Crackle Sign

Well my goal was to blog about something or other once a week. Well, that didn't happen. Summer has slipped away without a post. Wheat harvest went fairly well. Had a few glitches and days that it seemed we couldn't keep a combine going, but it wouldn't be a wheat harvest without those.
A friend of mine just had her baby boy yesterday, but earlier in the summer they had a baby shower for her. I decided I would attempt to make her baby shower gifts. After a few test runs and fixes they were complete. I made a sign and a block set with his name on it. Neither gifts was difficult to make, just took a lesson in patience.

The Sign...

I first painted the sign with a white acrylic base coat and let that coat dry. I let mine set half an hour.

I then painted a layer of Elmers glue. You don't want it to be to thick or to thin. This is the layer that makes the next layer crackle. If you paint it to thin your cracks will be tiny to no existent. If painted to thick they will be huge and take forever to dry. I paint just enough to start to kinda see a white in the glue instead of it looking clear. Let this coat sit just a minute to let it start to get a little sticky. Do not let it dry completely.






I then added my blue coat of paint (cover the entire surface). Allow this coat to dry well. I let this coat sit over night to make sure it was completely dry.

Once this process is complete you can now add your saying or design. I create my design on the computer then in the printer options is mirror image. I have found this to be the easiest way to flip my image. Cut out you image leaving little white outline. Lay it out on your board to decide how you would like the layout.

Once this is determined move one piece at a time and paint a thin coat of Gel Medium (found in the painters section of a hobby store). Quickly get your picture/word back on before it starts to dry. And work across the board until it is all down. This needs to sit at least 24 hrs. I found that the longer it sits the better your design transfers.

Now it is time to remove the paper. Using lots of water, your fingers, and a wash cloth wet the paper. It's OK to have a little water standing. Gently using your fingers in a circular motion start rubbing on the paper. it will start to come up. Do this across your sign. Then using the wash cloth, very gently wipe across the sign removing any remaining paper. Be careful not rub too much on your design or it will start coming off. To make sure all the paper is off let it dry completely to check for any white. I will sometimes touch up with watered down paint to make the design bolder.

Finish the sign by sealing it so it can be washed without fear of losing the design. I have used Mod Podge and water based polyurethane (I buy the spray can, so much easier). Allow this to dry then add the hanger of your choice. I have a hanging kit that has many different types of hangers in it and decide what to use based on the size of my sign

Let the adventure begin! My last day of school was May 18th. I have since enjoyed the last couple days cuddling with my kids. Another stay at home mother told me she doesn't work for the shine of her home, but for the shine in her children's eyes. I found that to be very fitting.

Finished Corn Free Retirement Cake

The adventure began by being asked to make a retirement cake for a couple teachers. The challenge being that one is allergic to corn. I don't know how many of you have read ingredients, but everything includes corn! I used a cake recipe (most boxed cakes have corn products) and found that I was out of all purpose flour. I usually make my own flour since we are wheat farmers and so it had gone unnoticed. The good Lord was on my side because the cakes were perfect even with whole wheat flour. Then came the frosting. I thought about fondant,but didn't have the substitutes to make corn free fondant. Once again checking products along the way. Checking shortening and margarine, the obvious things. I make a batch of frosting and ran out of powdered sugar in my container and grabbed a new bag. Heading out of the pantry I happened to look at the ingredients and corn starch is the anti-caking agent. One batch of frosting that I can't use. I start the process of making my own powdered sugar. 1/2 cup of sugar at a time in the food processor, but it still wasn't getting fine enough. My husband thoroughly enjoys his coffee to my advantage this time. I cleaned out his coffee grinder and it worked wonderfully at making powdered sugar unfortunately in very small batches. I finally had the frosting made (Wilton's Buttercream Recipe). I went to start coloring the frosting and found that gel colors contain corn syrup. Plain food coloring works! My frosting was not as smooth and creamy as with store bought powdered sugar, but was acceptable and the flavor was still good. Everyone loved that cake and the best part for me was that Linda was able to enjoy her cake.

Oh, remember I said this was an adventure. Before I started decorating the cake I went to check on my goat, Ebony, who had been in the process of kidding all day and still we didn't have babies. When I checked her she was having complications and I pulled both her kids. I was not able to save them. After finishing this I washed my hands at least six times and set to work and finally finished the cake at midnight.