Etched Shadowbox

I created this shadowbox to showcase our new love of rock hunting. I included a map of the area (although it ended up getting mostly covered up), some of the rocks we collected and photos from our vacation. But this idea would work with any theme — memories from a wedding, birthday celebration, anniversary or any special event. And, with etchall etching creme, you could include names, dates and other things on the front glass. For my piece, I used the word “found”. Here’s how I did it …

I started with a shadowbox from a big box store.

I adhered a map of the area to the base of the shadowbox. I used glaze and paint to calm down the bright colors a bit.

Then, I used stencils, pastes and inks to create the background. I added photos and rocks and then put the shadowbox back together.

I took a piece of etchall etch mask and used my Big Shot to die cut the word “found” from a Tim Holtz die. Etch mask is stronger than the vinyl sold for electronic cutting machines, which means it doesn’t tear and is easier to work with. But, I used a Thinlits die and it cut like butter!

After pulling out the word from the etch mask, I peeled off the backing and stuck it to the glass. Then, I carefully replaced the inside of the o, d and f. I used the etchall Squeegee to make sure everything was well adhered and to remove any air bubbles.

I taped off the edges and poured on the etchall etching creme. Then, I set a timer for 15 minutes and walked away.

When I came back, I scraped the etchall etching creme back into the container (it’s reusable!) and then wiped away any residue and removed the mask and tape.

I love how the word seems to float because it is on the front of the glass and the other elements are at the back of the shadowbox.

This is the perfect way to remember our trip rock hunting!

Abstract at the Beach

Our task for this month’s Elizabeth Craft Designs Designer Challenge was to create something using one of the new dies: Bricks, Pebbles or Circles. I opted for Pebbles and created an abstract scene of a ship at sea.

I started with a white card and then added the background paper from Basic Grey.

Then, I added Elizabeth Craft Designs Transparent Double Sided Tape Sheets to the back of the Blue Metallic Shimmer Sheetz — the tape is thin e enough to cut in the Big Shot and makes it much easier to adhere the waves onto the paper. The new Precision Platform from Sizzix makes this simple and easy to cut. I used the Outdoor Edges die from Elizabeth Craft Designs to create shimmery waves.

Next, I cut out the Pebbles die from scrap paper and used it like a stencil on the corner of my card. I added Texture Paste to create the look of rocks on the side of the water.

Once dry, I inked them with Distress Ink. (If using embossing paste, you will need to use permanent ink … only Texture Paste picks up the color of the Distress Inks.)

In keeping with the abstract quality of the card, I wanted to use the leftover pieces of the ship, rather than the outline. I pulled the outline sticker off and placed it on paper for another project. Then I cut the remains out of the sticker sheet and peeled off the outside edge.

I then cut a portion of Transfer Sheet slightly larger than the sticker and covered the sticker with it. I used a bone folder to rub all of the parts onto the back of the Transfer Sheet, like this …

Then I put the ship where I wanted it and rubbed it again with the bone folder. Once done, I carefully removed the Transfer Sheet and put it back on its backing to use again.

I then added a few other stickers off the Peel-Off Sheet and my abstract scene is complete … what do you think?

Click here to see what the other designers created this month.

 

Along the path

I’m on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog today with this card. Check out how I created the stones.

Peeps Canvas

For those of you who don’t know, I am obsessed with chickens. I fell in love with them during a trip to Key West years ago and have been in love with them ever since! For the past three years, I have been blessed with raising chickens and Peeps, one of my original hens, is my favorite. Peeps is a commercial breed — valued because they lay an egg almost every day for about two years. But she is my favorite because of her calm, loving personality.

When she was just a chick, she hopped up on my hand and we became fast friends. She doesn’t mind being held and hugged for a minute or two, is always curious and willing to try new things and is never afraid to take on a dog (through the safety of her fence).

I thought she deserved a place in the house, so I created this canvas of her.

I started by painting the canvas in Distress Paint — I mixed silver and a couple of blues.

Then I used Texture Paste and a stencil to add a chevron pattern. I cut out a silhouette of Peeps and adhered it with dimensional foam adhesive. The title is cut out of cardstock. The other words are rub ons from Tim Holtz. I love them … they are not typical rub ons and they go on easily on canvas, fabric, metal or whatever.

 

I used some leftover buttons and flowers and some feathers from the chicken coop … I think the little one in the front is actually from Peeps.

I added a little burlap behind the photo and used embossing paste and a stencil to add more dimension to the top. The tag is an actual tag that came on something my husband bought at the farm store. I thought it was cool, so I kept it and used it here.

I love how it turned out … it makes me smile every time I look at it. Peeps could use some love and well wishes right now … she is currently trying to fight off an infection that makes it hard for her to breathe. I’m hoping she’ll get better because I absolutely love my Peeps!!

Challenge: Black, white and one color

April’s challenge at Scrap It Girl is to create a project using only black and white and one additional color.

I decided to stick with mostly white — using black and yellow as an accent — and play with texture. Here’s what I came up with ….

This is one of my new chickens, Emma, an Ameraucana hen. She’ll lay blue eggs when she grows up. Chickens grow so fast and change so quickly, I take lots of pictures and I thought this one would be perfect for this month’s challenge.

I started by ripping a piece of paper (Stampin’ Up), folded the corner, stapled it and then adhered it to white cardstock. Then I used Texture Paste and a Dylusions stencil to add to the background.

I triple matted the photo to make Emma really stand out and cut out a little tag for her name. I also added some white embossed chicken feet to the area under the tag, but they are hard to see.

I also added a few ribbons and some vintage buttons to the page.

Then I added a few fibers and some little pearls.

(I know there is a pink cast to my pages … it was the only way I could get all of the white layers to really show up in the photo).

Now it is your turn. Create a project using only the colors white, black and one other. A project can be anything … a card, scrapbook page, home decor, banner, altered art, mixed media …. whatever you choose. Then share it at Scrap It Girl before the end of April. You could win a great selection of prizes! Good luck!!

Ready for Summer?

This month’s challenge at Scrap It Girl is to create a project using arrows, numbers and the color blue.

I decided to make this tag …

I started with a plain office tag. I used a layer of Texture Paste and a stencil to create the background.

Once dry, I covered it with a few layers of Distress Ink and some water … blotting randomly. Then I edged the tag with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and got to decorating …

The papers are from Graphic 45. The bicycle was a gift from a friend. The numbers are from Tim Holtz and the arrow is a die cut using a Tim Holtz die. I added ribbon to the top, fibers at the bottom (another gift from another friend) and a little bit of bling.

Now it’s your turn … create a project — in can be a card, tag, ATC, scrapbook page, home-decor project or whatever else you want to do — using numbers, arrows and the color blue. Submit it to the Scrap It Girl website and you could win a great selection of prizes!