Another day another present

So today I have finished another present. Before I show what I have done, first I'd like to share my first experience with UTEE. I got two jars the other day, black and clear. I've used both today, in two different ways. One thing that I didn't realise is that you have to use versamark before adding UTEE crystals and heating with a heat gun, even for jewelry. Cue loads of clear crystals hitting the floor! I ended up heating it in the oven, which worked well.

What I absolutely LOVED though, was the black UTEE. This is what I did with it today. I started by finding some cardboard buttons I've had in my stash for ages, with no clue what to do with them.

I then wiped versamark powder on them, sprinkled black crystals onto the button, tapped off the excess and heated it until it went glossy. I did this three times. Immediately after the third time I pushed a rubber stamp onto it and left it to cool. This takes seconds. Finally I grabbed some bronze and interference green pigment powder and brushed it onto the  buttons. Here is the finished result

Amazing huh? I've fallen in love with my heat gun and my embossing crystals already!

I made these buttons to go with my punch and judy box, which I decorated using the chronology Docrafts paper

I found this little squirrel in my stash. Don't know why I put it on there - I just liked it!

The doors were first coated in a grey paper. I then used my damask die with the same green paper from the rest of the front of the box, but it didn't cut the whole way. Rather than throw it away I decided to use it to my advantage by giving the door a more dimensional effect. The handles are pearls.

The inside of the doors were chronology postcards, with the little images cut out and stuck on with foam pads.

I made lots of buttons as you can see!

The embellishment at the top is a pendant with a crown and a heart (this was what I made the mistake earlier on with the clear UTEE) and with some silver wings glued to the side. There was a remnant rub saying here and now there too but it melted. 

The side and the back were coated in a more masculine paper. It was far easier to do the back than the front! (Straight lines and all)

Here is the finished piece. It's unusual admittedly but I like it. Not that it matters whether I do, it's if the recipient does!

As well as this, I've been working on the cross stitch. Here is the latest update

One thing that is setting me back at the moment is my awful organisation skills. I do make the effort to tidy my craft space when I have the time but in no time at all it ends up a complete mess again. So I seem to spend far longer trying to find what I need than actually using it. Although it does turn up trumps occasionally when I find something that I'd forgotten I had. Still, it is clear that I have too much craft stuff. I don't want to get rid of any, but I don't really want to buy any more anytime soon. I also need to get more organised with making things, instead of having ideas and then pushing them aside as soon as the next idea comes along. Perhaps a list of things I want to make myself?

Happy crafting

Ems