Compendium of Curiosities Challenge #14

Another fabulous Fall day here in Florida, and another Compendium of Curiosities Challenge to try! Challenge #14 (we're rolling right along) is "Colored Crackle" and can be found on page 53 of the  wonderful Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III book by non-other than Tim Holtz.

If you haven't purchased this book yet, well,... I have to wonder why. It's chock full of techniques and tips on how to use the products, with tons of inspirational samples inside. So, if you're one of those folks who stand in front of the Tim Holtz display at the craft store and wonder what the heck to do with all that vintage stuff, this is the book for you! You can get your copy at the store or you can order one signed my Tim himself. Just keep reading through my post to the end for all the details.

Now on to the challenge. Every other week, a challenge is presented and you are invited to join in the learning and fun, and possible win a prize! Details on that are also listed at the end of my post.

My project for the Colored Crackle technique is ornaments. Birdhouse ornaments.

I can't wait to hang theses on my Christmas tree rather than the bush on the side of my house.

While I can't share the actual Colored Crackle technique here (that's for you to explore with your copy of the book) I can share a few tips and details about my ornaments. I started with the smallest wooden birdhouses I could find at my local craft store. These were $1.99 each and they are just under 3" tall. I used my pliers to pluck out the white rope pieces and will replace those with something pretty.

Before doing the Colored Crackle technique, I painted two coats of coordinating Distress Paint on each house as a base coat. Then I did the Colored Crackle technique.

I added the smallest mirrored star to the end of each perch, then began embellishing with a small wreath, tinsel twine, and Idustrious Stickers for the roof line. I thought I might do each house differently...

...but in the end, I decided for a cohesive look, so I changed only the style of stickers on the rooflines and kept everything else the same.

To match the look and feel of the tinsel and the industrious stickers, I colored some metal foliage pieces with Alcohol Ink Silver Mixative.

I adhered those to the front of my birdhouses along with some tiny frosted candy canes.

I thought they'd look extra cute with something pretty dangling off the bottoms, so I inserted an eye hook into each base...

...then connected a bauble with a silver jump ring.

I weaved some crinkle ribbon into the top of each roof's hole and grabbed the tails with my pliers inside the house and pulled through, tied a knot, then tied another length of ribbon into a bow and hot glued that to the top.

This was a quick and fun project that you could do with the family or friends during the holidays. Not difficult and very cute when all finished. I hope you'll give it a try--and if you do--please let me know. I'd love to see!

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Do you have the fabulous Compendium of Curiosities Vol. III book by Tim Holtz? (the master of all things vintage and distressed.) If not, you can find one at your local craft store, scrapbook store, or you can get a signed copy by Tim himself by going here. 

You can find all the CC3 Challenge details and FAQs here.  The lovely Linda Ledbetter is our hostess of this fun series of challenges, and all you have to do to participate is create your project, and upload to her site. Be sure, though, to read through all the FAQs so you're eligible to win...

We're working our way through this fantastic book of techniques and tips, and challenging you to join in the fun. This round's challenge is sponsored by the great folks at The Funkie Junkie Boutique who have a fabulous gift voucher to give away to one lucky random winner. Also, the Curiosity Crew's Choice scores a giant prize pack of goodies straight from Tim and Mario!

And don't forget, you can find these great products I've used today at The Funkie Junkie online store.