Upcycled Goodness

So several months ago (meaning December 2011) I started this SUPER AWESOME brain child of an idea.  As some of you know, I unmount all of my stamps if they are not already cling mounted.  I don't like wood mounted stamps, they take up tons of space.  But at the same time, I am a huge upcycle, use everything you can for whatever you can kind of girl.  So even though I unmount my stamps, I save the blocks.  Yep, I save the blocks.  And this is what I have done with two of the numerous blocks I have (a future post will share more of what I have done with my blocks).

 This was the original idea, that actually blossomed into two different creations.  I cannot tell you how long this little wood canvas/stamp block sat with gesso, glitter, and the flowers in the corner before the rest of the stuff got added.  Nonetheless, I can say that I am SO GLAD I took the time to let my ideas fully grow to ripeness.  Midway through the process of finishing this guy, I came up with the idea for the next one.  The "Create" was cut with my cricut using SCAL and is a welding of two different fonts.

This guy I have to say came together much faster than the first one, and I think I like a little better.  For both of these, I took some of the Unity Stamp Blocks - they're wood mounts come with the image of the stamp screen printed onto the wood (such a nice feature) - and added a thin translucent color of gesso and Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam to the wood.  Once that was dried, I colored some sand molding paste with some acrylic paint and then put it onto the wood with a Crafters Workshop stencil.  The butterflies in both pieces had several layers of UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel) placed on them, and then I stamped an image with ink of it into the hot UTEE.  For the red butterfly, I put glitter between one of the layers of UTEE and the last layer once it had been stamped and set, I rubbed some acrylic paint into the recesses and wiped off the excess.  The fringey looking flower, I made by cutting out a TONE of circles and then using my Martha Stewart Fringe scissors on.  I then folded the circles into quarters,  glued  them down, fluffed and DONE.

This project was so much fun to make and clear off my desk I cannot tell you!  And the awesome part is I now have to beautiful pieces that are inspiring, home decorating, and conversation starters.

Have a fun and crafty inspired filled day, and create something beautiful!
 
Supplies:  Wood Stamp Blocks (Unity Stamp Co.); Fine Grit Gel Medium (Golden); Brown and Cream Acrylic Paint (Americana); Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam, Studio G Glitter Glue (Glitter); Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi, Stampin' Up! Regal Rose (Ink); Stampin' Up! Vintage Vogue, Stampin' Up! Freshly Vintage, Stampin' Up! Broadsheet Alaphbet, Unknown (Stamps); Stampin' Up Butterfly Punch - Retired, Stampin' Up! Beautiful Butterflies Die, Stampin' Up! Bird Builder Punch (Butterflies, Leaves);  Tim Holtz Alteractions Tattered Florals Die, Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors, Mon Ami Gabby (Flowers); Metal Alphabets (Joann's Craft and Fabric);  Stampin' Up! Color Spritzer Tool; Crafters Workshop Template