This week’s feature is an altered box with a crackle finish by Theresa Tyree!
Theresa will show us how to apply a crackle finish in four easy steps. But first, let’s find out about this gorgeous box, which Theresa designated as a container for homemade cards.
The box is a plain chipboard one that you can get at Michael’s. Did that surprise you? Chipboard? I thought it was wood!
The ornate handle is also from Michael’s. Just drill holes into the box to attach it.
Theresa layered three different items for that gorgeous flower. On the bottom is a Bazzill bling flower.
On top of that is a flower she cut from an antique hymnbook using a die-cut.
Finally, Theresa punched a circle from some paper, stamped the letters with white ink, and topped it with a Making Memories page pebble.
Now to those four easy steps for a crackle finish. Theresa provided the following instructions by demonstrating them on a chipboard star:
1. Begin with a plain piece of cardboard/chipboard. I used my Sizzix to cut out this star shape.
2.Next, choose a color of paint for your base coat. I usually use a dark color underneath and a light color on top. The dark color is what will show through once the paint crackles. Here I used Making Memories copper glaze.
3.Once the paint dries, apply the Crackle Medium. I use one by Folk Art and you can buy it at Wal-Mart. I used a sponge brush and covered my painted star with it. Let it dry before proceeding to the next step.
4. This step is where the magic happens. Apply your top coat. I used Making Memories acrylic paint in Manila. The trick here is to use a lot of paint when you brush it on AND don’t go over it again or you’ll mess up the crackle layer. Just lay it on thick with one brush stroke on each application.
When it starts to dry, the top coat will start to crack and you will end up with something beautiful like this…
