Saturday, October 27, 2012

Halloween Clock and Gears Ornament

I got a lot of fun Globecraft Memories & Piccolo crafting materials in the mail, including a great kit to make a clear bubble style ornament, which I've always wanted to try!
I decided to go with the most forthcoming event, which is Halloween.
This piece has a lot going on and a lot to explain!
On the front bubble side I decided to have a glittered fence with a gate. The back bubble is filled with assorted glitter and large rhinestones. Sort of like a waterglobe. I decided that I wanted to have a clear acetate piece in the middle with a design on it, sandwiched between the two bubbles, so you could see all the way through it and to keep the glitter isolated to one side. So, the first thing I did was trace the bubble dome shape onto a piece of acetate and cut it out. I drew a design of an old spooky house on a hill in chalk on some black paper and put the acetate over it so I could paint the design onto the acetate.
I then used a tiny brush and some black acrylic paint to put the design onto the acetate.
While that was drying, I decided to get my gears and key charms all ready to to. In my Globecraft Memories and Piccolo sample pack, I got some super cool Piccolo paper charms. They've come up with a great product that gives you results like you would get with real kiln-based metal or porcelain enamel, but you don't need a kiln or fancy special tools and expensive supplies. For this project, I used the Steampunk Gears Charm Set and the Vintage Lock and Keys Charm Set. The instructions say to use embossing glue or ink, but I ended up using Art Institute Designer dries clear adhesive. Then, I liberally poured the special Piccolo Vintage Copper enameling powder on each piece and tapped off the excess. The instructions say to put one coat on the back of the charm, and two on the front, but I just put one large coat over each charm.
I let those dry and then marched them downstairs to "enamel" them. The instructions say to heat the enameling powder the same as you would embossing powder, to use a heat gun or put into a 400 degree oven for 60-80 seconds. I decided to try the hot plate approach (the only way I've ever used enameling powder). I made a little tin foil tray and put the charms in. Don't move them, don't flip them and don't try to pry them off of a cooled tin foil tray. I removed each charm from the still-hot aluminum foil tray using a straight pin, let them air cool and then put them down on my quartz countertops to cool them quickly. If you let them cool in the aluminum, they stick to it and it's fairly difficult to pry them off.
This technique produced some really REALLY cool results! The copper was bumpy, looked old and imperfect and there was plenty of that gorgeous green patina sprinkled throughout. I have often wondered how Disneyland made metal look old, rusty and full of patina, especially on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride... they must use a technique like this. I had a lot of fun doing this and can't wait to come up with more uses for it. (Now I'm wishing I would have used it on that front gate I glittered on this piece... darn it!)
I then covered these pieces with Piccolo's Glastique Gloss to make each piece thicker, seal in the gorgeous color and give it a good solid sheen.
So, to take an inventory of what else I was going to put on or in my ornament... here are my gears, keys, a brown dangling crystal that I found in my junk jar, some Graphic 45 Halloween Clocks, a chipboard Keyhole charm from the Olde Curiosity Shop Line and a Graphic 45 paper fence that I ended up x-acto cutting out and glittering with Art Institute #79 Black Ultrafine Opaque glitter, some flat back crystals (I glued two together so they were round and could be put in the back snow globe bubble of my ornament) and some glitter that will go in the back bubble, too. I chose Art Institute Elements Beehive, which is like glitter, sand and lovely bits of earth all rolled into one, and Art Institute Fine Vintage Glass Glitter - #612 Golden Glow.
After I cut out and glittered that little gate (Still wishing I would have made it copper!), I glued it in front of my acetate house onto a chipboard ring, put down one of the clear dome bubbles, then put another ring on top which I glittered way ahead of time using Art Institute #79 Black Ultrafine Opaque glitter. I then used some heavy duty clamps to hold it in place while the excessive amounts of glue I used, dried.
After the glittered front ring was dry (oops, looks like it's going to need some touch-up glitter!), I laid out my gears and paper clock to get ready to glue them down...
And then I glued them on using Art Institute Designer dries clear adhesive.
While that was drying, I poured in the Beehive Elements Glitter and the Vintage Gold Glass Glitter into the back bubble and added those crystals I had set aside...
And carefully glued it to the back of the front dome and capped it off with the back black glittered chipboard oval. Again, I used way too much glue, so I made sure not to move this while it was drying, or the loose glitter would just stick to the sides (and then it's no longer a free-sprinking snow globe, but more of just a solid mass of glitter).


And here it is finished after I added all the keys, the pocket watch clock and that crystal and excessive amounts of ribbon! For my first bubble ornament, it's not too shabby. It was a lot of fun to make... can't wait to make more!





























Thursday, October 25, 2012

Globecraft and Art Glitter Cross Promotion with Linda Neff

This month Art Glitter has teamed up with Globecraft Memories to see what kind of projects the design team members could create using both company's products. I had fun working on this Easel Card from Globecraft Memories. The card has the easel built right in so the recipient can easily display it. I chose to trace, cut and cover my Easel Card with Bazzill Basics paper. It's adhered by running the papers through my Xyron 5" Creative Station. After adhering the paper I inked all the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The Bingo Card is paper from Teresa Collins. I pulled out a doily and brushed it with Designer Dries Clear Adhesive (DDCA) and sprinkled with No. 132 Saddlebag Opaque Ultrafine Glitter and tapped off excess. A heart cut from corrugated cardboard is run through a Xyron 2.5" Create-a-Sticker, some of the adhesive is rubbed away and then sprinkled with No. 524 Tree Bark Microfine Transparent Glitter. Layers of die-cut flowers are inked with Walnut Stain Distress Ink then DDCA applied to the edges and dipped in No. 524 Microfine Transparent Glitter as
well.

I used Globecraft Memories Piccolo Card Decor Vintage Birdcage Charms and enameled one of the charms with Globecraft Memories Piccolo Vintage Copper Enamel Powder. I experimented with painting the charm with Pitch Black Adirondack Paint Dabber in between layers of the enamel. I like the finished results.

The card is assembled by adhering the doily to the Easel Card then I added the Bingo card on top of that. I wrapped a ribbon around the heart and tied in a bow. The flower and the birdcage are layered and adhered to the heart then it's all added to the Bingo card. To add even more "bling" there are some swirl pearls from Want2Scrap. The stamped phrase - "sing your song" is added for the sentiment.
Now tell me you wouldn't be thrilled to receive a card like this from a friend! Visit my blog for even more glittery ideas!

Supply List: Globecraft Memories Easel Card, Globecraft Memories Piccolo Card Decor Globecraft Memories, Piccolo Enamel Powder, Art Glitter Tree Bark Microfine Transparent, Art Glitter Saddlebag Ultrafine Opaque, Designer Dries Clear, Want2Scrap, Pearl Gems, Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Xyron 5" Creative Station

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Globecraft Memories and Art Glitter

Today's project is in collaboration with Globecraft Memories & Piccolo. I was able to make a beautiful necklace using Art Glitter and Globecraft products!



Products Used:

Art Glitter
- Designer Dries Clear Adhesive
- #525 Brocade Microfine Opaque Glitter
- #335 Sun Ray Chunky Opaque Hologram Glitter
- #79 Black Ultrafine Opaque Glitter

Globecraft Memories & Piccolo
- Piccolo Flower Drop Charm Set (F012)
- Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze
- Cool-Set Enamel Gel in Cobalt Turquoise
- Vintage Gold Bail for Attaching Charm to Necklace
- Black Real Silk Cord Necklace with Lobster Claw Clasp

I started with the Drop Charm Set and used one of the smaller charms. I then used the Cool-Set Enamel Gel on the flower petals and let completely dry.


Then I used Designer Dries Clear Adhesive and applied it the swirls. Then applied Black Art Glitter.
 Next was to make the center of the flowers. I placed small dots of Designer Dries Clear Adhesive in the center of each flower. I used the Chunky Opaque Hologram Glitter and covered the dots and shook it off. I LOVE this chunky hologram glitter!
 Last on the glitter part, I used Microfine Opaque Glitter for the border. I brushed Designer Dries Clear Adhesive onto the border and covered it with the glitter, shook it off and brushed the access off the rest of the charm. I love how all the different types of glitter look together.
I let it all dry then added Glastique Gloss over the entire charm.
I let it dry, then flipped it over and coated the rest of the charm with Cool-Dry Enamel
I added the bail and necklace cord to the charm and put it on!

This was such a fun project. I have always wanted to make jewelry, but had no idea where to start. Globecraft Memories made it super easy to make my own pieces, and even better that I could add Art Glitter to the piece to make it truly one of a kind!

Be sure to stop over at my personal blog, http://oneheartscrapper.blogspot.com to see another project using Art Glitter and Globecraft Memories!

Monday, October 22, 2012

The Witching Hour by Laura


For this Connie Crystal Tombow Collaboration, I am featuring a Halloween Cake Stand.  It has a LOT of parts.  It is supposed to be your own creation, so I am breaking it down into sections for you.  You can use just the parts that you like. 

MAIN CAKE STAND
MATERIALS:
Parmesan Cheese Shaker (I bought mine from the Dollar Store)
Cheap Pizza Tray  (Also from the Dollar Store)
Black Sharpie
Big Bite from We R Memory Keepers
Black Brads
Two 8x10 Black Adhesive Backed Foamie Sheets
Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
We R Memory Keepers Witching Hour Die Cut Paper
Scissors

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Position lid of cheese shaker on the bottom of the pizza tray and use Sharpie to trace around it and dot in the holes.
2)  Use the Big Bite to punch holes on the tray that match the cheese shaker.
3)  Match up the cheese holes from the top of the lid to the bottom of the pizza tray.
4)  Attach lid to tray with brads, keeping the heads in the lid and opening the bottoms on the top of the pizza tray.

5)  Cut Foamie Sheets to match the circular pizza pan.  Each should be in a semi circle and they should match up in the center.
6)  Cut a smaller circle out of the center of the large foam circle to coincide with the circular area of opened brads.  This foam circle will be raising the paper off of the base so that it doesn't pucker.
7)  Place the paper over the top of the foam to make sure that it fits right.  Trim a little if necessary.
8)  Use the Tombow glue on the back of the paper die cut.  Attach to the foam and let dry.
9)  Use the Big Bite on the rim of the pizza plan to create small holes next to all twelve of the markings on the paper clock. 
10) Estimate the halfway point between the holes and punch the larger size hole with the Big Bite.
11)  Use the Sharpie to color the rim.

Okay, so I thought that when I finished this part, I would be just about done.  Sadly, the pizza pan was much bigger than the cheese shaker, so when I put pressure on one side of the pan, it threatened to flip.  Therefore, I had to create the

PILLARS
 
MATERIALS:
Cardboard tubes (you could use toilet paper rolls, but I used the rolls from my Silhouette Vinyl)
Foamcore  (I used 3 8x10 sheets)
Craft Knife
Steel Ruler
Chipboard or self healing mat to cut on
Pen or pencil
Rubber creatures (I used snakes, but they were very difficult, a softer rubber is best)
Masking Tape
Stone Fleck Spray Paint
 
DIRECTIONS:
1)  Measure distance needed to go from table to bottom of pizza pan.  Subtract 1".
2)  Mark and cut four cardboard tubes to size.
3)  Measure the diameter of the bottom of the tube.
4)  Use craft knife and metal ruler over chipboard to cut the foamcore to these sizes:  8 square pieces that are 1" larger than the diameter, 8 square pieces that are 3/4" larger than the diameter, and 8 square pieces that are 1/2" larger than the diameter.
5)  Place two pieces of foamcore above and two pieces below the tube and place under the overhanging plate.  It should almost fit, but just be a little bit bigger than the opening.
6)  Trace the tube on the smallest piece of foamcore.  Cut out the circle.

 
7)  Trace the circle you just created on the medium sized piece of foamcoare.  You will cut outside and inside the line, but only cut through the upper layer, not all the way through the foamcore.

7)  Remove the ring you have created.
8)  Use the Tombow Mono glue inside the circle on the smallest piece.  Slip over tube and push down about 1/4".  Do this on the top and bottom of all four tubes.


9)  Apply Tombow Glue to the bottom of the foamcore and to the inside of the ring that you removed in step 7.  Press tube into medium sized piece.  Be sure to give it a little pressure.  Also, make sure that smaller piece makes contact with medium piece.  Do with tops and bottoms of all four columns.
10)  Apply glue to bottom of the medium piece and attach to the larger piece.  Do this with the tops and bottoms of all four columns.
11)  Apply glue to bottom of rubber snake.
12)  Attach snake to column and tape down to let dry.  Do to all four.
13)  After snake is dry, remove tape.
14)  Any areas of snake that are raised up can be tacked down with Power Tabs.
15)  Spray paint all four columns.  Now, this is the tricky part.  Follow the directions completely.  I live in Michigan, where it was colder than recommended and humid.  I also applied it MUCH too heavily.  It took way too long to dry, and in that amount of time, the wet paint damaged the glue.  I would have been better off using a room temperature, well ventilated spot in the house, as recommended.  I had to reapply the snakes later.  (They would also have stuck better if they were a more flexible rubber).  You shouldn't have to reapply them.
 
SPIDERS
MATERIALS:
Grungeboard
Manual Die Cut Machine
Craft Knife
Cutting surface
Heat Gun
Black 20 Gauge Wire
Black 18 Gauge Wire
Wire Cutters
Jewelry Pliers
Black Chain
Black Jump Rings--24 small, 12 large
 
DIRECTIONS
1)  Use manual die cut machine and Sizzix Die to cut twelve spiders.
2)  Use Big Bite to punch two holes in spiders--one for head and one for body.
3) Measure the crystals against the spiders and scratch with craft knife where you would like to cut.
4)  Enlarge holes with craft knife.  It helps to outline new hole size and then make cuts leading up to that new hole. Use the craft knife tip to make hole in "mouth".

5)  Cover front and back with Archival Ink.  Let dry.
6)  Use the Tombow Mono Aqua glue in the holes and add red Connie Crystals.  Let dry.

7)  Insert small jump ring in "mouth" hole.
8)  Use Versamarker pen around crystals and in body of spider.
9)  Add Black Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and heat set.
10) Add Connie Crystal Raindrop into "mouth ring" with 20 guage wire. 
11)  Put top of spiders' "strings" in the smaller holes.  Fold over the "string" to length desired and wrap closed with 20 guage wire.  Do not try to make the same length.
12)  Cut 6 lengths of chain.  Pass each through two of the large holes, leaving the chain between on the top of the plate and passing it through the loop left by spider. 
13)  Attach Teardrop Connie Crystal and small red Connie Crystal at each end of chain.
14)  Use large jump ring through link on top of plate to lock the chain into place.
15)  Cut pieces from remaining chain and use small jump rings to attach to the larger jump rings.  Drape chaing between teardrops as in above picture.
 
FINAL BITS
MATERIALS:
Rubber Rat
Glow Bracelet
 
DIRECTIONS:
1)  Place glow bracelet, Fantasy Fiber and rubber rat into glass bottom of cheese shaker and reattach to the lid.
2)  Use Tombow glue to attach pillars
 
 
Now, if you want to put this through some real washing, be sure to spray it with a sealant of some sort.  While the crystals and cheese shaker would not need to be sprayed, everything else should be.  I tried to assemble it in a way that some of the chain can be removed fairly easily, but it might still be a pain.  I would recommend that you use this cake plate either for decorative purposed, with a large doily or paper covering or with prewrapped goodies.
Happy Halloween!