Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tips and Techniques

Tips & Techniques


Distress Crackle Paint is just that…paint that dries with a crackled effect. This is not the “2-part” crackle finishes that you see in hardware or craft stores, but an acrylic paint that has more of the look of “dried or cracked earth”. What is so special about it is that the paint cracks on its own as it dries. A multitude of looks can be created, from grungy to vintage distressed to shabby chic!

Here are some tips on how to get the best results with Distress Crackle Paint!

Tips:
1. Shake the jar to mix the paint. If it is a little thicker, add some mists of water with a Mini Mister™. Stir and add more mists of water as needed until you have a smoother consistency. Note: only add water to Crackle Paint IF NEEDED.

2. Apply Distress Crackle Paint to a surface that has some “tooth” (something that the paint can grab onto) such as paper, Grungeboard™, chipboard or primed canvas. If using unfinished wood or natural canvas, it is suggested to prime the surface first with gesso or acrylic paint, such as the Adirondack® Acrylic Paint Dabbers.

3. It is ideal to paint medium to thick applications; a medium application will result in smaller cracks. A thicker coat will create larger cracks. A thin application doesn’t work as well because the paint has nothing to crack. Don’t treat the paint like a “regular” acrylic paint-Distress Crackle Paint is self-leveling. If a thicker application is applied, the paint will still level out before it dries and cracks.

4. The optimal way for the paint to crack is to just let it dry and crack on its own. Yes-watching paint dry! If you’re in a rush for the “magic”, once the paint has started to crackle on its own first (this is an IMPORTANT step!) apply cool air, such as from a mini-fan or dry with a Craft Tool from underneath the painted surface.

5. Be sure to completely close the lids on the jars.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

The Operation Write Home web address is OperationWriteHome.org

I used these products:
Operation Write Home Stamps
Jenny Bowlin Cough Syrup Ink
Donna Salazar Ink Vintage
Donna Salazar Ink Patina
Hero Arts Shadow Ink Wet Cement

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Technique Tuesday ~ Tips & Techniques

Tips & Techniques
Ultra Thick Embossing Enamels™ (UTEE™)
Ultra Thick Embossing Enamels (UTEE) are large particle embossing powder for Melt Art® projects and heat embossed paper projects.
How do you use it?
• Use in the Melting Pot™ – Melt UTEE and dip surfaces such as chipboard into the pot.
• Use in the Melting Pot - melt and pour UTEE out of the pot onto the Non-Stick Craft Sheet or into Mold N
Pour™ prepared molds.
• Use in the Melting Pot – melt and pour UTEE out of the pot onto the Non-Stick Craft Sheet and press a
stamp into it. Let cool and peel off for a great textured embellishment.
• Use with the Ranger Heat It Craft Tool and Big & Bossy Embossing Ink to stamp and emboss an image or
cover an entire surface area.

Types of UTEE:
A variety of UTEE formulas for all your Melt Art creations!

Clear:
• Used on its own, Clear has a slightly amber hue. The translucency allows for stamped images, decorative
paper, and photos layered beneath it to show through.
• Use with To Dye For heat resistant colorants to create translucent candy-colored embellishments.
• Mix with other colors (opaque, metallic or pearlized colors) of UTEE for endless combinations.
• Use with stamps to create great textural looks.
• Use Clear to extend opaque colors of UTEE.

White, Black, Red Hot
• Use these opaque shades on their own for striking projects.
• Add Clear to extend the rich pigments in opaque colors further as a Black or White goes a long way.
• Sprinkle small amounts of Black or White to add faux stone looks to other colors .
• Add Beadazzles for jeweled looks.
Bronze, Gold, Platinum
• Get the look of cool metals—melt each color by itself.
• Swirl together for a wonderful metallic effect.
• Sprinkle into other colors to add just a touch of metallic.

Pearl
• Use by itself for the classic pearlized look.
• Sprinkle into Clear, opaque or metal colors to add pearlescence.
Brightz
• Bright colors of favorite flowers were Suze’s inspiration for this collection with a hint of pearlescent luster.
• Mix with opaque, metallic or pearl shades to create one-of-a-kind embellishments for jewelry, paper crafts
and home décor.

Interference Blue
• Interference color has a unique reflective nature which changes from a bright opalescent color to a more
subtle, shimmery effect when viewed from different angles.
• Try it on a variety of background colors for a totally different iridescent effect—colors that appear subtle
on a white surface are more obvious on a dark surface.
• Transparent in nature, mixing with White, Pearl, Black or Clear will create even more subtle interference
looks.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Technique Tuesday ~ Die Cut Coffee Filters


Technique Tuesday
By Judy Cantrell

I had a lot of fun putting this tag together. I used some of my new dies along with this cute little girl stamp bought 15 years ago. I trimmed off the flower she holds in her hand and then added flower die-cut layers made with coffee filters and tinted with distress stain. The blue dabber painted butterflies were die cut with clear plastic.


 Supplies:

Cling quote stamp (Stampers Anonymous)

Mounted flower girl stamp (Penny Black)

TH Heart magnetic die (Ranger ink)

TH Butterflight on the edge die (Sizzix)

TH Vintage lace strip die (Sizzix)

TH Tag and bookplate die (Sizzix)

TH Tattered floral die (Sizzix)

TH Vagabond Machine (Sizzix)

TH Texture fades embossing folder (Sizzix)

TH Spun sugar distress stain (Ranger ink)

TH Distress ink pads (Ranger)

Archival black ink (Ranger ink)

Copic markers (Copicmarkers)

Memento tuxedo black die ink (Tsukineko)

Classic crest solar white paper (Neenah)

Blue Dabber Paint (Ranger ink)

Ink blending foam tool (Inkssentials)

Clear plastic (personal stash)

CH Multi-medium matte (Ranger ink)

White card stock (personal stash)

White coffee filter

Scissors (Fiskars)

Rayon Seam Binding (personal stash)



Judy Cantrell



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Technique Tuesday ~ Steampunk Card



Steampunk Card
By Judy Cantrell
This card was made with designer paper I had for 7 years; until now I didn't know what to do with it. 
[look at the bottom of this tutorial how this card front started]

 Supplies Part 1 and 2:
Designer paper 4 ¼ x 5 ½’ (Aurum)
Adirondack Dabber Paint (Ranger)
 Snow

Espresso
Tim Holtz Alterationsembossing folder (Sizzix)
Tim Holtz Vagabond tool(Sizzix)

Embossed and painted designer paper

Instructions:
1. Paint the embossed design on front of alterations embossing folder with espresso paint.
2. Apply the trimmed designer paper in the folder and then run the embossing folder through your tool.
3. Following the design of the paper rub snow dabber paint over the raised design.
4. This technique left a muted design that is perfect for a grungy look I wanted.
Note: clean the embossing folder with soap and water as soon as you remove the designer paper.
Supplies Part 3:




Tim Holtz Steampunk stamp set (Stampers Anonymous)
Odds and Endsstamp set (Stampers Anonymous)
Tim HoltzMagnetic gear dies (Sizzix)
Tim HoltzUmbrella man dies (Sizzix)
Tim HoltzAlterations Film Strip, Ticket Decorative Strips (Sizzix)
Tim Holtzidea-ology gear (Advantus) 
Tim HoltzEspresso Dabber Paint (Ranger)
Tim HoltzDistress inks (Ranger)
Archival Black and Sepia ink (Ranger)
Vagabond tool(Sizzix)
Brads
White card stock (personal stash)
Glue Glider(Scotch)
Instructions:
Use the supplies listed above to complete this card.
1. Archival black was used to ink the men from Steampunk stamp set. Use distress ink to grunge the men. Apply two of the men inside the die cut film strip.
2. The umbrella man was die cut and then painted with espresso dabber paint.
3. Distress ink was used on the die cut gears.
4. Glue the metal gear and then apply to card front.
5. Archival sepia ink was used on the die cut ticket.
6. Brads were applied to gears.
7. Use tape glider to adhere card front to folded card.
  Designer Paper; trimmed 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" 


Thank you for stopping by, your comments are always appreciated!
                                                        


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Technique Tuesday ~ Dressed with Die Cuts


I had fun using supplies I had in my stash to make this page!


By Judy Cantrell

Supplies:
Click on supplies for a direct link in Club
TH Alterations Dress Form Die by Sizzix

TH Alterations Tattered Flowers Die by Sizzix

Vagabond dies cutting machine by Sizzix

TH Magnetic Ticket Die by Sizzix

TH Odd and Ends Stamp Set by Stampers Anonymous

TH Music Tissue Tape

Archival “Sepia” ink by Ranger

Stickles “Waterfall” by Ranger

Bird Cage by Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter

Adirondack Paint Dabber “Aqua” byRanger

Adirondack Paint Dabber “Espresso” byRanger

Adirondack Lights Pigment ink “Shell Pink” by Ranger

Studio Multi-Medium Matte by Claudine Hellmuth

Ink Blending Foam Tool by Inkssentials

Designer Paper by K& Company

$1.00 Chipboard Booklet Kit by Michael’s

Heavy canvas, embellishments and netting from my stash
Instructions:
Finished page 5 x 7”
1)      I used corrugated cardboard with the Vagabond to die cut the dress form.

2)      Paint the dress form with Aqua and Espresso. Set aside to dry.

3)      I used heavy duty canvas with the Vagabond to die cut the tattered flowers.

4)      Use paint brush or your finger to paint the flowers with pink ink.

5)      Use Silhouette digital craft cutter to make the birdcage.

6)      Paint birdcage with espresso paint dabber. Set aside to dry.

7)    Paint edges of chipboard with aqua paint dabber. Let dry.

8)      Add Stickles over the Aqua paint. Set aside to dry.

9)      Adhere trimmed designer paper over the aqua edge and stickles chipboard.

10)  Gather trimmed netting with needle and thread. Tie to waist of dress form. Trim as needed.

11)  Add music tissue tape to waist on dress form, pull to back and adhere with a small amount of multi-medium.

12)  Use multi-medium to adhere dress form to designer paper.

13)  Stack and adhere flowers to page. Add embellishment to center of flowers.

14)  Stamp image on ticket using Archival Sepia ink. Apply color around the ticket using an applicator with shell pink ink. Adhere ticket to page.

15)  String birdcage with a torn piece of material.

16)  Apply birdcage to finish.

Judy Cantrell