Thursday, August 25, 2011

Liquid Glass

Ok, one of my favorite tools is Liquid Glass.  This stuff is amazing and can be used in so many different ways on so many different items.  I've CASE'd (copied and shared everything) below for all of you.  These are NOT my ideas, I've borrowed them from many different CTMH consultants.  I hope you enjoy reading all the info.  When you are done, feel free to contact me for your own liquid glass obsession to begin!

 *I have used Liquid glass with Prisma glitter to make icicles before

*We used liquid glass on some B&T paper that had polka dots. We put a dot of LG on each polka dot which made the polka dots shiny.
 
*Use to attach page elements (especially good with clear items): metals, vellum (note: it can show through a little bit), transparencies, fibers, flowers, plastic embellishments, stickers that have lost their stick…etc…
 
*Use to add any kind of water effect to a page: bubbles, water droplets, or just to make something look wet
 
*If you have a dull metal object you can make it look shiny again by adding a thin layer of glaze
 
*Use to highlight designs on patterned paper (ex: flowers, vines, or even geometric figures – any area you may want to draw attention to, or add interest!)

* Use on photo to make an object stand out
 
*Use on stickers to give them dimension

* Add some ink to change the color and it gives it a stained glass look

* Use it with micro beads

* Make clear epoxy type-stickers with it

* Add it to acrylic paint to give it added sticking power (and a glossy shine) when painting metals
 
* Drop it on a transparency the size of the picture you’re using and then hold it up and let it drip down. When it dries, put in front of your picture and it looks like the picture has water running down it - great for water park or slip-and-slide pics

* Don’t want a knot/bow in a piece of ribbon or fiber to keep slipping out? Add a dot of liquid glass on the back – it dries clear, rarely (if ever) discolors

* Use on shrink plastic to give a beautiful glossy look!

* Pound down a bottle cap, cut a photo down to size and put it inside the bottle cap, then cover with the glaze and let it harden. Need to watch it though - sometimes the pic wants to 'float', you may want to temporarily adhere it with something else before you glaze over it.

* Use it to add glitter to a project.

* Use it to make a crystal for your clocks/watches

* Use them on My Stickease

* When you want to put liquid glass on a shape... like an oval or square saying from the word puzzles. Stamp your image on your cardstock, but do not cut around it yet... Cover with a thin coat of liquid glass. Then add additional coats until it reaches the desired thickness. After your image is completely dry... then cut it out. If you cut it our first, the moisture from the product will curl the edges of your paper as it dries.

* Always start with a thin coat and then add additional coats until desired thickness
 
* You can tint your liquid glass by mixing in a little re-inker, then use a toothpick to apply to desired area.
 
*It's fun to trace words with!
 
* Works great on Stickease!!!  Place small amounts on a sheet protector. When it's dry it peels right up and you can then add it to your project by placing a small amount of liquid glass around the edges to adhere it to your project. If you want to draw certain shapes, stick a piece of cardstock with the shapes on it in your sheet protector and then you can draw on top of them. You can cut out the image with scissors to make the edges all nice and neat. You can take a piece that is almost dry and crack it like cracked glass!!!

* Layer it on your projects to give a smooth glass-like finish.

* Spot Gloss: Apply a thick layer of liquid glass directly to the stamped image with the applicator tip. Let dry completely (about 30 - 60 minutes) before handling.

* All-Over Gloss: Use a paintbrush to apply a thin, even coat of liquid glass to the entire image. Let dry (about 3-5 minutes).

* Use the applicator tip to apply a thicker layer of LG to "select elements" of your design to add emphasis. Apply a second or third coat if your first layer was not standing up off your paper enough to please you. Some ideas are to apply it to leaves, flower petals, insects, teacup, umbrella, window, eyeglasses, Christmas ornaments.

* Simulate dew on a petal by adding little droplets to flowers. You can also add it to the petals of actual dried flowers or fake plastic ones. This really does look like dew and you won't spend a fortune buying designers ones from stores.

* Highlight only special line on an image

* Use LG to outline your image. This provides the look of embossing without needing the heat gun. This looks especially inviting when used as "frosting" of a cake.

* Try applying the LG in layers. By that I mean apply a thick line of LG to the outline of your stamped image. Allow that to dry and then come back with a brush and apply a thinner coat of LG to the inside area that you outlined. Allowing time to dry between applications will keep the areas from merging and will add depth and make the image look 3-D. You can also add a 3rd and 4th layer by applying a second coating to an area that has already dried. It will really make your images POP!

* It truly gives the look of glass and as such looks wonderful when used on glass items such as the light bulb in the Little Inspirations set or the Christmas lights in the Border Builders set . . . Makes the lights shine. Use LG on the fish bowl in the Little Hellos stamp set or use it to create a faux glass "Bug Jar" and use one of the bug sets to stamp some bugs to go in the jar

* Experiment with different applicators to add textured patterns to your stamp art. Use a paintbrush to apply a thin coat and swirl the bristles to create small circles, half moons, or squiggles to achieve different results. Use a stencil brush to dab on LG for a rougher texture. Use a sponge to create a spackled look.
 
* Use LG to seal your shrink art pins. This creates dimension and provides a more exclusive look to your shrink art. This is the perfect way to seal your poly shrink wine charms while providing a great glassy finish.

* After applying LG to an image, sprinkle a little Prisma glitter on top. This adds more dimensional sparkle than using other types of glue and looks great as candle flames, camp fires, etc.

* Create a dimensional paint. Add LG to small containers you can find in the paint section of hobby stores and then add a drop or two of CTMH re-inker and stir using a toothpick. Then apply color as desired to your stamped image allowing a few minutes drying time between colors so they won't blend. This provides truly beautiful results.

* LG makes the perfect glue for any project!! Use it to attach your poly shrink plastic embellishments, beads, feathers, and bows. It is very strong, great for adding hard to hold magnets, pin backs, and wire to your stamped projects. Be sure to let it dry completely before handling.

* Use it to make flat marble magnets or bulletin board tacks. Purchase the glass marbles/pebbles that have a flat side to them in the floral section of craft stores. Then use the circle punch to create the perfect shape to place behind these see-through marbles. Stamp desired image on the card stock circle and color it in using the Markers. Use Krylon Matte Acrylic or use the Krylon Workable Fixative to seal markers. Next, apply Crystal Effects to the flat marble and not to the stamped image. Then press the marble onto the stamped circle. If you don't have the Krylon to seal the markers, applying the LG in this manner (to the marble instead of the stamped image) will keep the image colors from smearing. Apply a bit more LG and then attach a magnet or push pin to it.

* Here's a twist on using it to make the flat, clear marble magnets . . .Trim small school photo to fit the back of the stone. Pour LG directly onto the picture. Then adhere to the back of the stone. Let dry and then add magnet to the back for a refrigerator magnet of your little darlings.

* Use it to glue vellum to card stock. It won’t show through. I’ve found the best way to keep vellum from wrinkling or “popping up” after application of CE is to apply it with a fingertip or Q-tip applicator in a very thin coat . . . DO NOT apply it straight from the bottle.
 
* Make Glitter Gloss using LG, prisma or other ultra fine Glitter, and an old paint brush. This is really simple. Squirt out some LG onto a scrap of acetate or other non-porous surface. Using a toothpick, stir in some glitter until you have the consistency you want. Then using a paintbrush, brush the glitter gloss onto your stamped art, stamped tiles, polymer beads, etc. When dry, it gives a glossy and sparkly look to your art. Try using this to add glitter to snowcaps made with liquid applique, add highlights to ornaments, Valentine hearts, etc. Anywhere that you want to add a bit of sparkles. You can also use this same homemade glitter gloss on hand painted ceramics and clothing.

* Make a Stained Glass Glitter Window. Stamp image on window sheets using Staz On. Allow a second or two to let it dry. Next, use the tip of the LG bottle to move it (LG) around to cover each individual area with a thin layer of the LG. While it is still wet, dump on glitter. Only do one color of glitter at a time. let each area dry at least an hour before going to the next color.

* Use it for "fray check" on the ends of your ribbon after you have cut them to the desired length.
 
*Place on top of Radiant Pearls or Pearl Ex and get even more pearlescent shimmer and shine.
 
* Use LG, stamped tissue paper and prisma glitter to create beautiful, sparkling ornaments for Christmas or any special occasion.
 
* Create "Shimmering Pearls" by adding a small amount of Pearl Ex powder to some LG. Then apply over your stamp art with a brush.
 
* Add LG to areas of images that you've dry embossed and achieve even more "pop"!

* Use LG to seal beaded pens. After you make your pen, set it into a block of Styrofoam. Let your pen cure (inserted into the Styrofoam) for 24 hours. Then dip the pen upside down into the bottle of LG. Tip it right side up, and insert back into the Styrofoam to dry for another 24 hours. It works like a charm sealing the pen so that he beads won't fall off.

* Use LG to seal Domino art when you've used chalks or Pearl Ex to color in your image. The LG creates a wonderful thick sheen when applied in more than one coat. Or you can use it as a sort of Modge Podge to attach a stamped tissue paper design to the Domino (similar to the candle/tissue paper technique or the glittery glass bulbs technique.)
 
*Put some liquid glass on a sheet of acetate--or other non poreus tray, take a baggie smooched up in your hand, dip the baggie in the liquid glass and smooche it randomly on a piece of card stock. Like the sponging technique with paint that was really popular in the 90's! Let it dry. Then sponge on ink--you can use more than one color. I did this technique on bamboo cardstock and sponged on olive and chocolate ink. Wherever the liquid glass was resisted the ink and the bamboo color showed through--I did this to make my own camo cardstock. I've also done it on chocolate cardstock and lightly sponged cocoa ink, with the tone on tone it gave it a faux leather look!
 
*I just tried making my own buttons with cardstock and liquid glass from the tutorial on splitcoast stampers. I cut out 5 circles/ size you want but I used 3/4 inch circles on cricut and then 1 circle ring of the same size with the cricut. You use any cs you want the buttons to be- which is totally perfect if you don't have that perfect color of button...anyways you glue each one on top of each other- with the ring last. this makes the button look real. using a tiny hole punch or piercing tool make as many "button holes " as you wish. Sand edges to blend ,hides all the layers and then over it with liquid glass- even the edges to give it the "plastic look"- lay out to dry on a piece of wax paper. What's cool too is it let's you make buttons of any shapes you wish- such as hearts, stars etc. I love the idea that if you don't own the button in the color of your layout...then make it! Was quick and fun to do- I used scrap Col white CS and distressed in choc ink before using the Liquid Glass to coat overtop- loved the antique look this gave them. If you want to see the tutorial go to splitcoaststampers.com under resources at the top right of the main page. Hope this helps even if a little late...smiling!
 
*I had photos from a water park and used LG to create some 3-D waterØ effects. I also used it to circle the grandkid in the photo to separate her from all the other kiddies.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

4 for $5

In celebration of our newly updated Stamp of the Month program, we're throwing in a little something extra: a FREE bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $50 US/$55 CAN or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5/$5.50, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface A-size set FREE (a retail value of $6.95/$7.75). Think of this as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set and we'll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It's Extra! Extra!



But, it keeps getting better! To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75 US / $82 CAN from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You'll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you'll use in your handmade cards all year long. The double set has a retail value of $35.90/$39.90, which drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

New Fall/Winter 2011 Idea Book

Well, it is here! The new 2011 Fall/Winter Idea Book from Close To My Heart. There are so many beautiful, fun, and creative ideas in this new Idea Book. Too bad I have to go back to work, I'd much prefer to stay home and craft!

I'm sure you've heard already, but if not, Close To My Heart now has an exclusive Cricut cartridge! It is called Art Philosophy. With the cartridge, which contains 700 images: font, shapes, and 3-D items, you also get 3 9x13 Dimensional Elements, and 3 stamp sets. Not only that, the stamp sets in this package can not be purchased any where else in the Idea Book. And let me just tell you, I'm having a blast playing... opps, I mean crafting.

The Augus Stamp Of The Month is called "Wicked." It is "wicked" fun getting Halloween cards made. Here are a few I've done recently.


Feel free to contact me for YOUR copy of the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge. C'mon... you know you want it!

Also, check out www.closetomyheart.com then click on the Ideas & Inspirations tab. You'll see different how-to videos for several items in the Idea Book.

Well, I guess I better go set up my classroom. Of course, that is no where near as fun as playing/crafting! Have a fabulous Wednesday and I will see you soon.