Girly Washers

Happy Friday Peoples! Well, to be honest, it is actually Happy Hump Day.  But I'm having to work full days to end the week which leaves little time for blogging.  Through the wonders of modern technology, I get to skip Thursday.  Sigh.  Wouldn't it be lovely if you really could do that on occasion?  Not all the time, just every once in a while.......

AnyHoos!! I digress!!  It's time for another Just For Fun® Friday Color challenge.  This week Sherry has challenged us all to use the following colors:

Without whining, let me just make this statement:  "I, being the ungirly girl  that I am, consider purple to be in the same category as PINK."  'Nuff said.

                                                 

BUT!! In complete contradiction to the above statement, I was inspired to make a totally girly project! Remember my little rambling about having fun exploring new creative ideas?  Wellllll, here are the results!!

                          

I have wanted to alter metal washers since I saw this technique on SCS.  I have had a stack of washers sitting on my desk for MONTHS, just waiting for me to give it a go!!  I started by covering a piece of glossy card stock with Meadow, Eggplant and Stonewashed alcohol inks. I then used the same inks to cover both surfaces of the washer (see picture below).  I traced the washers onto the back of the inked card stock and carefully cut them out (as it would seem I either had a punch/nestie that was too big or too small to make this an easy task!!).  I used my Cropadile to punch out the center holes.  I then stamped Leaf Sprig with Berries and Distressed Music Block from Just For Fun® Stamps using Archival Jet Black Ink onto the cut paper.  I gave each image a blast with my heat gun to make sure the ink was set.  I used Tombow's Metal Glue to adhere the paper to the washer.  After I was sure the glue had dried, I applied a thick coat of Inkssentials Glossy Accents over the images and set aside to dry over night.  I then flipped the washer over and applied another thick coating of the Glossy Accents to the backside of the inked washer.  I then went over the all edges with a light purple copic marker to blend in the sanded paper edges and the outside edge.

I had previously bought the cording that is around the music pendant so that was a quick finish to that project.  But then I got the wild hair to try and make my own beaded necklace strand.  I found a cheap kit at Walmart and made my own pattern from the goodies.  My biggest frustrations came in not knowing what I was doing and trying to rig a way to attach the necklace to the washer (belatedly, the Toad informed me he thought he could have drilled the washer). That, and I kept spilling the beads off the wire while trying to see if my length was where I wanted it on both strands!   I'm sure that there is an easier and cleaner way to do this (besides trying to hold wires in my hands!!).  I think I will have to check out some books on jewelry making before my next attempt!!

                                    

                         

This picture shows the backside of the washers.  I thought that glazing the inked washer would give an option on how to wear the pendants.

I have to say that these washer pendants can get addicting! I'm already thinking about venturing into some matching necklace and earring sets for the girls at the office for the "small" Christmas gift exchange! Of course, that is after I do some studying on the subject instead of the usual fly by the seat of my pants! LOL!

For more inspiration, make sure you check out what the other team members came up with!!

Sherry Cheever

Broni Holcombe

Kat Tucker

Terre Fry

Sandy Sandrus

Beth Moore

Roni Johnson

Glenda Brooks

 and

Margarita Ybarra

Thanks so much for dropping by again today! I just want to take a moment and THANK those serving our country in the military for continuing to fight for our freedoms that we tend to take for granted!! And to your families~~for they are serving too!!

I hope you all have a SAFE and hopefully CREATIVE holiday weekend!!