Monday, January 21, 2013

Embossing On Glass

I've used embossing powder on cards but decided I'd try it on glass.  If you're not familiar with embossing, you are using a special, clear ink (VersaMark) to stamp your imageThen you sprinkle embossing powder on the image and heat using a heat gun which creates a glossy, raised image.
Glass is a bit tricky because it's smooth and slick so here's what I did.
First use something like a this "Embossing Buddy" and shake it onto the glass.  This prevents the embossing powder from sticking where it shouldn't.  You can try a fabric softener sheet for this or talcum powder.

 Choose a simple, bold, clear stamp -- nothing with lots of details as the details will be 'lost' when stamping on glass.  Ink the stamp using a VersaMark pad while the stamp is on an acrylic block.  Then carefully remove the stamp from the block.  Gently lay the stamp on the glass surface and with as little movement as possible, press it onto the glass.

 Sprinkle a generous amount of embossing powder on the area and then shake off.  I use a small makeup brush to dust off any areas where the powder stuck where it shouldn't :)
 So what do you do if you DO make a mistake like this one above?  Simple, take a rag, wipe everything off, then wipe again with rubbing alcohol and stamp it again!

 Be careful with the heat gun -- the glass can get very hot so it's best to lay the bottle on a table and heat the embossing powder.  Give the bottle a few seconds to cool before picking it up.  For these bottles I decided to make six different holiday tags for each bottle.  This way you could fill the bottle with beads, buttons, sand, shells, whatever and change the little tag out for the season.


  The tags were designs I printed out on cardstock and then 'aged' them with various stamps, distressed the edges and attached to card stock.
 The bottles are available in my Etsy Shop along with other vintage bottles I've embossed.
Linking to these parties this week . . .
The DIY Showoff   http://diyshowoff.com/
Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/
From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/
Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

 
 
 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Vintage Lamp Revamp

 I found this lamp at my local thrift store awhile ago and hadn't done anything with it.  When I moved this table into the living room, I needed a small lamp for it and remembered the one in the 'thrift store' box.

 Yep, that says $3.80.  This store always has such weird prices but hey, it was cheap and it works so who cares?

 I gave it a coat of Annie Sloan black chalk paint and a coat of clear wax.  After buffing it, I decided to add this verse to the shade:  "The unfolding of Your words gives light".  I printed the verse on paper, cut each word apart and rubbed chalk on the back.  After taping the words where I wanted them, I wrote over the paper with a pen which imprinted the letters on the shade.  I just used a paint pen to trace over them then.
 I'm really happy with the way this little corner turned out!  So, do you have a 'stash' of unused, potential projects you collect from thrift stores or do you do your projects right away?
Linking to these parties this week . . .
The DIY Showoff   http://diyshowoff.com/
Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/
From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/
Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/
 




Friday, January 4, 2013

Crazy for Valentine's Day

 
 I'm sure the neighbors are just shaking their heads as they look across the street and see that that crazy lady has her house decorated for Valentine's Day while they still have their Christmas trees up.  Oh well -- I just couldn't stand the bare, sparse looking house after taking down the Christmas decorations and just plowed right into the next holiday . . . even if it's still only the first week of January.

  
 I always have fun dressing my odd, little "nook" in the wall and Valentine's Day is no exception.


 I do love filling drawers with decorations too.  It's a great way to add fun and interest without cluttering tabletops or other spaces that you need to use on a daily basis.
 I keep this and other frames out year 'round and just change out the pictures with ones I've printed and decorated.  I just store each holiday right in the frame, moving the current one up to the front.  
Ava doesn't think I'm crazy.
Have you started decorating for Valentine's Day or is your tree still up?  I'll have more on my favorite holiday in the coming weeks!
Linking to these parties this week . . .
The DIY Showoff   http://diyshowoff.com/
Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/
From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/
Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/