Crackling Up

So many projects in the works . . . and none of them done!  Oh well, instead of posting a start-to-finish tutorial, I'll show you this fun technique I learned here.  I have been messing around with this great (cheap!) way to make a crackle finish a lot lately.  I'll be honest, I'm probably spending a little too much time watching paint dry ;)  Anyway, here's how you too can make something crackled & cool!

You will need:
Acrylic paint (be bold, do TWO colors)
Elmer's glue
Brushes (I use foam)
Something to paint

I like both looks - crackle on straight chip board/upcycled cardboard, and when it's showing a peek of another color.  You decide which you want to do - if you want two colors, then paint your base coat and let mostly dry.   Now, cover your piece in glue.

The more uneven, the better (in my humble opnion!).  The thicker the glue, the larger the cracks (and vice versa).  Spread the glue around with one of those brushes - if it starts to dry, put a little more on.  Or leave it - there won't be any cracks in those areas!

Don't let your glue dry!  At least, not all the way!  Spread the paint on nice and thick - I think thicker paint also makes larger cracks, but I cannot quantify that claim!  However, I thinned the white paint on this first board with a little water and the cracks are a quite a bit smaller.  

Set your pieces somewhere safe to dry and then watch the magic happen!  Or, if you have more important things to do (like wash your hair, etc), maybe just come back in an hour or so.  It takes a little longer to dry with that glue layer.  Isn't it amazing?  (This is my second board, where I painted on a lime green base coat and did not thin the white paint - see the larger cracks?)

 What am I making with these interesting bits?  Well, I can't tell you - but I'll show you next week, after they are done and have been shipped & received :)  Have fun making your own crackled items - once you start, you can't stop!

This little birdie is for sale at my shop :) See - I can't stop!  These are made using upcycled cardboard packaging.  I'll be adding more fun shapes soon!  And what else will you be seeing soon . . . why some of these little beauties - I saw it, pinned it, and had to MAKE it - because these teeny bows are too darn cute.  I'm making non-jewlery items with my bows - I'll share more soon!

I linked this up to Domestically Speaking's Power of Paint Party - head on over and check out her new blog - all about paint!

I like to party here -

MONDAY:

Make Something Mondays at Sarahndipities     Motivate Me Monday at Keeping It Simple    Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do    Creative Me Monday at The Southern Institute    A Round Tuit at Creating My Way To Success   Newbie Party at Debbie Doo's

TUESDAY:

Handmade Tuesdays at Ladybug Blessings     Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie     Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog     Tutorial Tuesday at Newlyweds on a Budget    Take-a-look-Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts

WEDNESDAY:

Show and Tell Linking Party at Blue Cricket Design     We Did It! Wednesday at Sew Much Ado     Wow me Wednesday at Ginger Snap Crafts    Your Whims Wednesdasy at My Girlish Whims     Made by Me at Jaqsstudio

THURSDAY:

Things I've Done Thursday at Bear Rabbit Bear      Home for the Holidays at Uncommon      Taking Time-Out Thursday at Mom On Timeout      Create and Share at The Trendy Treehouse    DIY Thrifty Thursday at Thrifty101    Link it up Thursday at These Peas Taste Funny    Link It Up Thursday at Kadie - Seven Alive

FRIDAY:

Latest and Greatest Friday at Days of Chalk and Chocolate     Winter Wonderland at igottacreate   Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous   Freestyle Friday at Happy Hour Projects    Shine on Friday at Happy Go Lucky    Featured Friday at Blissful and Domestic    Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage      It's a Hodgepodge Friday at It's a Hodgepodge Life    Featured Friday at Toys in the Dryer        Potpourri Friday at 2805

SATURDAY:

Get Schooled Saturday at Too Much Time on My Hands      Tickled Pink at 504 Main      Scrappy Saturdays at Candace Creations     A Pinteresting Link Party at Here's to Handy Andy   Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors    Head 2 Head Saturday Showdown at I can't stop crafting

SUNDAY:

Not Baaad Sundays with Lamb Around   Lisa's Linky Party at Lisa's Craft Blog    Creative Bloggers Party & Hop at Homemaker on a Dime   I made this! at Bath Bomb Creations