Puttin' on the Ritz - Glitter Ritz that is! Going Transparent

One of my all time favorite things to do is discover new products and then learn how to use them. Lis told me about the "glitter ladies" and how she thought I would be intrigued with this microfine glitter. She didn't warn me though that I would be hooked!!! LOL!

I had the pleasure of spending the weekend with Lisa and she took me to have a play date with Deanna and Haroldine. Haroldine is the tape lady and Deanna is the glitter lady and together they regaled me with fabulous stories. But even better they showed me the magic behind the tape and the glitter. We laughed and glittered until one in the morning and now I am one sparkly girl :-D

I wish that I could pass this card through the screen to you. It is not only the beauty of the sparkles that intrigues me, but it is the finished hand of the product that makes me giddy. The technique that Deanna and Haroldine invented is called Burnished Velvet. The final product feels like a very beautiful velvet, or perhaps satin. I was joking with one of our customers who stopped by today that perhaps this could be my grown-up version of a silky blankie. I could carry a piece around in my pocket and when I was stressed I could just pull out my Burnished Velvet sample and rub it between my fingers like a baby does a silky blankie. LOL! OK - I know I'm goofy, but I thought it might be the cheapest and easiest form of stress relief :-D

OK, I'll get to the point - enough with my being silly. The first post I would like to share is the difference between the two types of Microfine glitter we have in the store. The first is transparent. It is available in two different formats. I used the cool version for the project today. The cool tones of this glitter bring a beautiful silvery, blue cast to the project you add it to. The warm tone glitter has a warm golden effect when added to a project. I will try and get to snapping a picture of the difference and putting it on our website shortly. It is so very difficult to bring these to life in pictures but I can guarantee you that the effect is magical.

The second type of Microfine glitter is the opaque versions. Below I stamped the measuring tape in a tone-on-tone ink to bring texture to the background. I then wanted to add additional tone-on-tone glamour to my card base and so I selected the cool transparent glitter and an opaque Ice Blue glitter so that you could see the difference between these two products.

We have elected to carry numerous widths of the tape in our store to allow you to create fun effects more easily. Above I have used the 3mm and 5mm widths. I will be sharing some special tips tomorrow to show you how easy it is to use the tape and glitter together. Today's post is designed only to show you the difference between the transparent and opaque versions of the glitter.

 

In the bottle you can't tell a difference. The transparent appears to be white in the jar, but when you use it on a project - THEN you see the difference.

First I applied a piece of tape over my Cosmo Cricket designer paper. I applied my colored image to the center and then covered the remaining exposed tape with the transparent glitter. After removing the excess (tips to come tomorrow) and placing it back in my jar it is essential to then "burnish" or rub over the surface of your project with your fingers. I don't know if it is the natural oils in your fingertips, or the pressure that is applied, but after you burnish the glitter into the tape with your fingertips your project will absolutely glow!

I hope that you can see the difference between the paper that is "glitterfied" and the piece that was left plain.

Just a few simple embellishments and I have a project that is "Sew cute!" So now I will leave you with my bad humor and let you anticipate my return tomorrow - perhaps tomorrows post won't be filled with bad humor - LOL! I have two more posts prepared in which I get more "techy" on you. I can hardly wait to share more information with you! Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for more.

 

stamps: Hero Arts Clear Design Sew Artsy and Sew Stylish

paper: Cosmo Cricket Delovely, Memory Box Bayou

ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

accessories: Be Creative Tape 3mm, 5mm and 4 1/2" widths, Glitter Ritz Microfine Transparent Cool Highlights and Ice Blue  and Hero Arts Clear Crystal Gemstones, Jenni Bowlin Vintage Red Button

  

Comments

[Linda Bandow]

This is great.....I am not the only Glitter Queen that will just l-o-v-e this technique and these products. You've done it again Ellen......I know what you mean about the blankie....my husband says he always knows when I've been at theglitter....I get it in my underwear and just about everywhere else, as well.

[mary]

Sorry I posted twice - but it took so long to show the first one I thought it wasn't going to post!

[mary]

Hi Ellen! I love your card and the burnished velvet technique. Of course I have a drawer full of all kinds of glitter, BUT NO GLITTER RITZ! :-( I do have several widths of Be Creative Tape plus the sheets. It has become my go-to tape for almost everything. I love that it works similar to the red liner tape but is tearable - YAY, no scissors required! Thank you for sharing your beautiful creation and for the wonderful tutorial.
Hugs to all, -mary

[mary]

Hi Ellen! I love your card and the burnished velvet technique. Of course I have a drawer full of all kinds of glitter, BUT NO GLITTER RITZ! :-( I do have several widths of Be Creative Tape plus the sheets and it has become my go-to tape for almost everything. I love that it works similar to the red liner tape but you can tear it - YAY! Thank you for sharing your beautiful creation and for the wonderful tutorial.
Hugs to all, -mary

[Cathy Hughes]

This is so addicting and, you too, will be compelled to purchase every colour of the micro-fine glitter.

Then...I promise, you will go through life looking at each project you see with, "Can I glitter and Burnish Velvet this?"

Welcome to the club!

Cathy

[Robin]

Oh I love sparkle & glitter. This looks so cool and I can hardly wait to learn more. thanks for always giving me a gentle push to learn and try more creative adventures.