Happy Tuesday!
It’s time for a quick Tuesday Tip. Today we’re talking about shimmer spray or shimmer mist.
We’ve all seen those projects that gently shimmer in the light like soft winter dew on the grass. Nothing too over the top, just a glisten, and sparkle as the light catches the project. The magic ingredient on these projects is a shimmer spray or shimmer mist.
Believe it or not! It’s super easy to make and a little goes a long way. Once you’ve learned the magic formula you’ll want to mist everything. It becomes an obsession for some people!
Let’s get started.
The secret ingredients
There are only two ingredients – that’s right 2. One, you more than likely have in your first aid kit, or craft room and the other is from Stampin’ Up! You’ll also need something to spray it with and Stampin’ Up! has a product for that too – a Stampin’ Spritzer. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Any of the Stampin’ Up! Shimmer paints will work but you will need to adjust the amount of shimmer paint you use depending on the paint you use. There are two shimmer paints in the Stampin’ Up! annual catalogue (pages:146-147 ), champagne mist and frost white, and a couple on the clearance rack: Vegas Gold & Bright Copper. I prefer the subtleness of the Champagne Mist.
Next, you’ll need some rubbing alcohol. I use Isocol because it is often freely available at the supermarket or chemist. This is what it looks like.
It has been a bit challenging to get rubbing alcohol over the past few months but I saw some in the First Aid aisle when I ducked into the supermarket to get some panadol yesterday. Any rubbing alcohol will do. I always have a bottle of this in my craft room as well as my first aid kit as it has so many uses.
The Shimmer Mist spell
This spell is as easy as 1, 2. 3!
- Unscrew the top from your Stampin’ Spritzer and Fill your spritzer ¾ full with rubbing alcohol (Isocol)
- Shake your Champagne Glimmer Mist well and add a few drops to the rubbing alcohol-filled spritzer – 5 to 10 drops will be enough. Remember Less is more!!! It is easier to add a drop or two more than take it away.
- Put the lid on the Spritzer and shake well!
Ta-Da! You’ve made your very own shimmer mist.
Now it’s time to spritz it over your project!
Top Tips for using Shimmer Mist
To get the most out of your shimmer mist, here’s a few things I’ve learned:
- Always protect your work surface with grid paper. some people place their project in an old cardboard box for spritzing.
- Spritz in a well-ventilated room. Some people find the smell of rubbing alcohol a little strong.
- DO NOT spritz near your favourite candle or an open flame. This is common sense as rubbing alcohol is flammable.
- Shake your shimmer mist well before you use it.
- Make sure your spritz nozzle/spray is pointing towards your project and not towards your face (trust me on this!)
- For a fine mist hold the spritzer about 25cm – 30cm away from the project. the closer you get the larger the droplets on your project will be.
- Clean your spray nozzle under running water if it isn’t spraying evenly.
- The rubbing alcohol will evaporate over time so it is best to make it in small batches so you aren’t left with a spritzer full of shimmer paint sediment. Add rubbing alcohol to clean out any sediment.
- You can tint your shimmer mist with a few drops of your favorite ink refill. (5 drops should do it – remember to start with less and gradually add more.)
Hope you like today’s tip. I’m sure many of you will be using this on your Christmas in July creations! Be sure to comment below if you like this tip or tell me what else you’d like to learn.
If you need any help, be sure to reach out to me here.
Until next time… happy creating.
Chrissy x
