Stampin’ Up! with The Operators
Watch Your Projects Shine with Crystal Effects
Inspiration Sheet
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Add a little shine to your next project with Stampin’ Up!’s Crystal Effects (CE). Use CE like glue to attach beads or glitter. Use CE like paint by mixing it with reinkers or glitter. Whenever your project needs a little shine, Crystal Effects provides that extra sparkle that makes a good project awesome!
Before you start Get the 411:
I’ve heard from one of my best demonstrator friends, that she would never use Crystal Effects (CE) in a demonstration. She said that she finds CE frustrating because after the first use, the bottle clogs and they end up wasting the product and throwing it away. So, I thought it was time to develop another inspiration sheet! I stamped the image with stazon ink on watercolor paper. Then, used my markers to watercolor the image. One giant drop of CE on that beautiful nose, and Rudolph's nose is sporting a shine that could certainly save Christmas! Notice that the two cards above use the same set of supplies. Well, I cased that layout from page 40 of the 2008 idea book and catalog. Don’t forget that SU!’s catalog is an awesome resource for ideas when planning your next project! Before we get started, here are some helpful hints to prolong the life of your CE. You get SO much product, that one bottle should last you quite some time! HELPFUL HINTS
Who knew that you probably already have one of SU!’s coolest tools already in your stamping cupboard? Crystal Effects (CE) can add a little shine and attention to your stamped artwork. The above “Let It Snow” card is a great example— crystal effects spiced up the stamped image and quickly made it shiny! It can turn a regular image into something eye-catching. The camping scrapbook page is along the same idea. The CE is laid on top of the marshmallow and chocolate to give the stamped image a life like appeal! The reindeer image above from the Holiday Lineup stamp set features Rudolph there in the middle.
1. Never Shake Your Crystal Effects bottle ~ for best results you want your CE to be bubble free. 2. I do not use the white cover that comes with the bottle. Instead, I toss the white cover out and use a long push pin or brad to keep my bottle from clogging. 3. Store your CE sitting upright and NOT laying down on it’s side.
The Crystal Effects Hit List:
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More Ways to use it!
Have a stamp that’s coming off the wood? Use Crystal Effects to glue your stamps back together. Save your old cut off rubbah pieces from mounting your stamps to use them as dimensionals. Add dimension to a portion of a stamped image by applying Crystal Effects like a “button” over it. When making a Build-A-Brad bracelet, use CE over the image instead of the clear buttons that come with the brads. 5. Use crystal effects like glue to stick a clear button over a stamped image. 6. Use crystal effects to glue Designer Series Paper to a clear button. 7. Use crystal effects like glue to add beads to a project. 8. CE makes great glue to add glitter to a project! (note ~ don’t dump the glitter on top, use your fingers or the tip of a pin and sprinkle). 9. Mix crystal effects with reinkers and/or Dazzling Diamonds to make a “paint” to color in an image, Your image will appear wet, think popsicles or cocktails! 10. Glue almost anything back together!
And WOWZER!... Look at how cool adding beads to a project can look!
Still not sure you’re ready for crystal effects? Take a look at the 6 x 6 scrapbook page, made with leftovers from a workshop. These use the same elements as the camping page. I just flipped the cardstock over and added some different elements. First, I used the Happy Thanksgiving Rub Ons, on our new Double-Stiched Chocolate Grosgrain. Then, using my 1” Circle Punch, I punched out some coordinating cardstock and attached it with crystal effects to my clear button. I waited a few minutes for it to dry, then used my snips to put holes for the buttons. Finally, I fed the white taffeta ribbon through. This was so simple and FUN to make! How about Crystal Effects mixed with reinkers or glitter? It’s simply FABULOUS! Mix crystal effects and a drop of reinker with a paintbrush and use the mixture to paint the drink. After it dries add another layer of plain crystal effects to finish off the glass. For the project below, I used the tip of a push pin to apply the crystal effect to the buttons and hat of my snowman. Then, I sprinkled it with chunky red glitter. I also used CE and a push pin to apply individual pieces of glitter to my Designer Series paper, and the dot to my “i” in the word Christmas..
In this example, I used a paintbrush to add crystal effects to the top of my cupcake, and just dropped the beads on one at a time.
Looking for more ideas on how to use crystal effects? Check out my blog. I couldn’t fit all my ideas on to one sheet! All I can say is there is NO limit to the goodies you can create! The Operators http://stamping411.blogspot.com/