Polar Bear Winter

My favourite time of the year is winter. I love snow! This polar bear and his lovely scarf are glitter as is his snowy background. Inside, he has a twin also sporting a lovely teal scarf. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Challenges

Crazy Hazlenut's Christmas Challenge: Turquoise/Aqua
Crafty Gals Corner: Die Cuts and Punches
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps: Make It Sparkle
The Crafty Addicts: Patterned Paper
Through the Craftroom Door: Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination: Anything Goes
A bit More Time to Craft: Anything Goes
Crafting From the Heart: Anything Goes
Penny's Paper-crafty: Anything Goes
Crazy Hazlenut's Christmas Challenge extra: Anything Goes

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Putting It Together

I first saw this glitter technique being done by Els of Elizabeth Craft Designs. I've started to collect the many gorgeous colours of the Silk Microfine Glitter.

The technique starts with a sheet of release paper and a sheet of adhesive on card stock. The release sheet is run through with a die to cut the shape. I put removable tape on the back of my die cut sheet to keep all the pieces together so I can use it now and again later.

Remove the release sheet from the card and put the die cut one there. Use the other release sheet to burnish the cut one down. Keep the uncut release sheet for use on another day. Carefully remove the cut piece that will be the darkest colour. In this project, there is an outline I wanted to make black.

Cascade the microfine glitter over the card to cover all of the exposed areas. Microfine glitter adheres the best to give a very fine finish. Tap off loose glitter. If you work over a coffee filter, you can easily pour the unused glitter back into the bottle. If you have your coffee filter in a pan or low box lid lined with Swiffer dry sheets, your clean up will be a snap.

Use a fluffy make-up brush to brush off even more glitter. A dollar store brush works perfectly.

Use your finger to burnish the glitter (and adhere it more to the adhesive). You can use another Swiffer sheet to wipe away any extra.

Lift up the release sheet bits from the next area and repeat. You want to finish with the lightest colour to avoid the darker colours leaving stray specks.

I used a chunkier glitter for the background to have a contrast with the bear and look like snow. The chunkier glitter will work with this technique but may not adhere as fully or provide complete full coverage.

I cut Winter from the aqua sheet of the Iris Shimmer Sheetz. To die cut the mylar you need to use a Precision Base Plate (or the equivalent in a machine other than the Big Shot). I also backed the glittered panel with a thin matting of turquoise foiled cardstock. I dry fit them together to think about what else I might want.

I decided I wanted to carry the snow theme inside and added a patterned paper to the inside. I like to leave plenty of blank space for a personal sentiment.

Since the paper I used inside isn't white, I stamped a little polar bear on to some scrap card stock. I stamped him a turquoise scarf to be like his big brother on the front. I used a round punch to cut him out and adhered him to the inside of the card.

I added a grey snowflake paper from the same pad I used for the inside and assembled the front of the card.

Such sparkle!