Mar 23 2008

yes, they’re real eggshells!

Published by diane (cookiestamper) at 7:37 pm under Stampin' Up!, cards, etc., tutorials

Happy Easter! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter day! We had ham with family on Friday so I cooked a different family favorite for lunch and then we had lots of leftovers (including the ham) for supper. It was a nice, relaxing day! I think our colored eggs are all gone by now. I never tire of that tradition! painteggsmile.gif It must be the crafter in me. ;)
This afternoon I sat down to make a few cards with the set A Good Egg. I have been wanting to make these cards for weeks! I originally wanted to make Easter cards but since I ran out of time, I just made them into a friendly spring card instead. I love how the set is versatile and doesn’t haven’t to be used just for Easter!
When I first saw the set in the new catalog, I knew I wanted to try a technique that I did years ago. The shell that the chick is in was made with real eggshells! They have been sitting in a dish on my counter for a few weeks waiting for this project. LOL. I don’t quite remember the proper technique and I was a little too lazy to look it up, so I just did what I remembered or thought would turn out ok.
To make the eggshell piece:
I started by running a piece of white cardstock through my Xyron machine so one side was covered with adhesive. Then I covered the adhesive with bits of broken eggshells (removed from hard boiled eggs). This takes a little time and patience to get it covered. Turn it over and gently press on the back so that the shells stick well. Next I used my waterbrush and various reinkers to watercolor the shells. Let it dry completely. Then I pressed the eggshell side onto my Versamark pad and heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder so it would have some sparkle. I stamped my images on top with SU! Black ink and *carefully* cut them out. Then I applied Crystal Effects to help keep the shells from cracking off and give it a nice smooth finish. You may be able to apply the Crystal Effects before cutting the images out- try experimenting. It may be easier to cut that way.
This is a very simple layout but I wanted the technique to be the focus. I added a black dotted border around the designer paper to match the dotted chick. And I pierced some holes at each corner to help draw the attention to the main image.
Here’s a pic of the finished card….

a-good-eggshell-dmz.jpg

….and a close-up so you can see the eggshells better.

eggshell-close-up-by-diane-zechman.jpg

stamps- A Good Egg
paper- Shimmery White, Saffron, Black, retired Tickles dp
ink- Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin, various re-inkers
accessories- egg shells, Versamark, Iridescent Ice ep, Xyron, waterbrush, Crystal Effects, Black Diamond Stickles, Primas, paper piercing tools

13 Responses to “yes, they’re real eggshells!”

  1. JenMarieon 23 Mar 2008 at 7:53 pm

    GORGEOUS!!!

  2. bronihon 23 Mar 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Wow, Diane! Another brilliant idea! And so beautiful too!

  3. Cazon 24 Mar 2008 at 2:06 am

    ADORABLE!! I need this set. it s not in our UK catalogue :(

    Great technique, I must try it

    Caz

  4. Dianeon 24 Mar 2008 at 6:25 am

    I knew I should have purchased this set!! What a fantastic idea and abeautiful card!!

  5. beateon 24 Mar 2008 at 9:36 am

    Oh my goodness! That sounds like a LOT of work!
    Your egg shells look fantastic though!

  6. Melanieon 24 Mar 2008 at 10:10 am

    wow! you go to a lot of trouble to make it authentic my friend! now that’s “love on a card” right there! very impressive!!

  7. Sue (suen)on 24 Mar 2008 at 1:29 pm

    Wow, this is so neat! I love the dimension of the shell! I’ve always been a fan of your creativity and this is another great example! Thanks for what you share!

  8. Corinne (aka Roxy)on 25 Mar 2008 at 7:04 am

    Pure genius !!!! This is so adorable !!! Love it :)

    Have a great day…

  9. Shel9999on 25 Mar 2008 at 6:58 pm

    That looks awesome!!! I *love* the eggshells!!!!

  10. lacyquilteron 25 Mar 2008 at 10:06 pm

    I love it.

  11. Leslie (leslierich)on 27 Mar 2008 at 1:36 pm

    OMG! That is the CUTEST thing! What a fun idea and a cool project for get-togethers. This is darling!

  12. Rose Annon 27 Mar 2008 at 8:43 pm

    Wow…that turned out fantastic!! I love the pretty colors you made it as well!! Adorable!

  13. Deb Thompsonon 01 Apr 2008 at 8:58 am

    Wow!! Those are great. What a wonderful idea.

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