DIY Snow Globe with etchall(R)

Have you ever tried etching?  I have a project idea to share with you today.  I used a recycled jar, some craft mirrors, glue and glitter and created a DIY snow globe.  I used some small sisal trees but you can use any miniatures that you would like to put in your snow globe.  Read on to see how!

******Follow this link to watch a video of Barbee explaining how to use etchall(R)

Materials you will need:

etchall(R): 16 oz.  dip'n etch

etchall (R):etchmask

etchall (R) squeegee

tacky glue

white glitter

sisal trees (any other minis you want for your globe)

3" foam ball - halved

craft mirrors:  1/2" square, 2-1/2" round

trim:  1/2" silver

recycled plastic bottle or container with the top cut off.  (slightly larger than the jar)

scrap paper

scissors

adhesive vinyl:  red

die-cut machine:  cut the word "Believe"

marbles or rocks (for weighting the jar)

Directions:

1.  Make sure your recycled jar is clean and sparkling! Don't forget the lid!

2.  Use the die-cut machine to cut a 3" wide oval.  

3.  Adhere the oval to the jar.  Use the Squeegee(R) to smooth out any air bubbles.  Remove the transfer paper and discard.

Now you are ready to etch!

4.  Add some marbles or rocks to the jar to give it some weight.  Sit it in the recycled plastic container.  Carefully pour the etchall(R) dip'n etch into the container.  As you can see in the photo below, the liquid is very dark.  That is a natural process with this product that happens over time.  The product is still good!  Go ahead and use it and make sure to save it for another use after you have your etch!

5.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.  If you need to adjust the jar in the etching liquid you can leave it in longer.  When the time is up, remove the jar, remove the etchmask (discard), and wash thoroughly.  Return the dip'n etch liquid to it's original container for another use.

6.  Now comes the fun part!  Invert the jar and adhere a round craft mirror to the (now) top of the jar.  Adhere the smaller square mirrors around the sides as shown.  I used a jar that had little square indents around the top and bottom which worked great for placing the mirrors.  You could use large rhinestones for this step too.  Apply a line of glue around the un-etched oval on the jar.  Cover it with glitter.  Also apply glitter around the mirrors.  Careful not to get it too messy or your mirrors will slide off.

7.  Trim the foam to fit the inside of the lid allowing room for the jar to screw back on.  Adhere the foam to the lid.  Adhere the trees to the foam and sprinkle heavily with glitter.  Allow to dry.

8.  I used my die-cut machine to cut out "Believe" from a red vinyl adhesive sheet.  I used some transfer paper over the top of it and applied it to the jar as shown.  Once all the air bubbles are rubbed out; remove the transfer paper.

9.  Insert the trees into the jar; screw the lid in place.  Finish by adding some silver trim around the sides of the jar lid.  

10.  I showed a variation at the top of the page.  Let your imagination be your guide!  Using recycled jars of all sizes make great snow globes for decorations and gifts.

Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Merry Christmas!

Marilyn

I received complimentary product for this

blog in exchange for my creativity,

Make this Patriotic Lamp for Summer Entertaining

Summer is almost here and it is time to start thinking about 4th of July parties and patriotic decorations.  etchallR has this very cool lampshade that can turn most bottles, jars, etc. into a decorative lamp.  Read on to find out how I made this one!

You can find the lampshade and etchallR products at http://etchall.com/lighten-up-kit/

You will need:

• etchallR:  Lighten Up Kit; dip 'n etch (pattern for shade in kit)
• 2 quart jar
• burlap: red
• fusible web
• iron and ironing board
• bead trim by the yard: red
• ricrac:  red and blue
• chalk paint:  red, blue, white
• painters tape
• paint brush:  1" flat
• cardstock:  vintage white
• clear glitter
• tacky glue
• 1" star punch or die cut
• glue gun
• milk jug, cleaned out and top cut off (or container the right size to etch your glass)
• scissors
• ruler
• pencil

Instructions:

1. Unpack the lampshade kit.  Remove the pattern from the shade.  Spread out.
2. Press the fusible web following manufacturers instructions onto the burlap.  Trace around the pattern onto the paper side of the fusible web using the pencil.  Cut out. Remove the paper.
3. Adhere the ribbon side of the trim to the (wrong side) bottom edge of the shade.
4. Adhere the ricrac to the bottom edge of the (right side) of the shade.  Adhere ricrac to the top edge of the shade.
5. Stars:  Punch out and apply glitter to the 1" stars.  Allow to dry. 
6. Etch:  Refer to manufacturers directions (and photo shown below) to etch the jar. Clean and dry.
7. Use the ruler to measure from the bottom of the jar and make a mark at the same measurement around the perimeter of the jar.  Wrap the painter's tape around the middle of the jar; following the marks.  It is easy to get the tape on at an angle and you want to keep it straight.
8. Paint the bottom of the jar blue.  Let dry thoroughly.  Remove the tape and apply another row of tape along the top edge of the blue paint.  Tape off any other area that you don't want painted.  Paint the top area white.  Let dry.
9. Remove tape; glue ricrac around the middle of the jar as shown in photo given.
10. For the shade:  Screw the lid back on the jar.  Adhere a wooden spool, dowel or candle cup to the top of the lid.  Make sure that it is the right size to fit in and activate the lamp.  If it is too tall, make a hole in the lid to shorten the length of the spool. Read the instructions for turning the lampshade on and off.  Adhere the stars to the shade.

Supplies

Refer to manufacturer's directions and etch the jar.  I turned the jar upside down and weighted the top to etch the top of the jar as my receptacle wasn't large enough and I used the entire bottle of dip 'n etch liquid.

**IMPORTANT:  Return the dip 'n etch liquid back to the original bottle after use.  It will turn a dark color but is still good for more use. 

Follow instructions given above to paint and finish the lamp.  Below is another photo of the finished lamp and shade.  It is ready for my summer activities on the deck.  This is the perfect little light to create some ambiance after dark.  I hope you are inspired to make one for yourself.

I hope you are enjoying spring and looking forward to a great summer packed with activities.

Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Life Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

etchall provides product and a small 

stipend in exchange for my creativity.

Fall & Halloween Treats!

T'was the night before Halloween.....and all through the house...there was a whole lot of stirring....but not by a mouse!

We like to "Boo" our friends and neighbors anonymously with treats every year.  Here is an inexpensive treat bottle that can be decorated and filled with candies for that special friend to enjoy and display.

You will need:

Joy Embroidered Letters:  1" orange letters spelling BOO      Find online here:  http://joysa.com/

etchall(R):  dip'n etch etching liquid

Smoothfoam:  1-1/4" ball

plastic liter bottle:  Cut off the top

acrylic paints:  DecoArt Americana in Persimmon, Flesh Tone, Milk Chocolate, Lamp Black, White

paintbrush:  3/4" flat, #3 round

cardstock:  scrap of green

jute string

adhesives

green embroidery floss

Tools:

scissors

paper punches: 1-3/4" circle; 1/2" circle

hot wire foam cutter or knife

permanent marker:  black ultra fine point

Water bucket and paper towels

Instructions:

1.  Head:  The smooth side will be the face.  With that in mind; cut a small rounded portion from the bottom of the Smoothfoam ball.  Adhere the flat side to the top of the bottle cork.  Set aside.

2.  Fill the bottle with something to weight it.  I used smooth decorative round stones.  Set the bottle in the open part of the 2 liter bottle.  Fill up to the bottle neck with water.  Remove the bottle. Using a black marker; mark the water line on the outside of the bottle. Pour out the water. You will fill up to this line with dip 'n etch liquid.

3.  Insert the clean bottle into the dip 'n etch.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.  When time is up; remove the bottle from the plastic liter bottle and rinse.  Pour the etching liquid back into the original bottle.  It will be good for many uses.  If it turns a dark color, that is OK.  It is still good for another use.

4.  Paint:   Paint the head and cork Fleshtone.  Allow to dry.  Refer to the photo given and paint 2 small White circles for the eyes.  Let dry.  Apply a tiny Black dip dot to the center of each eye.  Use the black pen to outline the whites of the eyes, draw the nose and the mouth.  Draw the teeth; then paint White.  Paint the bottle Persimmon.  Allow to dry and then shade using the Milk Chocolate.

5.  Hair:  Wrap jute twine around one hand about ten times.  Slide off of hand and cut the loop at each end.  Tie an extra piece of twine around the middle and knot to secure.  Glue to the top of the head.

5.  Hat:  Punch a 1-3/4" circle and a 1/2" circle from the green cardstock.  Cut a 1-1/2" x 3" rectangle of the same cardstock.  Roll it into a 1/2" x 3" cylinder.  Adhere the small round punch to the top of the cylinder. Glue the opposite end to the top of the circle.  Glue the hat to the top of the hair.

6.  Finish:  Tie embroidery floss around  the top of the hat crown as shown.  Tie another piece around the bottle neck and finish with a shoestring bow.  Adhere the letters to the front of the bottle.  

7.  Have a spooky good Halloween!

Note:  I receive a small stipend  in return 

using my creativity to show embroidered

letters by Joysa.

etchall(R) for easy Halloween glass painting!

 Trick-or-Treat!  Give me something good to eat!
October is just a few days away!  I love decorating the house for Fall and planning my Halloween treats and gifts.  It is always best to make more than one and luckily the supplies can be found at your local craft store or online!  I will be showing how to use etchall(R) dip 'n etch liquid to get a great paint job on glass!

I use etchall(R) products to etch my glass before painting. Preparing the glass for paint will make the job go much easier and you will be very happy with the results. The etchall(R) gives tooth to the smooth texture of the glass which grabs the paint.  This makes the paint go on smoothly and evenly.  Read on and I will tell you how I do it!  The picture below are the projects I created using etchall(R).  Batilda and her minions!

BATILDA AND HER MINIONS

You will need:

etchall(R):  dip 'n etch liquid    http://etchall.com/

2-Liter plastic bottle with top cut off

Glass Bottle:  Heart shaped with a cork (the largest here is 8" tall with the cork...the smaller ones are 5")

Acrylic Paints:  Orange, Black, Teal, Brown, Yellow, White, Fleshtone, Green

Paintbrushes:  3/4" flat, #3 round

Stylus or toothpicks

Smoothfoam:  1-3/4" ball (small bottles); 2" ball (large bottle)

Permanent Marker:  Black with a fine tip

Cardstock:  black and dark green

Pom-pom:  1" Black

Wiggle eyes:  two 1/8"

Jute twine

Joy embroidered letters:  1" spelling BOO

Hot wire foam cutter or knife

Adhesives

Scissors

Water bucket and paper towels

Marbles:  Smooth flat decorative (for weight)

5" tall bottle with 1-1/4" Smoothfoam Ball

Directions:

1. Remove the cork from the bottle.  Cut the rounded bottom off of the Smoothfoam ball.  Adhere the flat side of the ball to the top of the cork.

2.  Etch:  Fill the glass bottle up with marbles for added weight.  Set the bottle in the plastic liter bottle.  Fill with water up to the neck of the glass bottle.  Remove the glass bottle and make a mark on the outside of the plastic bottle at the waterline.  Dump the water.  Put the bottle back in the plastic container and fill it to the ink mark with the dip 'n etch Liquid.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.

etchall dip 'n'etch liquid, smooth marbles for weight and a converted 2-liter bottle

3.  When the time is up; remove the bottle from the dip 'n etch liquid.  Empty the stones; rinse and dry.

Pour the dip 'n etch back into the original container.  The product is still good even after it turns color from other uses.  The picture above shows how mine has turned darker.  It still works very well.

Pumpkin Minion candy container

4.  Head:  Paint the head and cork (neck) Fleshtone.  Allow to dry.  Paint small white circles for the eyes.  Apply a tiny black dip dot in the center of each eye.  Draw a nose and mouth using the black marker.  Outline the eyes with the black marker.  Paint the teeth white.  Refer to each image to copy details for the face. Paint the bottle orange and highlight strokes (float) of brown.

5.  Below:  Head:  Follow painting instructions given above; add eyelids and paint teal.  Draw the nose and mouth; fill in with black and paint the teeth white.

6.  Batilda Bottle:  Paint the bottle as shown; leave a clear space down the front to show the candy that is inside. Paint a black cape and apply white dip dots using the eraser of a new pencil.  Use a toothpick to dot the center of the eyes and for getting into small spaces.

Batilda candy container

7.  If you are new to drawing faces....practice first by drawing on a piece of paper.  The eyes are circles; the nose is a U and the mouth is like a crescent moon on it's side.  Use a light touch when you add the features to the face.  I will paint my hair on first; being careful to leave plenty of room for the face.  Use a pencil to draw on the features after the Fleshtone paint has dried.  This will help with placement and you will have success!

8.  For Batilda's head piece:  Fold a 3" x 6" piece of black cardstock in half, matching the short edges.  Draw one bat wing up to the middle fold.  Cut out; unfold and glue the pom-pom to the fold.  Glue the wiggle eyes to the pom-pom.  Glue to the top of her head.

Bespeckled Minion candy container

9.  Follow instructions #7 to draw this minions face using the photo given.

10.  Put your own special touches on these minions and their master!  I think they are fun and silly and I hope you got some inspiration here today.  I enjoy getting comments and questions.  Please leave them below if you have one!

We will all be raking up a lot of leaves this next month.  I hope you are enjoying your Fall weather!

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way, and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

Note:  I receive a small stipend for sharing my

creativity to showcase etchall(R) products.

Monogrammed Mirror and Jar Decor with etchall(R)

Gather a recycled jar with lid; a soda bottle with the top cut off and dip'n'etch liquid.  You will need a beveled edge mirror and a 4" square mirror for the center.  I purchased a wooden painted easel and painted over it with a color that I chose for my theme.

You will need:

etchall (R):  dip n' etch liquid; etchall creme, squeegee; etchall(R); etchmask Stencil ComboPak

 Shop here: http://etchall.com/store/products/etchall-etchmask-stencil-combopak/

die cutting machine 

Multi-Surface FolkArt piant by Plaid(R)

Tacky Glue

Embellishments:

Cording; 1 yard gold

Flowers; 1" pink mulberry paper

Corners:  gold filigree, 2

Pearls:  singles cut from pearlstring strand

scissors

paintbrush

water bucket

paper towels

Instructions:

1.  Follow the instructions given and attach the etchall transfer sheets to the etchall etchmask.  Cut the strips the size you want for applying stripes to the jar.  I cut them 1/2" x 4".  Cut enough to fit around the jar.

2.  Remove the release paper and apply evenly to the jar.  Use the squeegee to remove all and any air bubbles; then remove the transfer paper from the top of the etchmask.  

3.  Pour water into the soda bottle and insert the prepared jar.  Remove the jar and mark where the water line should be to prevent over-pouring.  Fill the soda bottle up to the marked line with etchall (R) dip 'n etch.

Fill the jar with water for added weight and place inside the soda bottle.  The etching liquid should come up to the top of the jar.  Set the timer for at least 15 minutes.  

4.  Remove the jar from the soda bottle.  Take care to pour the dip 'n etch back into the original bottle.  You can use it again!  Pour the water from the jar and rinse and dry it thoroughly.  Set it aside for now.

5.  Paint the lid with the Multi-Surface paint.  Allow to dry.  While the paint is out; paint the easel to match if you would like to change the color.

6.  For the beveled mirror:  Set the 4: square mirror in the center of the top of the larger mirror.  Use a pen or pencil to trace around the mirror.  Cut the strips to fit from the outer edges of the mirror into the marked line.  Remove the release paper from one strip of etchmask and attach it to the mirror.  Repeat with the remaining strips; spacing them evenly as shown.  Cut four 3/4" squares from the etchmask and adhere one to each corner of the mirror.  Use the squeegee to remove air bubbles; then remove the transfer paper from the etchmask.

7.  Lay the mirror on a flat surface and apply the etchall creme as directed by the manufacturer.  Set the timer for at least 15 minutes.  When time is up; place the creme back into the original container.  Rinse and dry the mirror thoroughly.  There is a great training video on the website if you have not etched before.  Here is the link:  http://etchall.com/getting-started/

8.  Die-cut the monogram and apply to the smaller mirror.  Repeat the process with the etching creme.  Remove the etchmask; rinse and dry the mirror.

9.  Use X-treme hold adhesive tabs to attach the monogrammed mirror to the center of the larger mirror. I used Tombow brand.

10:  To finish:  Adhere the cording one side at a time using the tacky glue.  Adhere cording around the neck and to the top of the jar.  I decorated the lid further with a 3" round mirror and glued the cording around the mirror.  Adhere the filigree corners to the bottom of the mirror and the flowers to the upper left hand corner.

You can make this your own by embellishing with your colors of choice.  I love finding recycled glass items to etch.  The thrift stores are a great place to start; but the craft store has much to offer as well!

On a personal note:  I will be taking these up to my mother's memorial service this next week-end.  She suffered for years with a mind robbing disease called Alzheimer's.  We are asking family and friends to donate toward the Alzheimer's foundation in lieu of flowers and the jar will be for people who donate at the site.  I will miss my mother; but we know she is in a much better place and free from a world that she no longer recognized.  

I hope you got some inspiration here today.....and I like getting comments if you would like to leave one.  Maybe you have a question.

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and;

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive a small stipend & free

product in exchange for sharing 

my creativity.