Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! Hopefully you are stopping by for the second time today as this is my second post! I couldn’t wait to share this pretty birthday card I created for my friend (and doubles as homework for Altenew Academy class Let It Shine taught by Carissa Wiley).

Technique: Adding shine to your cards with glitter.

I know what you are thinking; No way! What a mess! Well, I’m not going to lie, because it is a little messy. However, I’ve got some tricks to make it more manageable.

I taped 2” SCOR Tape onto 120 lb. Neenah cardstock, and pulled one side off to adhere Distress Glitter Dust in vintage platinum.

Place the cardstock on a piece of copy paper in an old cookie sheet to contain most of the glitter. Cover the cardstock with glitter, tap off the excess, repeat if you missed any spots, and use the copy paper to pour the extra glitter back into the container.

Next, use a bone folder (I love, love, love my teflon bone folder!) to burnish the glitter onto the cardstock. Go over it several times, and tap the cardstock to remove any extra glitter that won’t adhere.

Finally, use a Swiffer floor cloth to wipe away your work surface and tools. Seriously, it works like magic! It does a better job than anything else I’ve found to clean up the mess. And the end result on your card is Oh. So. Lovely!

Notes: I used Altenew Artist Markers in Glacier Caves (set C), Green Fields (set A), and Summer Afternoon (Set B) to color the Hennah Elements stamped images. I used the fabulous die from Script Words 2.

Tips:

Contain that mess in an old cookie sheet!

Burnish the glitter into the tape. This dramatically reduces the amount of glitter that rubs off of the card later to almost nothing.

Use a second die cut of the sentiment in black to shadow the glitter die cut, and help it draw attention. The vellum makes it stand out as well.

Outline the stamped images with a light colored marker to add interest and dimension.

Trick:

Use a Swiffer cloth to clean up the glitter! It’s an amazing tool in the craft room.

So what do you think? Do you shy away from glitter too? Pull it out and add some shine to your cards. It’s so worth it! Love and artsy hugs!

Erin