My God, My Strength Glass Block

I've been dieing to do a glass block with the new Scene It! sets from Cornish Heritage Farms, and finally got one done. I used Mountains for this one. It's watercolored with reinkers using Fantastix, a dense foam 'pencil' like tool by Tsukineko.
Sorry, but I haven't been able to get a good dark picture with the lights on. The lights are on in the block in this photo, but the room is also lit. (clear as mud?)

If you'd like to see how I do these, here are some previous posts.

As always.........Thanks for stopping!

O' Christmas Cone Glass Block

I haven't done a glass block for some time now and when I got the newest Friendly Kritter's image, O' Christmas Cone, I knew I had to try it on a block!

If you'd like to try your hand at glass blocks, I have a tutorial here
The block is painted with Gesso, stamped, then watercolored with reinkers. I use a homemade cloud template to sponge off (just a piece of cardboard cut with scallop scissors).

I like to use Fantastix instead of a waterbrush as I feel it gives me a little more control with the colors. They're made by Tsukineko, kind of a dense foam with a point.

Before giving it a final coat of Krylon sealer, I went around the edges with a Pearl Dabber by Ranger.

thanks for stopping!

Glass Block Tutorial

Several years ago while in a local florist shop, I saw these fabulous lit glass blocks with pictures on them. That got me thinking, hey, why couldn't I stamp on a block! Through trial and error, my husband, Lloyd (the handy guy with the drill) and I came up with this version. Hopefully through the pictures, web link and my directions, you too can make some of these fun blocks!

Lloyd found these great directions on drilling your own block , this is a site for diamond drills, you'll have to click on the "How To Use Diamond Drills", about 2/3 of the page down are the instructions for drilling the glass blocks... don't let the directions scare you, it's not that complicated! There are many sites where they sell diamond core drill bits, here are a couple just be sure to check quality of bit before purchasing.

*NOTE* The drill bit in my pictures is not one of the diamond core bits, it is a masonry carbide bit. BUT, from here on out we will be using the diamond core bits (now that Lloyd did the research...hehe)

You won't find diamond core bits at your local hardware store.

You can purchase the glass blocks at your local building supply store and if you don't have a drill press, I'm sure someone you know has one or knows someone who does. Offer to bake them some cookies in exchange for drilling *wink*...Lloyd likes chocolate chip.

Ok...... here we go....Glass Block 101

Drilling the block

It's very important to keep spraying water on the drill bit as it gets very hot in the process. That was my job! It was tough, but someone had to do it!

I like to paint my block with Gesso as it gives the block some texture and the ink something to grab onto.

Here, I used a sponge, but I've also used a sponge paint brush. You want to try to get the Gesso on evenly and not too thick or you'll have dark spots when your lights are on. Gesso is available at any craft department and dries quickly.

Now you're ready to stamp your images. You need to use a permanant ink, I like to use Stazon (although in the picture you'll see Brilliance because my Stazon was getting dry!)
The sky is the limit when it comes to decorating your block.

Remember the 'trial/error' part? Try to be careful not to scratch your gesso'd block because if you have to touch up with more gesso, you'll have dark spots.

Now the fun part, coloring your block!

Back to the 'trial and error' again...hehe...

I've tried painting with ink from the pad (before I had reinkers) and with reinkers. Also using a waterbrush, paint brush, blender pen and now my favorite, the Fantastix by Tsunkineko. For now my favorite is the reinkers as you can get more intense color, although you could use any paint product, I'm sure. I just haven't branched out *gotten brave* and tried it! Experiment, you'll never know till you try!

Your final step for the block front will be to give it several coats of some kind of sealer to protect it and give it a nice finish.

Insert your string of lights and enjoy! (the shorter the string of lights the easier it is to insert)


This is by no means the only way to do these, just my way *wink*

have fun!!!

*some questions...and hopefully some answers*

Yes, you put Christmas lights into the block, the shorter the string the better (it takes a while to push all those lights into the hole!)

Where you put the hole is up to you, but we put them in a lower corner on the back side of the block. You could put it on the side if you wanted to decorate both sides of the block.

My first blocks were drilled with a 1/2in drill bit, too hard to get the lights in that little hole! Lloyd now uses a 3/4in drill bit...ahhh, easier

Here's a link to another block I made.

And here's a link to an interesting blog about drill bits!

thanks for stopping!

Dawn

Sledding Snowman Block

Had fun making another glass block, this one using the Sledding Snowman from Cornish Heritage Farms.

I tried adding puff paint for the snow, which looks more like snow in person!

I'm still working on that tutorial, so stay tuned!

Working The Rubbernecker Booth!

What a fun, learning experience Amber and I had over the weekend when we helped Dave, from Rubbernecker, work his booth in Ft Wayne.
These are the tags I demo'd all day. Using Ranger Distress inks and Perfect Pearls (sorry the shimmer doesn't show)

Amber worked the alcohol inks station.

I also made this glass block for Dave to display.

I think I could have sold it several times! Hopefully his wife, Pat, will get to enjoy it when all the shows are over and he goes home!
I just thought this image was too cute and hadn't done a block in a while....so why not!
I hope to get a tutorial together for the blocks, so keep watching.
For now I'll tell you this much...the block is first painted or sponged with gesso and this one colored with reinkers.