One-of-a-Kind Background

 

Each week in May the Crafter's Companion Design Team will be giving away a wonderful prize from Crafter's Companion on their blogs - this is the last week!!  All the DT blog links are posted on the bar to the right.  Be sure to read the rules for each team member's giveaway.   This week I have added one more step!

For my project this week, I'm sharing another cool background technique with one of Sheena Douglass's new designs. I'm really excited to play with Sheena's new images!  You'll get to see several projects over the next few weeks, so be sure to come back right here each day!

I pulled out my iron - my Encaustic iron that is.   Have you ever tried it?!  Stacy shared a project last week with a really cool frame that looked like it was painted with wax - you can see it here. I tried it last year at a stamping retreat and fell fast for it. My stampin' sister Barb G showed me how to use it and gave me lots of tips.  I had ordered the started kit before the retreat was over. :o) I'm sure you have those dear friends - enablers - that help you spend your arts & craft allowance. :o)

There's two styles of Encuastic painting that I know of, (1) using paint brushes and tin tubs of heated wax, and (2) using an iron and small pieces of wax directly onto the iron.   There is a short learning curve to producing some really cool one-of-a-kind backgrounds.   That's what got me excited!

I used semi-glossy card stock - the wax glides smoother with some type of glossy finish.  You can also use other type papers and card stock.  To stamp you can use StazOn or a dye based ink.   While I was stamping, I stamped several.  When I'm using my iron, I like to spread a lot of wax at one time and have them ready for a project.  I may use them for a background or cut out the image.

Before spreading color, I use a layer of Beeswax to coat the card stock. Next, I chose wax colors that are in sun flowers, melted them together on top of the iron and spread onto the background.  Another tip Barb G taught was to use metallic crayons with your wax to get a cool bubble/sparkle effect.  After spreading the background,  I came back in with my stylus brush and spread a little dark brown wax in the center of each sunflower.  I gently buffed with a tissue when I was finished.

Next I fussy cut one of the sun flowers out and trimmed a rectangle around the remaining ones. 

On the inside I added a strip of the design card stock and punched out a couple butterflies with my Martha Stewart butterfly punch.

Here's what the iron, stylus, and wax look like:

The card is ready to send!  If you don't want to invest in the tools yet, try a craft iron and crayons - same idea.  You can get a feel for thrill. :o)

To see more Encaustic painting that I've done, please visit here.

Here are the rules for my last week's giveaway:

1. You MUST be a follower of BOTH the Crafter's Companion Informational blog and of the Crafter's Companion Challenge blog. (I do check when choosing winners :o)).
2.  Be or become a follower of my blog.
3. Post an announcement on your blog about Crafter's Companion Giveaway with a link to your favorite Crafter's Companion's  post so far this month (it does not have to be mine - all the DT's designs are awesome!).
4. Leave a comment ON THIS POST by THURSDAY, May 31st at 8pm PST. Winners to be announced the next day on Friday the 1st of June.

Week three giveaway ends May 22nd - Please make sure I have your email address!  I will send you an email when you have won and post your name on my blog. The winner will be announced on Wednesday.

Week 4 Giveaway is A CleverCut 3-in-1 Mini Paper Trimmer.

http://www.crafterscompanion.com/CleverCut-3-in-1-Mini-Paper-Trimmer_p_27.html



Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena