Craft class candle wax resist technique

Today I'm sharing a step by step tutorial by request for a technique used recently at craft class.

It uses a wax candle to create a distressed resist background.

 Ingredients to complete the card include - Inkylicious Bigz Butterfly 1,
Sentiment stamps from Mama Makes, watercolour inspirations,
Spellbinders die set - card creator, curved borders 1,
Jeanine's Art Christmas Classics embossing folder - Christmas Tree.
I also used distress inks and Versafine Clair cheerful ink pad, these ink pads are a dream to stamp with, I love their vibrancy and clarity.
To start with I've used the embossing folder and cut a piece of glossy card to size.

Once the card was embossed I rubbed the whole surface with the side of a candle to apply wax to the surface, then on top of the wax surface blended distress ink with a smoothie sponge.
The colour used is Peacock Feathers.

Once finished inking, polish the whole area with a paper towel, this will reveal the embossed resist leaving a distressed background.

Place the stamp in position to decide where to cut the curved die through the card.

 Remove the stamp and use low tac tape or a magnetic shim to hold the die in place for cutting.

Stamp the butterfly onto smooth white card using the Versafine Clair.

Roughly cut round the butterfly edge and apply sellotape behind the antenna area, this will allow for easier detailed cutting, as the image has not been heat embossed which also makes cutting easier.

At this stage I also blended some Squeezed Lemonade distress ink over the stamped image.

Then fussy cut the butterfly. 

Mount the butterfly in position on the embossed, coloured card and glue in place.

Choose a sentiment to stamp and position the card pieces before gluing to determine how much space is needed for the stamped sentiment/s.

This is where a stamp press tool comes into it's own to stamp the sentiment/s in position on the card.

I stamped the sentiment with the Versafine Clair ink, look how crisp and vibrant the colour is.

 The embossed pieces can then be glued or taped into place

We had a lovely time using this technique at craft class and below are some more ideas and cards created in the class, aren't they all just fabulous!

Have a lovely day xKx 

Some lovely class makes

Time for a coffee and a breather in between work projects to update with some recent class projects and makes.
Classes have been very varied and included decorating calico pencil cases/make up bags and gift bags using a variety of techniques, mixed media, stitching and stamping.
Another card making class used a resist embossing technique which I will be blogging shortly.
What a fantastic selection of makes, aren't they all fabulous, well done everyone!
We now have a designated craft area at our local community library and meeting place with a lovely tearoom where classes are held.
Saturday classes are starting in February.
For details about any of our local events or classes please don't hesitate to get in touch
craftyk@hotmail.co.uk

The gift of friendship, dream catcher

I spent last weekend in Coventry with two best buddies at the 
One Big Show.
We started our journey with AFCIUK back last year where we first met, each of us with different goals and aspirations and bought together at one event. We chatted in the day and at the evening networking event we gelled together and firm friendships were made.
I never though that a year on I would have the opportunity of displaying my work at such an event.
A selection of pieces from my last 3 - 4 years of workshop project samples and some demonstration pieces were on display.
A big thank you to everyone who stopped to chat and look at my work, for all the wonderful feedback and the further opportunities that have presented themselves as a result. 
Joint forces and friendships within the organisation provide support, help and encouragement to develop businesses and help independents reach goals and aspirations.
The resources and advice available at the show from experts in the industry is invaluable and I felt so privileged to be part of it.
We not only met up with friends we made last year and followed up on how we had all progressed and 
achieved goals but, we welcomed newcomers who will now be doing the same.
One amazing highlight for me was meeting Stacey Caron, owner of Stacey Caron Designs co-founder and president of Spellbinders Creative Arts, and and her husband Jeff.
Stacey was a Keynote speaker and spoke very openly about her craft journey as well as giving hints and tips.
They were both lovely and very generous and giving of their time, tips and advice, Stacey had also organised a beautiful make and take which sums it all up, friendship and dreams.
Every time I look at this hanging up in my house I will remember the happy time spent with friends old and new and doing what we all love together, enjoying our craft.
Just look at what this wonderful gift and kit created, I love it!

A blast from the past! 

I had one of these when they first came out and still have it!

Never thought one day I'd meet the creator and be doing what I'm doing today.

Reach your goals, take a series of tiny steps...

A big thank you to everyone else involved and especially my two best buddies along with Craig and Sarah who are both so giving of their time and the fantastic opportunities that Craig has presented to us like going to Creativworld, Frankfurt.

Love and crafty hugs xKx