GLITTER "STAINED GLASS" TECHNIQUE

COLOURED GLITTER PICTURE IN PROGRESS

This is an easy technique but a very effective one,

Just chose a die with a lot of open spaced suitable for colouring.  I cut this Art Deco parrot with double sided adhesive on black card so all I had to do was peel off the backing
to stick it onto Kaiser crystal glitter card.

The next step is to use some Tombow pens to colour the image.  (You can experiment with different types of pens but I was happy with these).

The glitter stays glittery and the end result is a cheery "stained glass" effect,

GLITTER "STAINED GLASS"

GLITTER IN LAYERED DIMENSIONAL MAGIC

GLITTERED LAYERS

This week I do have something original. (Well...I'm sure other people have thought of it but I haven't seen it elsewhere!)

I really do need to sort out my approach to taking photos for the blog because I seem to be saying almost every week (or at least every time the photo features something shiny) that it looks better in reality.

What I've done is start with a gloss "flame" shape, then added a thin layer of Dimensional Magic, which I sprinkled with coarse red glitter.  When it was thoroughly dry (overnight), I added a second thin layer which I sprinkled with fine gold glitter, onnce again leaving it overnight to dry.  Lastly I added a final layer of DM.

The result was a "flame" that almost appears to have movement as you look at it from different angles and which really shines and sparkles.  I would like to experiment a lot more with this technique, using different glitters and shapes, perhaps with patterned papers too.

A few words of warning.....if you don't wait for each layer to dry thoroughly the DM will tend to collapse into a hollow in the middle.  If you use too thin a background layer, it will tend to curl as the liquid DM soaks in.  If you try to flatten it the DM will crack.  (Its not the end of the world, you can always rub a bit of ink over and call it "vintage" but it won't be the smooth domed result you envisaged).  Gloss card will help stop this too.

TAPE "FLAGS"

BUNTING WITH DOUBLE SIDED TAPE

This probably isn't the best example in the world but its good enough to give you the idea. (The "string" and star are stickers).  It would look much prettier with a whole row of multicolour flags and a piece of baker's twine.

This is a super easy way to make flag bunting.  Just angle up the ends of double sided tape and place two pieces side by site with the lower edges on the outside.  Next sprinkle with  fine glitter, rub in well and........there you are.....
sparkly bunting!!

SNOWTEX AND GLITTER

DIECUT STENCIL+SNOWTEX+GLITTER

I was cutting out snowflakes with a die from Couture Creations and thought I'd use one of the cut out backgrounds as a stencil for Snowtex.   I was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked as this has quite fine detail, and I was expecting it to smear under the edges.  Snowtex is a very thick white texture paste.  Whilst it was still wet I added loads of fine glitter, which (despite some reservations on my part as to whether or not it would be the case) stayed put once the Snowtex was dry.  The result is a rough dimensional glittery motif, that I rather like.  (It looks better in reality - the photo doesn't do justice to the sparkle).

GLITTER BALLOONS

GLITTER BALLOONS

As you can see, the glitter and dimensional magic is still out on the craft table.

The glitter I've used in this example is an extremely chunky one (some may go so far as to say cheap and nasty).  Every time I've tried to use this is just sort of collect in clumps and bits fall off the page.  Before consigning it to the rubbish I've given it one last try.

For this sample I've die cut balloons (using a Cuttlebug die) form acetate, and applied the glitter to the underside using dimensional magic instead of glue so the top is glittery but smooth.

The picture (I've cheated and drawn in some "strings" digitally) doesn't really do the end result justice.  Its not a hundred percent fine (you can see where I've failed to fill to the edge in the smallest balloon) but I'm happy enough with the end product to put the glitter back on the shelf instead of in the bin.

HEARTS WITH DIMENSIONAL MAGIC

DIMENSIONAL MAGIC OVER GLITTER PAPER

DIMENSIONAL MAGIC WITH GLITTER SPRINKLE

This week I've been playing with dimensional magic and glitter.  I have to confess I'm not very good at using either of them.   Tempted as I am to throw up my hands and declare that "its all no good,"  I know that what I really need to do is practise using both, so.......
The first sample is just a piece of Kaiser paper with glitter already in place, stuck to a wooden heart shape and covered with a layer of dimensional magic.  I inked the edges with gold ink first, although you can't really see this in the picture.  The dimensional  magic tones down the glitter a bit but the result is OK.  The second sample is on a die cut of thick card, painted pink, then covered with dimensional magic with glitter sprinkled on top.

Two of the issues I have with dimensional magic and similar products are that I almost always end up with bubbles and that the material I use as a base almost always buckles. Both have been avoided here.....really its a matter of not rushing things.  I let the dimensional magic flow of its own accord, resisting the urge to shake or squeeze it, and then carefully popped the few little air bubbles with a pin.  ( I even had the heat gun out in case I needed to smooth them out with this but it proved unneccessary).  As for the second issue, it didn't arise due to the thickness of the bases.  I guess I should try some other samples using thinner bases and perhaps sealing them first?  Perhaps for a later post.........