Eastertide (& a Polymer Clay Tutorial)

It wasn't a bad winter here in West Virginia, yet Spring has been long coming.  Bob took this picture just last week.  

The poem is called "Eastertide" by Gladys Harp.  Here's an excerpt:
    "The resurrection of lost dreams,
     of flowers, leaves and grass;
     The end of strife, the dawn of peace,
     that now has come to pass."

The "E" in the title is a polymer clay tile.

To create these neat embellishments, I roll a piece of polymer clay through the "pasta" machine that's designed specifically for clay.  It rolls the clay evenly and smoothly.  These machines are available at Michaels. . . a great use of the 40% off coupons!

Stamp the clay.  I used a chalk ink.

Cut around the stamped image.

Bake according to package instructions.  Mine was baked in the toaster oven for 35 minutes at 275 degrees (after I cooked dinner!).  Varnish.

Here's another quick tutorial:   It's a really easy way to make your own embellishments.  The excess clay can be stored in ziploc bags.

Our weather is warming up.  Tomorrow I'm taking my winter coat to the cleaner.