Hey there, fellow plastic canvas crafter!

A few weeks back I wrote an ezine article about how you could create some really simple yet eye-catching plastic canvas projects using sequins and yarn.

If you thought that was a fun and nifty idea, you're going to love this new addition:

I've added colored glitter glue as an embellishment!  And I'm going to show you how you can do it, too - FREE - in just a second!

It's quick.  It's easy.  And it gives your project a specially embellished look that I know you're going to love!

I'm going to show you step-by-step exactly what I'm talking about, in just a second. 

But first, just in case you missed my last ezine, here's a quick reminder that I now have over 750 items listed on my Etsy Store, including ...

...7 count plastic canvas...hard to find Google eyes...metallic yarn...and stretch yarn to enhance your favorite plastic canvas projects!

...plus TONS of older, classic and difficult-to-obtain plastic canvas patterns you just can't find anywhere else!

So be sure to take a few moments and visit my Etsy Store today and check out all of the great deals I have waiting there for you!

Ok...so here's my new addition...

How to Use Colored Glitter Glue, Sequins and

Plastic Canvas to Create Fun Colorful Projects!

As I mentioned in my previous ezine on the topic of using sequins and plastic canvas, this technique works great for doing projects featuring your favorite cartoon character, sports logo, animal, flower or even your favorite holiday symbol.

The idea is to create an attractive and strikingly colorful 8" x 10" plastic canvas project, simply by going to Google Images, finding a picture of whatever image you'd like, and recreating that image on plastic canvas using yarn for the border, and colored sequins for the image.   

Only now, you're going to add some colored glitter glue in key areas of the image, to enhance the visual impact of the finished project.  

For example, one of today's most popular new cartoon characters is Hello Kitty.  Since I have a friend who's really into this character, I decided to use the character to create a plastic canvas Christmas present for her.

So I went to Google Images and found a really cute drawing of Hello Kitty.  And using the technique I'm going to explain to you below, I created a bright, colorful, attention-grabbing 8" x 10" picture of Hello Kitty any fan of the cartoon character would love.

Let me reiterate the basics of doing a plastic canvas and sequin project, first.  Then I'll explain how to use the colored glitter glue to embellish your project.  (See photos below for extra guidance):

Basic Instructions

Start by cutting a piece of 7 count canvas 53W x 66H. (This size will fit an 8" x 10" picture frame perfectly.)

Then, take a color picture of your choosing from Google Images or any other source, and use your computer to enlarge it, so it fits the size of the canvas. 

For example, here's the color image I found on Google Images for the Hello Kitty character.

I then enlarged it using my computer's Paint program, by right-clicking on the image and copying it, then using the Edit/Paste function to paste the image into Paint. I then used the Stretch and Skew function to enlarge the image to the size of my canvas (see photos below). 

Then I used the Save function to save the image to my Desktop.  When you do this, be sure to name the image and save it as a jpeg file, because that's easier to work with. 

Then I simply printed it out, in color.  If you don't have a color printer, print it out in black and white, and color it in with colored pencils or crayon. 

Alternately, when you initially paste the image into Paint, you can save it immediately to your Desktop.  If your computer is like mine, it will save it on your Microsoft Office Picture Manager, or a similar program.  You can then open it from your Desktop and use that program to manipulate the size.

To make a border around the picture, lay the picture on a table top, face up, and place the sheet of plastic canvas on top of the picture, as I've done in Photo #1 below. 

Make sure you can see the picture clearly through the canvas.  Center the picture so that you have an even amount of holes on each side of the picture.  (See photo #1 below.) 

Photo # 1	Photo # 2

On this project, there are several key sections of the Hello Kitty image - the flower on her head, and the arms and neck of her dress -- which I wanted to make stand out visually. That's why I decided to use colored glitter glue on those sections.  (See photo #2 above.)

As you can see in Photo #2 above, I chose to use some brightly colored hot pink glitter glue.  You can do the same.  Or choose your own color scheme and decide which components of the image you want to make stand out with your chosen color of glitter glue. 

After you have your picture centered, take your white tacky glue (i.e., Aleene's tacky glue) and apply some of it around all the solid black outlined areas a little at a time and place your sequins on top of the glue. Continue this until you finish the entire outlined areas.  (See photo #2 above.)

Next, fill in the nose, the eyes and the center of the flower the same way.

Now, use your colored glitter glue to fill in the flower and the parts of the shirt, as shown in Photo #2.  Let it dry. You may have to reapply the colored glitter glue several more times until it completely fills in the holes in the canvas and creates a flat surface. Let your colored glitter glue dry between applications. 

Then one by one, beginning with the face, start gluing down each sequin to match the corresponding colors of the picture behind the canvas. Gradually work your way out to the sides, from the center.  (See photos #3 below.) 

Photo # 3

Tip:  As I mentioned in my previous ezine on this subject, I use a sewing needle to pick up each sequin.  It's easier and makes the work go faster. Just dip your needle lightly into the tacky glue you've put on your canvas, and then touch the needle to a sequin in order to pick it up.  Place the sequin on top of the canvas where you've already applied the glue.

Tip:  If you use cupped sequins rather than flat sequins, be sure to glue the sequins cupped side downward, so the sequins fit snugly together without overlapping each other.

Try to place your sequins as close together as possible. Continue placing glue in small one-inch sections at a time, working out toward the edges, adding sequins to cover up the glue as you work your way from the center.

Don't worry if a little glue gets on the top part of the sequins.  It will dry clear. Continue this process until you have your picture complete. Let your picture dry overnight.

Now go back and look at the picture.  If you see any gaps between your sequins you can fill them by cutting some sequins in half, or even smaller if you need to. Just add a dab of glue and place the cut sequins where you need them. Once again, let it dry overnight.

Once all of the tacky glue is completely dried, stitch whatever kind of border you like around the picture. (See photo #4 below.)

Photo # 4	Photo # 5

Finally, fill in the remaining blank areas with whatever color of sequin you want to use as your background.

If you end up with any small gaps between the stitched border and the sequined picture, you can fill them in the same way as above -

-- i.e., by cutting your sequins in half or even smaller if needs be, and gluing them into the gaps. Once again, let it dry overnight.

Finally, place the finished project in a standard 8" x 10" picture frame...and ta da...you're finished!

You'll notice how the flower, arms and neckline of Hello Kitty's dress - where I chose to use the glitter glue -- really stand out.

If you want to jazz it up just a little bit more, you can add some adhesive stickers to the outside of the glass on your picture frame, or even to the frame itself, as I've done in this photo of the finished project.

Once you see how fun and easy it is to add colored glitter glue, you'll be hooked. You can use it as an embellishment on all kinds of plastic canvas projects.  The possibilities are endless.

So get some colored glitter glue, some canvas and yarn, and lots of colored sequins -- and let the fun begin!