Exploring Alcohol and Acrylic

I recently learned a technique using acrylic paint and rubbing alcohol and I have been having so much fun with it, I thought I would share it here …

I found these little wooden panels on sale at Michael’s and thought they would be good to try this technique on.

1. Paint randomly with multiple colors. I used Distress Paint in blue and green. When they start to blend, stop and clean the brush and then go again. If they mix too much, dry and then add a bit of color back in.
2. When dry, cover with white paint. I used Dylusions paint. This is a very fluid paint that dries quickly and it worked a bit too well … It didn’t cover as completely as I had hoped and the alcohol obliterated it in places. Next time, I will use a standard acrylic paint. While still wet, spray with rubbing alcohol. Let sit for 5 minutes and then use a baby wipe to remove portions of the white paint, allowing the other colors to show through.
3. 
   Because of the properties of the Dylusions paint, I had little to take off … it almost fell off. In some places, I used a dry paper towel to blot the alcohol off and then heat dried it.
4. Use a glazing medium to adhere Finnabair Mica Flakes.
5. Mix glazing medium with Perfect Pearls (I used green) and cover each piece.
6. Use Tiny Attacher to staple rope to the blocks to make a banner or hanger.
7. I added a photo and hung this one on my tree.
8. Cover chipboard letters with two coats of enamel powder and one coat of UTEE.
9. Decorate with photos, twine and rocks taken from the beach!

Looking through the window

My final challenge with Scrap It Girl is to create an ornament.

I love to make ornaments … they are a great way to use up some leftover supplies. And who doesn’t want a beautiful, handmade ornament for their tree?!

This design “came to me” while wandering through Hobby Lobby on Black Friday. I picked up the new Window and Window Box die by Tim Holtz, knowing I already had a Christmas tree die by Sizzix and a Martha Stewart punch at home.

I cut out the window and window box with chipboard and then painted them with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint. Once dry, I used Archival ink in Coffee to edge the window and to cover the window box. A dabber that fits on your fingertip is perfect for this.

I added a piece of acetate to the back of the window and then used the Xyron machine to adhere the punched branches to the front of the window. Then I glued the flower box on and added berries made with Stickles. The trim on the window box is a Piccolo piece covered in Titanium White 3D Enamel Gel.

I cut the tree out of green cardstock and trimmed it down to fit behind the window. I added rhinestone ornaments and then used pop dots to adhere it to the back of the window. I then applied another layer of pop dots and adhered the blue paper (Basic Grey) to the back.

I attached a Tim Holtz brad and used that to hold the tinsel in place.

Finally, I put in a couple of holes and attached a bit of wire to the top to hang it. I made the curly area by wrapping the ribbon around a pen.

I love all of the little details in this … I’m making a few more for gifts for my friends and family.

Now it’s your turn. Create your own holiday ornament and post it on Scrap It Girl’s website for your chance to win a great collection of gifts.

Give them a Gold Star

As an alternative to a boring gift tag, I created this beautiful gold star out of bookboard.

Head over to the Globecraft & Piccolo blog to see how I made it.

 

A Sneak Peak: Military

For my latest project for Globecraft & Piccolo, I created an amazing embossed metal background out of cardstock in just three steps!

Click here to find out how I did it.

Storing It All

Storage is an important topic when dealing with paper-crafting supplies.

For me, it is usually the frustration of not being able to find something that leads to a storage solution. Take yesterday, for example, I was looking for Globecraft & Piccolo Real Rust Embossing Powder (one of my favorite colors). I keep them all in an Art Bin “tackle box” storage container so I can transport them easily for classes. The problem comes when I need a certain color and all I can see is a sea of black-lidded jars.

After pulling out about six bottles, my frustration reached the point of no return and I decided I was going to label the jars right then and there. I shoved my project aside, pulled out all of the jars and grabbed some white cardstock and a 1″ punch.

I punched out a bunch of circles, wrote the color name on top and then stuck them through my Xyron machine.

I stuck the labels to the top of the jars and now I can find what I am looking for quickly and easily!

Ah, peace …

This, by the way, is the project I was working on

Click here for a better look and directions on how to make it!

 

 

 

 

Ornaments: Not just for holidays

Christmas may be over, but the fun of making ornaments doesn’t have to be.

My niece and nephew each had an amazing hunting season this year. My niece shot her first turkey and my nephew was able to score two deer on opening day — his first time deer hunting.

I thought giving them each a handmade ornament would be a great way to remember their special days. Even though I gave them to them on Christmas Day, they could certainly be hung all year long, if they desire.

I have to apologize for the quality of the photos … I still haven’t gotten my lights fixed and in all of the Christmas rush, these were the best I could do! Click on the images for a larger look …I started with DIY Ornament Kits from Globecraft & Piccolo, but I left off the back globe so they can hang flat on the wall. I wrote the date and a few words about their special hunting trips on the back of the photos. Wallet-sized photos fit perfectly in these ornaments.

I added a few Piccolos and used a combination of paint, embossing powder and 3D Enamel Gels to cover the ornaments.

Then, I added a few brads from Eyelet Outlet (I just cut the backs off and glued them on).

When all was finished, I applied a thick coat of Glastique to the entire ornament (except the globe) to help seal on the tiny guns and no hunting sign and protect the finishes.

They turned out pretty cute, don’t you think!?

I have another Globecraft & Piccolo project — a cuckoo clock — on their blog today … click here to check it out!

Happy Holidays!

I apologize for being MIA over the past week or so. It seems I got busy making holiday gifts and CHA samples, and neglected my blog!

One of the things I have been working on are special ornaments using products from Globecraft & Piccolo. I have had a few “issues” and so none of them are finished quite yet, but I thought I could share some that are already done and hanging on the tree.

I have been making these ornaments for several months now, but this is the first time I have them hanging on the tree. I put these up randomly, but look at how beautiful they are with the light shining behind them!

This one was made by a friend and given to me the other day. When I noticed how it glowed with the light behind it, I had to photograph it. It is just beautiful!

 

I also have a sneak peek of a new product Globecraft & Piccolo is bringing to CHA in January …

If I don’t get back here before Christmas, have a happy holiday!

Snowman Ornament Class

There is still room in Saturday’s ornament class … this is a great gift idea for you, a teacher, grandma, the kids or anyone who loves snowmen. Older kids are welcome as long as mom stays … we use a heat tool in this class and it can burn!

Colors and embellishments can be completely customized.

Here’s another example …

I love how different each one can be!

Call Capture A Memory at 810-733-0716 for details.

Inspired by Christmas

I find inspiration for my creations everywhere. It may come from a magazine ad, a piece of paper or another person’s creation. I have even been known to take inspiration from a tile wall in the bathroom of McDonald’s.

This time, I found inspiration at one of my favorite online stores — One King’s Lane. Here are a few of the ornaments I discovered in their store:

Aren’t they beautiful?

Anyhow, I decided to try my hand at my own glass ornaments … each one is totally different, since I was mostly experimenting, but I think they turned out pretty cool. I started with a box of clear glass ornaments. You will notice there are not 6 — two didn’t survive the experimentation and met their fate in the trash can.

I coated the inside of this one with a very thin layer of Piccolo 3D Enamel Gel. I rotated it several times a day for a few days until it dried and then I added Elizabeth Craft Designs snowflake stickers to it. Isn’t it beautiful!

This one I left clear and added a bit of Faux Snow by Art Glitter to the inside. The stickers are from Elizabeth Craft Designs. I coated them with Glitter Ritz glitter in cool highlight and then colored them with Copics. I love how the translucent design allows you to see through the back side.

For this one, I coated the inside with Adirondack Paint. The large stripes are done by attaching Scor-Tape and then coating it in Art Glitter glitter. The other stripes are freehand with Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and Art Glitter glitter.

And, last but not least, this one is coated on the inside with Claudine Hellmuth Studio Paint. The stars and Season’s Greetings are stickers by Elizabeth Craft Designs. The ribbon is from May Arts. Very simple, but very pretty, don’t you think?

Time Flies Birthday Card

I was so honored to be asked to join Kimberly Congdon’s challenge design team — Scrap It Girl.

Each month, crafters are invited to create a layout, card, altered art or similar project following a theme. At the end of the month, the entries are all looked at and a winner is chosen. They receive a cool selection of products.

This is the first challenge design team I have been on, so I am excited.

For December, the challenge is clocks. I decided to make a card using products from Globecraft & Piccolo and paper from Reminisce.

I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to ink the card base and then added the paper (the back side of one of the vintage label prints) at an angle to add interest.

I typed the saying and printed it off, then colored it with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

For the clock, I coated the back with Burnt Umber 3D Enamel Gel and the clock parts with 24K Gold Enamel Powder.

Then, I coated the wings with Vintage Copper Enamel Powder.

I wanted them to be more than just the outline of wings, so I placed them on my Non-stick Craft Sheet and filled them with Glastique, also from Globecraft & Piccolo.

Then, while I was at it, I put the clock together and coated it with a layer of Glastique as well.

Once the wings are practically dry (dry to the touch, but still white) I carefully lifted them off the Non-stick Craft Sheet. Notice in the photo below how the Glastique stays with the little wing.

Once they are totally dry, the area between the wings is transparent, but still has a bit of sheen — very similar to a dragonfly’s wings.

Now, you can see the paper through them, but it’s obvious that they are not just a frame.

And here is the final card again … Click on the photos for a larger picture.

I hope you head over to Scrap It Girl and try out the December challenge, too.

And, if you can’t find Globecraft & Piccolo products in your local store, click on the link at the side to shop online.