Crystal Lacquer Embellished Book Covers

Hi everyone!
Dale here, with my final DT project.  THANK YOU to Sakura Hobby Craft, Terri Sproul and the whole DT for a LOVELY experience.

As I have stated before, I enjoy shopping at thrift stores.  When I see old unloved books, I usually bring the real sad ones home.  I can use the pages for collage, or art journaling or make into paper fabric.
The book covers sometimes are falling off and that is where this week's project originated.

A set of book covers (sorry forgot to take photos right at the start) that I gessoed, then added all kinds of chipboard or textural embellishments with gel medium. I let them dry completely then gessoed the whole cover again.

This is where the FUN of 3D Crystal Lacquer and all the Terri Sproul Mixers comes in.

I put a blob of 3D Crystal lacquer onto my palette in 6 areas, then added the Mixers and mixed well. I, then, painted the areas on the book covers that I wanted with the bright colours.

Any leftover mixed 3D Crystal Lacquer/Mixer I painted on all the other areas, then used a baby wipe to rub off so it was a faded look.  Then, I cover the whole front and back covers with a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer.

The coating of 3D Crystal lacquer made the covers more durable I think.
I added a hairband with a brad to the back cover, then used duct tape to make a centre binding (2 layers) before gluing thick scrapbook paper to the inside covers.

 I had a few sewn pages left from another journal, so I added plain copy paper (2 signatures) inside the 3 already sewn up pages and took them to the sewing machine. I set the stitch length longer than normal so it wouldn't tear the pages and slowly sewed thru all the layers.  Because of the duct tape, you will have to toss the needle after as the glue builds up on the needle.
To the front cover, I tied one of the bezel fobs to the hairband.

Now is a great time to try a project like this or one you like it, because you can get 20% off your entire purchase at Sakura Hobby Craft for the month ofAugust.  Just enter aug08 at checkout!

From Thrift Store to LOVELY!!!

Hi there everyone! Dale here.

I am a long-time lover of thrift stores, and this past week, my Mom wanted to pay the local one a visit. We didn't know it was $2 a bag clothing day or we might have passed on that day.  Anyway, it was a treasure trove of goodies.

I ENJOY turning thrift store finds into something LOVELY, either for myself or as a gift to someone else.

One of the items I found this past week was this is a heavy glass chair glider - it was put under the leg of a chair so the chair could easily glide over the floor.  There was only one of these dark brown heavy glass so it was something I thought I could buy just 1 of without feeling that I wrecked a set.  It is 3 inches in diameter and 3/4 inch high.

I washed the glider, sanded off some of the grunge that didn't come off with the soap & water. Let dry.  I thought this would make a LOVELY paperweight for those times when I am out on the front porch and trying to keep my papers from blowing away (here in Saskatchewan, it seems its always breezy).

I printed off a photo of my website button, cut it into a circle to fit inside the glider.  I added alittle 3D Crystal Lacquer to the glider first, then the photo on top and I found a tiny container of glitter in one of my drawers so thought I'd add to the areas where there was white showing on the photo paper.  I added about a 1/4 inch of 3D Crystal Lacquer over top.

I added a thin stream of 3D Crystal lacquer on the top edge of the glider, then with my finger added Smokey Quartz of Terri Sproul's Shimmer Mica Powder mixers, pulling it down the side. 

I am happy with my NEW LOVELY paper weight!

Now is a great time to try a project like this or one you like it, because you can get 20% off your entire purchase at Sakura Hobby Craft for the month of August.  Just enter aug08 at checkout!

Heart Lifts spool

Hi everyone - Dale here!

This week, I would like to show you my little heartfelt reminders to myself....

This "Heart Lifts" has some of my touchstone words, & a couple quotes printed & glued inside to remind me on those days when life seems hard.

I started by choosing which glass tile shape I wanted. I found the right words in a unloved large print book, glued them to a circle cut to the right size from cardstock.  I added the red hearts with a gel pen. I used 3D Crystal Lacquer to adhere the cardstock to the bottom of the glass circle tile.  Set it aside to dry.

In my stash of wood pieces, I found the thread spool that would give me the room for the canvas once rolled up. I added lace trim to the bottom & top, covering the bottom with a piece of cardboard. Set aside to dry.

I had a scrap of heavy weight canvas leftover and cut it to a roughly 1 inch wide and had to sew the two pieces together to get the length of 11 inches.  I added the same lace trim on the edge of the canvas, once I had zigzagged the edges.

I glued my touch stone words - EMPOWER, STRENGTH, LOVE YOURSELF and a couple quotes to the inside of the canvas, leaving about 1.5 inches at the start so that could be glued to the wooden spool. I glued (I know I should have sewn it down, but was creating as I went along & didn't think of the ribbon until the canvas strip was already glued onto the spool) the vintage seam binding ribbon on the end. I added 3 sizes of paper flowers with a brad on the top end, covering the glued area of the ribbon.

I had FUN creating something different using the lovely glass tiles from Sakura Hobby Craft, hope you will attempt to make something similar for yourself, using touchstone "Heart Lifts" that mean something to YOU.

You can find all the jewelry findings, including glass tiles at Sakura Hobby 

AND

During the month of July, you will receive an additional 20% off your entire order simply by using code Summer07 at checkout!

Celebrate Box

Hi everyone - Dale here!
Hope your holiday week - CANADA DAY here in Canada and 4th of JULY in the USA are AWESOME for you!

I am always telling people to CELEBRATE their accomplishments, whether small or large. So, my first project for July is a little CELEBRATE box, where I can put a note in there for each achievement, goal, etc. through out the year.

I started with a little chocolate box that has been kicking around my stash of boxes for awhile.  The box measures 2.75 X 3.5 inches and is 1 inch deep.
I covered the lid with a scrapbook paper, and gessoed the print on the bottom of the box. The inside of the box was untouched.

The hardest decision - which one of Sakura Hobby Craft’s glass tiles and matching bezel cup.
The glass tiles are available in rectangle, square and circular shapes.
I decided to go with the bronze round one for this project.

I cut the word - "CELEBRATE" from a large print book, then added it to similar colour of paper, then used my only border punch to add similar paper as the box over & below the word.  I used 3D Crystal Lacquer to glue the glass tile over the word.
I tied the organza coloured ribbon through the bail at the top of the bezel cup.

I added a piece of vintage lace over a document seal sticker and a teal paper scrap, then used 3D Crystal Lacquer to glue down the bezel cup. Used it also to glue down the 5 beads around the bezel cup.

I added more vintage lace all around the side of the box top, then added the teal trim over the lace.

For each goal, or achievement that is reached, I will be adding a little note inside. At the end of the year, will record all those achievements in my journal and then start again in January 2014.

July is the perfect time to order all your Sakura Hobby Crafts products, because for the month of July, you can get 20% off your total purchase from Sakura by entering coupon code Summer07 at checkout!

Chipboard Frame Magnet

Hi everyone!

For this week's project, I used Father's Day as the inspiration.

My husband loves working on puzzles during the winter. I had these chipboard frames that kept getting set aside and moved from place to place, so it was time to use them. They are 4 inches square.

I started by painting on Green pearl 3D Crystal Lacquer directly onto one of the chipboard frames.  The second frame will be the back, so I felt it could stay the way it was as the puzzle pieces would totally hide the frame.

I layered the puzzle pieces - some had text on them and some were from a child's puzzle.  I flipped the child ones over and used those.

I used the Blue Pearl 3D Crystal Lacquer all over the puzzle pieces once they were glued down.

I glued 4 pieces of the magnet strip onto the corners of the unpainted chipboard frame.  I, then, glued 3 of the sides of the two chipboard frames together to create a pocket for a photo.

This frame is now on our fridge.

Don't forget - for June, you can get 20% off your total purchase at Sakura Hobby Craft for the entire month of June by entering coupon code Crystal06 when you check out! 

Pearlized Votives

For this project, I coloured the 3 votives I have in the house. These are actually wine glasses that I found at the local thrift store.

I started with just the 2 small ones, and liked the effect.  Each one is different.
The one of the right, I thought I'd be smart and use the heat tool to dry the pearlized 3D Lacquer - it created a cracked texture of the lacquer.
The second one was the one on the left with the diamond sequins set into the drying lacquer.
The large one, I added the paper onto the votive before adding the coloured 3D Lacquer.

I used the Lilac Pearl applicator in the Metallic/Pearl set of 3D Crystal Color Lacquer set. 

{If you purchase in June - use the coupon code: Crystal06 for 20% off on all purchases.} 

It is thick, so I poured some out onto my plastic paint palette along with plain 3D Crystal Lacquer. Mixed well.

I started to cover the outside of the glass votive (you need to do it on the outside so it doesn't burn) by rolling it in the mixture, then used a stir stix to add more all the while rotating the glass.

Once they were totally covered, I set them upside down for a few minutes, then right side up.  I kept doing this to try to get a marbleized effect until it wouldn't move anymore.  As I said before, the first one, I used a heat tool to set the Lacquer.

For the larger votive, I wanted to add paper to see how it would look.  I coloured some vintage book text with a Portfolio Water Soluble Oil Pastel - Blue Green colour.  

I, used my finger to spread the oil pastel, then cut out the 2 hearts.  

I glued the hearts onto the glass with the 3D Crystal Lacquer, covered them with clear before adding the pink sapphire (from the Terri Sproul's Mixer - Jewel Effects Color set) & 3D Crystal Lacquer, mixed well. I used the stir stix to clear off the heart a little.

I added the diamond sequins into the coloured 3D Crystal Lacquer while it was still sticky. To the bottom of the glass, I punched a 1.75 inch circle of heavy cardstock, glued it underneath with 3D Crystal Lacquer.

I added a piece of satin forest green ribbon to the textured first one.  For the Heart one, I gathered a wide piece of lace, tied it around the stem, then added the gold cording for a bow.

I like how they turned out and I am thinking of stopping in the local thrift store this week, getting a couple more glasses and try different colours of the 3D Crystal Lacquer.

Check out the Sakura Craft products HERE.

June Special coupon is: Crystal06 and will entitle you to 20% off all purchases.

Sequin Topairy

For my second milk tin project, I wanted to try a Topairy.
Topairy has been on my list of want to try for awhile.

I had used sequins in my other milk tin project, and since I had the sequin storage tote out, I decided to use more of my stash.  I selected these larger floral sequins and starting attaching them to a 3 inch styrofoam ball using 3D Crystal Lacquer (so if there was a space between them, it would be covered with the lacquer).

For the milk tin, I cut one of the styrofoam in half and formed it to find in the top part of the milk tin.  I covered the styrofoam with some dyed fibres I had received from a friend.
I, then, used double sided adhesive to add the rows of ribbons (vintage Stampin' Up) around the bottom of the milk tin.

Once the sequins were completely dry, I wrapped the stick part with fibres, and forced it into the styrofoam inside the milk tin.  I added the corrugated fence after it sat on my shelf for a couple days and I thought it needed more.  

During the month of May, you can get 20% off your total order at Sakura Hobby Craft.  Now is the perfect time to try Crystal Lacquer and Sakura’s other great products!  Just enter the code “Sakura05” at checkout.

Also, Sakura is hosting a blog hop on May 18^th!  The theme is “Fantasy” and Sakura’s Design
Team is dreaming up amazing art to share with you on that day!  There will be prizes, too!  So be sure to check back here on May 18^th!

Milk Tin of DREAMS

Hi there!  I hope everyone is has had an AWESOME creative week!!

Today, before I begin my project I want to tell you about this amazing small business - Sakura Hobby Craft.  I was given this opportunity to be on their Design Team to showcase their products.  
I have never met them in person, but they do everything they can to please the customers and if we have a question.
All they ask in return is to check out their products and hopefully order from them.  Their products are not available anywhere else in my area and YOU are missing out if you haven't tried them!!!

OK - on to my project for this week.......My Milk Tin of Dreams.

As some of you know (those who follow me), I LIKE TREES!  I am concentrating on working on MY DREAMS this year and so what better way to have my dreams front and centre in my studio than on a Dream Tree.  The little milk tin from Sakura is the perfect container!


Its the perfect time to get branches around here, and before the ban on the Elm trees takes effect.  I cut one that had several off branches.  
In the bottom of the milk tin, I added some old metal printing letters I have had for ages - they are the perfect thing to weight down the milk tin so it doesn't become top heavy.
I filled the milk tin 3/4 full of an old matte medium that I was not happy with and its still not fully dry (I filled it last Friday)...its thickened more and more every day.
On the tin, I added a vintage scrapbook paper and glued on buttons.

On the tree, I added 2 strands of flower sequin string I made using the little flower sequins and perle cotton.  I made a knot between each sequin as they were added with a needle.

For the ornaments on the tree, I used some tags that I added photos to and then used the 3D Crystal Color Lacquer for added colour and dimension around the edges.  

I then tied more perle cotton on the tags and placed them randomly on the tree.  
I had small paper flowers in a little container asking to be used and so I glued them randomly onto the tree branches along with the butterfly.  

The Dream Tree can be images of all your dreams, or would make a great gift for the Mothers in your life with photos of all their children or grandchildren.

When you order this month, use the discount code: Sakura05 you will receive 20% off your total order.

3D Floral keychains

April is a month of birthdays in our family and I wanted to make something that would be able to be mailed inside the birthday cards without added too much bulk causing extra postage.

I have had a large ring of formica samples that I had found at a local thrift store years ago - yes, still using them up!
These samples are wood grain and then the usual formica material on the back.  I glued scrapbook paper scraps to the back of these.  I sanded the edge of the scrapbook paper and inked the edges.

This time, I decided to use the colours already mixed in the 3D Crystal Lacquer - Metallic & Pearl Set.
You can go as fine as you want, as its all about how much pressure you press on the tube.  You can tell which is my first flower...lol

They are very easy to work with and I LOVE how they smooth themselves out.  Back on a blog post I had done for my 52 Sparks, I had drawn a rose and I really wanted to try that with these keyrings.
I started with the centre colour, then did the leaves and then used the Metallic Silver to add the look of the petals.

I, also, love to add old book text to my artwork and these words fit on these keyrings (& fit for this week perfectly).  I used clear 3D Crystal Lacquer to glue onto the formica samples and then added a layer over top.

April is a great time to try Crystal Lacquer, because you can save 20% this month, by entering the code Terri04 when you check out at Sakura Hobby Craft.  You will be amazed at how easy it is to use!