Sunday 15 April 2012

My first attempt at distressing

Hello everyone

While I was frantically trying to get my family history book finished in time for Easter, I had to also think about a birthday present for my son's partner, whose birthday was on 17 March.  I have already blogged the card I made for her but as I didn't actually give her her birthday present until they came to stay at Easter, and the fact that I was still trying to finish it the evening before they arrived, I have waited until now to post it.

I bought a couple of little cardboard cases from Crafters Companion a short while ago, one of them specifically to give to Gillian.  I decided to distress it but have never tried this technique before.  The result was one extremely distressed case!  The clear pva glue was very runny so I didn't add any water to it but think perhaps I should have done, so will do next time I try this technique.

The picture is Gizmo, their little dog.  And the other side

I sanded it lightly around the edges and then added some distress ink (think it was tea dye) because I felt the finish was too white.

Inside the case I put a cross stitch pattern that I made using Jane Greenoff's programme iStitch and the aida and threads.  The pattern was made from a photograph of Gizmo which I altered in Craft Artist Professional before turning it into the pattern.

This is the original photograph

And after editing it in Craft Artist, this is the one I used to produce the pattern


I am pleased to say that Gillian loved her present, and I have another case to work on to make another present for someone else so perhaps it won't be quite so distressed next time.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Catherine x

12 comments:

  1. I love this hun such a fantasic result xxxx

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  2. WOW I do so love this Catherine, I love the finished product! Loving the distressing too.

    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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  3. it's lovely Catherine, and the distressing is great,x

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  4. Great job Catherine

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  5. Fabulous result well done. Chris xx

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  6. Lovely result, looks fabby xx

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  7. The distressing finishes it off perfectly it's a lovely gift :)

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  8. Fabulous work, Catherine looks like you have been doing it all your life what great gifts with the pics of Gizmo, cross stitch and everything. Just wonderful. And could Gizmo be any cuter? I don't think so! Vee xx

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  9. I am not surprised they loved the gift! It is so personal and absolutely adorable! xx Denise

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  10. well done Catherine, great job, and Gizmo is just so cute x

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