Wednesday, December 28, 2011

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!

31 comments:

  1. You are marvelous! So talented. I've never heard of Mercury glass so I will google it. I feel uplifted from your post. Have a happy new year and good health. Enjoy your visit with your son!
    Chris

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  2. Beautiful card! Thanks for the tut. Have a Happy New Year!

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous!!! I am totally using this technique for a fabulous vintage look!!! Thank you!!!

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  4. Fantastic! I love the mercury glass effect, and the entire piece is fabulous. Thanks so much for the tutorial! Have a wonderful time with your family and Happy New Year!

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  5. Absolutely fabulous!!! This card sooo rocks! Thanks for the tutorial...I was wondering about the metallic crackle, so glad you mentioned that. Enjoy your baby for the next couple of days! Happy New Year!!!

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  6. You know what's going to happen, Shelly? No one will want to follow you! ;-) FABULOUS creation..fabulous ideas...fabulous tutorial.

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  7. Wow, what a beauty, Shelly. You always have such marvallous ideas. May you never lack inspiration in 2012. Happy New Year!!

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  8. Thanks for the tut Shelley! Fab card too!

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  9. This card is absolutely fabulous Shelley! So many techniques and die cuts! Wish I had all the die cuts you used so I could recreated some of your ideas! The colors you used in this card are beautiful, so soft. Thanks for the tutorial, my craft buddies are going to love this technique! Happy New Year, Marilyn

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  10. Oh my GOODNESS this is SO BEAUTIFULL!!!!!!
    I love all of it!!! Well done.
    Greetz Patricia

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  11. Absolutely fabulous card, everything about it is just stunning. And thank you so much for sharing the tutorial. I have already ordered the CD so I am really looking forward to it arriving!

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  12. Shelly, your work is totally amazing!! Love this technique, so cool, thanks so much for sharing xxx Best wishes for the New Year xxxx

    kazx

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  13. What a fantastic card! So much detail!!!!! Thank you for sharing your technique--when I get these supplies, I will have to try doing the faux mercury glass technique for next year!

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  14. Fabulous card!!! I'm working on a project using your technique... it's so much fun and so cool looking!!! Have fun with your son!!! Thanks for sharing such wonderful things on your blog!!!!

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  15. Another fabulous technique! Thank you so much.

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  16. Wow !! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL Shelly !

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  17. i have no idea how you come up with your techniques or from where you get your compositions...but this card is just extraordinary....

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  18. Just love the look of the clock--I haven't had much luck with that technique yet but when I see yours I know I need to keep trying! Thanks!

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  19. Just love the look of the clock--I haven't had much luck with that technique yet but when I see yours I know I need to keep trying! Thanks!

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  20. I love your card and the new technique you came up with. So creative. And thanks for the tutorial!

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  21. Every time I visit your blog you've created a piece more beautiful than the last. So inspiring! Thanks for the tutorial and I can't wait until I have some spare pocket money to get that CD! =)

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  22. Love it, Shelly!!! As I've said before... you are soooo incredibly talented.

    May you and yours have a terrific 2012!
    DebbieK

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  23. Beautiful card- I love everything about it! I am going to have to give your technique a try if I can find the right shape to apply it to! You are always an inspiration : )

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  24. What a beautiful creation once again. I love the idea of adhering seam binding to cardstock and cutting with the border die. I'll have to try that for sure. Thanks for your inspiration. Enjoy your time wtih your son!

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  25. Què hi tinc jo a veure, digueu-me homes,
    amb les espases i les batalles?
    L’única estrella que prenc per guia
    és la del gaudi i de la música.
    Feliç any 2012 !!

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  26. Awesome - just awesome! What more can I say? Awesome!

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  27. Beautiful piece Shelly!! Thanks for the Tutorial!!

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  28. What a wonderful card yu have made. Love all your work, so inspirational. Thank you and have a great new year.

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  29. Wow wow wow...... This card is simply breath taking!!!!!!
    Amazing work!

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  30. Love your work! Thank you for the great tutorial on the faux Mercury Glass. I have to try that one.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!