What are Shimmer Sheetz? It is a question that has come up multiple times since Love is in the Air Tag #1 - Shimmer Sheetz Texture was posted. Shimmer Sheetz are new to me even though they have been around for a long time! The creator, Judi Kauffman, teamed up with Els to teach me some of the possibilities at Winter CHA. Believe me when I tell you that there are a ton of possibilities with this product - once again I think I am only limited by ability to think outside the box and my own creativity!
Today I will attempt to answer the question - "What are Shimmer Sheetz?" Shimmer Sheetz are mylar sheets that are highly alterable and are excellent for card making, scrapbooking, mixed media, collage, clothing and accessories, party decorations, outdoor decorations (they will stand up to the rain), flower arrangements and so much more.
There are two varieties of Shimmer Sheetz - iridescent and metallic mylar. With three (3) 5"x12" sheets per pack and 13 different colors available you can create a lot of different types of projects. They are about the weight of medium weight card stock, so most punches will punch through this medium quite easily.
These sheets are acid-free and are garment quality, which means they are both color fast and washable. Shimmer Sheetz are compatible with embossing folders, standard dies, low-profile dies, punches, and electronic cutting machines. You can use them together with peel-off stickers, Be Creative (Sookwang) tape, glitter, embossing powders, paints, markers and inks that work on non-porous surfaces (such as Alcohol Inks, Sakura Glaze Pens, Metallic pens and more.)
There are so many different ways to alter the surface of the Shimmer Sheetz and today I hope to share just a few examples. Following are four projects I created yesterday to share just a few of the possibilities.
As you will see I have tried to share (probably) too many techniques in this one short post - LOL! I will do my best to revisit these ideas in the weeks and months to come so that I can answer any additional questions that might arise. Feel free to leave a question in the comments section and I will do my best to answer those questions.
Lately it feels like life has been a bit of a circus (can you sense I try to fit WAY too many things into a single day), so I decided that Le Cirque would be the collection that would fit my life perfectly - LOL!
My first experiment started with an Iridescent Yellow Shimmer Sheet. I began by stamping this Jacobean style Hero Arts stamp on the mylar using Noir Palette Ink. Once again I would like to share that Palette ink is by far my favorite ink for stamping on non-porous surfaces. Being the ever impatient stamper I used my Heat It tool to make certain the ink was set.
This turned into my first experiment. As you heat the Shimmer Sheet the surface changes - you will notice the sheen turn more satiny and the mylar will curl ever so slightly. I LOVE the way this looks and was thrilled to pull back some of the shine.
I then colored in my image. I did stay within the lines because the Copic marker can muddy with the Palette Ink if you are not careful, but I had no problem when I colored within the lines.
Using the gorgeous Jacobean style print in the Le Cirque collection as my color guide I selected my Copic colors. I then fussy cut out my flower.
The final step was to use Adirondack Butterscotch Embossing powder to add a sentiment. I must admit that I am totally in "like" with the Adirondack embossing powders - the colors are fabulous and I have had so much fun experimenting with them! It is funny to me how many of what I consider the "old" techniques are still some of my favorites!
To help define the sentiment I used my .03 Copic Multiliner on all the sentiment edges when they crossed over a butterscotch polka dot.
Next I returned to the example I shared in Tag #1, only this time I tried it with a twist. Please refer back to the instructions in Tag #1 for additional information on how to brayer the surfaces together. I knew this post would be lengthy and so I am trying not to repeat too many of the steps.
So here is the twist... When I completed the project for Tag #1 I used the Shimmer Sheet in it's original color. For this project I felt that the color of the Shimmer Sheet wasn't deep enough and so I began to alter it.
First I ran the sheet through my embossing folder, I then used my Alcohol Ink applicator to add Copic YR24 Various Ink to my sheet by dabbing it with my applicator. You can see the difference from the original sheet by comparing the top and the bottom in the photo above.
It still didn't "sing" enough for my liking and so I added R29 to my applicator and dabbed the entire surface achieving the finish above.
I then used my brayer to transfer the raised surface to my tape background (see Tag #1 post)
Add dark gold microfine glitter to the remaining sticky surface, brush off excess and burnish.
Absolutely DELICIOUS with the Le Cirque papers and the perfect accompaniement to the sweet tag!
This next tag was created from the opposite side of that same Shimmer Sheet! Yes, this product goes a LONG way if you consider all the different ways to use just one little piece. Keep using it until ever scrap is incorporated into your projects!
Once again I transferred my raised mylar to a sticky piece of cardstock using the brayer as shared in Tag #1. Do you remember when I shared in that post that tone-on-tone would have a fabulous look? Well since that time other ideas dawned on me --- if I could use glitter, why not try embossing powder, or flock, or?!?
So that is exactly what I did. Using the Butterscotch embossing powder, I poured it over the exposed sticky surface. As you can see it adhered beautifully. The fabulous thing about Be Creative (Sookwang) tape is that you can heat it without any problems whatsoever.
As you can see the embossing powder was heat set and the mixture of the textures is fabulous!
One last little step that I wanted to share is the altering of the gorgeous 7 Gypsies paper tape - it just felt too white and so I placed a strip on my non-stick craft sheet and swiped my alcohol ink filled applicator the length of the tape. Voila - it coordinates perfectly!
It is important to note that the metallic sheets will not transfer to sticky tape surfaces!
So what do you do with the metallic sheets?
I decided to try stamping an image and embossing it on the Metallic Gold.
You will notice in the completed project above that I have also shared how you can punch these mylar Shimmer Sheetz with your hand-held punches! To complete the look of this project I used a fairly complicated and deep Martha Stewart punch, just to be certain it would work. It took a little strength to punch it, but the results were perfect.
Using the Clear Design vintage bicycle from Hero Arts I stamped it on the metallic surface using Distress Embossing ink. Remember this surface is really "slick." I must admit that it took me three attempts before finally making certain I didn't move when I stamped it - too much coffee is what I'm going to blame it on - LOL! Each time I would diligently clean my surface before trying it again.
After applying my embossing powder I did use a brush to remove the excess powder that I had in a couple of spots. Heat until the powder melts and becomes glossy. Make certain you leave your mylar on your work surface as you heat it, because it becomes quite warm. Once again I loved how the mylar surface turned satiny and the edges curled ever so slightly as I heated it. Needless to say I punched out several flowers and began heating them and curling the petals with what could be gorgeous results. I didn't have the time to complete more projects and so you will either just have to try it or wait for me to get to doing another post :-D
I absolutely love the look and feel of this finished project! It is hard to create Masculine projects and I think this really fits the bill.
Just a couple more tips on how to use the metallic sheets. The sheet on the right is the gold metallic unaltered. The sheet on the left is one that has been embossed and then alcohol ink applied.
You can leave it unaltered or you can grab a Shrink Plastic sanding block and lightly sand the surface for a completely different look.
SO MANY options, so little time - LOL! I hope that I have been able to help you better understand what Shimmer Sheetz are and how you might be able to work with them! If you already own Be Creative Tape, microfine glitter and embossing powder I think that you will most definitely want to try adding this to your group of basic supplies!
We carry all 13 colors of Shimmer Sheetz in our store in our Alterable Items: Plastics category (just scroll down to the bottom of the page.) Remember Iridescent Sheets work wonderfully with the brayer and transfer techniques and the metallic ones look very much like metal foil, without being metal.
Thank you for joining us once again as we try our best to stay "in touch" each month!
stamps: Hero Arts ClearDesign Exotic Decor, ClearDesign Joy Ride, ClearDesign Made with Love
ink: Palette Noir, Distress Embossing Ink, Copic Various Ink Refills - YR24, R29
paper: Graphic 45 Le Cirque 8x8 Paper Pad and Tags, Memory Box Red Pepper and Squash, Hero Arts Azure
accessories: Shimmer Sheetz - Iridescent Yellow, Metallic Gold, Dark Gold Microfine Glitter Ritz, Butterscotch Embossing Powder, Detail Black Embossing Powder, Martha Stewart Happy Birthday Punch, Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Applicator, Foliage, Washers, Metal Corners, Mini Paper Clip, Sprocket Gears, Tiny Attacher; 7 Gypsies Sapphire Dangle, Antique Brass Reinforcer, Lille Paper Tape, Antique Gold Silk Ribbon, Black Twill, Basic Grey Glazed Brads
Great page and good tutorial above.Very very cool!
Shimmer sheetz is so fun to work with.
I made a blue Christmas card with shimmer sheetz on the front.
Thanks//Carina
Posted by: Carina | November 16, 2011 at 12:37 AM
wow! very cool -thanks for sharing and inspiring!
Sandra ltb
Posted by: Sandra ltb | February 15, 2011 at 09:17 PM