Pastel, Metallic and Swirl, so there are lots of looks you can create.  Swapping the pen colors is easy too thanks to the groove in the holder.  When you've got limited crafting time (like me) the less time required to set things up, the better.

But what can you make, you ask?  Let's have a look - 

I'd seen cute butterfly specimen cutouts before, but by adding a little detail from CRI-Kits metallic pens, this one stands out from the crowd:


I used different colors from the metallic set to add the delicate embellishments.  


The trick is to do the cutting step first and then hitting "load paper" to set things back to get the right spot to draw on.

It is perfect for creating unique cards & scrapbook pages.  I used my Sure Cuts A Lot software to mix several free svg files & fonts I already had to make this one-of-a-kind card with the Regular & Neons:


When you have horrible handwriting & no drawing skills like me, writing things on by hand always seems to wreck all the pretty crafting work already done.  But using the CRI-Kits pens means I can "write" in any font I want, so things look perfect every time.


And this means that personalized stationary is all within reach too.  I created this envelope with the Glitter pens, SCAL & scrapbook paper, so it could be pretty on the inside & out:


I really love how much detail the pens can do - even when the shapes are very small.  Cutting blades can struggle when things are tiny or very fine, but not the pens:


The pens do great on all sorts of paper, but aren't meant for slick surfaces like vinyl or vellum (but there are some new CRI-Kits products that will coming soon).  I used some card stock & attached it to flat magnet paper to make these little magnets for the fridge too:

  
I'm kind of embarrassed to say that when I bought my Cricut Expression last year I purchased a set of these pens, but didn't really do much with them.  Now I've got loads of ideas and wonder how I crafted so long without them!

CRI-Kits will be giving away a pen kit & holder to one lucky Sew Can Do reader!  The winner will get to select their choice of pen kit compatible with their machine.  

And here's a special offer for everyone!!

For a limited amount of time, Sew Can Do readers can use the purchase code "hedgehog1" to receive a 5% discount on all purchases through the CRI-Kits site

Here's how to enter:

  • Visit the CRI-Kits site and check out the pens.  Then comment below on which set you'd like if you won

For additional entries (leave a separate comment for each one):
  • Become a follower of Sew Can Do
  • Become a fan of Sew Can Do on Facebook
  • Become a fan of CRI-Kits on Facebook
  • Mention & link to this post on Facebook

The giveaway will be open through 11:59pm ESTApril 27th is closed.  The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on May 2nd at the Craftastic Monday party.  Good Luck Everyone!

101 comments:

  1. i follow sew can do! thanks!

    nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

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  2. i would choose the Gel Pen Kits in pastel colors! thanks!

    nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. I am a facebook fan.

    joannacarrillo at yahoo dot com

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  5. i like sew can do on fb!

    nelly dot barney at yahoo dot com

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  6. I would like the glitter pens for my cricut. I hope it's a set of fine and medium!

    joannacarrillo at yahoo dot com

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  7. oh so pretty! I want the metallic pens, I also want the embossing kit! I was just thinking how great it would be if my silhouette could emboss too!

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  8. I love these pens! Would love to add the metalic set to my collection!!
    I follow both blogs & FB pages.
    thatgirl48316(at)wowway(dot)com

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  9. I would like a glitter set of pens. I have been looking at these for a while now. Thanks for the chance to win

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  10. am a follower of all. I would any set but the metallic to start would be wonderful. Thanks for the chance
    purplemel2@yahoo.ca

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  11. mentioned and linked your site on facebook

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  12. I am a fan of Sew Can Do on facebook www.facebook.com/shannon.d.barnum

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  13. id choose the glitter.. I've wanted to try these for a long time.
    proudmommy5305@sbcglobal.net

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  14. I am a follower as well :)
    proudmommy5305@sbcglobal.net

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  15. I would chose the metallic!

    Thanks
    Amanda
    amandablogs (at) yahoo

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  16. I follow Sew can do!

    Amanda
    amandablogs(at)yahoo

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  17. I would absolutely LOVE the embossing Kit for my cricut!!!

    sewwoodsy@gmail.com

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  18. I "like" Sew Can Do on Facebook!

    SewWoodsy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow "Sew Can Do" on Twitter!

    SewWoodsy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am a fan of cri-kits on facebook!

    sewwoodsy@gmail.com

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  21. I would totally choose the glitter pens! I work in a middle school and I'm wondering how much glitter-izing I can do!

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  22. I follow YOU!!
    I would love the pastel pens !!!!

    andreacsrj at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. The metallic pens look awesome!
    stacy4avon @ comcast.net

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  24. I follow on GFC
    stacy4avon @ comcast.net

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  25. I love the (Silhouette) swirly colors--fun!

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  26. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I would love to win a set of these for my new Silhouette sd. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  27. I would like the metallic pens from CRI :)

    nothingbutcoutry at gmail dot com

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  28. I mentioned your giveaway and link to the blog to the give away on my facebook fan page. You can see it at http://www.facebook.com/nothingbutcountry :)

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  29. And I've just become a follower!

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  30. I'm your newest follower and I love your blog. I really want to do that DIY felt playhouse. You are a talented lady! If you'd like to follow back my site is at 500dollarwedding.blogspot.com

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  31. I would use the glitter pens - I have a silhouette - thanks for visiting my site
    Jennifer
    www.bigdandme.com

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  32. would like to get the pastel ones for the Silhouette!

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  33. I like the metallic ones! thanks!

    Dani F
    sample1987 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm a fan of Cri-Kuts on FB!!
    thatgirl48316(at)wowway(dot)com

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  35. I'm a fan of Sew Can do on FB! I would love the metallic pens.
    thatgirl48316(at)wowway(dot)com

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  36. I would like the metallic pens! So cool!! :)

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  37. I "liked" Sew Can Do on Facebook.

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  38. I "liked" Cri-Kits.com on Facebook.

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  39. i would choose the Gel Pen Kits in pastel colors!
    snugles4433@hotmail.com
    shelby

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  40. I would love the Gel pens kit in Reg & Neon with the magnetic holder for Cricut.
    thanks!

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  41. I'm torn between the Regular and Neon and the Pastels--they all look great!

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  42. I would definitely get the gel pen kits in pastel. So pretty! And, the possibilities are endless :)

    pam{dot}helm{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  43. I would love to win the pens for the Cricut, in regular/neon

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  44. I like Cri-KITS on FB
    Angela
    nscrofan at rogers dot com

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  45. gel pens in glitter for silhouette sd

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  46. I would love the Regular/neon Kit. I've never tried these pens before but they look awesome!
    a.workman29@gmail.com

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  47. I follow Sew Can Do!
    a.workman29@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like Sew Can Do on FB!
    a.workman29@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I like CriKits on FB!
    a.workman29@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I think I'd try the Glitter Pen Kit, thanks !

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  51. This is an awesome giveaway! I would LOVE to try out the glitter pens for my Cricut. How cool would that be?!?! www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com

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  52. I follow you! =o) www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I liked you on FB! =o) www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogpsot.com

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  54. I wouldnt mind which I received if I was lucky enough to win. I have silhouette and never knew these existed (or that you can do embossing!)

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  55. Im already a follower of your blog

    ReplyDelete
  56. Im already a facebook follower of your blog

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  57. Im now following CRI on facebook.

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  58. I'd choose the Glitter pens (of course being greedy ... I want them all!!)

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  59. Def the glitter pens. Someone told me I needed the pens for my cricut, and i was like ?why? but now i know!!! thanks for sharing!

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  60. glitter pens please!!! love them
    and thanks

    kendraco22 at yahoo dot com

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  61. I'd like glitter pens.
    poniabaum at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow you via Google Friend Connect.
    poniabaum at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I like you on Facebook. (Ponia Baum)
    poniabaum at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I like Cri-Kits.com on Facebook. (Ponia Baum)
    poniabaum at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. You mean besides the big bundle pack! I would want the reg and Neon ones - probably best way to get started.

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  66. :) One more entry! Just liked you on FB!

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  67. I'd love to try out the Metallic Kit! I don't have a Cricut machine, but I know just what I'd do with these!
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

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  68. I'm a GFC follower
    ohmiss14 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I would love the metalic set
    hrddiana556@gmail.com

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  70. I'd pick the pastel pens for the Cricut!! annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  71. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=182580318459248&id=1084803569 link to my post on fb. annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I follow u via gfc. annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I like ur blog on fb (i'm anne dall on fb) annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I like CRI Kits on fb (i'm anne dall on fb) annejk112233(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  75. These are amazing! I would love to have them for my Silhouette and I would get the regular and neon kit. I would love the other sets too :)

    cochina1414 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I am a new follower on GFC

    cochina1414 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I like you on facebook

    cochina1414 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I like Cri-kits on Facebook

    cochina1414 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I like the metallic set.
    My mom would LOVE these.
    I don't have a machine but she does.

    Thanks!

    mpierce0602 AT msn DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I'd love the Glitter Pens with Holder!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I would like to win the reg and neon pens. rebekahmercier@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I add sew can do! to my igoogle page.

    ReplyDelete
  83. I became a fan of sew can do! on Facebook.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Became a fan of CRI-Kits on Facebook

    ReplyDelete

Getting your comments brightens my day. I'd love if you left one:)

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