Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques!

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

We’re at it again with one of our favorite media, the gloss spray! This time, we’re giving Rumpelstiltskin a run for his gold-making skills by creating our very own gilded accents, using a variety of techniques paired with Gilt gloss spray!

Our Christmas Story scrapbooking workshop features many of these types of techniques. So let’s start by looking at that artwork!

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

Can you spot the golden elements in this layout? You’ll notice that there are several gold accents on these pages, from the title sticker to the faux ribbons made from glitter paper. If you look closely, you’ll also see a few of these pennant-like tags.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

While photos can’t capture the golden effect in all its glory, trust us when we say that these tags have a beautiful golden luster that compares to illuminated, gold painted manuscripts!

The ornate little tags on this layout started off a French Vanilla color and were transformed with just a little bit of gloss spray and a sponge.

Did you know you could paint with gloss spray? Give the bottle a nice shake, make sure you hear that little ball inside hit against the sides mixing the paint up, and then spray a small puddle onto an all-purpose mat. Cut a wedge out of your trusty round sponge and use it to apply the paint to your project. It’s that simple! This technique makes it easier to get a uniform application of gloss spray rather than the random splatters that you get when spraying.

In this next layout from the Christmas Story scrapbooking workshop, we used the gloss spray in two ways. One is more obvious than the other.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

Do you see it?

The more obvious use of the gloss spray here is where we sprayed it along the top of the left page and the bottom of the right page, creating a gorgeous golden glare-like effect.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting
Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

If you inspect these pages a bit further, past the obvious sprayed areas, you will find that we also used the Gilt gloss spray to accent some of the paper embellishments, using another painting technique.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting
Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

In the case of this layout, we used the tip of a stylus tool to lift the paint from our puddle and paint small dots in the center of bows, inside scallops, and in a floral shape.

In this last layout from the Christmas Story scrapbooking workshop, both the sponge- and dot-painting techniques were used.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

The paperclip-like accent along the top photo on the left page was transformed from its original French Vanilla color to the stunning gilt by sponging it with the gloss spray.

Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting
Create Gilded Accents with a Variety of Gloss Spray Techniques! #christmas #crafting #scrapbooking #memorykeeping #christmasstory #storytelling #glossspray #technique #shine #glitter #gold #giltgloss #workshop #holiday #memories #love #family #friends #celebrate #traditions #layouts #album #christmasmorning #christmaseve #magic #home #crafting

And like in the second layout, we added a couple of gilt dots to the right page with the help of a stylus tool.

Gloss sprays are truly one of our current favorites! There are countless ways to use this game changing medium, and as we continue to discover them, we will continue to share them with you!

In the video below, Close To My Heart President Monica Wihongi shares even more ways to use the beautiful Gilt gloss spray to create your very own gilded accents. She even recreates some of the effects from the Christmas Story scrapbooking workshop using different techniques than what we’ve shown you so far. Follow along and see for yourself!

Download your free Christmas Story scrapbooking workshop guide, here!

Christmas Story Scrapbooking Workshop Guide (US/CA)
Christmas Story Scrapbooking Workshop Guide (AU/NZ)


Recipe:

12″ x 12″ Christmas Story Scrapbooking Workshop Layouts
G1265 Christmas Story Scrapbooking Workshop Kit, Z5009 Gilt Gloss Spray, Z4575 Black LePen™, Z697 Round Sponge, Z3505 Dual-tip Stylus Embossing Tool, Z2045 All-purpose Mat, Z1151 3-D Foam Tape, Paper Trimmer, Scissors, Adhesive, Ruler

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You Are Enough National Scrapbooking Month & Giveaway!

It’s time to party, because National Scrapbooking Month is officially here! We started things off with a bang last weekend, with a two-day National Scrapbooking Day Celebration virtual event, where everyone was welcomed to follow along and create beautiful scrapbook pages, cards, and even a mini album with us! If you missed out on any of these projects and would still like to participate, the instructional segments are available under the past Events tab on the Close To My Heart (Official) Facebook page. (For example artwork photos and information about the product bundles to make these projects, visit our website, here.)

We’re thrilled to continue our National Scrapbooking Month celebrations with a new and exclusive patterned paper collection and suite of coordinating products, only available for the month of May and while supplies last. The gorgeous You Are Enough collection is built on a foundation of affirmation, encouragement, and celebration of all the beautiful qualities we admire in our loved ones and ourselves! It was inspired and designed around a gemstone concept, making it a perfect complement to treasured memories.

Start with the incredible You Are Enough paper packet, which features 12 double-sided paper sheets, two each of six double-sided designs—that’s double the number of designs and sheets than in our other paper collections!

You Are Enough Paper Collection #closetomyheart #ctmh #ctmhyouareneough #ctmhnsm #ctmhnationalscrapbookingmonth #nsm #nationalscrapbookingmonth #scrapbooking #minialbum #cardmaking #papercrafting

The beautiful coordinating stickers and cardstock feature stunning rose gold foil accents and designs. (Click on the thumbnail images for a closer look!)

Increase your crafting potential with a coordinating stamp set, pocket cards, and sequins!

My Acrylix® You Are Enough Stamp Set

(*Outlined images coordinate with Thin Cuts metal dies.)

You Are Enough Picture My Life™ Cards

You Are Enough Paper Collection #closetomyheart #ctmh #ctmhyouareneough #ctmhnsm #ctmhnationalscrapbookingmonth #nsm #nationalscrapbookingmonth #scrapbooking #minialbum #cardmaking #papercrafting

You Are Enough Sequins

Since May is National Scrapbooking Month, after all, we’re celebrating with not one, but two scrapbooking workshops!

You Are Enough Scrapbooking Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this kit to create four coordinating 12″ x 12″ two-page layouts and one single page.

You Are Enough Album Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this kit create the 6″ x 8″ scrapbook pages of the You Are Enough album. (Album not included.)

We may be celebrating scrapbooking this month but we certainly have not forgotten our amazing cardmakers! (We love handmade cards, too!)

You Are Enough Cardmaking Workshop Kit

Use the materials in this kit to create 24 standard size cards, 2 each of 10 designs and 4 unique designs.

If you’re not quite sure where to begin, let us help you out! We are giving away FIVE You Are Enough Paper Bundles, right here, right now! That five sets of the You Are Enough Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet and the You Are Enough Coordinating cardstock! For a chance to win, you must be subscribed to this blog AND leave us a comment below letting us know what you like most about this amazing You Are Enough collection! All entries must be submitted by 4 p.m. tomorrow, May 6 (MDT). The five lucky winners will be notified via e-mail (we use the mail address you are subscribed with, so make sure it is up to date to not miss out!). (In order to subscribe, simply click here.)

We have so many exciting things lined up for this year’s National Scrapbooking Month! Keep up with all of our festivities by continuing to follow us here, as well as on Facebook and Instagram (@cmthofficial).

Happy scrapping!

Join us and create the artwork from all three of the You Are Enough workshops along with us on June 21, 23, and 25 on the Close To My Heart (Official) Facebook page. See you there!

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Sparkle & Shine with Stickles™ Glitter Gels!

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

One of the most exciting things about the onset of Autumn here in Utah is the first frost of the season. It’s magical to wake up to a thin layer of white, like the world’s been given a beautiful coat of shimmer! We wanted to show you a quick and easy way to capture some of that Autumnal sparkle in your projects using Stickles™ Glitter Gel!

New CTMH Products #closetomyheart #ctmh #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting #glittergel #stickles

Stickles™ Glitter Gel is easy to spread, but you can also build it on a smaller area to create a more 3-dimensional look. We carry ten different colors of gels, giving you a wide variety of hues to choose from. Each bottle of Stickles™ Glitter Gel has a fine tip so you can apply it with ease and precision.

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

This Halloween-themed layout features many eye-catching elements created by different applications of Stickles™ Glitter Gel. First of all, take a closer look at the cobwebs in each corner. We’ve spread the gel over the paper in a thin layer to make the spider webs glisten.

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

Tip: To apply a thin layer of glitter gel to your project, squeeze a small amount onto a VersaMat™ and use a flat waterbrush to spread the gel gently over the desired area. If you don’t have a waterbrush handy, quick dabs with your fingers will work, too!

We’ve used this same spreading technique to apply thin layers of glitter on the white alphabet foam stickers, the ends of the candy wrapper, and the various stars throughout the layout. These sparkle spots help draw the eye throughout the layout and help you make your project even more personal as you make the glitter gel work for you!

For a more 3-D feel, we’ve added multiple layers of glitter gel to build up dimension on the frog’s crown, the dog’s nose, and the bat’s wings, as well as a few dots throughout the page. If you’re hoping to capture this more 3-dimensional look, there are a couple different techniques you can try.

One is to apply it in a thick layer over a small area, as you can see with the dots throughout the layout. Stickles™ Glitter Gel will compact as it dries, so you won’t end up with the same height you had when you first applied it to your project. However, when it is applied over a smaller area, it retains more of its initial height and 3-dimensional feel.

When you want that same dimension over a larger area, you will want to apply multiple layers of the gel, keeping each layer thin, and allowing them to dry before adding a new layer. It’s important to allow the gel to fully dry before you apply another layer on top, otherwise it will take much longer to complete your project, and you may end up with smeared glitter gel.

 

Look at how the Stickles™ Glitter Gel really shines on this adorable Halloween card. You can see that we’ve used thicker applications on the witch owl’s hat and the crescent moon, with a thin border at the bottom of the Pebble piece.

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

Stickles Glitter Gel #ctmh #closetomyheart #stickles #glittergel #spooktacular #halloween #scrapbooking #cardmaking #papercrafting

Whether you’re using it as a 3-D element or some well-placed bling, Stickles™ Glitter Gels are a great tool for adding pizzazz to any project!

We love working with glitter gel, and we can’t wait to see how you incorporate it into your own creations! Do you have any ideas about how to use Stickles™? Comment below and tell us all about it!


Recipes:

12″ x 12″ Happy Haunting Layout
CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6047 Black Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, X6033 Paprika Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z4088 White Alphabet Foam Stickers, Z3561 Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3563 Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3560 Golden Rod Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3554 Pink Taffeta Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3562 Silver Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3515 Black Journaling Pen (.01), Z2060 3-D Foam Tape, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots

4¼” x 5½” Happy Halloween Card (Vertical)
CC10192 Spooktacular Paper Packet, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, X6043 Nectarine Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z6517 Lemonade Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3561 Black Diamond Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3560 Golden Rod Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z3562 Silver Stickles™ Glitter Gel, Z697 Round Sponge, Z2060 3-D Foam Tape, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Cricut Design Space™ Basic Shapes

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Around the World: France

Grab your favorite beret and silk scarf because we’re traveling to the city of love—Paris, France! Today’s artwork is so enchanting that it will have you dancing though the Parisian streets like Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.

Though today’s artistic tradition did not necessarily originate in France, one of the most iconic pieces of this tradition can be seen in a very famous Parisian cathedral—let’s take a stroll past the Notre Dame de Paris, shall we?

Notre Dame

In addition to its stunning architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral is famous for its ornate stained glass, which is where we drew our inspiration. Though the Notre Dame was constructed roughly between the 12th and 13th centuries, the practice of creating stained glass began popping up across Europe as early as the 7th century and as far away as the Middle East.

Notre Dame North Rose

In light of this ancient art form, we asked one of our artists to create something inspired by stained glass. With the help of our Cricut® Artbooking Collection, she created this page:

Stained Glass page

We simply adore this modern spin on traditional Gothic stained glass! The pattern creates a captivating backdrop for the photograph and conveys the sacredness the artist feels toward nature and her family relationships. But our artist didn’t stop with just a page! She also created this beautiful stained glass card:

Stained Glass card

She used watercolor pencils to create the ombré coloring that is reminiscent of stained glass art, and then topped that with clear embossing to give the artwork a glasslike luster. What a beautiful way to share your deepest sympathies with someone you love!

As psychiatrist and author Elisabeth Kübler-Ross said, “People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”

This card would certainly be a beautiful light to someone experiencing heartache or hardships, as it would inspire them to keep shining through life’s darkest moments.

Notre Dame Stained Glass

As you travel through life’s journey, always remember that you have your own individual light within you. Just like a beautiful stained glass window, you will find that some of your most beautiful colors shine through when you rely on your inner light in life’s dark moments. It is this same inner light that will imbue your artwork with your own special touch, spark a light in others, and bring them through the darkness.

So, let yourself shine! Somebody out there needs your light.

P.S. Remember to leave a comment on this post to enter the travel stamp giveaway!

Recipes:

12″ x 12″ Great Adventure Page
C1611 My Acrylix® Campfire Lifestyle, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5930 Slate Cardstock, X5929 Whisper Cardstock, X5762 Lagoon Cardstock, X5764 Pear Cardstock, X5763 Smoothie Cardstock, X5772 Canary Cardstock, Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2195 Lagoon Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2197 Pear Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2135 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment, Z1979 Marvy® Unchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen, Z3171 Cricut® Art Philosophy Collection, Z3169 Cricut® Artbooking Collection

Cricut® Shapes:
Art Philosophy
1 ¼” <Circle1> (p. 21)

Artbooking
10 ½” Overlay <HeloWrld>(p. 84)

5 ½” x 4 ¼” Thinking of You Card
D1651 My Acrylix® Wavy Blooms, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, 1386 Black Cardstock, 1388 Colonial White Cardstock, Z2503 Basics Exclusive Inks™ Mini Pigment Pads Set, Z891 Versamark™ Ink Pad, 3505 Watercolor Pencils, Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen, Z1754 Sparkles Black & Grey Assortment, Z2088 Ranger™ Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder, Brush
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