Color Chef Challenge #7 {and the cracked glass technique}

For starters I can't believe it has taken me this long to play along with Kelly Jo's Close to My Heart color challenge. I always seem to run out of time...but today I got an early start and decided to knock out my Father in law's birthday card. I thought these colors would work really well for a super simple card for him.

I cheated a little on the colors, using Garden Green and New England Ivy, but it is dark and light green! ;)

Next the cracked glass trick. I had someone ask about it so I thought I would try to explain. Well, I'm not sure if this is the way everyone does it, but here's how it works for me...

1. Stamp your image on cardstock and color it as you wish. (for my sandollar yesterday I stamped in Chocolate and then sponged on Desert Sand and Chocolate.
2. Cut out the image (if you wish). I have done this technique without cutting the image, just keep in mind that your final cardstock will be a little bent.
3. Cover the image with Liquid Glass. (LG is a dimensional glaze that is sold by CTMH. Other companies sell similar products, I have no idea how those products work for this technique...) Use a generous amount. The LG should be visible raised from the surface of the image. If you barely smear it on it will not work.
4. Let it dry completely. This will likely take several hours. Because the LG is so thick it may crack as it dries.
5. Put it in the freezer for a minute. Take it out and immediately begin to bend the image. You will hear and see it crackle. As the image warms, it will stop cracking and start bending. Put it back in the freezer until it cools again and repeat the process until you have the desired amount of cracking.
6. If you are wanting an antique look you can then take a sponge dauber and rub a darker ink (chocolate or desert sand) over the image concentrating on the cracks and really working the ink into them. Then take a dry paper towel and rub over the LG to wipe away excess ink. (I didn't do this on the sanddollar, but I have done it before and it's a neat effect.)

I hope that makes sense. And I hope you give it a try! It really is a fun technique!