Stamping On The Bayou

Caught in Crystal Technique

This is the last sample from my Crystal Effects presentation for Stampin' Up! in Jackson, MS at the beginning of the month. The Felt Flurries snowflake was coated with a Crystal Effects/Fine Cosmo glittler mixture. Squeeze a small amount of Crystal Effects onto a non-porous surface. Sprinkle a small amount of any Fine Cosmo glitter. Using a small paint brush, apply this mixture to the top of the snowflake and allow to dry. You are using a very thin layer, so it will dry quickly. I also applied Crystal Effects straight from the bottle on the little word "bubbles". It adds great texture and dimension to your project.

   

Stampin' Supplies: Snow Burst stamp set; Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie card stock; Frosty Day designer series paper; Chocolate Chip Classic ink; Crystal Effects; Light Blue Fine Cosmo glitter; Glue Dots; Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

This photo was taken at the Jackson Regional Seminar and has been posted to the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website. From left to right, Ann S., me, and Lana C. These two awesome ladies are part of my Southern Ink team.

Cocktails Anyone?

Invitations are my favorite project to make. With the variety of stamp sets and papers, you can customize your invitations to match any theme! This is another Crystal Effects project. Can you see where it was applied? Makes you just want to have a cocktail, don't it? Another idea for your Crystal Effects is to color it with reinkers. Squirt a little on a non-porous surface (I like to use an old bead duo container). Drop one drop of any color ink and mix. I use a toothpick to mix and then add to my project and let dry. See the ribbon slide? That is a piece from the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware.

Classic Pumpkins

The classic use for Crystal Effects is to create a laquered, glossy look to your stamped images. The pumpkins were stamped with Timber Brown StazOn ink on Watercolor Paper. Then, I used Watercolor Crayons and an AquaPainter to color the pumpkins and leaves. After the image dried, I used the applicator tip to apply a thin layer of Crystal Effects to each image. It turned out nice, don't you think?

TIP: MASKING TECHNIQUE: To create the illusion of one pumpkin behind the other, first stamp the small pumpkin. Next, stamp the same pumpkin on a Post It Note. Stamp to the top of the note so that when you cut it out, you can stick it onto your project. Cover the pumpkin on your project with the "Post It" one. Stamp the larger pumpkin to the side of the smaller one (over the "Post It" pumpkin). Remove the Post It image and you'll see the illusion. You have successfully masked your image to create dimension. (To save me time, I keep the "mask" in the box with my stamp set so I don't have to do that step everytime I use this technique)

 

Stampin' Supplies: Autumn Harvest & Holidays & Wishes stamp sets; Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, & Very Vanilla card stock; Watercolor Paper; Timber Brown StazOn ink; Watercolor Crayons; AquaPainter; Crystal Effects; Vintage Brads; 1/16" Circle punch; Stampin' Dimensionals; Post It Note

Love the Beads!

You can use Crystal Effects to adhere any of the Bead Duos/Micro Beads to your project. For this Christmas card, I covered the "love" chipboard piece from the On Board Trinkets with the die-cut designer series paper using a thin layer of Crystal Effects. I placed the chipboard piece into a Powder Pals tray, then used a thicker layer of Crystal Effects on top of the designer series paper. The clear Micro Beads stick into the wet Crystal Effects - just make sure when you try it to be careful pouring the beads as they tend to go all over the place! Allow to dry. I used another thin layer of Crystal Effects to adhere the chipboard to the project. Hope you have fun with beads and Crystal Effects.

 

Stampin' Supplies: A Cardinal Christmas stamp set; Kraft, Always Artichoke, & Naturals White card stock; Jet Black Staz On; Always Arrtichoke Classic ink; More Mustard & Always Artichoke Stampin' Write markers; Blender Pens; Riding Hood Red Classic ink refill; Stampin' sponge; Crystal Effects; On Board Trinkets ornaments; Clear Micro Beads; Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla striped grosgrain ribbon; Pop Up glue dots

Chunky Glitter is elegant!

The Chunky Essentials and Sprinkles glitter adds elegance to your projects. I applied Crystal Effects to the petals of the poinsetta then sprinkle the Chunky Sprinkles Crystal Iris glitter on top. Add a piece of the styled silver HodgePodge Hardware to make your card even more fancy!

 

Stampin' Supplies: Season of Joy stamp set; Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, & Whisper White card stock; Real Red Classic ink; Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker; Ski Slope designer series paper; Styled Silver HodgePodge Hardware; Designer Label, 1/16" Circle, and 1 3/4" Circle punches; Crystal Effects; Chunky Sprinkles; Silver elastic cord; Stampin' Dimensionals

Santa Sparkles

 

This is another sample from my Crystal Effects presentation. The stamp is from the Deer Friends (hostess) set. Santa sparkles with a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds glitter in his beard and on his cap. Using the applicator tip of the Crystal Effects, add a layer and sprinkle with glitter. 

For a different layout, I punched a 1 3/8" circle on the front of the card, layered a Scallop Circle (also with a 1 3/8" circle punched in the middle) and put the layered Santa image on the inside of the card. It's a little surprise when you open the card!

Stampin' Supplies: Deer Friends stamp set; Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White card stock; Summer Picnic dsp; Real Red Classic ink, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 1/4" Circle, Crystal Effects; Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon; Stampin' Dimensionals; Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Embossing with Crystal Effects

Create a beautiful embossed look without all the steps - just use Crystal Effects. Use the applicator tip to apply the Crystal Effects directly to stamped images or designer series paper for a glossy, 3D effect. It's a little hard to see from the picture, but I added Crystal Effects to the stamped Chocolate Chip flower image and the Tangerine Tango "tiles". It really gives the appearance of glass tile.

 

Stampin' Supplies: Ginormous Flowers & Warm Words stamp sets; Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, & Whisper White card stock; Hawaii Papaya designer series paper; Chocolate Chip & Tangerine Tango Classic ink; Crystal Effects; 1 3/4" Circle & 1 3/8" Circle punches; Stampin' Dimensionals