Clearsnap: Christmas In July $1 Project

Hello! Hostess Tami another $1 project for you! A special "Christmas in July project"!

But FIRST, I'd like to introduce a brand spanking NEW! product that

Clearsnap just announced at CHA...

Stephanie Barnard SPRINKLES! Chunky Glitter!

What Holiday Project is complete without CHUNKY GLITTER ?!

Check out the project below that features all the glittery goodness of this NEW! product!

Now --- back to the project...

If you are one of those industrious crafters who have all your gifts made, wrapped and ready to give by Halloween {or earlier!} then this one is for you. And for those of you who procrastinate, don't worry, this project is easy enough to make in a hurry!

The good news is that it makes a "multi-tasker" out of a stamping supply that you might view as only a "uni-tasker" --- reinkers. So yes, reinkers are great to have on hand to recharge and re"juice" a dry stamp pad. Reinking is a lot more economical than buying a new stamp pad. But have you thought about using them as a stain, a wood stain to be more specific?

That is exactly how I used Clearsnap's NEW! ColorBox Premium Dye Reinkers, to turn a plain wood birdhouse into a pretty ornament for the tree...

You can use a foam, plastic or glass plate - something disposable or that you don't use for food to pour out the inks on. I like to use a inexpensive paint tray; I have a well to put the ink in...

and a shallow area to mix the ink with water if I need to dilute it...

when you all set up, you are ready to start staining...

It's a good idea to stop a little short until you see how far and how fast the stain runs...

Here's what my birdhouse looked like after it was all stained...

And you could stop right there --- but I DIDN'T! I spritzed it with Smooch Spritz to give it some shimmer and to fill in any unfinished areas like the spaces in between the planks...

And because this little birdhouse will have to live with all my vintage and retro Christmas Decor, I added a few more things like "distressing" the edges using ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink, and some NEW! Stephanie Barnard Sprinkles! Chunky Glitter, AND a tiny little wreath for the front door...

And here are closeup shots of the glittered roof - LOVE the NEW! Sprinkles! Chunky Glitter!

- and of the "Smooched" wreath.

The wreath had been the same color as the trees...

And if you are wondering how to keep the glitter on and how to put the wreath on, let me introduce you to two wonderful products from Beacon Adhesives - Decoupage Gloss Sealer and 3-in-1...

Decoupage Gloss Sealer is great to use any time you need a crytal clear, quick drying protective coat, like to keep the glitter from ending up on everything but your project. And 3-in-1 is a quick tack glue that is great for adhering bulky items like the wreath and the bow at the top.

Here's a few hints for you to help your project come out right:

Lightly sand the wood.
Test your "stain" on the bottom or other inconspicuous place on your wood alterable. Check the color, adding water to the ink if you to lighten the color.
The ink will spread quicker and farther the more diluted it is.
To help prevent the ink from spreading to areas you don't want it in, heat the area with a heat gun to set the ink. {BUT be careful to keep the heat gun moving and far enough away --- wood BURNS!}
Use a liberal amount of Glue Gloss to adhere glitter, then seal with Decoupage Gloss Sealer. Be sure the ink has set before applying the sealer though or your ink may run.
I used Smooch Spritz to change the color of my wreath {it started out kelly green} to match the ink colors I used.