Friday, January 7, 2011

Let's Get CRRRAAACCKKIN'!


Hey People!!  The E-Team has another fabulous blog hop for you today!!  Daisy challenged us to pull out some of those goodies that we all have stashed away and GET CRACKIN' for the New Year.

Of course, Daisy also has some wonderful goodies for two lucky blog hoppers!! How's this:

TWO winners will receive a BOX FULL of Paper, a sampling of Distress Stickles & Rock Candy Crackle Paint!

It's easy peasy to get your name in the drawing!  Just visit each of the gals listed below for some wonderful eye candy and leave a comment!! Daisy will visit each blog and winners will be chosen from all the comments. 
 
 
You will have all weekend, though Sunday, to visit and leave your comments on each team member's blog and Daisy will chose the winners and announce them on the eP blog on Monday, January 10th.  
 
Today I'm sharing a an oldie, but goodie technique.  Cracked glass.  BUT!! With a little different spin on it!!
 


You can find a wonderfully written tutorial on Cracked Glass on my favorite resource site, SCS.  But, I thought I'd share my twist on today.  Disclaimer (you knew that was coming, right?  The author (aka ME) takes no responsibility for the blurry pictures of the following abbreviated tutorial. It would seem that SOMEONE was more interested in doing the actual project than worrying about how the photos might look!!)
 
I began with a piece of transparency (I used Office Depot's Write On Transparency) and covered it with Versamark ink.  You could also use embossing ink....this is just what I had on hand.  Cover with Ultra Thick Embossing Powder. 
 



Carefully melt the UTEE with your heat gun.  I kept my heat gun close enough to melt the powder, but not too close as to melt the transparency.  Repeat the above steps 3-5 times (I believe I actually repeated 4 times).  Your transparency now has a thick coating on it.  ETA:  I had a comment stating that the transparency would curl when heating.  Yes, it does a bit, especially the first layer.  But, for me, the added layers of UTEE provided a coating and made the transparency thicker and decreased the curling. 




Then stick the coated transparency in your freezer for 3-5 minutes.  Don't panic if the transparency "curls".  Trust me that it WILL flatten out again!! 
 
Immediately after removing the transparency from the freezer, carefully place it in Tim Holtz's Cracked embossing folder and run it through your Big Shot or Cuttlebug or what ever die cutting machine you use.  Don't worry about any cracking that happens to the frozen transparency while trying to put it in the folder.  It will just add to the cracked look.  The result is a clear cracked window!! 
 
How about a close up of that cracked "window"?!



Just ignore that glare off that "glass", haha
 
You would not have to run the transparency through the embossing folder if you didn't have it.  You could carefully crack the frozen UTEE with your hands.  But those "cracks" will tend to be finer cracks and I was wanting a more dramatic look......as if the winged heart had broken the glass. 

*****
 
Now for the details on the rest of the project.  I started with Wendy Vecchi's Art Parts rectangle frames and randomly applied acrylic paint in black and "maple syrup" brown.  I did this in a more haphazard fashion, not smooth lines.  After a couple of minutes of letting the paint dry, I stamped the smaller of Tim's Fabulous Flourishes with Versamark ink onto the frame and sprinkled Ranger's clear embossing powder over it and heated with my heat gun.   Hindsight:  I should have stamped in black and embossed in black so that the flourishes would show up more!
 


I then used my rinsed out paint brush (bristles still wet) to apply a light wash randomly over the embossed frame with "butter pecan" (tan) acrylic paint.  I immediately wiped off areas with a wet paper towel, so it wasn't so bold. 



The heart and wings were a discarded element for another project. I do know that they were cut using Tim's Winged Heart Alterations die.  The required (haha) metal piece is TenSecond Studios Spiced Rum that was die cut then embossed with Tim's Patchwork embossing folder and lightly sanded.  The heart was attached to the frame with a double layer of dimensionals under the wings. 

The sentiment, from Tim's Just Thoughts stamp set, was stamped with SU's white craft ink and embossed with Ranger's Clear embossing powder.  I added the Locket and Key with Claudine's Multi Matte Medium.

Have I mentioned that the Multi Matte Medium is becoming my favorite go to glue?  OH MY.  It takes a bit to dry, but when it does, NOTHING is going to move.  Just sayin'. 

I used my cropadile to punch a hole for the hitch fastener and wrapped some craft wire around it to hold the key.


The two panels were connected to each other with strips of grunge paper that have some Distress Vintage embossing powder and Distress Vintage ink and Black Soot ink rubbed onto it.  I used a stapler to attached them to the back of the panels.  

And the final project once again



I love the sentiment on this project!! I think I'll clear a space off my work area so that it can be a visual reminder to me to LEAP.

I hope you pull out some of those forgotten supplies and get CRACKIN' on some of these techniques the
E-Team has shared today!! 

'Till then....................remember to LEAP into some creativity!!

102 comments:

slbt17 said...

very cool!
Sandra ltb

Esthercraft said...

SUch an Awesome awesome project - i love the grungy look and cracked glass- Far out!! - But i tried using my heat gun on the transparency, and i try put as far away as i can but close enough to melt the Utee - but my transparency still curls up in a split of a second. Must your transparency be very thick? I LOVE YOUR CARD

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love your twist on the cracked glass with the transparency and then using an embossing folder. I've got to tgry this technique out.
Maurene

Southern Chic Vintage said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your project. I will have to try it. I have not seen anything like it. THank you for going into such detail. It is great!

Anonymous said...

LOVE you technique, how clever. I've got a stack of transparencies
left over from another project, I'll give this a try.
Bonnie

Glenda said...

Starla, your LEAP definitely has a spring attached! I love everything about this! It seems I can see a difference in your creativity this year! More "You" involved. I love it!

artfuljourneys said...

Love this Project. Can't wait to try the Utee on the transparency trick. Thanks for inspiring my Friday

Lynne said...

Would never have thought to use the embossing folder. Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

Micki said...

OMG girl THAT is awesome. I was eyeing the transparencies last night but was in a rush. This totally ROCKS and love the idea of using embossing folders to create the "cracks" (another duh me moment).

I soooo wanna come to your house and play (learn)....

hugs

Sarah said...

Wow! Such an awesome project! Totally love everything about it. I'll have to try the transparency, really love the effect.

Sarah B said...

oh my brain is racing! Embossing folders with transparencies and UTEE on transparencies and embossing UTEE on transparencies. Oh my.Love the quote too. so many ideas, this is just great!

Elaine A said...

Starla -

Beautiful piece of work. I really love your take on the cracked glass technique. Thank you for sharing with us.

Elaine Allen

DeborahD said...

I love this project! Again I must say this Hop has been so inspiring and I just have to try Cracking very soon.

Terry said...

Oh,Oh,Oh, this is awesome! Love what you did with the transparency and can't wait to try that. Beautiful project! Enjoy your day!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

OMW! Crack glass tech on a transparency! I never would have thought of that. And running it through a die cut machine -- Genius!

Lynn W said...

Wow! Great technique, love the finished piece of art.

Ruth said...

oh, am loving all of these great projects and love the cracking.. cannot wait to try some of these..

klaston said...

Beautiful projects!!!!! Such talent. Thanks for the inspiration.

Karen

Leslie said...

Really different and wonderful! Thanks for the lesson on the utee cracking. This is new to me.

newfiecrafter(Marilyn) said...

Love your tech. with the UTEE so cool . Your project is beautiful and thanks for sharing
Marilyn

Rita said...

great project! I love the techniques of using the embossing folder to make the cracked glass. Am totally going to try that this weekend. Thanks for the great inspiration.

hmscrap said...

What a wonderfully creative project. I love how you used the cracked UTEE technique.

Janet L. said...

Wow!! I'm so impressed by your project. I've heard of using the method on regular cardstock, but never on a transparency. I love it!! Thanks for sharing your talents.

Sue D said...

Cool--I never would have thought of doing cracked glass on a transparency.

Kathy Eddy said...

This is a wonderful project! I love how you did the cracked glass in a folder instead of cracking lines. Great idea! So many great details on here!

Queen Mary said...

Definitely one of my favorite tutorials! I learned so much! Your project is perfect!

donna said...

I love what you have created. What an excellent idea. I can't wait to try it. Thank you.

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

OMGoodness! That is soooooo coooool!

Nancy said...

What an awesome project. I really like how you usd the embossing folder. Beautiful Love your project!

blah said...

Love, love, love, love the cracked "window" ! What a cool idea!

Jen said...

Your project is stunning!! Like the reb/black color combo!! I'll have to try out the crackle technique!!

LaNell said...

Oh my, that is amazing. May need to try the crackle technique soon.

Lana said...

Beyond cool!!! What can I say its really a fun project thanks for sharing it!!!!!!

Heidi Mireles said...

WOW!!!!!!!!! LOVE IT! Thanks for the step by steps, (and also the expects-if something curls and yours doesn't look like it did, I would panic). Now I need take a leap, and not be intimidated by these products, and try the techniques you've provided.

Renee said...

Super fun technique. Thanks for all the details!

Eve said...

what a great project, using crackled medium, on transparency, make a beautiful background! I luv it!! :-)

Noreen said...

I love the result of your cracked glass! And the creative way you put the two elements together. And the way you attached the key. Very nice!

Debby said...

This has a very "Goth" look to it , I like it...thanks....

Clara said...

Fabulous technique! What great ideas you come up with! Can't wait to play!

Clara said...

Great technique! can't wait to play!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Very, Very inspiring. Totally love your project. Thanks for the great tutorial, a lot of this is new to me and will be fun to experiment.
These E-Team hops are always the best to get the MoJo movin..

JerilynnO said...

LOVE it! I would never have thought to put the UTEE on a transparency and then use the embossing folder on it. I would think that as it ran through the embossing machine the UTEE would crack and fall off the plastic. I'm going to give this technique a try. Thanks for the idea.

Latrice said...

This is a really fun looking project. I love the final look you got from it.

Dee in N.H. said...

What a great project! I love that sentiment!

Vic said...

Your piece is beautiful. I'm off to try the embossing folder technique - TFS.

Bette said...

Love your project, especially the sentiment. I can see, I'm going to have to dig out my Utee and give it a try. Thanks!

Basement Stamper said...

very cool, love all the elements of this piece of artwork.

Unknown said...

You can do many types of projects with these supplies!

Bette said...

Awesome project! Thanks for the tutorial. Will have to try this.

Gladys R. said...

Great project. Thanks
for the tutorial.

Stef H said...

it's gorgeous and you make it look sooooooooo easy!

hugs :)

Linda R said...

This was just full of cool ideas and great technique. LOVED it.

Julia said...

What a great idea! Too cool!!!

Melissa said...

This is a great giveaway...Very unique. I love the project ideas.

2amscrapper said...

I really enjoyed reading about your project techniques. Awesome piece!

Daniel R. Beach said...

Beautiful. However, I try to create more inexpensively than Tim Holtz's products allow. I have some distress inks. I haven't tried grunge board yet. Just doesn't seem an essential for card making.

Barbara said...

This takes my breath away.

Candy Meyers said...

What a cool way to use UTEE. I am going to try this one soon.
Candy Meyers

Dawn said...

What a cool technique. I've marked your blog as one to refer to for inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Wow Starla what a great project, I love it, I must try this ;). Hugs Linda Duke

Kim C. said...

I love your project and the vintage collage look. Anything with Tim's supplies is a winner with me. Beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Great idea to use an embossing folder for more dramatic cracks in your project. Will be trying this out tomorrow!
Thanks for the great directions.
Hugs-
Kavi Coulson

Anonymous said...

So creative and so Tim! Love love this! I actually have all the stuff you used and will give a try at this!
Carole Gatza

Sylvia said...

Terrific piece, Starla, loved your online demonstration! I love everything about this!

SusanK said...

A truly awesome project that uses so many of my favorite designers' tools and techniques!

Tracy said...

Great spin on the cracked glass technique and an awesome proect! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and so different

Shelann said...

Neat crackle and I love the sentiment.

Donna said...

What a super cool project, and I absolutely LOVE the sentiment! This is my first time seeing it, and it is so very true! I must get it, and use it on a project for my daughter, who's a college student trying to find her way. So inspiring - thanks for sharing!
Donna G

Connie B said...

Beautiful project. Will definitely have to try this. This ia really awesome. Thanks so much for sharing.

Sandie said...

This crackin' idea is terrific for a new look in my paper crafting!! THANK YOU for sharing!!

DWD said...

How cool is this??? I never knew you could use UTEE on transparency or that UTEE would go thru an embossing folder. A couple techniques to try out.

Shannon said...

Wow, what a unique and beautiful Valentine piece you made. I love it! I like the stamp impression in the frame, really great dimension. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Years to you and yours.

Patti P. said...

Wow!! Love your cracked glass...looks like frost on a window to me! Tfs new products to me...will check these out. And I too love that sentiment...will have to remember that. Tfs your talent.

Theresa Grdina said...

That is crazy awesome!

Anonymous said...

Look out Tim Holtz and Suze Weinberg! You rock at this technique.

Beachsidelynn said...

Wow. I love it and your idea to keep it in your work area as a LEAP reminder.
Thanks for sharing.

Davi said...

Awesome creation...love that transparency crackled!!

Anonymous said...

this is so cool, i never ever thought about UTEE and transparency.bethann d

JoAnne said...

I love the sentiment! You are an inspiration and thank you for sharing. I have my fingers crossed, I Love, Love paper (don't we all!)

Beate said...

Girl, that is one amazing idea. GORGEOUS!
Hugs and smiles

Sandy said...

Oh my goodness, what a great project. Your technique is amazing and I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

Anne Thompson said...

What a great idea! I love the darkness of this and the cracked window effect is terrific. Anne, yourmainestamper

Barbara Mason said...

I love this piece - all the elements work so well in this dark hearted project!!! Am filing this crackin transparency tutorial away for later use for sure!!

michelle said...

Amazing!

ciki said...

Thank you for your tutorial.

Michelle Single said...

Using the embossing folder - genius!!!

rush said...

such a different idea! i will have to add that to my ever-growing list.

Marjie Kemper said...

I really like what you did with the frame (butter pecan + wet bristles + wiping excess) a lot. The cracking is way cool too. Thanks for spelling it all out.

AJ said...

I love the great demensions the crackel has added to the creation. its truly wonderful. thanks so much for sharing this technique.

Broni said...

What a fantastic project, Starla!! I LOVE that you ran the UTEE transparency through the Big Shot in an embossing folder! Brilliant!!!

Gigi said...

A very pretty project! Your idea is unique and the sentiment is a good one!

CraftyViolet said...

Nice technique. I'll have to try that with my transparency. Thanks for the inspiration.

Mary Jo said...

Love the dark embossed look. Inspiring for me to use my vagabond machine.

nonnie said...

this is my favorite so far - and love the idea of using the embossing folder to do the cracking - off to experiment with that technique! thanks so much...

kaiandkristi said...

Another great one! I love the cracked glass look! The quote is great too!

Angie Hall Haviland said...

What a GORGEOUS piece, Starla!! It's so pretty I just want to hold it and look at all the detail!! THANKS for sharing your technique!

Auntie Em said...

Thank you for the hints and tutorial! I am always amazed at what UTEE can do!
Thanks for sharing! :o)

gocanucksgo said...

Great work with this technique! Ii love how you did the frame. Keep up the fantastic work =)

Gerri Herbst said...

Great looking creation. Love the technique LOL and the color palette.

Anonymous said...

I like this project! I've picked up some interesting ideas-- (altho now I MUST get that 'cracked' folder! lol!)
melody

Electra said...

Wow, so many different techniques to try-thanks for the inspiration!