'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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.
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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.

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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.
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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 …
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… 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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You can see the fab design team’s inspirational works of art over at Gingersnaps.

37 very kind comments from lovely people:

Helen said...

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!

Tessa said...

Oh wow... gorgeous candles and card! Beautiful pieces of art.

xx Tessa

Femmy said...

wow!! love your candles and the card is beautiful!!

Paul B said...

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

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

I have never worked with wax but I love these creations of yours. Beautiful.
Lovely greet
Marja

Jolette said...

Beautiful candels and cards!
Like the one with the flowers most!

Zoechaos said...

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

Willy said...

Wonderful creations, Cath!

Anonymous said...

Great take on the theme, and I absolutely love the candle!!

Carol Q said...

nothing wrong with those gorgeous creations Cath. that candle stamps is lovely and beautifully coloured too.

Anonymous said...

These are fabulous Cath. I don't like to burn my decorated candles either, lol. xx

Netty said...

Oh wow they are totally beautiful, you have worked really hard on these gorgeous pieces. Annette x

trisha too said...

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!

:)

Karen said...

Fabulous cards and candles - the Xmas set, I think, is stunning Kx

Meggymay said...

Wonderful projects, your candles are gorgeous.
Yvonne/Meggymay

Anonymous said...

Wowzers! All three sets are fabulous and absolutely stunning!

Sandy said...

Oh Cath what for lovely candles.
Amazing work. Love them all.

Anke said...

F*A*B*U*L*O*U*S Cath, I love your candles.

Hugs
Anke

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Your creations are beautiful and zhe littel angel so sweet, love them all, and crinkles too!*g*
Have a nice day,
hugs Anja

sam21ski said...

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

Inkypinkycraft said...

Truly beautiful candles, just found your blog, am a follower, great pieces for gingersnaps, trace x

G Peplow said...

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

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Wow, you've created wonderful sets, cannot decide which I like best.

Lorraine said...

love those candles

Neet said...

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!

Vicky Hayes said...

I can't seem to close my mouth Cath - this whole project is astonishing! And three sets too! Absolutely brilliant! Vx

Marjie Kemper said...

Wonderful projects, Cath! You sure worked your way around your dislike of wax. I like the crinkles too, and your whole wax/resist technique.

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Love your productivity Cath and with such special results.
Wishes
Lynne

Martina said...

What a nice set of card, candle and bookmark! Beautifully designed, dear Cath!

Sally H said...

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!!!

Petra Tillmann said...

Love your candles! I love the combination with the cards! Great work, Cath!

Jeany said...

everything you make is beautiful, so i admire this art pieces too. They look all great! Have a great christmas time. greetz from janine

Lynn Stevens said...

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

2amscrapper said...

For not liking to work with wax, these projects are amazing! I agree that scraplings are perfect for gift tags.

Femmy said...

Merry Christmas and a very Happy Healthy New Year to you and all your loved ones.

SYLVIA-ANNE said...

Beautiful candles and matching cards Cath - love the sleeping Angel images.
Have a fab. Christmas - Sylvia xx

Chris said...

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