*****Glittering!*****

I'm going to sound really "girly", but glittering is so much fun! The process of glittering is a little messy, but very easy to do and the results are spectacular.

The first step is to shop for a variety of glitter colors and textures. I never knew there were so many sizes and shapes of glitter. Michaels (a craft store chain in Dallas) carries an entire isle of Martha Stewart items. I purchased a glitter kit with 24 colors of a very fine flake for around $30.00.

Be sure an use a special glittering glue. It dries clear so that your background image shows through. I obtained some inexpensive brushes at the dollar store. Also found cosmetic brushes on Elf.com. These brushes are used to apply the glue and to brush away the excess glitter.

For the work area, I find a 6 foot folding table to be ideal. After covering with roll plastic, I put a large 13X19 sheet of paper (a great way to recycle old test prints) underneath all of my other work. Keep a stack of inexpensive document printing paper nearby (a great way to recycle that last silly page that always prints from internet receipts and has only one line on it). A stack of white, sturdy paper plates will come in handy. All of this prep work is necessary to contain the glitter, which will somehow find its way into every other part of your life...but, hey, it is really sparkly!

Make sure your printed cards are completely dry. I prefer a matt paper for the card stock.. I like the way it contrasts with the glitter and the glue seems to adhere better. Choose a glitter color that matches areas of your card which you wish to enhance. Pick a small areas to highlight, such as sparkles on the water or the sunlight on leaves in the tops of trees. You might pick a bow on a Christmas present or a scarf around your puppy's neck Less is more effective. Just a glimmering hint of these highlights will create a card that is classy rather than gaudy.

Dabble on the glue very lightly. I use a small, stiff brush to mash out any bubbles and flatten the texture. Lay the card on top of one of the small white sheets of letter size paper and sprinkle on the glitter lightly. Sometimes I fold the letter paper over the top and gently press the glitter into the card. Then lift the card up on its side and tap until all of the loose glitter falls onto the letter paper. Put a fold in the center of the letter paper and shake the colored glitter back into its container or keep it aside in one of the paper plates for use on another card, if you are doing multiples.

After the card dries, I sometimes use a little light weight hair spray to set the glitter. It keeps the glitter confined to the card but lets it shine through. It also adds a light, floral scent to the card. If you spray too heavy, you will dull the glimmering. This works well with a heavy mat art paper but tends to run the colors on lustre or gloss. When I'm all done, I use the 13X19 test print, which has been underneath my work during this entire process, to collect the stray glitter, which will be a mix of colors, and put it in a separate container for future projects.

If you are in the Dallas area, visit my studio to see samples. Also, let me know if you have interest in a "glittering" workshop. I'm available to lead workshops for your next group activity. Let your inner child out to play and most of all, have fun!