24 days _ Crafty Countdown. Playing with Egg shells.

Honestly, playing with egg shells.  This is what I love about the challenge.  It makes me use something I would never have imagined adding to my crafty stash.  And I have absolutely loved this technique.  You have to try this.  So easy.  So effective.  It started with scrambled eggs, and then the shells were left to soak overnight.  This is interesting, the plastic cup I soaked them in disintegrated! You can see from the photo how it has essentially cut the plastic in a perfect line!  It's okay, the egg shells were fine.

I cleaned the solution from the egg shells, and peeled off the membrane inside the shells.  I then decided to use the tissue part of the challenge.  I also decided to use this GlazOn from StazOn.  I've never used this before, so thought it was a good time to experiment

I applied a layer of glaz to a piece of acetate

And then sprinkled mica flakes

and gold leaf

I then ripped and scrunched pieces of tissue paper which I stuck into the Glaz.  I added Glaz on top of the paper where necessary, to make sure it's completely stuck down

Now, leave this to one side to dry

I decided to use a MDF frame for my egg shells

I used acrylic adhesive, this is one from Debbi Moore.  I just did a little at a time, as the glue is strong, and quite quick drying.

Take your egg shell and lay it into the glue.  Then squash it down onto the frame

It cracks, and basically gives you an instant mosaic!  How cool is that.  I used a cocktail stick to move it round and spread the shell out where required

It comes together really quickly.  Don't worry about the glue being to thick, just try not to let it spill all over the shell

Even before it's painted I think it looks good

I had a look at the colours on the acetate sheet, to help me decide what colours I needed to use for my frame

I decided for warm reds and brown tones.  I then added my alcohol inks.  I haven't use these in such a long time.  I love the way they move and spread

I used a nice red, butterscotch, and a brown.

I must admit, the colours arn't captured in the photo.  They are very effective

I checked the background again, to make sure it looked okay.  At this stage I was still unsure whether to use my background on the smooth shiny side, or the textured rough side

Next I took a little wood heart

If I add alcohol ink directly to it, because it's so porous, the ink just sinks into the heart.  Apply a sealant to allow the alcohol ink to move and blend.  I used Mod Podge.

The last item in the challenge, was rub ons.  These are an old product, and Sheila was right, I've got some!  The are still really creamy and worked beautifully.  They are very similar in application and the results, to gilding wax

This is the frame before

And this is after the Rub Ons.  You can see the sheen.  You can see from this photo, I have also decided to go with the textured side of my acetate, and backed my frame onto black card

Now I started to layer.  I popped a die cut

Then string

Some more foliage die cuts

And then I found a lovely button.  Of course it needs alcohol ink.

I added this to the corner with Pinflair glue gel

I also added my wooded heart, and a little piece of lace 

I dug out a spiral, and stampled the word love.  I edged the card with the rub ons, and glued in place

And then changed my mind - and moved it.  I also stamped Life, which I added on.  I then decided to add Glossy Accents to my frame, heart and sentiments.

I added wire to the top of the frame, so it can be hung.  And a few wire coils inside the frame.

Egg shell mosaic.  Who knew it could be this cool!!  Thank you for the challenge Shelia, if you send your address to me I'll get this in the post for you.  My email address is leoniepujol@hotmail.co.uk

Only 57 days to go - the Crafty Countdown

Seeing as yesterday was an arty one, I thought today I'd do something nice and simple.  It's funny, as sometimes I feel doing a nice "easy" card is somehow cheating - but that isn't the case at all.  It's often nice to do something not as taxing - but put your own mark on it.  And just because something isn't "different" it certainly doesn't mean it isn't pretty or that work has gone into making it. So, after giving myself a talking too, I had a rummage, and found these:

These are from a CD which I printed off ages ago.  I think it was when I was doing a class for Crafters Companion.  I like working with CD's, just because everything is there at a click of a button.  I'm not generally a fan of doing decoupage, as I'm not really into cutting out - but I really like this image, so decided to have a little go.

I cut out the different decoupage elements to begin with.  I had printed these on card, so they are nice and substantial, and can be shaped if needed

I wanted to put my own spin on it, so I opened up the little window on the top layer

I then just took a bit of ink and coloured in the edges of the doors, so the white of the card wasn't really noticable

I then layered up the decoupage, using 3D foam

I then dug out some rub ons.  I really like these, they are a good size, and rub ons give that almost stamped look to your project.  And they go on a number of different surfaces...

....like vellum.  I popped the sentiment near the end of the piece of vellum.  I wanted a longer length at the left hand side, as I needed to hide the adhesive (with it being vellum, you can generally see any adhesive you use) - so pre-planned how I was going to attach it to the card

I cut the right end to form a tail

And the left side I cut into a point so it would fit through the window.  Now, I planned where I was going to fit my banner - but not how!  So when I came to feed it through the window, I hit the 3D foam.  I gently peeled the top layer of decoupage back up, and slotted the vellum under the 3D foam, which held it securely in place.  I curled the vellum a little, to give it a flowing movement.

You will see I popped the other message at the top of the card, and then got utterly carried away with my glitter.  It was in the sky, and on the top of the roof tops.

Finally I coloured the little hearts in the door red, so they stand out.  I'm really happy with this pretty little card :)