Crafter's Companion February Challenge - Make it Sparkle

This month's Crafter's Companion Challenge theme is Make it Sparkle (use/add bling, sparkle of any kind).  I'm featuring an image from the Stamp-It Imagine line. 

Crafter's Companion Supplies Used:

Stamp-It Australia EZMount Stamp Set Spring - Dreamy Daisies

Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock

Memento LUXE Ink Pads

Shimmering Cards

Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 046, 049

Stickles

Extra Strong Permanent Tape Runner

Complete supplies included at the bottom.

The background layer is made with an Encaustic wax technique. Click here to see how I make my Encaustic paintings. Metallic crayons add the sparkle to the background.

Every month, there's a fun challenge with a chance to win a voucher to shop at Crafter's Companion. Visit the Crafter's Companion Facebook Page for all the details on this month's challenge. For inspiration, be sure to visit the Crafter's Companion DT members.  You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog..

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

InLinkz.com

New Sheena Release!

Sheena has new two new sets coming out Hidden Stars and Underwater Angels!! 

The technique that came to my mind for how to use these images is Encaustic Painting!  I created the background first onto High Gloss Cardstock. To see a quick video on beginning Encaustic Painting, click here.

Next, I stamped the images onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock and colored them with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I used a combination of direct coloring to the cardstock and also tip to tip. As you lay the color on the cardstock, a natural blending occurs.  

fish 1: Blender, CT1, OR1, OR2, GB6
fish 2: CT1, OR1, TB1, TB4
seahorse: LV1, LV2, LV3

After coloring I cut out each image, edged them with a black water-based marker, and glued  them down with Collall's Tacky-Glue. 

Crafter's Companion has had several new releases. For more ideas, be sure to pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, as well as visit the Crafter's Companion DT members.  You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

One scene, Two Techniques

To see how I made these two scenes using Encausic painting and Tombow Dual Brush Pens, please click here!

     

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Wax Wine

Sharing another card with wax - wine wax. :o)

Stamped wine, glass and grapes image onto glossy paper - this is for the pieces I cut out.   Stamped several wine glass images randomly onto large piece of glossy paper - this is for the background. Added wax to both using an iron. I also melted a little metallic crayon in with the wax  - the metallic adds an interesting texture.

I stamped the wine bottle image onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers. This is for my base image. I used my Spectrum Noir Markers to color. Colored base image sections that I was not planning to cover with the paper pieces. 

Next I cut out the pieces of the wax image - wine bottle, wine in glass and grapes and adhere those onto the base image. TIP: when using the paper piecing technique, I use a liquid adhesive to adhere pieces - the liquid gives you a little more time to shimmy your piece into place.  Also, many times I will add a little color to the base card where I place my pieces. That way if my cutting was not precise, it will not be obvious with a big white space. :o)

For a little added extra touch, I used a white pen to add highlights.  I used the IG2 marker to draw a subtle outline around the complete image.

To lean more about Encaustic Painting, you can visit Encaustic Creations. 

Thanks for visiting!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Underwater Wax

Sharing a little scene I did with a wax background.  Click on the photo to see details of how I made this little scene.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Wax Art Work

To see more information on these Encaustic art pieces I did, please visit Stamping, Painting and Giggling to see all the details.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

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