Glowing Lights

by Lydia Fiedler

Learn to get the warm glow of Christmas lights with a simple technique using a white gel pen and pastels. This tutorial was inspired by member gregzgurl, from this thread.

Supplies

  • White gel pen

  • Chalk pastels (Stampin' Up! Pastels used here)

  • Cotton swabs

  • Dark cardstock

  • Tree dies (optional) (Stampin' Up! Perfect Pennants die used here)

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Using the white gel pen, draw white dots on your tree die cuts.

  2. Continue until all die cuts are covered.

  3. Step 2

    Using a cotton swab, pick up a lot of pastel - really make sure the swab is loaded with color.

  4. Step 3

    Using a circular motion, apply the pastel to the dots of white gel pen.

  5. Make sure you rub the pastel into the cardstock beyond the white gel pen dot - this creates the soft glow.

  6. Step 4

    Add additional colors as desired.

  7. Step 5

    Continue until each circle is covered with chalk pastel.

    When finished, blow the excess pastel dust off your cardstock.

    You can use a spray fixative, if desired, to keep the pastel from rubbing off.

  8. Step 6

    Finish your card.

Video!

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Glowing Lights. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

This is just SERIOUSLY cool!! Can't wait to try it out - thank you!!
Jeannie Kupsh  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 3:58 AM
what did you use to emboss the white paper?
Nancy Stewart  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 4:16 AM
Thanks for sharing this technique, Lydia. It is such a fun one. Love those cards.
Benzi  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 6:27 AM
This is so pretty and so simple. This is something I will definitely do. Thank you.
Susan  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 7:05 AM
This is a really cool idea. I am going to use this technique on stars also. Thank you so much.
Cathy DiBlasi  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 7:08 AM
I can't wait to try it! How clever you are!
Marnie Cerchiara  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Stunning Lydia. Thanks so much for a wonderful tutorial.
Annette  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Soo cool...cant wait to try this! Wish my gel pen worked as good as yours...
Sue Titolo  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Thank you all for your comments! Nancy - this is the embossing folder that I used: http://amzn.to/1fJ3YXn
lydia  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 8:25 AM
Love these glowing Christmas lights!! What a fabulous tutorial! You'll be seeing these on some of my Christmas cards this year!

Thank you, Lydia!
Lynn McAuley  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 8:36 AM
What a great technique - thanks for sharing. I'm definitely going to give it a try.
Cindy  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 9:43 AM
This is such a fun idea! Thanks for sharing.
muscrat  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Beautiful technique! What kind of white gel pen do you use, I don't have much luck with them on dark paper.
debbie  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Hi Debbie!

I use the Stampin' Up! white gel pen - I go through a lot of them! We actually have a long thread on the care and feeding of white gel pens that might help you if you're having trouble with yours. You can see that thread here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/tool-product-talk-f128/white-gel-pen-chatter-t419209.html
lydia  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Lydia,
This is fantastic, sure hope I find time to try it.
Barbara  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Wow! What a cool, no a hot idea! Love it, and can't wait to sit down and try it. TFS, Jean ~
Jean S  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 10:44 AM
way cool! love it Lydia! TFS!
Pam Sparks  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 11:04 AM
Oh my Gosh!! I love this technique, simple yet so effective. Will be making these soon and will be one of my "new" techs to share with my ladies. I will be checking out the thread on pens as I have major trouble w/them. BUT I tried my new chalk marker on a scrap and it worked perfect, so I am all set to make a few cards right away. THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!
Laurie Eldridge  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 11:26 AM
What an attractive technique. Gotta try it! Thank you for showing this.
Hope  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 2:08 PM
Lydia, this is fabulous. At first I thought you were capable of magic or had battery operated lights back there!! What a fabulous technique. You had me convinced there was real glowing going on. smile
Brenda Quintana  |  Wed Nov 27, 2013 at 3:09 PM

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