I then used a selection from Melina Dahl's That's Crafty! Clear Stamps Funky Flowers Set 1, and stamped with Versafine Clair Nocturn.

Oh yes, one of my cats thought he could help!

I then went over the surface again with a dry brush and some of the colours I had already used. This really built up the layers of texture. I then added the piggy from That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Melina's Quirky Animals, filling in the body and head with That's Crafty Multi Surface Paints in red and white. I also added some colour to some of the stamped flowers.

I finally added elastic to the centre of the spine to create a closure. 

Thank you for visiting.

Wishes

Lynne

A long time ago I altered a well known candle jar with a faux porcelain technique and many people asked how to recreate it - well the products are now available in stock at That's Crafty! and I have managed to find the time to make a few samples using it. I hope you like the idea as its a really easy way of upcylcing old glass containers (candle jars, reed sent bottles and a cheap supermarket glass yoghurt pots as well as items rescued from charity shops).

Step 1: wash and thoroughly clean your glass.

Step 2: give the outside a spritz with rubbing alcohol to ensure that the surface to be decorated is completely grease free.

Step 3: using a foam applicator apply a thin coat of Bonding Primer let it dry and then repeat.

Step 4: apply a thin coat of acrylic paint - the choice of colour depends on the colour of the image you are going to decoupage on in the next step - I chose to work with Ivory, Off White or White which will work for most images that are on a white background. (Do NOT use gesso for this layer). Once the first layer of acrylic has dried add a second thin layer. It is better to build layers slowly allowing them to dry inbetween and to apply the paint with a sponge dauber so that you do not repeatedly go over the same area).

Step 5: apply your chosen imagery - in the examples photographed I used a floral for the central pot and for the other two flower textures rice papers. I simply tore round the image that I wanted keeping fairly close to the image - you may find it easier to use some water on a brush to draw round the image and then pull the image out that way. Adhere the images in place using Decoupage Glue Matte or Ceramic. Try to keep this wrinkle free - you may need to tear into the image so that it fits nicely around the shape of the glass you are using. Once in place cover with a layer of the decoupage glue and leave to dry throughly. The Pentart decoupage glues also act as a varnish so seal your project at this stage. This protects the rice paper during the next steps.

I used a simple pamphlet stitch to sew my signatures to the cover, making sure I started with the thread going from inside to outside. 

For the front cover decoration I used a small element from the Hortensia A4 mould from Stamperia that I had previously cast using Ceramic Powder again from Stamperia (to see how I cast, please read last Monday's blog). I painted the oval element using That's Crafty! Multi Surface Paints in Light Blue, Ocean, Teal and White.

I cut a length of white ribbon and stuck it to the back cover across the centre with double sided tape, and to the right hand flap of the front cover. I then applied That's Crafty! 3d Gloss Gel Medium to the right hand side of the back of the ceramic disc (after flipping it upside down), then stuck this to the right hand side of the cover so that it overlapped onto the left hand side, making sure the gel didn't spread across the left hand flap. I finished by tying off the ribbon once the gel had set. 

I really enjoyed making this journal, and I find stitching my pages in to be very relaxing. I hope you enjoyed, and please do have fun creating whatever you create!