Glitter and Modeling Paste

I thought it would be fun to have a look at working with glitter and modeling paste.
Modeling paste and stencils are proving more and more popular, so let's try something a wee bit different and glitter on top and into modeling paste and see what we get.

We will start with adding glitter on top of the modeling paste.
So you will take your cardstock and add your stencil on top.  I taped mine in place with some removable tape, you could use washi tape.

 I am working on my Bazzill Splatter mat for easy clean up.

Next add your modeling paste, I chose to just add it down the right edge of my blue cardstock.  If you are not doing the whole stencil it can be fun to leave some half pasted shapes (it looks almost like torn paper).  As you can see I have removed the stencil so you can see the result.  Place a piece of scratch paper under the stenciled edge ready for glitter.

For this step you do need to move a bit quickly as the modeling paste is starting to dry.  Take your choice of glitter - I chose gold - and sprinkle it on all over the modeling paste.  Do not use your finger to spread the glitter as you will smoosh the modeling paste.

When you are happy with the coverage, gently slide the excess glitter onto the scratch paper and put it away.  Now leave the glitter and modeling paste to dry.  You will find that your cardstock will curl but the modeling paste is meld-able enough to gently straight back up.

Lastly have fun creating your layout.

Now lets look at adding some glitter too the modeling paste.  For this you will need a dish to mix your paste and glitter on.

Add a good dollop of modeling paste and then add a good dash or three of glitter.  Then mix thoroughly using your palette knife.

You will end up with something like this.

Next prepare your cardstock, add your stencil.  Then start applying your modeling paste.  As you can see you do not need to cover the whole stencil you can do just areas you feel will look good for your finished layout.  Enjoy the process of smoothing out the modeling paste.  It is a good idea to try and use up the modeling paste that has the glitter in it as you will not want to put it back in your modeling paste jar.

Remove your stencil and leave to dry.  The glitter does not shine through like when using the other technique but it does give quite a fun speckled look.

Once dry create your layout.

Here is a close up where you can see that speckled look with the glitter and modeling paste.

I hope you enjoy giving these two techniques a try with your modeling paste.
Remember to clean your stencil as the modeling paste does try quickly.  Just pop the stencil in a basin of water (be sure the water covers the stencil) until you are ready to clean it.

Working with Modeling Paste

Oh my goodness I really love the Teresa Collins Designs modeling paste.  I would never have thought that I would be into this sort of messy creativity but wow it is so much fun.
The paste is so smooth and easy to apply.  When Teresa Collins was saying it is like icing a cake I thought, nahh.  But honestly, it is easier than icing a cake.  You just take your time and have fun with it.

Ok I may not suggest that your first attempt be to create a whole 12x12 background like I did, but that is where I started and I am pleased with the results.  It does take a bit of time to dry but you can help it along with your embossing heat tool if you like.

Here is my layout I created using the modeling paste for the first time.

I would suggest that when doing a large area with modeling paste that you use one of the longer palette knives.

We met Marcus at the Auckland airport on his visit to New Zealand on New Years Day this year.  What a great way to start the year making new friends :)

So what will you create with modeling paste and stencils.

Finally Finished

How many have projects that you were meant to complete ages ago and just haven't gotten around to it yet?

I will admit I have a few of those.  But this past weekend I was able to cross one of them off my list and completed it - yahoo!  And much to my daughter Melissa's delight as well.

I couple of years back Melissa and my husband Brad redecorated her room.  The paint was chosen and applied, new curtains and nets were found and put up.  Melissa even found some awesome wall stickers of owls and trees and also added them to her room.  I promised I would make a lovely 'Dream' banner for her room.  I found some 4"x 6" chipboard and painted it with the accent paint used in her room.  I even die-cut and glittered the letters for the word Dream and that is were it stayed at for awhile.

I had planned to finish it for her birthday that year and then for Christmas, but it just didn't happen.  I could not find the accents and elements that I wanted for the banner.  I was also having issues with the glitter, in that it kept coming off the letters.  So it was put aside in my craft room.

We over the weekend Melissa went to a friends for a girls night sleepover.  This was my chance to do something with the banner.  I felt inspired.  It was the perfect opportunity to also have a play with the new Teresa Collins Modeling Paste.  Oh I had so much fun.  Firstly I fixed the glitter problem.  I matted the die-cut letters on some more cardstock, then added a bit extra glitter in areas that looked a little sparse.  To affix the glitter so it would look pretty and yet not fall off I covered the letters with Dimensional Magic - perfect.  You could use Glossy Accents and get the same result.  I put these aside for the rest of Saturday.

In the meantime I took the chance to play with the Teresa Collins Modeling paste and some stencils.  Firstly I used the Teresa Collins Scallop stencil and covered a 12" x 12" grey cardstock ready for a layout.  Maybe not the greatest idea for a first project, but it came together well (I will show you the finished result later in the week).  The paste is so easy to work with.  So next I grabbed the painted chipboard and a variety of stencils and went to work (OK play).  Working with a smaller area was a lot easier.  As soon as a background was done that stencil went straight to the laundry sink and cleaned so the modeling paste did not have time to dry on the stencil. (unfortunately I did not take photos as I went, only the finished project)

On Sunday I was able to put the whole thing together and I am really pleased with the results.  I added some die-cut doily bits as well as some butterflies and flowers punched using the Martha Stewart Layering punches.

I suppose this winter it is time to work on some of my cross-stitch projects that need finished from previous years (shhhh ... I rather be scrapbooking LOL!)