The Outdoor Project
1 hour ago
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
When I saw wax as the theme for this I went into serious panic mode. Anyone who knows me, knows I HATE wax collage – I’ve tried it, am BAD at it and just hated working with it, although I love other people’s creations. So I had to approach this from a different angle and here’s what I ended up with.
I’ve had this candle stamp for years – bought it from someone who, as far as I know, is no longer in business, but I love it. I stamped it on glossy card, using Stazon ink and then coloured the candles with a small, sharpened candle, to create a wax resist effect. I then overstamped with Versamark before sponging various Adirondack green inks over, creating a second resist effect. Once I’d wiped off the wax, I added some shading with Tombow felt tips. The music and candle card is one of my oldest (and favourite) stamps from Embossing Arts and after shading with Tombows I used Sepia accents to age it a bit more. The Kraft card (Woodware) is stamped with Versamark ink, to give a bit of depth under the layers. All layers (including card) are edged with gold Krylon pen.
The gift card is a Scrapling, one of my favourite things to make and perfect for gift tags. Whenever you make a card which isn’t quite A5/A6, you’ll have a strip of folded card left (if you fold first, as I do) and that ‘scrap’ is perfect for a little accompanying card.
The candle was white. I stamped the angels (Beeswax stamps, he, he) on tissue paper, coloured them with Prismacolor pencils, adding some colour for the background, then stippling a bit of ink to add more colour before stamping the text. The silver stars are stamped in Silver Stazon ink.
There’s an odd wrinkle in the tissue paper because it wasn’t perfectly folded, but I like crinkles :-)
It’s wrapped with hemp and the candle itself has been finished with a special candle painting medium to make it anti flammable, although I would still recommend burning only a couple of inches, then placing a tea light inside the shell to preserve the decoration.
I enjoyed this so much, I made another matching set …
… then one using flowers. I’ll probably end up making more of these now that I’ve ‘got my feet wet’ so to speak.
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37 very kind comments from lovely people:
Wow that looks impressive! I bought some wax after I saw many demos online and at shows but still haven't opened the tub.... maybe now!
Oh wow... gorgeous candles and card! Beautiful pieces of art.
xx Tessa
wow!! love your candles and the card is beautiful!!
You are delightfully creative in solving challenging problems. Firstly by avoiding wax collage (I'm not good with it either, I tried it a couple of times & disliked my results) with your use of stamped candle images. And then you go and make a fantastic candle decoration with stamped tissue paper. Love it. Px
I have never worked with wax but I love these creations of yours. Beautiful.
Lovely greet
Marja
Beautiful candels and cards!
Like the one with the flowers most!
Wonderful work love the candles stamp and all the different examples you have shared using wax one way or another here. Have to admit to being a bit stumped as well but thanks to you the brain is stirring LOL XOXO Zoe
Wonderful creations, Cath!
Great take on the theme, and I absolutely love the candle!!
nothing wrong with those gorgeous creations Cath. that candle stamps is lovely and beautifully coloured too.
These are fabulous Cath. I don't like to burn my decorated candles either, lol. xx
Oh wow they are totally beautiful, you have worked really hard on these gorgeous pieces. Annette x
Hey, I've never tried wax collage, and it hasn't killed me yet, but Cath, how, how, how can you NOT like crayons?
I cried a few tears for you when I read your comment on my blog . . .
;)
ANYWAY, all joking aside, your creations turned out fabulous, and what perfect timing for creating a few sweet gifts like these!
:)
Fabulous cards and candles - the Xmas set, I think, is stunning Kx
Wonderful projects, your candles are gorgeous.
Yvonne/Meggymay
Wowzers! All three sets are fabulous and absolutely stunning!
Oh Cath what for lovely candles.
Amazing work. Love them all.
F*A*B*U*L*O*U*S Cath, I love your candles.
Hugs
Anke
Your creations are beautiful and zhe littel angel so sweet, love them all, and crinkles too!*g*
Have a nice day,
hugs Anja
Well considering you have a phobia of wax and you 'hate' it, you did pretty well and going back for more - lol.
Brilliant take on the theme.
Sam xxxx
Truly beautiful candles, just found your blog, am a follower, great pieces for gingersnaps, trace x
Hello there Cath, Beautiful work, they turned out so pretty, I love your colouring here especially the golden glow behind the angel, simply gorgeous, Gay xxx
Wow, you've created wonderful sets, cannot decide which I like best.
love those candles
What a wonderful result when trying to get around the "wax". Wouldn't these make super presents with the cards.
I especially like the music stamp you have - lovely stuff!
I can't seem to close my mouth Cath - this whole project is astonishing! And three sets too! Absolutely brilliant! Vx
Wonderful projects, Cath! You sure worked your way around your dislike of wax. I like the crinkles too, and your whole wax/resist technique.
Love your productivity Cath and with such special results.
Wishes
Lynne
What a nice set of card, candle and bookmark! Beautifully designed, dear Cath!
Oh wow! These are all stunning and breathtaking Cath! I can see why you love that candle stamp. It is beautiful. I have two candles waiting to be decorated... one day I will get time! Have asked Santa for a week... Don't think he will manage to find that pressie for me!!!
Love your candles! I love the combination with the cards! Great work, Cath!
everything you make is beautiful, so i admire this art pieces too. They look all great! Have a great christmas time. greetz from janine
Well for someone who doesn't like working with wax you sure came up with some gorgeous creations. Adore the candle. Beautiful card and bookmark, What a great gift set this would make.
Happpy Holidays!
hugs Lynn
For not liking to work with wax, these projects are amazing! I agree that scraplings are perfect for gift tags.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy Healthy New Year to you and all your loved ones.
Beautiful candles and matching cards Cath - love the sleeping Angel images.
Have a fab. Christmas - Sylvia xx
I had to smile when I saw your first sentence, Cath.
I love your take on the theme. The image on the first candle is so sweet.
Chris x
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