Easter Give-Away!!!!

I'm GIVING AWAY this beautiful cross on Good Friday!!! All you have to do is subscribe to my blog for your name to be entered into a drawing to WIN it!! On Friday- Scott (my husband) will draw a name and I'll announce the winner!!!! Shipping will be on me!!! No matter where you live :)

Jesus died for you because He Loves You! And His Gift of Salvation is FREE as Well!!!!

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!

Instructions for this project (Love Cross) is in the previous post. So if you don't end up winning- just make one:)

Kayla, my adorable niece and today-assistant is helping me enter my new Blog followers- names in for the drawing!!!!

Love Cross

Many of my friends decorate a focal wall in their homes with an assortment of crosses. They vary from big, small, old, new, tribal, Celtic, wooden, painted, mosaic-ed, and now…….. yes you guessed it! SHABBY CHIC-ed and GLITTERED!

Mixing the old world rustic with a punch of red glam is a perfect recipe for this graceful and timeless piece.

First, base coat the cross with white (Titanium White) paint twice and let dry.

Then squeeze red (Quinacridone Crimson) paint directly on the heart.  Use a brush to spread it thickly around the edges. Leave the paint shallow in the middle creating an empty heart that will later be FILLED with-GLITTER!

Use a brush to mix in the other shade of red (Naphthol Crimson) along the thick edges. Set aside to dry. Remember the thicker amounts of paint will take longer to dry. Mine took about 24 hours.

Mix equal parts of Glazing Medium with dark brown (Burnt Umber) paint. Quickly brush a thin layer over the entire cross.

Before it dries, spray water over the brown. Let it sit a couple of minutes.

Then use a paper towel and gently wipe away the water and any wet paint. This will leave you with a distressed weathered look. Repeat until you get the effect you want. If you want to apply this technique on a bigger surface, just work on small sections at a time. I suggest experimenting on a scrap piece of wood first until you get a feel for the technique.

After the painted heart has dried completely, use Designer Dries Clear to fill in the concave portion.  

While glue is still wet sprinkle the Red Kooky Ultrafine Opaque. Let dry. Tap heart to remove excess glitter onto a piece of paper. Now take the paper, while slightly folding it, pour glitter back into its container.

A soft, dry brush can also be used to dust off remaining glitter.

Brush on Designers Dries Clear to adhere the burlap around the ends of the cross. Let dry. Finally, hot glue a scrap piece of wood to the center of cross and then glue the heart on top. This will really make the heart POP-OUT! (The scrap piece needs to be smaller than the heart, so it will be hidden from view.)

Glitter has an amazing ability to capture light brilliantly…..so keep that in mind when you decide where to hang it.

Materials used:
-Art Glitter: Red Kooky Ultrafine Opaque
-Designer Dries Clear Adhesive 

-wooden cross
-small wooden heart
-strips of burlap
-small piece of scrap wood
-acrylic artist paint: white, dark brown, 2 shades of red (I used Liquitex, BASICS: Titanium White, Naphthol Crimson, Burnt Umber/ Liquitex, Soft Body: Quinacridone Crimson)
-glazing medium (I used Liquitex: Glazing Medium)
-spray bottle of water
-paintbrushes/ paint tray
-hot glue gun/sticks
-paper towels

"Sea Sprite" Napkin Rings

For more glittering ideas go to http://www.artglitter.com/guestdesigners.html 
Have you ever picked a color at the nail salon solely based on the name of the nail polish? Well, I have! (Cajun Shrimp is my new favorite-as you can see by the pics below!) Colors inspire me tremendously, but when they’re paired with a clever name, it becomes creative destiny! And glitter is no different. I was shopping on artglitter.com and the name, “Sea Sprite,” captured my eye! I automatically knew I wanted to create something “nautical,” with it!

Bring a touch of coastal living to your kitchen or patio table with these nostalgic napkin rings.

All of these items can be picked up at any retail craft store. But if you are vacationing at the beach this year, save some money and find your own shells.

Apply tape to the middle of the napkin rings, leaving a thin border on both ends and brush Designer Dries Clear over it.   

Pour a small amount of Sea Sprite (621), Vintage Glass Glitter, into a condiment cup. I love using these cups because they make transporting glitter back to their containers- a cinch! While the glue is still wet, dip the ends into the glitter. Remove tape and let it dry. 

Brush a thin layer of Designer Dries Clear over the tops of the shells and dip it into the Diamond Dust (613), Vintage Glass Glitter. Let it dry.  

NOTE: Please use caution with Vintage Glass Glitter and eating utensils. Make sure to brush off any excess glitter after it has dried and give it a quick coat of spray lacquer for safety reasons. Another alternative is an Ultra-fine Art Glitter choice...enjoy!    

Now use Designer Dries Clear again to glue the burlap strips to the center of the napkin rings. Tie a small piece of jute around the center of the each ring and cut off the tails. Finally, hot glue the glittered shell over the knot. Let it dry.

Add some simple napkins and your table will soon be sparkling with colors of the sea!

Materials used:

-Art Glitter: Vintage Glass Glitter, Sea Sprite (621) 

-Art Glitter: Vintage Glass Glitter, Diamond Dust (613)   

-Designer Dries Clear Adhesive   

-wooden napkin rings 

-small white sea shells

-strips of burlap 

-jute
-tape
-paintbrush
-condiment cups
-scissors
-hot glue gun/sticks