Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Yet another prep day


I'm taking time away from art to spend yet another prep day.  Sometimes that's the best thing I can do when I'm sick and don't feel like making art.  Somehow I can't seem to shake this "flu-like" problem I've had for over three weeks.  I start feeling better, go grocery shopping or out to lunch, come home and get sick all over again within a few hours of being out.  But, I like to make art every day, or at least have something to show for my day.  After all, if I ever decide to sell my art, I must have the same work ethic I have in business.  And that means showing up for work.  Thankfully, showing up doesn't expose anyone else to whatever I have.

Today I'm making texture paste.  I was given two different recipes by two internet friends, so decided to use both to see which one I preferred.  Above are all the supplies I need for both of these recipes.  The recipe is out of camera range to the right.

My friend Debbie (Craftymoose) shared this recipe she found on the internet.
1/2 cup baking soda
2 T (tablespoons) white glue (cheap)
2 T white acrylic craft paint

This recipe was VERY dry.  I had trouble mixing it and had to keep at it until I finally got it completely mixed.  I definitely had to add water to the mixture, probably more than the recipe suggested.

The good news is, when it was finally mixed, it had great consistency and smoothness.   There was also no scent.

The second recipe came from Krisha, who told me to use baby powder, good white glue (Elmer's Glue All) and regular acrylic craft paint.  As for quantities, the recipes were identical.  Just replace the quantity of baking soda with baby powder.   When I poured the baby powder into my measuring cup, I thought this was going to be an even smoother paste than the one that uses baking soda.

But this one turned out harder to mix together than the first one.  In fact, when I added the correct quantity, the recipe reminded me of the first stages of pie crust.  That's where you cut the butter or shortening into the flour with a pastry blender.  The outcome looked the same, too: little bits stuck together in balls.  Even after adding water, I beat the life out of it.  I wanted to grab a whisk, but stuck with my plastic knife.  I never got all those bits and bubbles out.   And the entire time I was mixing it, the formula smelled BAD.  I obviously didn't like the scent of that baby powder I bought at Dollar Tree (a US big box store where their motto is "Everything's a Dollar").

So which recipe do I like better?  I suspect it is the first one, but it all depends on whether those are bubbles I whipped into the black texture paste, or unprocessed baby powder mixture.  Only time and use will tell.  Note that you must seal these pastes or I've been told they will harden on you.

And although this is not a tutorial, I'm adding it to my Tutorials page so you and I can find the recipe(s) easily in case we need it/them again.

Thank you yet again for your continued support of my crafting endeavors.  It means the world to me.

16 thoughtful remarks:

Darla said...

Thanks for collecting the recipes and comparing them for us. You will follow up with an example of using them won't you? Of course you will, you are so good about things like that.

Sure wish you would get over whatever it is that you have that makes you feel bad.

Darla

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I'll be interested to know how the baby powder fairs in the long run. Although I sealed my recipe in little containers, they hardened. I just checked my cards last night where I used them, and the quality seems good. That is, they are still where I put them, haven't chipped, etc. Probably have to use what you mix fairly quickly.

Sorry to hear your day out made you ill again. I hope you can get past this illness soon.

Nancy said...

Good information- thank you. I'd seen the baby powder formula, but not the other one. And I'd wondered about the odor. Never thought about the consistency in the proportions though. Mixing was an issue!

Halle said...

I've thought about making texture paste but I still have half a jar of the store bought kind. :) I'll put your recipes into my "bag of tricks" for later.

froebelsternchen said...

Great mixed media witch kitchen today.. I made also texture paste in the past -I took corn starch, white glue and white paint.. it was very good,did not dry out ... it was quite good for me but then our discounter sold three different pastes for very few money and I took them to try them ou and they were so smooth and lightweighted and I thought why making it myself since I am a very lazy crafter with this kind of things ... and I think if they will have this again on sale I will propably take a new jar of this. special the light molding paste is soo great.

Oh I am so sorry to hear that this flue makes you not feeling well ..
Rest again dear Elizabeth ... don't make to much.... we have to look at our bodies my friend!
keep care!
Thank you for the recipes!
xoxoxo
Susi

I made my own Gesso for a while too- found a recipe on You Tube.. but meanwhile I buy it again the container with 2 and 1/2 kilo for 13 Euro (that's a good pricw for a really nice gessso I think)

AppleApricot Wen said...

I love seeing your experiments Elizabeth! Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog again :) I'm sorry to hear your erosion bundle experiment didn't work out as you had hoped. I haven't got to making one yet but will share it on my blog if I do. Wishing you well, take care!

Nan G said...

Hello E. So saddened to hear that lurgy is still with you. Warm hugs from all,of us to spend your recovery. Now, it's good to have a prep day. I'll be curious to see which homemade paste works the best for you. I've not tried making my own...yet. More warm hugs.

TwinkleToes2day said...

What fabulous work ethics you have dear Elizabeth, but perhaps with this lingering lurgy, you maybe do need to give yourself a few 'sick days' to aid in recovery. Just my thorts.
I haven't made any pastes, but then rarely use it anyway. I would treat it like do storing anything that doesn't fill the container and put a layer of plastic wrap directly on to of the stuff to help retain the moisture and stop it drying out too quickly. I look forward to the results. Once you're well? *wink*
Wee Man says 'Thank you very much' for your comment :o) :o) x

Carol said...

I love making my own supplies too. But small quantities is the BIG secret. The so tend to get thick and hard in storage. Let us know how it worked for you. YOu asked yesterday about where to get lye... I am still able to buy it local but if you can't they sell it on Amazon. Just be sure it says 100% lye on the label.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh Elizabeth! Really wishing that this "thing" will go away! Don't be putting too much on yourself! This tutorial is great - looking forward to seeing how they perform! Take care! Hugs, Chrisx

Rita said...

Gosh, Elisabeth--hope you get over this stuff soon!!
And I do hope when you feel up to it that you show us how these worked and which worked better. Take care and get lots of rest. :)

massofhair said...

Hi Elizabeth when we had this lurgy in the UK most people were very poorly for around 2 weeks, then had symptoms like you are having where exertion of any kind floored them. We were told to rest and take things easy, quickest to get over it has been 4 weeks longest is me at 4.5 months but that's because of my compromised immune system.

PLEASE rest more!!!

Thank you for testing out the two different recipes, looking forward to reading your results. I read that it was best to make small amounts and use it all up otherwise people had difficulty getting it out of containers.

Huge Hugz
Mo:-) xxx

voodoo vixen said...

Sorry to hear you are still sick, it has to be one of the worst winter flu type bugs that I have known for decades and it really does knock you for six... and like you I would have a good day and think I was over it and go out or clean through the house and the next day.... urgh... ill again. BIG Hugs to you and hope you get over it soon.
Love the tutorial or try out for texture paste... will wait to see what you do with it.

Krisha said...

How very odd, I have made this time and time again and never had any problems with it. It has always had a nice consistency, and no bubbles. I do add a little water, you might try that. Hmmmm....just odd.

~*~Patty S said...

More interesting experiments coming out of your lab...I mean art room :-)
It will be fun to see how you like working with each batch.
oxo

CatieAn said...

great recipes and now will wait to see which one you like better.
I love your work ethic.
I do hope you start feeling better soon maybe you need to check in with your dr.