Tag: heat embossing

Photo transfers and altered windows

On By lindaIn home decor14 Comments

Linda_Neff_mini_mug_shotI recently shared with you the altered window I was working on. Well, it’s finally finished – sort of. I still need to decide what will go into the three remaining panes but for now I’m very happy with the results.

I used Globecraft & Piccolo embossing powders on the Piccolo Accents that are used to decorate the window frame. It’s also used on some of the window frames’ edges to give it a touch of aged gold. My biggest thrill though, is the photo transfer that I finally got to work! It tool three tries but the third one turned out just as I had envisioned.

I printed a sepia-tone, color photo of my grandparents and my mother onto plain white office supply paper on my ink jet printer. I was determined to get it to work using my regular every-day supplies. I had read many articles on photo transfers and figured out that basically it’s an experiment for the most part and if you get lucky, it works. I got lucky.

My first attempt I did just by-the-book. I brushed Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze onto a portion of  the window pane in a large enough area to fit the photo I had printed out and torn the edges off. I placed the photo face-down in to the Glastique and burnished it onto the glass and wiped up any extra Glastique before it dried. I left it overnight and spritzed it the next day to rub the paper away and it all came off. Not suppose to happen.

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So I cleaned the pane, printed another photo and tried again. This time I also brushed the Glastique onto the photo as well as the glass. Placed it on the glass, burnished it and to really hold it down, I brushed Glastique over the top. Wrong. The next day when I spritzed the paper to prep it for rubbing away, the water wouldn’t soak into it. The extra coating of Glastique sealed the photo onto the glass – Duh! So, I saturate the photo, scrap it up so I can get some water under it and finally get it all scrapped off. Onto the third try.

I referred back to my book again and decided maybe I wasn’t using enough medium (Glastique) for the transfer to work. This time I printed another photo, tore the edges away, brushed a good thick layer of Glastique onto the glass and onto the face of the photo. I carefully laid it onto the coated area of the glass and used a brayer this time to burnish. I rolled over it in both directions several times, being very careful not to get Glastique on the back of the photo. When I thought it was good, I took a damp cloth and wiped away the Glastique that oozed out from using the brayer. It sat overnight once again.

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The next day, I spritzed it with water and gently began to rub away the paper backing. Success! It worked just like it was supposed to. I think with photo transfers it’s just a matter of experimenting on different surfaces with different mediums. The G&P Glastique worked perfectly once I figured out how much I needed.

I also used three DIY Ornaments to create a banner to string across the window. The ornaments are connected with jump rings and Piccolo Accents that are embossed with G&P Vintage Copper Embossing Powder. I also used Vintage Copper Embossing Powder on the ornament rings and the key. I used the heat flash technique so the powder is not melted completely leaving an aged, worn look.

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The completed window looks even better than I imagined it would and the photo transfer is wonderful on the window pane. I backed it with a sheet of vintage music paper to add a bit of contrast. Those are old insulator knobs a friend spotted at an antique mall for me attached to the bottom. They’ll make a great hangar or shelf to perch an old book or other memorabilia on.

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I’m lovin’ playing with these DIY Ornaments. I’m always thinking of different uses for them. How about you – any ideas? Jump on over to the G&P Blog today to see the DIY Ornaments I hung from a vintage lamp shade.

Select your own G&P products to play with here:

The makeover of an old barn window

On By lindaIn home decor, Uncategorized6 Comments

Just had to show you a project I’ve been working on lately. It’s another altered window but instead of messy embossing paste and a stencil I’m experimenting with Globecraft & Piccolo Accent pieces as adornments.

I asked for a specific flourish and some fleur-de-lies and they made them for me! I was so excited to play with them, to see how I could use them. After I punched out all my pieces I gathered my G&P Embossing Powders and adhesive and started to play.

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First I laid them out around the window frame to establish some sort of pattern or idea of how I might place them. Of course, all that went right out the window (no pun intended) once I began coloring the window frame and embossing the G&P Accents!

Vintage Copper and Gilded Rose Gold were used here in several alternating layers. I start by completely melting my first layer then alternately use the heat flash technique to achieve the aged, vintage look you see above. Because I wanted the pieces to look aged and worn I also applied Mars Black and Burnt Umber 3D Enamel Gels with my finger to tone down the shine. They worked great! The dark brown and black gels settle in the little nooks and crannies when rubbed on with the finger-application method.

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I also used the G&P Embossing Powders on an old key I had. It just wasn’t quite right so I applied Cobalt Turquoise, Burnt Umber and Mars Black 3D Enamels Gels with the fingers to achieve the look you see below. I think it turned out really great. Love all the little doses of turquoise I see in there.

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I also wanted to see how the Gilded Rose Gold embossing powder would look on the edges of the window frame to I dabbed on the Embossing Powder Adhesive and lightly sprinkled with the powder and heat set. Wow! It looked just like an old rusty edge. I liked it so well I added it sparingly around the entire window frame.

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Once the frame color was where I wanted it I began to add the G&P Accents pieces I had embossed and distressed earlier. Once the pieces were glued in place I added a thick coat of Glastique Gloss to seal and protect them. The Glastique speeds up the patina-look of the metallic embossing powders and really adds a special punch to the pieces.

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The window is not quite finished. I just haven’t been able to ‘see’ where it wants to go. But as soon as I do, you all will be the first to see!

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It’s been a busy week and I have several project posts out there today in addition to the window, so hop on over to the Globecraft & Piccolo Blog to take a look at another ornament I worked on recently then swing by Art Glitter to see how I used those cute little heart-shaped ornaments as gift tags on gift bags that I decorated with Art Glitter!

Singing your song…

On By lindaIn card making, Stamping, Uncategorized, Xyron5 Comments

Two of my favorite companies teamed up during October to cross promote their products. It’s been amazing to discover how well their products work together.

I’m talking about Art Glitter and Globecraft Memories. And, it just so happens I’m on each of their design teams so how much fun is that!

For this cross-promotion I almost made another ornament. I love how quick and easy they are to make and they just mesmerize me. I love the way the light shines through the glitter shards. But, I decided to put some extra effort into it and try my hand at another Globecraft Memories Easel Greetings.

There’s really nothing fancy about these greetings. They come five to a pack for under $5 and they’re white. That’s pretty much what I like about them. They’re plain so I can paint, spritz, ink or cover with pretty paper, they stand on their own, so my recipient can put it on display, and they fit into a standard-size A2 envelope (unless you get a little heavy-handed like I tend to do!).

On this Easel Greetings I actually incorporated Xyron as well. I ran my corrugated heart (yes, I used it again) through the Xyron 2.5″ Create-a-Sticker and rubbed away part of the adhesive before coating it in Art Glitter and tapping the excess off. Remember the faux lace technique from May? Well, rather than use a tape runner I discovered the technique works just as well with the Xyron. It gives it a roughed-up appearance which I tend to like.

That adorable birdcage on the card front is also from Globecraft Memories. It’s from the Piccolo Vintage Bird Cage Charms. Hop on over to Art Glitter’s blog and you’ll see the steps involved to make this card yourself. While you’re there, check out the posts from the rest of the team. There are some adorable and creative projects!