Black Cats Studios: Crackle technique

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Spring is in the air

It's been very warm the last few days and flowers and trees are bursting with colorful blossoms and buds. While it's still early for big and colorful dahlias in the garden, this Stylized Dahlia stencil is perfect any time. And it couldn't be easier to have your own flower garden full of them.

Materials
Stylized Dahlia LG743
Picasso tool (stencil shield) LL332
Matte Black Embossing Paste DMBP
Crackle Paste CEP
Palette Knife DPK
Paste Spreader LM2010
Tsukineko Splendor Ink Pads

Instructions
Tape stencil to card stock using removable tape. Apply matte black paste with palette knife. Remove stencil and place it, along with the palette knife in a pan of water. Set the card aside to dry. Wash and dry stencil.

Reposition the clean stencil over the black paste and tape all sides with removable tape. Apply crackle paste. Remove stencil; wash and dry it and the palette knife. Set the card aside to dry.
Crackles will appear as the paste dries. If you have a warming tray, electric skillet or griddle with a temperature control, this is the perfect time to use it to speed up the drying process for the crackle paste.

When the past is dry, reposition the clean stencil over the image and color with pigment ink and a stencil brush. Use the Picasso tool, or stencil shield, for color separation on the petals and for shading on the leaves.

Mat on coordinating card stock and you have a cheery spring card to send to a special someone.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Dream Team blogs for more fun, ideas and inspiration. And there's still time to submit your project for a chance to win a stencil of your own choosing. Get the details here, along with the mr. linky widget. Better get started!

Dream it Up!

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin (you're here)

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Happy crafting,
Liz

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Is it spring yet?

Welcome to a new month and a new challenge. And what better way to celebrate the end of winter than with a challenge to "A Bloomin' Spring"? You've got until the end of the month to submit a project using Mr. Linky on the Dream it Up! blog and who knows . . . you just might be the lucky winner!

Materials
Romantic Rose LL585
Picasso tool (stencil shield) LL332
Matte Black Embossing Paste DMBP
Crackle Paste CEP
Palette Knife
Paste Spreader

What to do
Tape stencil to card stock using removable tape. Apply matte black paste with palette knife. Remove stencil and place it, along with the palette knife in a pan of water. Set the card aside to dry. Wash and dry stencil.

Reposition the clean stencil over the black paste and tape all sides with removable tape. Apply crackle paste. Remove stencil; wash and dry it and the palette knife. Set the card aside to dry.
Crackles will appear as the paste dries.

When the past is dry, reposition the clean stencil over the image and color with ink (I used Tsukineko Splendor ink pads) and a stencil brush. This is where the Picasso tool, or stencil shield, really comes in handy. By positioning it over the rosebud, it will help you keep the green of the stem from blending into the pink.

Adhere to coordinating mat, to patterned paper and, finally, to card base. Add embellishments and you have a lovely card for a birthday, anniversary or thinking of you.

For more ideas and inspiration, be sure to check out the rest of the Dream Team blogs to see what they've been working on. Start your journey at Dream it Up! (that's where you'll find Mr. Linky) and then continue down the list.