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!


*   *   *   *   *


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. 












Comments

  1. Your birdhouses are adorable, they give me an idea for my grandkids to do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. These little bird houses have aged so well with the technique. If I were a bird, I wouldn't know which one to choose to live in, they are all so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Annette what cute little bird houses. I love the wreathes around the entrances. The crackle technique looks amazing too. Karen.x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Annette these birdhouse ornaments are gorgeous! I love the crackled look!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    xox

    ReplyDelete
  5. Those bird houses are ADORABLE! The crackle just gives them so much "personality!"

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are so cute Annette and I love how you used the Industrial Stickers for the trim. Your crackle looks awesome and this trio will look fabulous on your tree. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your tree house bird houses are super! They remind me of sugar ornaments that were made eons ago...full of texture and frosty goodness!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This are precious! LOVE each crackley color!!! And love that the colors are non tradional! So awesome Annette!

    ReplyDelete
  9. These will look awesome on your tree! I did the same thing and used bird houses on a Halloween village I'm about to post so it's great to see these houses as Christmas ornaments. Love them! Enjoy your warm weather. I'll be getting snow at any moment!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are totally adorable!! The crackley colors are so pretty. I have to make a set for my in-laws!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Totally adorable, I can see why you can't wait to hang them on your tree.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    Julie x

    ReplyDelete
  12. If they don't look right on your tree, please can I have them? Lol. Seriously, they are so beautiful and the technique looks amazing on them, I love the soft colour tones....and the gorgeous dangly bits. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Annette these are so cute! Love the crackle effect and colora. Great idea.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Okay...you girls are blowing my mind...I FREAKING LOVE these!!! Girl...WOW...LOVE...Yep...LOVE these festive bird houses!!! Might juts be making a run to get me some wood birdhouses!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your birdhouse ornaments are so cute. I love how you used the technique on the houses and all the details that make them so festive.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the crackle background, the birds will have a lovely Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Annette...these little bird houses are adorable. I love the three colors you used. Your crackle looks awesome and I love how you finished out each house in "the neighborhood". They are precious. <3 Candy

    ReplyDelete
  18. Darling, Darling and Darling!! Such cute little birdhouse ornaments, Annette!! The perfect way to showcase the colored crackle technique--so fun!! These are going to be so cute on your Christmas tree!! XOXO-Shari T.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Annette, those birdhouses are so cute. I will try my hand on them soon. I have some left over of my children's birthday party goody bags, which I included markers and those cute birdhouses... I love your idea to make them ornaments...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love your sweet birdhouses and love that you kept the cohesive look. The Colored Crackle really give a good effect here and I loVE the charms hanging from the bottoms. SO sweet. <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. Another great idea coming from you Annette - Christmas bird house ornaments! Love the different color crackle on each one. The wreaths on the birdhouse openings are so clever! Love them!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very sweet birdhouses with awesome crackle! I love how you've adorned them!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Crackle paint is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful ... just beautiful!! These are going to look fantastic on your Christmas tree (and they look pretty great on the bush outside your house as well :) ) The colored crackle technique is perfect for these ornaments! Love the colors you chose and the baubles at the bottom put them over the top! Thanks for dropping by my blog as well and leaving such an encouraging comment. You made my day :) -- Mary Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  25. Love this idea. Thinking the decor could be changed to match the seasons/ holiday if one is so inclined to keep an ornament display out year round...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Okay these are just too cute... what a fun idea... love the addition of baubles and candy canes; the crackles roofs are amazing !!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wow Annette these are amazing so cute and you have mastered the technique perfectly

    ReplyDelete
  28. You've really decked out these sweet houses, Annette. Love the wreaths! And your crackle totally pops. Fabaroonie!

    ReplyDelete
  29. WOW !! I always just grab grunge paper when I think of crackle, I forget it can go on alot of surfaces.. thanks for that reminder. Your bird houses are adorable. !!

    ReplyDelete
  30. These are AWESOME! Make sure you take a picture when they are on your tree!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. What GREAT little houses. Loved the silver jump rings on the bottom. Adds a lot of character. Crackle shows up very nicely,especially on those adorable candy canes!

    ReplyDelete
  32. What sweet little birdhouses Annette! love the crackle on them - the metal bits and candy canes!

    ReplyDelete
  33. this is stunning annette - love all the bird houses - they look amazing. Hugs rachel x

    ReplyDelete
  34. These are sweet and delightful!

    ReplyDelete
  35. What a great idea to add ornaments to my tree, might borrow this idea

    ReplyDelete
  36. I love the aged look the crackle effect gives the birdhouses - terrific!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Stunning Annette, not only the crackle but all the wonderful details. Nikki x

    ReplyDelete
  38. How sweet, these will look lovely on your Christmas tree.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Such sweet and beautiful birdie homes! Love the colors and distress is so awesome!~kim

    ReplyDelete
  40. These little houses are wonderful! What a fun project for the holidays. Love the little details like the crackle and the stars on the posts. Love the trim. The colors are like candy! Thanks for the great tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Adorable times three! Annette, those little Christmas birdhouses are so clever and what a great Christmas tree decoration. I am going to find some of these and make them for little gifts. Love these right down to the frosty little candy canes!

    ReplyDelete
  42. these are so pretty! They would make great gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Your little birdhouses are so cute! I love it and all wonderful details(candy cane is my fav!) Barbarayaya

    ReplyDelete
  44. Annette your bird houses are gorgous, a gorgeous way to use the Coloured Crackle technique. Love the metal element and the candy canes too and the added droplets at the bottom, lovelyl. Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  45. How absolutely adorable - wonderful Christmas tree ornaments!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great crackled Christmas tree ornaments. So cute and perfect for your tree.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Annette, your birdhouses are so adorable! They would make wonderful gifts!

    ReplyDelete
  48. So sweet! This technique is perfect for these little birdhouses. Love the metal embellishments and the baubles hanging from the bottom. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  49. These are so so so cute!! LOVE THEM!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! If you have a question you would like answered, please e-mail me at AnnetteMGreen@gmail.com