Glitter Glue, the Stuff of Life

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Glitter glue is sometimes thought of as a kid's craft product. Yes, kids love it, but glitter glue can be used for so much more than writing Happy Birthday on a card.

Look at these decorated wood flower cut outs. Four things you can do with glitter glue are:

1. Draw with it...lines, dots, letters...it is easy because you just squeeze the glitter glue out of the bottle. It has a nice tip for line work.

2. Decoupage...add paper to another surface by adding a thin layer of glitter glue under the paper, and a thin layer on top of the paper. You can add that layer with a brush or your finger.

3. Attach beads, sequins and rhinestones...Squeeze a layer of glitter glue onto the surface. Set the beads, sequins or rhinestones into the glue while it is wet.

4. The super glitter effect...brush a coat of opal glitter glue over anything to make it sparkle.

Don't forget that you can glue things together with it, it really is glue!

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Calling All BFFs

I can't think of one thing that would not be improved by adding some glitter glue. And to prove it, look what some glitter glue did for this board and a couple wood letters. This photo board belongs to the Amazing Sydney. You can make one just like it, or add your own special twist to it.

I have used many kinds of glitter glue, and in my opinion, Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue is among the coolest glitter glues on earth! The glitter in it is....well....Big...and Glitzy. And all out fabulous.

You can get Big & Glitzy at most craft stores, or try Addicted to Crafts. There is not a color in this line that you won't love.

To make Sydney's photo board,

You need:

• Big & Glitzy Glitter Glue: Nugget, Amethyst
• a flat board, 4" x 24"
• pre-painted wood letters: BFF
• acrylic paint: fuchsia, black
• value pack of round rhinestones in multi colors
• 3 wood spring clothespins
• flat paintbrush
• craft glue
• tweezers (these are optional)

Try this:

1. Paint the board fuchsia. Paint the clothespins and the edges of the letters black. Let the paint dry.

2. Squeeze out both colors of Big & Glitzy to cover the front of the letter B. Using the tweezers, or the technique that Imaginina and her boss showed us last week, set the rhinestones into the glue while it is wet. Repeat for the other letters. Let the Big & Glitzy dry.

Tip: To set a rhinestone in glitter glue, set it gently on the surface and lightly tap the top of it to settle it down into the glue.

3. Glue the letters and clothespins to the board as you see in the photo.

Think about what personal twist you might add to make the board your own.

• change the paint, the Big & Glitzy, or the rhinestone colors to your signature colors
• Decorate letters that spell a name or a word like HOPE or WISH
• What else can you think of?

Get yourself some Big & Glitzy and tell me how you like it,

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Flip Flops

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

As soon as I finish posting this, I am making myself a pair of these flip flops. Click on this photo to make it a little larger so you can see everything. My friends Imaginina and her boss made these this morning. They also made us a little video so we could see exactly how to do it. Imaginina is not Spielberg, but I am not telling her that!

Take a look:


How easy is that???

As you saw, you can make a pair of these in literally minutes. The longest process is choosing your color palette. Gather your supplies!

You need:

• a pair of flip flops
• Sparkle 21 in your color choice
• handful of gems and sequins in a coordinating color palette

Try this:

1. Squeeze a little Sparkle 21 onto the strap surface.

2. While it is wet, set in some gems and sequins. Put on as many or as few as you like. They can overlap.

3. Continue, covering both straps. Let dry before wearing.

Sparkle 21 is a new glitter product. I have tried it and love it. It is permanent and washable, so it can go on clothing. It sticks to any surface. I have used it on garments, plastic, wood, tin, glass, and paper. There is a lot of glitter in it, it is gorgeous. You can find it at some Jo-Ann Fabrics stores, or get it from Createforless.com. You can see all of the colors there.

Gotta go, I have a naked pair of flip flops waiting for me.

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Quick and Easy Frames

While we are talking about party bags, let's make a few gifts to go in the bags! Who can't use an extra photo frame, especially if it is glittered? This is a quick and easy project that you can make in about 20 minutes.

You need:

• an inexpensive frame, could be wood or paper mache
• white craft glue
• the Glitter Sample Pack
• wood shapes ( 3 flowers, a big swirl, and the sun)
• some crystal gems ( mine are about 8mm in size)
• flat paintbrush
• acrylic paint: grass and sky colors

Try this:

1. Paint the top of the frame sky and the bottom grass. Let dry.
2. Glitter the wood pieces. Squeeze out glue where you want the glitter. Set the gems in place, tap them gently into the glue. While glue is wet, sprinkle on the glitter. Shake off excess. Let dry.
3. Brush a light coat of glue over frame. Sprinkle crystal glitter to cover the whole front of the frame.
4. Glue the swirl to the center of the sun. Glue all pieces to the frame. Let dry.
5. Put in a picture of cutie Teagan. Or, whoever you want!

This project is so simple, it can be done in minutes. It could be a good project for the kids to do as a party activity. They can share Glitter Sample Packs.

You need:

• an inexpensive frame, could be wood or paper mache
• white craft glue
• the Glitter Sample Pack

Try this:

1. Squeeze out glue to cover a few areas on the frame. While it is wet, sprinkle glitter over glue. Shake off excess.
2. Repeat for a second color.
3. Repeat for a third color and fill in all remaining blank areas. Let dry.
4. Put in a picture of Ocean Man Zack. Or, whoever you want!

Watch sales at the craft store and the dollar store and pick up inexpensive frames when you see them. They always make fun and welcomed gifts.

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Party Bags

This is another great project for the Glitter Sample Pack. These party bags are great for wrapping gifts, or for goodie bags. The kids could help you make them for the party.

You need:

• plain gift bags ( most craft stores sell the baker's dozen of plain white bags)
• white craft glue
• the Glitter Sample Pack
• fun foam, your choice of color
• a design that you or the kids drew (the simpler, the better)
• pencil
• scissors
• flat paintbrush

Try this:

1. Trace your drawing onto fun foam and cut out.
2. Squeeze out lines and dots of glue wherever you want glitter. You can also brush out glue to cover a larger area.
3. While glue is wet, sprinkle glitter into it. Shake off excess. let dry.
4. Glue to front of party bag.
5. Add antennae, or outline the front of the bag, add a name, or write Happy Birthday by applying glue and then glitter.
6. Stuff with goodies!

My bags have insects, but what can you draw that would make a good party bag?

Glitter on!

Sparkle

Fanciest Birdhouse Ever

Friday, July 10, 2009

It is the perfect summer day here, and as I sat listening to the birds outside, I remembered a great birdhouse I made. Take a look!

I was drawn to this glitter sample pack. Who wouldn't be? It has so many colors. I had this prepainted wooden birdhouse and a bottle of white craft glue, and that was all I needed. You probably have the same stuff sitting in your craft area right now.

You need:

• wooden birdhouse, these are really inexpensive at Michaels and pre-painted
• white craft glue in a bottle
• the Glitter Sample Pack
• a flat paintbrush would be helpful, but not necessary

Try this:

• To cover larger areas, brush glue to cover area and sprinkle glitter over the glue while it is wet.
• On the body of the birdhouse, draw designs like flowers and swirls with the glue right out of the bottle. Sprinkle with glitter while glue is wet.

You can draw or write anything you want, and you have lots of colors to use. So easy, and so sparkly!

If you are putting this outside, you have to use washable fabric glue, and keep it in the shade.

Glitter on!

Sparkle