Grungy Monday + a New Technique!

I was so happy to see that so many of you wanted a stepped-out tutorial for my Faux Mercury Glass technique! I created a card for this week's Grungy Monday challenge (sponsored by Simon Says Stamp!) and I think it highlights the technique very well. It was also an excuse to use a lot of new products, experiment, and try a new card fold - the 5 x 7 Step Ladder Card - from the new 3D and Fun Folds CD from Technique Junkies!

First, the star of the show is this technique. Oh, I love how it turned out! I decided to try it using the Weathered Clock die from Sizzix. The clock made me think of New Years, which led to the theme for the card. Everything just snowballed from there!

My favorite new die - Sizzix' Festive Greenery - provides a nice embellishment for the clock. For the center, I used the Paper Rosette die and Kraft Resist paper that was painted with a Snowcap Dabber. The clock hands were painted with a Pitch Black Dabber and then sanded. They're attached with an Idea-ology Long Fastener that was pierced with an awl to give it the look of an eyelet (great tip from Tim!).

Here is a side view where you can see the steps better. So many possibilities with this card idea! The Grungy Monday challenge is to use Tim Holtz's Tissue Wrap or Tissue Tape in your creation. I don't have the Wrap, so I applied strips of  Tidings Tissue Tape (where it says Post Card) to the folds of the card. I gave them a frosty look with a Snow Cap Paint Dabber and covered them with fine glitter.

This is a close-up view of the card when closed. To create the 2012 piece, I cut numbers from green Kraft Core'dinations using the Sizzix Vintage Market die. I applied them to a piece cut from kraft paper using the Sizzix Mini Labels die. The sentiment was computer-generated, printed on kraft paper, and then cut using the Sizzix Tattered Banners die. Quick tip! If you're trying to line something up to cut (like my text on the banner) using a die, align your paper and then tape in place using Tissue Tape. The tape will prevent the paper from sliding out of alignment when it goes through your machine!

Here is another view of the card closed. I just love how all the layers line up!

The card front is a panel of green Kraft Core'dinations paper. I used the small border Texture Fade from the Christmas Background and Borders set to emboss the edges...I am kicking myself for taking so long to use these - they are so cool! After I embossed, I sanded the raised portion with my Idea-ology Sanding Grip and added a sprinkling of glitter. Do you notice anything interesting about the lace border? It's ribbon! I adhered a piece of seam binding to cardstock and then cut it using the Sizzix Vintage Lace die. So pretty!

Ok, enough of my blah blah blah....here is the tute! I hope you enjoy it!

Faux Mercury Glass

Supplies: Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE), Ranger Distress Crackle Paint - Picket Fence, Ranger Adirondack Dabber - Silver, Ranger Distress Embossing Ink, Shape cut from chipboard (the piece shown above was already painted when I took the pic), Heat gun.

Step 1: Paint your chipboard piece with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint. For this technique, you want a medium-thick application. This detailed die cut doesn't have a lot of paintable area, so I wanted the cracks to be a bit on the large side (the heavier the application, the larger your cracks will be). Set aside to dry.

Step 2: When Crackle paint is completely dry, cover surface with paint using a Silver Dabber. This coat should be on the light side - you don't want to fill your cracks in, but you do want to have the whole thing colored silver.

Step 4: When paint is dry, coat the entire piece with Distress Embossing Ink and cover with UTEE.

Step 5: Heat UTEE until it melts. When cool, recoat with embossing ink and another layer of UTEE. Heat final layer until it is smooth. That's it!

Some of you might be wondering why I didn't just use Metallic Crackle Paint and save myself a step. Well, the first reason is that I didn't have any at the time and wanted to use what I had on hand. The second reason is that I think the Picket Fence Crackle Paint cracks in a different way and wouldn't look quite the same. I would definitely experiment with it, though, if you have it!

If you're interested in purchasing the Technique Junkie 3D and Fun Folds CD, you can do so through this link. In case you haven't heard of it, it is a CD containing pdf tutorials with step-by-step photo instructions for 70 different projects. You will create everything from gift card boxes, to pop ups, and more. It also makes a great gift!

All of the products (other than the CD) I used can be purchased from Inspiration Emporium. OH! And they are having a big sale right now! Use the coupon code - awesome2011 - to save 20% off your order. This code is good until 12/31/11.

Supply List:
Sizzix Dies: Tattered Banners, Vintage Market, Vintage Lace, Festive Greenery, Paper Rosette, Weathered Clock, Mini Labels
Sizzix Texture Fades: Christmas Background and Borders
Kraft Core'dinations Paper
Kraft Resist Paper
Ranger Adirondack Dabbers - Silver Metallic, Snow Cap, Pitch Black
Ranger Distress Embossing Ink
Ranger Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)
Idea-ology Tissue Tape - Tidings
Idea-ology Long Fasteners
Idea-ology Sanding Grip
Inkssentials Glue n Seal (seriously love this stuff!)

My son will be here tomorrow - yay! - so I'll be taking a few days off. Best wishes to all of you for a happy and creative New Year!