By Judi Kauffman
Happy New Year! Elizabeth Craft Designs is celebrating the start of 2018 with a Shimmer Sheetz Sunday Giveaway! Three lucky winners will each receive three 5″x12″ 3-sheet packs of Shimmer Sheetz in the colors of your choice. Leave a comment about today’s project or any other project featuring Shimmer Sheetz (your own or something from the ECD blog) at the end of this post by January 4 to enter the random drawing. Winners’ names will be announced on January 7.
This is my last Shimmer Sheetz Sunday post for 2017 and it’s all about getting a new wardrobe for 2018…one that doesn’t require shedding ten pounds, needs no trip to the mall, costs very little and you can make it yourself! No, we’re not talking about clothes – this wardrobe is for your smart phone!
When I went to get a new protective case for my phone I couldn’t find anything that seemed just right, so I bought a simple translucent gray one, but it was so boring and plain that I took matters into my own hands: I made a Shimmer Sheetz ‘liner’ for it! A piece of Turquoise Gemstone and an embossing folder with a bird, and my phone was suddenly a thing of beauty instead of a simple black rectangle.
I showed it to a friend who thought that the concept was fabulous. She also suggested that I buy a transparent case instead, and that made an enormous difference – as you can see from the photos below. She bought herself a transparent case for her iPhone and put me to work making phone case liners for her.
I was off and running…They take about five minutes each, start to finish!
Not only did I make seven liners for my friend, I made eight more for myself. We’re dubbing it a ‘wardrobe’ for our phones! (I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been using a LOT of exclamation points…This project makes me so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I can change the look of my phone as often as I want, matching it to an outfit or an event, a holiday or a season. I have quite a collection of embossing folders!!!
Shimmer Sheetz is feather-weight Mylar so the liners are durable and do not interfere with the fit of the protective case or with my wireless charger.
TIPS and DESIGN STRATEGIES:
If your protective case is clear, the color of the Shimmer Sheetz won’t change when it’s placed underneath, but it will change if the case is translucent. Test the Shimmer Sheetz to see what color looks good to your eye. When I made my first liner I only had the translucent gray phone case, so I tested small swatches of Shimmer Sheetz until I settled on Turquoise Gemstone. As soon as I got the clear case I could use any color (there are over 20) and all three different categories – Iridescent, Gemstone, and Metallic!
When sanded, Shimmer Sheetz Gemstone colors reveal a silver metallic core. When sanded, Shimmer Sheetz Iridescent colors reveal a white opaque core while Metallic colors sand down to transparent. Keep this in mind when choosing your color(s).
There will be less contrast, but more sparkle, if you skip the sanding.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Trace the case and cut out a paper pattern. Test, adjust and re-cut till it’s the perfect fit inside the phone case, then cut a piece of Shimmer Sheetz to size. Test, adjust, and trim the Shimmer Sheetz if needed.
- Place the Shimmer Sheetz into an embossing folder*, moving it around until the pattern is precisely where you want it to appear. Run it through the embossing machine. (*If your embossing folder is shorter than your phone, emboss the top third with one pattern, re-insert the Shimmer Sheetz and emboss the bottom two thirds with a second design – or more of the first pattern.)
- To add a bit of contrast, lightly sand the surface. Wipe off the sanded ‘dust’ with a damp paper towel, dry with a dry paper towel.
- Insert the embossed Shimmer Sheetz under the protective case and put the case on your phone.
Enjoy!
Supplies:
Elizabeth Craft Designs:
Other:
Embossing folders of choice
Cuttlebug, Big Shot, or other embossing machine
Sanding block (optional)
Paper towels (needed if liner is sanded)
Lightweight paper for pattern
Clear phone case that fits your smart phone
Great idea!!! Want to win to try this wont post my coments
I would love to win and try this have mine inked in landscape right now
Great idea!!! Love this will have to try would love to try shimmer sheets.
Great idea!!! Love this will have to try would love to try shimmer sheets
I love using Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz with a variety of Embossing folders, and either sanding to reveal the silver core, or using Black StaysOn ink to highlight the raised part of the embossed image. So very versatile 🙂
Shimmer sheets are amazing and beautiful! I love the phone cases too! So many wonderful ways to use these shimmer sheets! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
I love all these. I’d have a hard time deciding on a color!!
These are so cool!!! What a fabulous idea! The design team has been coming up with such great ideas for using the Shimmer Sheetz. This is one of my favorite ideas.
What a fun way to dress up your phone, and you can change it up whenever you want. Thanks for the great instructions. Love your projects.
Shimmer sheetz are my favorite medium and this idea is great!
These are great! Since I love my current phone case, I decided that I will use this idea on the clear bookmark cases I have.
I bought a package at rubber stamp expo, used it for shaker cards loved the look as a back ground.
This project inspired me to order a clear case for my cell phone! What a great idea and beautiful results!
I continue to love Shimmer Sheetz! to this day!
Wow! Never thought of this. Haven’t played with the Shimmer Sheets I just bought, but they look wonderful.
wow, how cool. I think that it’s nice for your phone so that everyone can see and maybe ask how you made it.
How very cool these are! You could also inset these embossed sheets in the clear cover of small notebooks! I want!!!
WOWZA! Absolutely the best idea yet for my phone cover….a new cover for every week or month of the year. The embossed shimmer sheetz are fabulous. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea.
What a clever idea to add some bling to a phone!
So awesome. And incredibly creative! They are beautiful.
WAUW, this projects are so of this time 2018!! I’ll love it! All over the world
I love this idea! Seems like a fun project. (Also, I picked up the idea of lightly sanding the Shimmer Sheetz for a silvery addition.)
Thank you so much for this lesson.
Happy New Year!
What a smart idea, love how they look. I am going to have to try some of these Shimmer Sheetz in my crafting, they are just beautiful!!
I was just wondering what I could do about the cover of my new phone, which is see through at the back. Thanks for the wonderful idea. I still have a few of these sheets, so will give it a try.
That was a fantastic idea to use shimmer sheets to personalize your cell phone case. How inventive! I love using those Shimmer Sheets to create a focal point on a card. I would love to receive more of them, so please put me in that Giveaway.
Wow those phone cases are amazing. That paper is so cool. Thank you for sharing.
Your shimmer sheets phone case liners are gorgeous. What an intriguing concept! I especially like the bird ones in the blues and purples.
wow! never thought to use them for this kind of application.
i LOVE this creative and clever idea!! and, since i need a new phone case, i’ll be able to custom design my own liner!
What a clever idea. Just love the colour selection of the shimmer sheets
Wow! I must get a clear case fir my iphone to try this asap!
I cannot wait to try this. I have so many embossing folders and have never thought of using them this way.
Thats a great idea, i would have never thought about that as a use.
OH my Gosh!!!!! That is so clever!!! I love it! What an awesone project! I will totally do it for my sister and friends!!!
Were these always called Shimmer Sheets? I have one or 2 from years ago, probably the 80’s or 90’s? We got them from a stamp store or craft store no longer in business. You could stamp on them they told us. They also said you could put them in water and mold them like that. This was way before embossing folders were ever invented. I loved them! However, I don’t have an embossing folder so stamping on them would be the way to go for me. I wish I could remember how they taught us to do that but I would love to have more. I think it was dry stamping not inked. You could also use them to make jewelry, earrings I think. I love what you did! It looks really nice.
Gail, you might be thinking of some kind of plastic sheets that would mold in hot water, but it’s not Shimmer Sheetz. If I recall correctly, the plastic you’re remembering was a lot thicker and sometimes sold as ‘sticks’ about the size of bookmarks, as well as larger pieces. If you stamp on Shimmer Sheetz for your case, be sure to use StazOn or another kind of ink that dries on NON-porous surfaces, not one that needs to be heat set.
Fabulous! I off to order a clear case for my phone.
Oh, you just made my last day of 2017. I’m heading to the next phone cover kiosk to look for clear covers.i’ll soon Be placing a new order for shimmer sheets. Right now I have all the colors so I can’t wait to surprise friends with beautiful and unique covers. Thank you.
Oh my goodness. What an idea! Fabulous idea! Well better than fabulous to be honest but I can’t find a work for better than fabulous at the moment lol. Thankyou so much for sharing all your talent with us. I love Elizabeth craft designs goodies. Xxx ? xxx
What a wonderful idea. I am going to make one now. I love working with shimmer sheets. They are so versatile
This is the best idea I have seen in a long time. I can’t wait to try it!
What a clever idea to end 2017! Love the gorgeous range of colours. Thanks for sharing this inspiring project. Happy New Year.
Love these! The colors of the sheets are great.
I love the look of shimmer sheets when placed inside of embossing folders. Your choice of colors that were used to make your phone cases are particularly nice, particularly when the colors in one piece vary throughout the piece. I also love the look of shimmer sheets on cards. Thanks for sharing.
Wow… these are amazing! Love the pretty colors of the Shimmer Sheetz! Have to try them with my embossing folders!
So happy you shared this idea. It turns out that I am very particular about phone covers. Most are not for me and most of the remaining choices are just not quite right. I had not realized that crafting made me want something unique and amazing
I would say those phone covers would definitely make the holder look slimmer. Fun fresh project. Something for a variety of tastes! Keep smiling and creating one and all.
Pam, your comment made me smile! I hadn’t thought about the case looking slimmer, but I do think you’re right. Hmmmm, that must mean I need to figure out a way to make a Shimmer Sheetz BELT to make my middle look slimmer, eh?
Wow !! What a great idea. I love the shimmer sheets and this would be great fun to make. I have a lot of embossing folders too, so I can really get carried away with this project. I love being able to change them out anytime your in the mood for a different look. Thanks for the great idea and the chance to win. ❤?
Great use of shimmer sheets. I would love to make a wardrobe for my phone.
What a clever idea and there are so many great embossing folders to choose from.
I really like these shimmer sheetz especially the iridescent ones. What a clever idea using them on the phones.
What a fabulous idea! The cases are beautiful! Sheer genius! Happy New Year to you!
These are beautiful! For any project! Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win.
These are stunning. Would make fabulous birthday presents, especially if you made a selection of colours for a friend. Thanks for sharing, love the colours.
great idea smart phone clothes
Wow this is a big hit with so many! Way to go lady. Neat that you shared with your friend and with us as well. I would just love to be able to try using this product. I love sparkly product. Have a wonderful creative New Year to you and all the staff. Cheers!
What a great idea. I love shimmer sheets.
Oh, my! What a gorgeous way to change up the look of your phone in a fun way. You could change it up frequently using the shimmer sheets. Thanks for the how to.
What a great idea! They are gorgeous. I love shimmer sheets!!
I have never crafted with shimmer sheets. Would love to try the iphone cases
I love these. Made a cover for a mini book with them and I LOVE IT. Never thought of putting it on my phone. Brilliant.
What an awesome idea !!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great idea, love the fact that you can change them as often as you like.
A very ingenious use of Shimmer Sheetz! I love this product and have found that it cuts like butter in my Silhouette electronic cutter. It’s amazing how just a touch really brightens a card front. I’ve already used to on several cards and will be using it on many more in the future – when used in small “doses” it can be used for both female and male cards.
Very cool concept! Love how you can really personalize your phone case! This is my favorite use!
NEAT IDEA! I think it’s fantastic when somebody comes up with an idea that is totally new and different from what my measly brain could think of.
I love my shimmer sheetz and this project is awesome!
Your idea of using Shimmer Sheetz for the phone case is wonderful! Happy New Year!
What Fabulous sheets of colors. I was in the 60’s era, how great to make throw back cards. I want every color, they are amazing!
These are soooo cool!! I really want to do one for my phone!
Oh wow, what a clever idea! These look fabulous.
It’s a very nice idea!!! I’ll try to do it!!! Happy New Year to all!!!
Super cute project!!!!!
Wow! What a beautiful idea!
Love the shimmer sheetz! Lots of great colors!
What a wonderful and fun idea. I love your new wardrobe.
This is one fantastic idea. with all the embossing folders and colors you indeed make a wardrobe. Love this idea.
Brilliant, just like shimmer sheets!
these are the prettiest sheets I have ever seen. I make cards oh what a wonderful addition to my cards. Beautiful
What is the saying—necessity is the mother of invention? And what is more necessary than beauty. You knocked it out of the park. WOW
A fantastic project – so elegant, I would love to try this
Wow! What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing. I have about 60 embossing folders, so I have so many,options. Love ECD! These Shimmer Sheetz are beautiful.
Wow, what a brilliant way to make the phone case glamorous. Love the jewel colours.
These are wonderful! It makes me want to go out and by 25 cases! LOL
These papers are beautiful & just what I need to brighten up my phone.
Debbie, I hope this reply reaches you…I want to clarify something – Shimmer Sheetz is Mylar, a kind of plastic, not paper, and it’s waterproof, too. Just in case you need to clean the phone case liners, or if you make your own sequins or spangles for decorating scarves, or plant picks that will get ‘watered.’
Love, love this idea! Can hardly wait to make one! Great idea!
I have to say that those phone case covers are a lot prettier then some you see in the stores. And they seem easy enough to change them for different seasons or even outfits you plan on wearing. I just love that shimmer paper. Happy New Year!!!
Thank you…And best of all they are so much less expensive than ones from the stores. Once you own a clear phone case (around $10 to $12 in the US) a single 5″ x 12″ piece of Shimmer Sheetz yields either two or four case liners, depending on the size of your phone. (Many, like mine, measure only around 2.5 x 5 inches so that would make four phone case liners for under three dollars, assuming you already have embossing folders)
What gorgeous covers! I love embossing and Shimmer Sheetz emboss beautifully!
So gorgeous and very creative!! I love all of them, especially the first one with the bird.
Coolest idea ever. Love this.
Love your ideas!
What a unique idea. There are so many things that can be done with shimmer sheets and you just added another 🙂
These are COOL! I really like the shimmer paper to cut out sentiments for cards or titles for my scrapbook layouts.
These are COOL! I really like the shimmer paper to cut out sentiments for cards or titles for my scrapbook layouts.
AWESOME idea, the embossing folders creates such pretty results!
What a great idea. Perfect for shimmer sheets
Thanks
That is a similar idea to what I did – I printed a digital stamp on contact paper with my laser printer and placed it on the inside of a clear phone case for my phone. The shimmer sheets must be thin to accommodate your cases – I have never tried them.
As thin as paper, feather light, but very durable — Shimmer Sheetz is Mylar, and it’s colorfast (not that I’d leave my phone out in the sun… 🙂
Wow. Stunning, just stunning. Love the idea. Will have to try it.
This is totally fabulous, Judi!!!!!!!! LOVE this idea!!! Thank you!!!!
This is the best idea. My granddaughters would love having the different phone covers. They are beautiful.
Thanks for such creative idea and use of the Shimmer Sheetz! Definitely need to try this one! I love all the “thinking outside the box” creativity that everyone shares ~ so inspiring!
You hit this out of the park. How creative and clever. Love the idea of having a phone wardrobe!! You are a genius! Happy new year and I can’t wait to see what you create next year.
To repeat what some of the others have said “love, love, love, ? “ the phone cases. I want desperately to have a go myself now! You are incredibly creative & a talented artist Miss Judi! Very cool ? idea indeed ?
Haven’t tried them yet, but very anxious to use them. Love Love the idea on the phones.
Would love to Win these. New here this be a fun gift to give.
New here! That’s a neat gift to give. Would love to learn how get some shimmer.
New here!!! Love those how cool! What a nice gift to share.
I LOVE THIS IDEA!! Can hardly wait to try it!!!
These are all fantabuliscious but number 5 is my favorite with the yellow/orange on in the lower left of the picture with six covers.
This is such an amazingly cool idea! I didn’t realise how gorgeous these shimmer sheetz are and how versatile! Stunning colours and your phone will look awesome whichever cover it wears! xxx
WOW! This IS So Cool! DIY Custome Phone Case! Woo Hoo! Shimmer Shhetz may or may not be wide enough to make a “wine glass” lampshade. I made one with 40# Vellum, oil pastels, pergamano tools…came out really nice. I happened to have rose color wine glasses and water resistent LED clear and multi color battery lights. which I used in place of tea lights. Very pretty as a night light in one’s bedroom, bathroom, living room or where a bit of light is needed. Romantic idea for Valetnine’s Day! You Really DO Think Outside the Box when it comes to creating Beautiful, Unique, Creative Works of Art! Great Job Judi! Well done!
KarenHTK, I don’t know how large a wine glass lampshade would need to be, but I’ve made decorative wraps for cupcakes so it might be big enough. Shimmer Sheetz comes as 3-sheet packs in a single color, 5″ x 12″ (as well as samplers with multiple colors, but those are smaller pieces – 4″ x 5″). Battery-operated candles only for sure, just like you did with Vellum.
These are brilliant! How fun to make and have on hand when you need a change. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Those are really neat. Thanks for sharing!
I would’ve never thought of this in a million years….
How clever you are! These are beautiful!
What beautiful conversation pieces, too! Everyone will want to know where
you bought it. lol I love the birdie and also the alphabet one is pretty cool.
Oh goodness and more goodness! I can’t wait to get my phone out this morning. I know what I’m doing today! These case liners are my cup of tea. Thanks for the instructions and inspirations!
Oh goodness and more goodness! I can’t wait to get my phone out this morning. I know what I’m doing today! These case liners are my cup of tea. Thanks for the instructions and inspirations!
This is such a smart idea. The liners are stunning.
OH how beautiful and what a fabulous idea!!!!
These covers are so pretty. I think I will make one for my daughter’s phone.
Shirley
What a great and unique idea!! Love it!!
Very Cool idea…
Stunning!! This wardrobe you created for the phones is just brilliant !!! Bet you get contacted by one of the “big’ companies to start creating wardrobes for them. Just awesomeness!!
The phone covers are beautiful…what a wonderful gift to make for friends & family!!!
Such a unique idea! They are so much nicer than the ones available to purchase. Love your ideas!!
Very cool idea! You could change your phone’s look every day!
And it makes me glad I have a lot of embossing folders and a good excuse to buy more, Raquel! (not that I ever needed an excuse…embossing folders are one of my favorite things, right up there with chocolate…)
These are pretty cool! I think these sheets would be great for making small lampshades to go on your night stand.
Shimmer Sheetz shouldn’t be near heat, so Elizabeth Craft Designs doesn’t recommend it for lampshades because light bulbs can get so hot. But you could wrap a glass votive holder and use a BATTERY-operated tea light for bedside.