Weathered and Shabby with Blog Candy

Good Friday morning.  My project today is another attempt to create a shabby card by combining a weathered wood background and a delicate lacy die cut with a soft floral spray. 

KC Sandee's Challenge 2 right

I wanted to create a background of weathered and distressed wood like you would find on an old dresser or window frame. I used the Taylored Expressions Bead Board embossing folder with kraft cardstock to create the wood lines and then lightly painted with the retired Picket Fence Crackle Paint leaving a few bare spots to allow the brown to show. 

KC Sandee's Challenge 2 center

I used the Creative Expression Copenhagen set for the doily and attached it to the background using mounting tape. I used the Petite Vinery set for the foliage and the flowers were made using the Elizabeth Craft Bunch of Flowers1.  I formed the foliage and flowers using my Garden Tool Kit and attached them to the doily with glossy accents.  I added a tiny pearl in each flower center for the finishing touch.

KC Sandee's Challenge 2 left

I would love to give away some blog candy.  Are you up for it?  Today I am offering eight dies sets from the Dee’s Distinctively Bell Floral Collection.  There are three different flower petal sets with accompanying leaf and stem sets. All you need to do to qualify is leave a comment on this post telling me if you know of any crafting other product out there like the Picket Fence Crackle Paint that can be used to create the white crackling effect.  Well for that matter I would love to know about any other color  as well.  No need to worry if you don’t have a suggestion.  Just leave a comment and you will still qualify for the gift. Click here to see the blog candy sets.  You will have until 5:00 pm on Sunday night, August 16 to leave a comment.

I love creating faux wood projects with the aged crackling effect and was very sad to see the Ranger line retire.   Here a few of my favorites from the past. Right click on the pictures to open a new tab to see a larger view.

KC Poppy Stamps Carolina Birdhouse 1 right KC Sizzix Birdhouse 1 left KC Sizzix Dahlia 2 leftKC Coming Up Roses left

KC Sizzix Wheelbarrow 1 front right KC Wood Birdhouse 2 left front

Thanks for coming by today and I hope you have a wonderful upcoming weekend.

Card size:  5.50” x 4.25:

77 thoughts on “Weathered and Shabby with Blog Candy”

  1. As a florist who makes cards for our shop, I have been so inspired by your projects! Thank you so much Kittie. In the past I have embossed a dark wood colored card stock with wood grain then just rubbed my white or very light colored stamp pads on the raised parts, then sanded a few spots….works very well. Keep inspiring us.

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  2. Oh my goodness that is gorgeous, I love the way you did the background, it sets off the frame wonderfully. Oh my I didn’t know they were retiring it, and no I don’t know of any others but if I do find some I will let you know, I only have a couple colors myself. Hope you get some help with finding some from others!

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  3. Hi Kittie! Thanks for another beautiful card! I have yet to try this crackle technique, but I love the look.
    Just a thought, but there are paint products for wood, called antique crackle, that give a crackle appearance, but these might be too thick or heavy for paper. You also have to buy a whole pint of it, which might last forever. Good luck in your search!

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  4. Kittie, Your projects are works of art. I am always inspired by your cards. I have even tried to CASE them, but mind don’t seem to look at good as yours. I have used distressed inks to create a weathered look.

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  5. Such a beautiful card, Kittie! Love all the little details you use to make your cards works of art.
    I didn’t realize the Ranger crackle had been discontinued either. I used to use Elmer’s glue, let it dry & then paint over it. It would crackle. That was on wood. Have not tried it on paper. Plaid used to have a crackle set that was sold at Michael’s. Not even sure if it is made any more. If you can wait about 5-10 years, someone will re-introduce it under a new name! Lol seems like there is a cycle that crafting appears to go through.

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  6. OH KITTIE! This is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!! I was SMITTEN the minute I saw this! 😉 LOOOVE the painted embossed background you made. I thought it was designer paper! AND the doily you’ve made is GORGEOUS!!! WOW!!! OF COURSE, you’ve made WONDERFUL 3-D flowers too, as always! SUCH TALENT!!!!
    To answer your question, I would just use Gesso. I go the SUPER CHEAP way & just work with what I’ve got….. 😉 You can always try to color your gesso too….. 😉

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  7. This is so pretty. I don’t know of any other “ready-made” crackle mediums for paper, but have seen some recipes for home-made ones, (just don’t know how much to trust them.) Good luck in your search.

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  8. What a beautiful card! I love the rustic background with the delicate flowers and lace look die! The only thing I know of is the acrylic crackle paint.
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  9. Kittie, I only recently discovered your blog and your work is incredible! Every flower, leaf, vine, fence, trellis, blade of grass, and image reflects the love and care you put into your creations! Thank-you for sharing with the rest of us! I would love to try your techniques and the blog candy would be an excellent start! Now, for that weathered look… have you ever tried the coredinations cardstock? The outside is one color and the core another. You would use your embossing folder of choice to get the core to show through a little bit. Then a bit of sanding will bring out as much of the core you’d like. I hope you enjoy trying this! Thank-you for the opportunity to win some blog candy.

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  10. I’ve use an off white acrylic paint over dried white paint. Before the
    off white paint was completely dry I dragged/rubbed a terrycloth rag over it to remove much of the paint. Years ago I used to color in my stamped images with acrylic paint so they wouldn’t fade. It was kinda fun for blending. Now we have Copics!

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  11. Ceramcoat sells a crackle medium. This is the stuff you add to paint to make it crackle paint. Delta and Martha Stewart sell crackle paints in a variety of colors. On Amazon I noticed Ranger Distress Crackle Paints in a variety of colors. Of course, none were Picket Fence. I hope this helps, some.

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  12. Beautiful card. Don’t know of any other products other than the one you used. Sorry I can’t help you. Just want you to know how inspiring your samples are. They are just gorgeous!

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  13. Beautiful flowers and greenery on the doily and crackled paint background. Ive never tried using this product before so sadly Im not aware of another source for you, Im sure there is something out there.

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  14. How very sweet of you to offer blog candy. I wish I knew of a product, but other than the glue technique, I don’t. Your cards are all so beautiful, Kitty! I love seeing them each day!!

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  15. Love the bead board embossing folder. I may try to use a brayer to ink the folder in Stampin Up white craft ink on brown paper to see if I can get the same effect.

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  16. Your creations with the weathered look are spectacular as always. I would think the sales you could generate using this product would singlehandedly keep a company in business for a long time. I always look forward to seeing your creations. I check your blog first thing and it never fails to put a smile on my face.

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  17. Love your tutorials and always learn something new. Sorry I don’t have another suggestion for you but absolutely LOVE this card.

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  18. Good Afternoon, Kittie. Love your creation, vintage I think. In answer to your question.
    http://www.artistsclub.com/cfTools/tools_home.cfm Here is the Artist Club that specializes in paint crafts, wood, and tools. I have ordered from them for over 20yrs. Products. American Decor Crackle Medium Clear, for 8 dollars, and a 80z. jar. Your can use it on multi medium. also chose the color of crackle you wish. I would have a look at their web site for complete information on the product. Also at the beautiful products available. i used to Folk Art of Tole Paint objects. hope this helps. .
    ….have a good day….hugs.
    PS: phone. 1-800-845-6507 they are good helping.

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  19. I so enjoy your tutorials and learn so much from you. I just finished my Ranger Picket Fence Crackle and was not aware it has been discontinued. So, no, I do not know of any other substitute. Maybe use white ink and put clear crackle over it?

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  20. I love your cards they are such and inspiration for more and more ideas for cards. I love your winter scenes the most, but all your cards are wonderful.

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  21. Always love your cards. Unfortunately I do not know of any other white crackle paint. I think I would try using a clear crackle paint over a white background.

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  22. Kittie – this is stunning! I will have to get that TE folder as I didn’t even know they made it until I saw it featured on your card. I’ve been out of the stamping loop for awhile now but am trying to get back into the swing of things. And I didn’t know that Ranger was retiring its crackle paint either! Guess I better start picking it up if I see it while in the stores. Would you be able to use something like crackle paste from Golden? I got a little sampler kit from Golden that included crackle paste along with a variety of other gels & pastes as I wanted to try out molding paste as a substitute for embossing paste (it works!).

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  23. Always love your distressed wood looks. This is a lovely card! As for your crackle paint question, I’ve seen some papercrafters use white glue with acrylic paint over it to achieve a crackle look. There are a lot of tutorials and videos out there for that technique so just do a search for “do it yourself crackle paint” or something of that sort and they’ll come up. I have only seen it online so have no real information about it, but Viva Decor has a crackle paint that comes in a variety of colors. I would think it could be used on paper, but I’m not really sure. I’ve seen it on Walmart.com. DecoArt has a line of mixed media products that include crackle paint, crackle glaze and also a crackle paste. I’ve also seen other new embossing pastes that dry to a crackled finish. There are also various crackle mediums out there – I’ve seen them from Folk Art, DecoArt and Martha Stewart and I’m sure there are others. I think they are usually for wood and other surfaces, but might work on paper as well. They make it a two step process, but might work if you can’t get regular crackle paint any longer. Good luck with your search. And thanks so much for the chance to win your blog candy! It sounds wonderful!

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  24. We need to protest to Tim Holtz we need Picket Fence crackle paint back! I have only a precious little left myself. I have a crackle texture paste for using with stencils. I wonder if that would work.

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  25. Kittie, gorgeous card…as usual. Your projects always amaze me…truly, works of art!! The weathered background looks fantastic! Dreamweaver and DecoArt carry Crackle Paste. I haven’t tried them yet. Also, Folk Art has Crackle Medium that you can use with paint, but I haven’t tried it for card making. Would love know when you find a good replacement for the Picket Fence Crackle Paint.

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  26. I always look forward to your posts. You make everything look so easy. You also give me lots of inspiration for the group of ladies that I get together with every Wednesday night. Sorry, I haven’t ever used crackle paint so I can’t give you any suggestions but keep the inspiration coming!

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  27. Fabulous projects as always! They also should be given as a prize!
    There’s also a crackle texture paste by Studio 490 there but that one is thicker than the crackle paint. Thanks for a chance to win!

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  28. The only crackle product I’ve used wasn’t very good. It was a long time ago. If I were going to try it again, I’d buy the Tim Holtz products. I love his texture paste.
    Your card is magnificant…always so inspiring.
    Love the blog candy dies….very generous giveaway!!!

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  29. Kittie, I don’t have a solution to your crackle dilemma, but wanted to thank you for all the great projects you provide for us. Your talent is greatly appreciated and I look forward to your next creation.

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  30. Kittie, always are your ideas GREAT, but the combination of weathered look wood background and delicate lacy with the wonderful flowers is INCREDIBLE!! Really GORGEOUS!!
    I love it……I love all your projects, but this is very special!!
    Kittie, I wish I knew a suggestion for you, sorry I don’t know. I never used something like crackled paint, but now I want love to try it.
    Thank you very much for sharing all your wonderful Art!!
    Hugs, Eva.

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  31. I love the weathered look and as always your flowers are so beautiful. Unfortunately I’ve never tried that techniques so I don;t have suggestions for paints. But I do hope you have a wonderful weekend and thank you for all the inspiration!

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  32. hi, kittie. I just found you recently and spent quite a bit of time looking at your work. you have amazing ways of creating such lovely cards and scapes. I really love your style. I have a suggestion to try (I haven’t done this yet, lol) I would use thick gray cardstock for the embossing folder, then use some gesso on a small piece of washcloth (Kathy Racosin does this in a video from today) she uses her nail to scruff up the nap on the cloth and then puts in straight down and back up again. then I would add weathered wood distress stain or ink. and keep layering until it was fabulous. I love the cracked look that you used today. thanks for sharing it with us.

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  33. I don’t know of any other products like the Picket Fence Crackle Paint. I do love the look of this and like to let it dry and then lightly blend in some Distress Ink to bring out the crackles. Your card is totally awesome, as they all are!! Love it!

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  34. Hi Kittie,
    I have been a follower of your blog for many years now. You have been an everlasting source of inspiration for me and I have the photos of the cards to prove it! Thank you for your talent, for being such a prodigious artist, but most of all for your generosity in sharing your talent with simple mortals like me. I went from doing cute cards to making 3D awesome cards and all because of you, your detailed tutorials and generous talent!
    As far as the distress crackle paint there is rock candy that maybe you can mix it with white paint before applying it, but I am not sure about this, have you tried finding out from Viva Decor or Folk art?
    Thanks again for everything and for the opportunity to win this AWESOME candy!
    Cariños,
    María Alba

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  35. Your creations are gorgeous and full of delightful details! The only crackle paint I’ve used was from Tim Holz I believe. If anyone would have something like that it would be Tim. Thanks for sharing your lovely creativity! I so admire your talent!

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  36. Hello, Kittie! I enjoy your cards so much! I don’t comment often but you can be sure I’m always taking a peek! As for your question, I am sorry I don’t have any suggestions at all. But I love, love, love your card! The woodgrain background is perfect for these florals – I like the ornate frame too. Your flowers always look so realistic. Thank you for the candy – I love it!

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  37. Folk Art makes a crackle solution that I use with acrylic paints. Thanks for the chance to win some non-fattening blog candy!

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  38. I hadn’t heard that the distress crackle paints were discontinued. They were great to work with and I especially liked picket fence. Wish they would at least that one back. As for a substitute, like many of the others have mentioned there are other crackle mediums on the market but they were designed for mediums other than paper so I’m not sure how they would work or what paints would be good to use on paper. I wonder if you can use a crackle medium with gesso? Love the look of your background. The picket fence paint with the bead board embossing folder look like they were made for each other and create a great worn wood look.

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  39. I wish I knew of another product for you! I do know I am going to go back to the beginning and read to find out some ideas! Thank you for the opportunity to win as I am so addicted to flower cards!!! You have inspired me to go outside my flat cards and make some pretty awesome 3d flower cards! My husband loves that type of card so much now that when I make a flat card he wrinkles his nose and says “you’ve done better than that!” Lol

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  40. Your weathered project is just beautiful and elegant. I love how you combined your 3D flowers with the doily and wood background.

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  41. Just love your card. Such amazing detail! Perfectly done!
    I think I know another product for you 🙂
    Paint the fence with a basecoat of Dabber Paint and let dry. Next add a thin coat of Paper Artsy’s Fresco Finish Crackle Glaze. When almost dry, add a light top coat of another paint. Within few seconds the fence starts to crackle. Have fun!

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  42. Kittie, I just love all your work. It’s so inspiring! This card is gorgeous, but that doily is amazing! I just love all the flowers you use also.

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  43. Just stunning! Reminds me of my childhood with the distressed wood grain look of old dressers that my Mother had. Thanks for sharing!

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  44. I did recently see a technique on You Tube using with various scored lines on brown cardstock and then taking a white ink pad and running it down the cardstock. It gave an impression of wood grain which seemed easy enough to do and looked really good too.

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  45. And I love your faux wood projects….you have really been doing different cards lately…all very lovely of course.
    Your flowers are always the best.
    Enjoy your weekend…

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  46. Love your weathered wood project! I have used picket fence crackle paint and enjoyed it, too. Maybe try layers of different depths of gesso to get a aimilar look. Please keep up the great blog and even better inspiration for us cardmakers!

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  47. Oh no! I had no idea the Ranger crackle paint is no longer! I love it! But I do also have a pot of Folk Art crackle medium that I have found to be just as good. Unsure if it’s available in the U.S. Though. I’m pretty sure their crackle range has all sorts of different colours too! X

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  48. Hi Kitty, Sorry I don’t have any crackle suggestions but I wanted to say I look forward to your posts every day,your cards and vignettes are fabulous. Before I started making cards I used to do miniatures in 1/2″ & 1/4″ scale and I really appreciate the work you do, you’re a true artist!

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  49. Oh my goodness Kitty your work is not as a crafter, you are an “artist” who happens to make cards! Just amazingly beautiful work!
    I am not sure of another product but I remember learning the technique, years ago where you repeatedly applied & heated EP until you had a few layers. Then put it in the freezer and once frozen, bent it in different directions to crack the embossing powder. You can do this on any colour CS so your base colour can be whatever you want.
    I have never heard of this company but the dies are gorgeous! I would love to have them. LOL Thanks for the chance to win them!

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  50. Your email with your latest creations is the first thing I check for when I open my mail. Love your cards and you provide so much inspiration! A big thank you!

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  51. I don’t have any suggestions but I do have a comment. You must have the patience of job. You always add such amazing details to your cards and projects that add both texture and dimension. I enjoy seeing what you create each day.

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  52. I absolutely love your projects. You have truly been an inspiration to me. I do not know any new techniques for making wood. I use markers or ink and then put crackle glue on parts and plain gloss glue on the other parts.

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  53. I haven’t tried any wood techniques other than embossing folders but love not only this technique but all the things you create. The detail is amazing. Thanks for the blog candy offer.

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  54. This is just awesome,Kittie. I was soo busy admiring the focal that I almost missed the background. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

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  55. Lynden had problems posting her comment and wrote to my email address. I am posting her comment below to be included in the Random.Org drawing.
    Lynden Blossom
    aneleganttouch-lynden.blogspot.com or I also tried signing in with my FB – Neither way worked.
    “As soon as my brain was thinking,”love that effect!,” my eyes were reading ‘retired’ … 8-/ Will search the Comments here for others’ suggestions and will hope to be able to recreate it at some point. I do have some Martha Stewart Crackle and have used that previously. I do love your offerings here and have kept an ‘Idea File’ of ALL of your projects since I ‘discovered’ you a few years back!! Thank You for your creativity and examples for us! 8-] I’d love to win the Die Sets – hopefully…”

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  56. I am always in awe when I see your breathtaking beautiful cards!!! I always want to try and make some like yours but I’m scared to try. I love the crackle technique but then again I have never tried it either. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to win. You are just way too kind!!

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  57. I love your project and thanks for the generous blog candy, I think Ranger has some of the best products including crackle paint, I haven’t used any other brand.

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  58. I just love this tutorial on the weathered wood background, it looks so real, and it is a very good tips, you have always lots of surprise.

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  59. What a gorgeous card. You always come up with the neatest ideas. Sorry I can’t help you with crackle look. Hope you can find it though!

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  60. What an inspiration you are! Absolutely LOVE your work! Don’t know of a substitute for the Picket fence crackle, but anxious to read the comments.

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  61. I’m new to your blog, but love what you are doing I like your detailed instructions and the picture list of what you use. I love the cracked wood look and will try it. Thank you for getting your members involved with these comments. I will check them out on what is being used to create this look. Thank you.

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  62. Hi Kittie,
    I am pretty sure I saw the crackle medium at my local Michaels. I could pick it up for you? I love everything you do, especially the flower cards.

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