Mosaic Tile Clock

MATERIALS:

• 8�x8� piece of black illustration board

• Kato liquid polymer clay

•  2 blocks block Kato black polymer clay

• 1 � blocks Kato Pearl polymer clay

• �Paris� stamp from Stampin� Up! Friendship�s Journey set

• �Fr. No 5� and �Buddha� stamps from Stampin� Up! Travels Abroad set

• "Thoughtful� stamp by JudiKins

• Lisa Pavelka's Poly-Glaze by Ranger

• Black StazOn ink

• Jacquard Lumiere paints in Sunset Gold and Metallic Russett
• Jacquard PearlEx powders in the following colors: Brilliant Yellow, Blue Russet, True Blue, Spring Green, Duo Green-Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Misty Lavender, Aztec Gold, and Antique Copper.  Note:  All colors are sold together as the �PearlEx Series 2� kit.

• Clock mechanism kit from Walnut Hallow

• Medium thickness artist paint brush, sea sponge, clay-dedicated pasta machine, clay blade, craft knife, and ruler

 STEPS:

1. Condition all clay.
2. Cover the illustration board lightly with a thin coat of polymer clay.
3. Roll out two pieces of black clay on the third-largest setting on the pasta machine that are at least 8 inches in length.  Lay these pieces of clay side by side on the book board, smoothing down the clay carefully to avoid air bubbles.  Smooth the seam where the two pieces touch.  Turn the piece over and trim the excess clay from the illustration board.
4. Using sea sponge, lightly dab Lumiere paints on clay, one color at a time, until desired effect is reached.
5. Roll out the pearl clay on the largest setting of the pasta machine.
6. Using StazOn ink, stamp images on clay.  Use a light touch when stamping � you do not want the image embedded in the clay.
7. Trim around the stamped images, leaving a �� to �� border.
8. Using pigment powders and paint brush, brush powders onto clay.
9. Using ruler and clay blade, cut stamped image into four equal pieces.
10. Bake stamped tiles in oven using manufacture�s recommendations for time and temperature.
11. After tiles have cooled, arrange tiles on base, leaving room for clock movement.  To preserve tile effect, leave 1/8� between each stamped tile.  When the desired layout is reached, firmly press tiles into polymer clay base to secure. 
12. Bake entire piece again at manufacture�s recommendations for time and temperature.  Let the piece cool completely.
13. With ruler, locate center of box lid.  With craft knife, cut opening large enough for clock mechanism to fit through.
14. Carefully cover the surface of every stamped tile with a thin layer of Poly-Glaze. Let tiles dry until glaze turns clear. 
15. Attach clock mechanism to piece according to manufacturer�s instructions.

Tulip Bookmark

MATERIALS:

• Recycled paper � from discarded mailings, office memos, etc.
• 1� x 1" pieces of scrapbooking paper or cardstock
• 12 drops of Jacquard Pinata Ink in Chile Red
• 3 Arnold Grummer Cotton Linter squares
• Blender
• 5-10 gallon plastic container
• **Pour Mold
• **Sponge
• **Window screening or pressing cloth
• **Couching Sheets
• **Press bar

Note:  I bought all of the ** marked paper supplies in a kit from Arnold Grummer that is sold at most arts and crafts stores.

• Heavy books to place drying paper in.
• 2 one-inch pieces of sticky-backed magnet
• Completed decorated polymer clay tile
• Glue dots or red-line double-stick adhesive

STEPS:

1. Place two cups of water in blender.
2. Add three cotton linter squares into water and allow to soak for at least 10 minutes to break up fibers
3. Add one handful of recycled paper to the blender.
4. Add 12 drops in Pinata ink and allow to soak for 3-5 minutes.  The ink will be repelled by the water, but will soak into the paper, effectively coloring your paper!  Remember, the paper will lighten significantly when it dries.
5.  Turn blender on medium speed for 40 seconds to allow paper and cotton to merge together and form pulp.  If you want more textured paper, only blend for 10-20 seconds.
6. Place your pour mold in the plastic container and fill the container with water so that the water is approximately 3� deep.  This will allow the pour mold to move freely in the water.
7. Pour approximately one cup of the mixture from the blender directly into the pour mold while the pour mold is submerged in the water.  The pulp will be trapped in the pour mold.  Immediately swirl the pulp around with your fingers for five seconds to ensure even distribution of the pulp.
8. Pull the pour mold out of the water and let it drain for approximately 15 seconds.
9. Unstrap the bottom of the pour mold from and place it, along with the sheet of pulp, on a cookie sheet.  Place a window screen or pressing cloth over the pulp and begin pressing on the pulp with a sponge.
10.  Wring out the sponge and continue this process approximately 5 times until most of the water is out of the pulp.
11. Place a couching sheet on top of the paper sheet.  Using a press bar or something similar, firmly press on the couching sheet to further wring out excess water and to bond the newly formed sheet of paper to the couching sheet.
12. Lift the couching sheet off the bottom portion of the pour mold and place another couching sheet on the bottom of the paper.
13. Place paper in between several books to dry flat over a several day period.  If you prefer, you may quickly dry your paper with a clothes iron using a no-steam setting.
14. After the paper is made, tear a strip approximately 3 inches wide and 8 inches long.  Fold this piece of paper in half.
15. Place one magnet on each folded edge so that the magnets will contact each other when the paper is folded in half.
16. Place completed polymer clay tile on front of bookmark, securing with glue dots or red-backed adhesive (the adhesive must be a very strong adhesive � normal glue will not work for this project.)