Hey crafty gals, this is Tay Silver and I’m here to talk about glazing. Glazing is really popular right now in furniture and cabinet finishes but we’re going to show you a super simple way to take it a step further to glaze your craft projects using regular acrylic craft paints.

Here’s what you’ll need:
Wall Glaze (sold in the paint section of home improvement stores)
Acrylic craft paint
Paint brushes
Disposable bowl to mix glaze in

First, you’ll need to begin with your wood piece already cut, sanded and painted in a solid under-color. In our example we started with a plain white board that had already dried. For added detail, we sanded the edges slightly to reveal the wood underneath so it would pick up more glaze color around the edges.

1. Use a paint brush to scoop up a small amount of glaze into the bowl – about 1 tablespoon per 12 inches of wood board. A little glaze goes a very long way!

2. Add acrylic craft paint to the glaze in equal parts if the paint is a dark color. If glazing with white, add two parts paint to one part glaze. Add more paint to darken the glaze color if you wish. We used a dark gray acrylic craft paint then added one drop of black craft paint to create a charcoal glaze.

3. Using a sponge brush, paint the face and sides of your work piece with a quick, thick layer of the glaze and paint mixture. Don’t be precise, a fast and messy application yields the best results.

4. Let the glaze sit for about 1 minute while you go and wet down an old rag or paper towels. Ring out excess water, you only want the rag to be damp.

5. Wipe away the glaze in long, even strokes that run in the same direction if you wish for a ‘linen’ like finish, which we did for our example, or wipe away in a circular motion to leave more whimsical glaze swirls. Your board will dry the way it appears so if you want less glaze, simply wipe it away. If you want the glaze to be heavy and dark, spread the glaze with your damp cloth and leave it.

6. Wipe glaze from the sides last, where a thicker deposit will give your project interest and dimension. Let the board dry for several hours before applying vinyl.

If you don’t like how the glaze is looking, remove the glaze with a drenched rag, let the wood dry and try again. However, the point of glazing is to add rustic, weathered charm so the more you think you have “messed up”, the better your piece will look in the end. You really cannot mess it up. For my projects I have had the best glazing results when I painted the wood with satin wall paint (purchased in sample sizes) then glazed over it. The satin wall paint is water resistant, which means the paint is more durable and stays put when I’m wiping away glaze, allowing for you to texturize the glaze with brush dragging patterns if you so choose.

Once you have discovered how easy glazing is, you’ll be able to take your projects to a whole new level!

Happy crafting and be sure to post your creative works in our gallery!

My team members are so dang crafty!

When Tiffany Keetch showed me this project I was like ‘ummmm….stealing that for my blog, thank you very much!’ Luckily Tiff graciously agreed to let me post this for you because I just know you guys are going to like this one. Check out her project.

Hi everyone! Tiff here. This year I found the cutest Valentine ideas in the February issue of Better Homes and Gardens. Of course though, I had to make them cuter by using Minty goodies. ;)

For my hubby I made up this Scratch & Win Valentine Ticket:

Okay.. bear with the photo – I didn’t want to scratch it off before I gave it to my hubby, so this shows what is printed under the silver/scratchable heart.

Wanna make one?? It’s really easy.

1. Make the background of your Valentine. I used the new He Loves Digital Scrapbooking Kit and CK Becky for the scripty font. (If you don’t digitally scrapbook, you could also just type the words in a word processor.) Type “prizes” in the heart shapes.

2. Print the card onto cardstock and trim. Print the heart outline for a template. Cut a piece of contact paper long enough to cover all the hearts, and trace your heart template onto the back (paper side) of the contact paper. Tape the contact paper to a flat surface, paper side down.

3. Make a scratch-off solution out of one part dishsoap to two parts silver acrylic paint. I knew I wouldn’t use very much, so I used a baby spoon to measure. Using a flat brush, paint a thin coat of the solution on the top of the contact paper. Make sure you have covered all the area inside the hearts you traced on the other side. Let it dry for one hour. Repeat with a second coat.

4. Cut out the hearts (following your traced line), peel off the backing, and place over the heart spaces on the card. Package the card with a penny!

How fun is that? Get creative, you can do this with so many different shapes for many different occasions. Hope you enjoy!

Find more cute projects from Tiffany Keetch at: http://tiffkeetch.blogspot.com

I put together a short list of cute sayings for chocolate, candy (and non-editable) treats last year so I’ve decided to expand on it quite a bit. I hope it helps you out in putting together some awesome Valentines treats this year! Happy crafting ;)

FOOD, CANDY, SNACKS

1. You’re ‘beary’ special (gummy bears)
2. I can’t ‘lick’ my problems without you (lollipop)
3. No matter what – we ‘stick’ together (glue, gum, lollipop)
4. I’m a sucker for you (lollipop)
5. You blog me away (blowpop)
6. You’re my ‘treasure’ (chocolate coins)
7. You take the cake (cake, cupcakes)
8. You drive me ‘bananas’ (banana flavoured candy, banana bread)
9. I’m bananas for you (banana flavoured candy, banana bread)
10. I have a ‘ball’ with you (gumballs, sour balls)
11. You are ‘eggs-tra’ special (chocolate eggs)
12. You go the ‘extra’ mile with me! (extra gum)
13. You can count on me when things get sticky (gum, jellies, marshmallows)
14. I’m ‘stuck’ on you (gum, jellies, marshmallows)
15. I’m ‘nuts’ for you (chocolate with nuts)
16. You drive me ‘nuts’ (chocolate with nuts)
17. You are ‘soda’ special (soda/pop)
18. iThink you’re awesome (iPhone candy bar wrapper)
19. You melt my heart (smooth chocolate)
20. I love you no matter how you ‘slice it’ (something with slices)
21. I ‘mint’ to tell you, you’re the best (mint-flavoured candy)
22. You were ‘mint’ for each other (mint-flavoured candy)
23. You go the “extra” mile with me! (extra gum)
24. You ROCK! (pop rocks)
25. You’re a real lifesaver (lifesavers)
26. You’re the ‘berry’ best (anything berry flavored)
27. I’m ‘nuts’ about you (nuts, M&M peanuts)
28. You’re a real catch (goldfish crackers, fishing gear)
29. You are o’fish’ally awesome (goldfish crackers, fishing gear)
30. I like the way you roll (lifesavers, rolo, mentos)
31. You have my heart (candy hearts)
32. There are a million ‘Reeses’ why I love you (Reese’s peanut butter cups)
33. I ‘knead’ you (bread)
34. You’re kool (koolaid packet)
35. Orange you glad you are mine? (orange flavoured chocolate or candy)
36. We make a great ‘pear’ (fresh fruit, pear flavoured candy)
37. Bee mine (bee, honey)
38. I’ve got a soft spot for you (chewy chocolate chip cookie)
39. Dog-gone it! Please be mine (toy dog, doggy biscuit)

NON EDITABLE

1. I ch-ch-choo choose you (train)
2. I’m stuck on you (stickers, temporary tattoos)
3. I a-door you (printable door hanger)
4. I love/like you a latte (anything coffee related – gift card?)
5. You’re the cream in my coffee (anything coffee related – gift card?)
6. Together forever (duct tape, super glue or anything sticky)
7. I think you’re a-maze-ing (puzzles, maze book)
8. You make my heart bounce (ball)
9. I wheelie like you (toy car)
10. You blow me away (bubbles)
11. I’m MAD about you (mad libs book)
12. You’re the bomb (bath bomb)
13. Will ewe be mine? (sheep)
14. Ewe are special – be mine! (sheep)
15. Especially for ewe. (sheep)
16. I get a kick out of ewe. (sheep)
17. You’re just my type. (different fonts, typewriter toy)
18. You ‘auto’ be mine. (toy car)
19. You’re ‘tops’ with me. (toy top, t-shirt)
20. I’m hooked on you (fishing hook)
21. You’re just write for me (crayons, markers, pencils)
22. Let’s get this straight: you’re mine! (ruler)
23. You measure up! (tape measure, ruler)
24. You are the highlight of my life (highlighter, flashlight)
25. You have left an lasting impression on my heart (sharpies)
26. You rub me the right way (sand paper, hand/body lotion)
27. Life is more bearable with you in it (teddy bear)
28. We’re the perfect pair (socks, pair of anything)
29. You’re purrr-fect to me (cat)
30. It is rough when you are not around (nail file, manicure kit, sand paper)
31. You’re a winner (scratch lotto ticket)

CUTE VALENTINE’S POEM
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I made this card,
Just for you.

It’s not the neatest,
It won’t pass a test
But I made it with love,
And that makes it the best.

Movie Night Bingo Cards
Project & Tutorial by: Mary Jo Johnston

Have you seen Miss Mint’s latest FREE Digi Kit? If you haven’t, go HERE immediately (if not sooner!).

If you haven’t downloaded Movie Night, you must have been under a rock or buried under holiday decorations for the last couple of weeks. Hurry, it’s only FREE for a limited time!

And, I have an added bonus for you – a cute, new, FREE hybrid project that you can make (after you’ve unburied yourself from the holiday decorations!).

Go Grab:
- Movie Night Kit, of course! (*note: a few elements are from the Christmas Flicks Kit, but you could use Movie Night for the entire project)
– A Circle Punch
- Scissors or Trimmer

Wow! That’s it. Besides your creative skills, computer and printer, you only need 3 tools.

How to do it:
I started with a simple 5” x 5” grid design, in Photoshop. (I later shrunk the entire design to 5” x 7”). From there, I selected my favorite elements and placed them in the each square. Don’t forget the FREE star in the middle!

After the grid design was complete, I flattened the image and placed it on top of my favorite patterned paper, in a new canvas. I added the MOVIE title and embellishment across the top, as well as, the instructions at the bottom. I printed the cards two to a page.

Next, I created my Bingo Markers and Calling Tags.
These are very simple circles (use a size that matches the size circle punch you own).

Your Calling Tags will vary depending on the elements you chose for each row on your Bingo Card. Be sure to create a Calling Tag for every element, under every letter. You’ll do this for each Bingo Card, as each one should be different. I created a total of four Bingo Cards, in four different patterns.

Create and punch as many Bingo Markers as you like. You’ll use these to cover the spaces on your card as each letter and picture are called.

Doesn’t that make you want to pop some popcorn, throw in your favorite movie and play a little Bingo?!

Happy creating and Happy New Year!

Mary Jo =)

This year was packed with fantastic hybrid projects. I LOVE seeing my digital designs being printed and used to create something tangible. It is so exciting to see them come to life! My talented team took some of my most favorite products and turned them into the most gorgeous cards, layouts, and gifts ever! A big HUGE thanks to Mary Jo who pretty much owns this post thanks to all her INCREDIBLE cards and projects. I bow in awe and envy! ;)

Click on any image to view credits/products used.
Check out the Hybrid Gallery for even more inspiration!

Amazing right? Makes me want to get up and make something!
Well…don’t just sit there – get CRAFTING!!

Also check out: The Best Digital Scrapbook Layouts of 2011

xo.

Looking for a fun winter weekend activity? You have to check out these adorable snow globes by Mint Chick Joscie Cutchens. Could these possibly be any cuter? Check out Joscie’s blog OhScrap! to find out how she put these together.

Enjoy!