HANDMADE CRYSTALS!

Run, don't walk, get your Epsom Salts, water, and sponge brush!  You will not believe that you can create crystals on your own cards!!!  You won't even have to go to the LSS and spend money on fancy background paper!  The background of this card front is literally shining with faux snow crystals!  And they don't rub off!

READ ON!

This past month Virginia M. sent me this note:  

"Just saw this posted on another website. Thought it was really neat and simple. It is by Dawn Griffith, though someone else sent her a card with it and she can't remember who. Let me know what you think about this technique. I know I am always looking for new ways to make backgrounds. This would make great backgrounds for Christmas cards and other holidays too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxqmtJCy5c&feature=em-uploademail-new

Virginia"

Well I went to the video, got out my Epsom Salts and water, found my sponge brush and forgot to do one thing!  Wouldn't you know it!  I used cold water instead of hot water.  But I had done a lot of card backs before I realized it so I just left them dry overnite.  And there was NO difference because I had used cold water.  The trick was in getting the solution well mixed, and I had literally shaken it in a covered jar!

Photos of crystals formed on dried cs.

Here is the written tut:

ICE CRYSTAL BACKGROUND

By:  Dawn Griffith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpxqmtJCy5c&feature=em-uploademail-new

Revised instructions and sample card photo by Virginia Montagna.

Make a unique background for your cards using hot water and

Epson Salts.  You can also use your die cuts or other cutting

system to cut shapes out of  your ice crystal finished backgrounds.

As the Epson salts & water coating dries, the crystals in the Epson

Salts explodes into ice crystals all over your cardstock.

Black cardstock and shiny surfaces do not work well.  Some

cardstocks work better than others.  It’s trial and error.

Supplies needed:

Aluminum Foil

Medium foam brush

Equal parts of very hot sink water and Epson salts,

i.e. 1 cup hot water & 1 cup Epson salts.

Cardstock

STEP 1:

Place aluminum foil on your working surface.

Put several pieces of cardstock down on aluminum foil.

STEP 2:

Mix hot water and Epson Salts together well until

liquid is very clear and all Epson salts are dissolved.

STEP 3:

Dip foam brush in liquid and apply to cardstock in

one swipe from top to bottom in rows until all your

cardstock is coated.  Over brushing will cause the

crystals not to burst.  You can coat over missed areas.

STEP 4;

Let dry on the aluminum foil.  As your piece dries,

The ice crystals will burst all over your cardstock

leave a shiny surface with ice crystals.

On the card below, I ran the photo mat thru my cuttlebug and the crystals cracked into beautiful white snow flakes.

Look at Dawn Griffith’s U-Tube tutorial. 

See link above.

TRY IT - Let us see your results.  Enter the Mr. Linky contest below and strut your stuff!

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