E-Team Special Mission: Let's Get Cracking!

Could there BE a better theme for the eclectic Paperie E-Team's first challenge of the new year?! I don't know about you, but now that the holidays are over, I'm in a post-festivities funk. It happens every year. So, when Daisy sent down an assignment called "Let's Get Cracking," I knew it was just the kick in the patootie I needed to get back into the crafting mindset. 

Although, technically, I'm pretty sure I cracked up at least three weeks ago. 

A crackle challenge is just plain fun. There are so many great products to choose from (like crackle paint, ultra thick embossing enamel... you the idea), and you can go so many directions, from vintage to edgy post-modern. For my own piece, I went decidedly romantic, with a little help from my maternal grandparents, circa 1974:

Sadly, they're both long gone, but this is my valentine for Grandmother and Granddaddy Couch. I wanted to use Ranger's Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint for my project, but instead of applying it directly to the images, I brushed it onto various sizes of Ranger's clear Memory Glass to create a mosaic. It was really easy, and I didn't have to deal with paper warping. Bonus! Here's the process:

Figure out what images you'd like to use, and select pieces of Memory Glass that will accommodate them. I chose vintage Valentine's Day images from Tim Holtz's Seasonal Paper Stash, along with the old photo of my grandparents. Brush Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint onto one side of each piece of Memory Glass. Let it dry until it begins to crack, then feel free to use a Heat Tool to speed up the cracking. 

Using an Ink Blending Tool and a deep shade of Distress Ink (I used Vintage Photo), work the ink into the crackles. Press the foam into the dried Crackle Paint and gentle twist to really get the ink into those crevasses! 

Use a damp paper towel to gently wipe away most of the ink. What's left will settle into the crackles and enhance the antiqued look. 

Adhere the Memory Glass to your images by placing a tiny dot of Glossy Accents in each corner. Allow it to dry, then trim away any excess paper around the edges. 

From there, use your crackled tiles to make a mosaic, a piece of jewelry, a greeting card... whatever your heart desires! I continued on with the crackle theme by painting a piece of chipboard with Fired Brick Crackle Paint, edging it with Tarnished Brass Crackle Paint (what a fabulous color! I'll be using that one a LOT from now on!). I embellished with some sweet Tim Holtz Trimmings, spritzed with Ranger Adirondack Color Wash in Red Pepper. 

(By the way, if you want to keep an image strong, dab the Rock Candy Crackle Paint around the edges of the Memory Glass and kept the center open. The non-crackled area will really draw your eye!)

Albert and Kate had been married 59 years when this photo was taken. They were together another seven before my grandmother passed away. 

By the way, eclectic Paperie is going to give away 3 prizes for this blog hop! Both winners will receive a BOX FULL of Paper, a sampling of Distress Stickles, and-- my favorite!--Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint!

To be eligible to win, simply visit each of the participating blogs listed below and publish a comment!  Each blog will accept comments through Sunday, and please leave one comment per person, per blog. The two winners will be announced on the eclectic Paperie blog on Monday, January 10th.

The E-Team is:

Daisy, our fearless leader

Latrice

Linda D

Linda L3-- That's me!

Micki

Sherry

Starla

Broni is sitting this one out, but be sure to visit her blog and say "hello!"

Thanks so much for stopping by, and don't forget to visit my E-Team friends and leave a comment at each blog to increase your chances of winning that spectacular gift bundle, courtesy of the always generous Daisy at eclectic Paperie!

Hugs,

Linda