Art Glitter, Graphic 45 and Want 2 Scrap oh my!

Graphic 45, Art Glitter and Want2Scrap are teaming up this week to bring you tons of inspiration using our products!

After you check out the projects of our design team, be sure to head on over to the Want2Scrap blog and Graphic 45 blogs to find out what the talented members of their Design Team have in store for you today! Art glitter will be giving away 4 prizes! Just leave a comment on Art Glitter Blog by Sunday July 29th!

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Here are the Design Team members that will be posting for Art Glitter this week and days! Check them out and then leave a comment for them and on Art Glitter's Blog for your Chance to win BLOG CANDY!

Friday Laura & Kristi

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Here is my project.

Product List:

Graphic 45 Le Cirque Wizards of Wonder Paper (2 Sheets)

Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante Fantasy Floral Paper

Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante Nouveau Artistry

Graphic 45 Kraftboard Altered 5 x 5 Box

Want2Scrap Nestabling Pearl Frames

Want2Scrap Wonderful Wings Bling

Art Glitter Ultrafine Transparent Flax

Art Glitter Ultrafine Transparent Melon

Art Glitter Ultrafine Transparent Mystery

Art Glitter Microfine Transparent Sea Foam

Art Glitter Microfine Transparent Romosa

Art Glitter Microfine Transparent Tangerine

Art Glitter Microfine Transparent Poupon

Art Glitter Fantasy Film Dandelion

Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Glue with Fine Metal Tip

Colorbox Chalk Cat's Eye Chestnut Roan Ink

Smooch Spritz Navy Sprinkle

Smooch Spritz Emerald Sprinkle

Globecraft Memories Piccolo Gears (4)

Globecraft Memories Piccolo Embossing Powders in various colors

Embossing Fluid

Heat Gun

Brushed Silver Brad (2)

Green Hemp

Big Bite

Scotch Foam Tape

Glue Stick

Brayer

Scissors with a fine tip

There are a lot of steps to this box, so I am just going to hit the highlights.  Before I began, I inked the edges of the box.  I then adhered the Graphic 45 Le Cirque papers over the whole thing.  I noticed that they were brighter and more of a yellowy green than the Steampunk Debutante colors, so I used my Smooch sprays to change them.  I sprayed the Navy Twinkle first to make the color more turquoise.  I then sprayed the Emerald, which has a little gold in it, to further deepen the green and bring in the gold of the Steampunk flowers.   I purposely sprayed close to the box to get the mottled effect.  I inked the edges again after I was done spraying.

As you can see, I fancy cut the flowers from the Fantasy Floral Paper, stacked a couple with foam tape for later and glued the rest across the box. 

Then, I noticed that the Want2Scrap Nestabling Pearls looked like beautiful frames, so I laid one around the opening in the top of the box.  I glittered the area between it and the open square with Ultrafine Transparent Flax.  I used transparent to create the illusion of a see through frame while maintaining the details.  For this reason, I used transparent for all my glittering.  I chose colors that resembled the colors on the paper so that I could enhance them while still seeing those details.  I even glittered some of the stars from the Le Cirque Paper in the background.  For the woman, I went a step further and used Transparent Microfine to really get in the details.  Of course, all of this detail work was done with the Designer Dries Clear Glue and the metal tip to get a really fine line.

The clasp was easier than it looks.  I first embossed the Globecraft gears to add color.  Then, I stacked two pieces of foam tape, sticky to sticky.  I punched a hole in that and the box with my Big Bite.  I adhered the foam and the gear lined up with the holes and put a brad through them.  I attached the green hemp and tied the two remaining gears to it.

Finally, the simple butterflies.  I carefully placed the Want2Scrap Butterflies on the Art Glitter Fantasy Film by anchoring one corner and slowly rolling away the backing material.  I intended to put glitter on the top, but loved them so much just on the Fantasy Film, that I stopped there.

Be sure to look back to every day this week for more project inspiration! We have Blog Candy to give away to 4 of our lucky commenters! Also, make sure you stop and visit us as well as our friends over at Want2Scrap and Graphic 45 each day this week, prizes and lots of wonderful inspiration coming your way! Also,visit the Want2Scrap Facebook Page and Graphic 45 Facebook page this week and tell them Art Glitter sent you!

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More Summer Fun!

This is the last week of the Summer Fun Challenge for Dreamweaver Stencils!  The weather here in Michigan has been really warm, so I chose a cool blue card to present today.  I made it with three stencils and one of my favorite techniques--metal embossing.  Let me explain:

I started by running my Mosaic Swirls Stencil LJ 901 through my Cuttlebug using a blue cardstock.  The sandwich went like this:  A Plate, Stencil LJ 901 face down, cardstock (with alcohol sprayed on the back), the Details Embossing Mat, and two unwarped B Plates.  This became my background.

Next, I did the same thing with the LM 220 Gecko Stencil and blue coated Mercart aluminum instead of cardstock.  I used a piece that was larger than the stencil.  I placed that aluminum blue side face down on the stencil (which was also face down).

While the Cuttlebug was out, I did almost the same thing with LS 1009 Thank You stencil. I placed the stencil face up and the blue side of the aluminum up as well, because I wanted it to be "debossed". (Debossing is to push the metal into the wells instead of out through the wells.)  I left the metal on the stencil. 

Now that I had the basics done, I put the Cuttlebug aside.  I started with the gecko.  I placed it face down on a piece of suede.  I used the ball end of some Mercart ball end tools to push the metal out and create the three dimensional lizard.  It is sort of like sculpting.  I used the larger ball end in the body of the lizard, ball number 3 in the head, arms. legs and tail,  and the tiny ball from the outliner tool in the feet and toes.  After I thought the lizard looked pretty good, I flipped it over to work from the top on a smooth, flat surface.  I used an acrylic block to work on.  The only tool that can be used on the coated side of the aluminum is the teflon tool.  I used it to "outline" the lizard, pushing down the metals that were raised on my last step while defining the lizard.  I also used this time to flatten the edges of the stencil that were embossed by the Cuttlebug.  When the lizard looked great, I flipped it back over and filled it with the Mercart Metal Backing Paste.  I set the lizard aside to dry.

I then finished the debossing of the thank you.  I set the metal with the stencil still attached on the acrylic block.  I used the fine side of the teflon tool and pushed the metal a little more against the stencil, defining the word.  I then sanded the metal to remove the excess blue before I carefully took the metal off of the stencil. 

When the backing paste was dry (in a couple of hours or so), I placed the lizard on top of the Mosaic Swirls LJ 901 Stencil.  I used a drawing blending stump over the metal behind the lizard, creating the background.  I made sure to get the design over the whole area.  Finally, I sanded the whole thing, paying special attention to the lizard.  I then assembled the card.

As you can tell, I just love working with the metals.  You don't have to work with metals, though, to enter the Summer Fun Challenge this month.  All you have to do is make a card and either get it online and link it to the Dreamweaver Blog or just email it to Lynell. She will put it on her blog for you.  Her email address can be found on the blog.  You could WIN a fantastic stencil prize.  If you need some inspiration, check out all the other blogs (listed on the left of this blog).  Get inspired and come join in the Summer Fun!

Connie Crystal Ornaments

This is an ornament that I made for the Connie Crystal CHA booth.  It was extremely easy to do.  First, I purchased a plastic ornament from my local Michael's.  I bought the smallest size for this ornament, although I made one of each size.

First, I removed the top of the ornament. I used Connie Crystal suncatchers in blue.  I clipped off the top above the crystal and pulled out the clear line that it was threaded on.  You could easily use a heavy duty fishing line for this.  I threaded the teardrop first and left even tails on both sides.  I then just threaded the rest of my crystals on that, using both ends of the thread.  I measured it into the ball occasionally so that I could make sure I didn't make it too long.  When I was done, I threaded each end of the thread through the holes that the wire comes out of and tied them together a few times. I dropped the crystal into the ornament and then reattached the top. 

Next, I started on the exterior.  I used some inexpensive beads that I already had, a heavy duty thread and a regular smallish hand sewing needle.  I first made a ring of enough beads to make a collar around the top.  This is trial and error because your top and your beads might be a little differently sized.  Make sure to really tie the string around your starting bead so that it doesn't slide off.  Also, when the ring is done, go back through a couple of beads to make it secure.  Then comes the fun part.  I first counted how many of the showy drip beads I had, which was three.  Then, I counted the number of beads I had around the collar, which was 24.  I divided 24 by 3 and came up with an extension every 8 beads.  I simply started stringing beads and crystals until I thought it was pretty and repeated that three times.  You may notice that I used a single bead above and below the main drop crystal.  I found that passing through that bead above again made the prettiest drop for me.  You might also notice that my ornament has the same patterns all the way around.  I tend to be a very symmetrical person, so that works for me.  Use your sparkle any way that makes you happy. 

Here is another picture of the finished project.  It hung against white in the Connie Crystal booth, but I am sure that it will be a fixture on my tree for years to come. 

So make it your own style and Sparkle On!

Summer Fun and a Blue Morpho

I love to take pictures.  It is almost an obsession.  One of the places that I really enjoy snapping away is in the butterfly house at the Detroit Zoo.  I have always wanted to get a decent picture of the exotic Blue Morpho butterfly.  The gorgeous, flashing blue color is only visible when their wings are open, which is only when they are flying.  I have never really gotten a decent picture of  one.  I guess that is why I am so obsessed with creating blue butterflies, like the one here.

So, as you can tell if you are a follower of my blog, this technique is my "Triple Glitter" technique.  The basis of this is Lynell's Double Glitter technique seen here.  For the amazingly flashy butterfly, I first soaped the back of the Open Butterfly LG740 Stencil.  Then, I brushed off the "soap chads" and applied the stencil soap side down to the double sided adhesive paper.  I started glittering with Art Institute Glitter D 15 Sea Nymph. Because it is a Dazzler Glitter, it has large chunks that don't cover the entire exposed adhesive.  This leaves room for my next layer of glitter, Hologram #329,  Egyptian Blue.  My final layer of glitter was Microfine Opaque #504 Blue Diadem.  After I was done with the iimage, I turned it over and carefully removed the paper from the stencil.  I covered the newly exposed adhesive in Ultrafine Transparent 85 Crystal.  The word was done almost the same way.  I started with the summer stencil LM 294. I soaped it and placed it on adhesive paper that was about 1/4' larger than the stencil in every direction.  I used Blue Diadem on the words, Dragonfly around the edge,  and Crystal on the backgound.

See, wasn't that simple?  It is my own special version of a CAS card.  If there is some technique that you would like to try or something that is easy for you, give this month's Summer Fun challenge a try!  Just make a project, email it to Lynell or upload it and link it to the Dream It Up blog for a chance to win a just-released holiday stencil.  Looking or more inspiration?  Check out the rest of the Dream Teamers' blogs listed on the left of this page.   Get inspired and have some Summer Fun! Good luck!

A Glitzy Piggy

I found this little piggy bank at the dollar spot at Target.  Yes, this little guy was cute, small, pink, and only one buck.  It was almost perfect, but looked a little plain to me.

So, I added a little sparkle.  After all, there isn't anything much that isn't improved with a little glitter, right Kristi and KC?

First, I used my Designer Dries Clear to add the outlines of flowers.  I just used the glue with my fine metal tip directly on the ceramic.  No sanding required--this glue is THAT good!  I did the outlines first.  They were freehand and glittered in Microfine Opaque 508 Silver Moon.

I let the glue dry between each step.  I filled in with the Mirofine Transparent 825 Muscatel for the darker colored flowers.  And thenm 707 Hot Lips for the lighter ones.   Why transparent?  I thought that it might be nice to let the pink show through and unify the flower colors. 

                                                                                                                 

I added the Microfine Opaque greens to the leaves.  I used Bavarian Forest 514 and 519 Reed for this part of the project.  Then, I inclued some Want2Scrap gem.  That was it.  Done!

Quite the sparkly piggy.  It would be a simple and fun way to spend the day with the future saver in your family.  Give it a try!  It could make saving fun!

Alice's Mushrooms and a Summer Fun Challenge

Okay, I confess.  I started this project months ago at the Winter CHA.  I was playing around with some of the Stampee Foils and wasn't paying any attention to the placement and colors that I used.  When I was finished, I declared them to be "Alice in Wonderland mushrooms", and I really liked them.  So I took them home.  When this "Summer Fun" challenge came up, it seemed like a perfect fit.  Here is the card I made.

The process is very simple.  First, I soaped up the back of the Dreamweaver Stencil LL 3025 Mushrooms.  I used the Handmade Hawaiian Soap because it was easy to cover the stencil with it.  I brushed off any soap "chads" that were hanging from the stencil.  Then, I placed the stencil soap side down onto a piece of Double Sided Mounting Paper that was about an inch larger than my stencil in each direction.  Then, the color fun started.  I used various colors of Stampee Foils on the project.  I placed them dull side down onto the adhesive.  Then, I rubbed them with my finger.  I ran the small side of a Double Ended Embossing Tool around all the edges.  The variance in color is created by layering the foils.  You only use one at a time, but you can place another over the same area after you remove the first one.  Everywhere that the foil did not stick to the adhesive, the new color will.  You can use the foil until all of the color is gone and only the clear backing remains.  In fact, you can create gorgeous blended colors by using the small remnants of color off of used foil.  You can create this look with new foil by crinkling it up before you use it.  Usually after I get the foil on, I coat everything with colored glitter or flock to get into all the grooves that the foil misses.  This time, I didn't have any handy, so I just peeled the backing off of the stencil and hoped for the best.  Then, I covered the whole thing with transparent glitter. 
After several months at the bottom of my "remnants" bin, I discovered the mushrooms a little scratched up.  I thought I couldn't use it until I came up with a new idea.  I used a little Art Institute Designer Dries Clear to create spots all over the mushrooms.  I let the glue dry until it was just clear and tacky.  Then, I covered it with Gold Stampee Foil and rubbed down.  It covered the scrapes and created a whimsical pattern. 
So, as I mentioned, it is Summer Fun month at Dreamweaver Stencils.  You could win a brand new (not yet released) stencil if you play along.  It is so new, in fact, that I can only show you a portion.

Trust me, it is gorgeous and you want to win it!  All you have to do is create a Summer Fun project (preferrably with Dreamweaver Stencils) and photograph it.  Then, either email it to Lynell at Dreamweaver Stencils or put it online and link it to the Dreamweaver Stencils Blog.  It is as simple as that.  Looking for more inspiration?  Check out the links on the left of this page.  Get inspired!  I will see you next week. 

Connie Crystal Earrings

Today, I am inspired by a pair of earrings that I saw my friend wearing last week.  They had rings hanging in a row and a chain hanging behind it with beads dangling from it.  I thought they were really fun, but would be much better with crystals--and I was right!

They were very simple to make.  I purchased the rings on a chain at my local Joann store.  The french clips were already in my stash, but simple enough to find anywhere.  The wire was 20 gauge.  The star of the show  was, of course, Connie Crystals.  This time I used the gorgeous Aurora Borealis finished octagons.
All I had to do was make a loop in the wire that was large enough for the crystal to pass through.  I made another loop that was much smaller and attached that around the large center jump ring.  I did this for each crystal.  Then, I attached the clip with one of the jump rings.  Then, I was done.  I always wonder what earrings look like when they are on, so I included another picture.
Of course, you may be wondering why I am so excited about the AB finsh.   Well, it adds a special sparkle to the finished piece.  Notice how the facets really pick up the ambient lighting.  The top picture was taken indoors, with the natural light coming through a nearby window.  (The silver on the top picture was the reflection of my black camera.  The picture of me wearing the jewelry was taken outside.  It reflects the greenery that is summer in Michigan.  Of course, where the AB coating really shows up is on black, as you can see here.

I hope you were inspired.  This project was so simple and reasonably priced, thanks to Connie Crystal!

July is Summer Fun Month!

July is officially Summer Fun Month at Dreamweaver Stencils!  All month, the design team will be posting summery images--and there are plenty of beautiful stencils to choose from.  No special techniques required.  If you would like to win a brand new not yet released stencil, you should make a summer fun project, upload it, and link it to the Dream It Up! Blog.
Here is my post for the week.  I thought I would start with something undeniably summery.                       
I made this card with two stencils:  LM 106 Scallop and LJ 838 Waves.  I used blue coated Mercart aluminum.  I started by running the aluminum through my Cuttlebug with LM 106 and my Stamping Details Rubber Embossing Mat.  The "sandwich" for this was A Plate, stencil face down, metal blue side down, Details Embossing Mat, and two B Plates.  I only use flat plates for this, as curved ones will encourage the stencil to bend.  I then used my Mercart Basic Metals Kit to enhance the image.  I removed the stencil and placed the metal blue side down on a piece of suede.  I used the smallest ball in the tiny areas and the larger ball in the larger areas.  The balls were made to push the metal out and make it more sculptural.  I flipped the metal over and placed it on an acrylic block.  I used my teflon tool to flatten and sharpen the edges.  Do not use any of the metal tipped tools on the blue side of the metal--only the teflon tool or a blending stump.  When the scallop looked the way I liked it, I pasted the back with the Mercart Backing Paste.  I just put the paste in the cavity on the back.  I had to wait for it to dry. 
Once the paste was dry, I placed the metal blue side up on LJ 838 Waves.  I rubbed over the metal with a drawing blending stump.  I occasionally went around the inside of some of the larger open sections with the smaller pointed side of the teflon tool.  This refined the edges and created deeper wells.  Before removing the stencil, I sanded the background metal.  Then, I removed the stencil and sanded the scallop.  The metal portion was completed. 
I did a simple assembly on this card, with just a little "Scrapper's Floss" and a couple of beads knotted in. 
Now, for an exciting sneak peek of a new stencil--the one that YOU could win this month!  Here it is:

Keep in mind, this is only PART of the beautiful stencil that you could win.  So, get to work!  Make a summer fun project, upload it and link it to the Dream It Up! blog this month.  Also, check out the rest of the team (they are listed and linked to the left of this post). Get inspired.  Let's see what you've got!

Under The Sea With Art Glitter

 I have a cute, little summery card to post today.  I used my new "Triple Glitter" technique on this one.  I started with a Dreamweaver Seahorse Stencil LM 181.  I soaped up the back, as seen on the Double Glitter technique video.  I then placed that soapy side on the double sided adhesive paper.  I used one small Want 2 Scrap rhinesone in the eye.  I used Dazzler D55 Queen's Robe over the center of the stencil.  I rubbed it in with my finger and brushed off the excess.  I chose one side of the seahorse to place the Ultrafine Opaque Fuschia #15 and the other to use Ultrafine Opaque Royale #30.  I put the color inside the wells,  close to one side.  I then pushed them all into the center.  Finally, I put Terra Blue 510 Microfine Opaque on the stencil and pushed it off into the wells to make the edges look sharper.  Then, I brushed all of the excess off and carefully removed the paper from the stencil.  I then covered the background with Ultrafine Transparent 85 Crystal.  I followed the exact same proceedure with the other seahorse.  The difference?  I soaped the other side of the stencil and flipped it.

For the background, I can say that there isn't much that works better with glitter than rhinestones.  In this case, I used the Want 2 Scrap Build your own bling set.  I placed three pieces on the carstock.  I then went into the pieces and around the outside with my Designer Dries Clear Adhesive.  I sprinkled it with Blue Hawaii 233 Ultrafine Opaque.  In the next round, I just followed the line of the rhinestones and filled it with Ultrafine Opaque Royale #30.  The final layer was done with the Blue Hawaii again.

See, a cute and simple card.  Get inspired and make one of your own!