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Here are some craft recipes that may save you a
little money -- and add to your "craft satisfaction."
Do not eat them.For us, part of the satisfaction of making
something comes from REALLY making it. From scratch. We
believe that crafting and scrapbooking has to be much more than
assembling things made by someone else. That is why these
home-made craft recipes are so much fun. When you start to make
your own supplies and materials -- it emboldens your pioneering spirit.
Or, your inner miser. Your choice.
Crackle
Medium for Paint
You know what a crackle paint finish looks like; old paint that has
weathered the years
under the sun, with an alligator-skin texture showing the old paint
color in the cracks through the newer paint. You can
imitate it in a few hours. The
process has three steps: paint the undercoat color; brush on
the clear crackle medium and let it dry; and brush on the
contrasting top coat color. As it dries, it will crack.
The cracking is caused by the crackle medium absorbing moisture from
the top coat of paint, swelling and stretching, and
tearing the paint apart.
You can buy crackle medium or entire kits at a craft store.
Trust us; this is the easiest and most predictable way of
getting the effect. If you are a brave soul, you can make
your own crackle medium.
The recipe for crackle medium is simple:
- Hide glue (popular brands are Gorilla or
Titebond).
This glue is used in furniture construction and is derived
from "collagen", which is a protein constituent of skin, bone and
connective tissue, usually from cows. It can be purchased in
liquid form, or as a dry powder that must be mixed with water and
heated. A fluid ounce will cover two square feet.
- Water
This process only works with acrylic (water-based) paints, and
matte finish paints are better. Choose two contrasting
colors. Paint your project with the base color and let it
dry. Brush on a coat of hide glue with a
wide foam or bristle brush (you may dilute it slightly, which will make
the cracks smaller). Let it dry thoroughly - like a day. When
you brush on the
topcoat of paint, use a wide brush and cover as much area as
possible with one coat, avoiding overlapping strokes.
The paint will begin to separate immediately, forming the
cracks. A light coat of paint will form thin cracks, and a
heavy coat will form larger cracks.
Once it has dried, you can antique the finish by rubbing in a dark
acrylic or oil paint wash, to accentuate the aged appearance.
Craquelure
Varnish Finish
This technique results in an aged varnish finish, veined with fine
cracks like old porcelain or a Stradivarius. Very simply, it
is a slow-drying varnish topcoated with a fast-drying varnish.
When the undercoating finally dries, it shrinks, cracking the
top varnish. You can get the effect with:
- Oil-based varnish (not the fast-drying kind)
- Boiled linseed oil (a few drops for a half-cup
of varnish)
- Fast-drying water-based varnish
- Dark oil glaze, like artist oil paint
Add the boiled linseed oil to the oil-based varnish (to retard drying).
Coat the surface evenly and thinly with the oil-based
varnish. When the first coat starts to get tacky, apply a
generous coat of the quick-drying water-based varnish. Let it
dry for two hours. The cracks may not be visible.
To accentuate the cracks, rub a dark oil glaze
over the entire surface and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.
Let it dry for three days. Coat with an oil-based varnish. (Try this technique on the Antique Blocks!)
Blender
Pen Refill (waterbased)
Don't buy new blender pens - refill them with this simple recipe.
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons glycerin
(available at pharmacy or craft stores)
- 5 tablespoons distilled water
- 1 teaspoon rubbing alcohol
Mix the ingredients in a jar.
Gently pull your pen tips out of the pen and soak
them in the solution for an hour. Replace one
tip, use an eyedropper to fill the pen with solution, and
replace the other tip.
Lick-and-Stick
Envelope Glue
This gets passed around like a favorite cookie recipe. It is a must if you are
making notecards as gifts.
- 6 tablespoons white vinegar
- 4 1-oz. packets of unflavored gelatin
- 1 tablespoon flavoring (peppermint extract is
traditional)
Boil vinegar in a small pan. Add gelatin
and stir until dissolved. Add flavoring. Store in a
tight jar in the refrigerator. If
the glue solidifies in the jar, open the jar and melt it again with a few seconds in the
microwave, or in a pan of hot water. To use, brush a thin layer on
the envelope flap and let dry. Lick and stick! Tea Stain for Paper or Natural FabricWhen
a piece of paper or fabric isn't quite aged enough, you can speed up
the clock with a nice cup of tea. You'll get a warm brown patina
with some darker age spots.
- Two tea bags
- One quart of water
Boil
the water and pour over the tea bag in a flat pan (large enough to lay
the paper in). For a light stain, let it steep for an hour. For deeper
shades, double the amount of tea bags and the steeping time. Move
the tea bag around on the paper for stained spots. When you have
steeped enough, remove your items and spread them on paper towels to
dry overnight. If the paper curls when dry, press it flat again
under a weight or with a warm iron. By the way; scented tea, like cinnamon or herbal,
will scent the paper or fabric. Or try brewed coffee for a
deeper brown color. (Try aging some sheet music for our Wedding Scrapbook page)
(More to come)
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