Thursday 22 November 2012

Craft Barn Calendar Challenge #7

I'm still running one week behind with my Craft Barn Callendar Challenge entries. Challenge #7 asks us to use the theme of candles. I thought and thought about this but just couldn't come up with a piece using candles in the literal sense. When I looked at the challenge wording again, it said you could use the theme in any way you choose. That changed my thinking and I decided to use wax from a candle on my project as demonstrated by Gio who is a member of the Craft Barn DT - you can see the technique she used here.

I started by melting candle wax onto a scrap of card and brushing Perfect Pearls in a green shade over the wax when it had set. The wax was then re-melted and a stamp (coated with versamark ink) was pushed into the molten wax. When the wax had once more set, some gold paste was applied to bring out the texture.

Here's my latest calendar page:

Not a candle in sight but white candle wax was used for the green and gold textured 'tile'. 
The top and bottom of the page was embossed in a folder. After inking, the embossed areas were highlighted with gold paste.
The red background was created with distress inks in two shades. It includes random stamping and some stencil work to add depth. The black compass stamping was done with archival ink.
The textured 'tile' looks far greener in real life but I hope you get the idea of the technique used (explained in first part of the post). The candle wax lends a lovely translucent finish to this technique.
The 'tile' is further embellished with some jute thread which appears to hold it in place. Two red wooden beads were added for further interest.
The calendar piece was edged with Tim tape, stitched around the edge and inked lightly on the edges with distress ink.
You can see the spots created with some random stencil work and in the background some stamping of the compass image in distress ink - hopefully! Water was also flicked at the background so the white areas aren't bits I've missed!!


I hope this entry counts, even if there aren't any candle images. Having already completed my December page, I didn't really want to use a candle image for another month - I know using the wax is a tenuous link but it suited my style better - fingers crossed!

Thanks for looking and if you like the page do leave a comment and I'll get back to you.


25 comments:

  1. A beautiful vibrant calender page with a lot of work involved. The waxed imprint is super, love it!

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  2. Your wax medallion is making me keen to use wax as it has been the longest of times and I remember it being fun to create little embellishments in this manner.
    What a stunning focal for what is another beautiful page.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  3. Great make, love the textured tile and the contrastin colours! Trace x

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  4. Wow, I am impressed, lots of wonderful texture but I am loving the melted candle wax technique! Awesome! Happy Thanksgiving, waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  5. What a fantastic idea and your compass looks brilliant

    Sam xxx

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  6. Love your wax compass - what a beautiful calendar page... love the look of that embossing folder too!
    Alison x

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  7. Great calender page Julia.
    Love the wax medallion ansd the textures you used.
    Very very beautiful.
    Greetings Janny

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  8. You've put a lot of effort in this creation Julia...again amazing.
    I had to think of China...probably because of the colours...
    Very nice!!

    hugs, Alie :-)

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  9. Oh Woow,w hat a great and wonderful page... You had a clever and perfect idea Julia I think ! It gives a really beautiful result. Coco x

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  10. Great calendar page. Love the colour and texture of your background and great use of wax!

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  11. Gorgeous calendar page Julia. The colours & textures are beautiful. Shirleyx

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  12. Julia, this is a beautiful page. Love the richness of the colours and the paste over the embossing looks fantastic. The wax medallion..... very clever and impressive. Thank you also for your lovely comments. I enjoy following what you are doing; alkways inspirational. Have a great weekend. Cheers, Di

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  13. Such a wonderful calendar page, love the bright colors and the texture.

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  14. Your page is beautiful Julia, love the way you have used the gold paste to hightlight and that candle technique looks like fun, have not tried that before but will now thanks to your inspiration! Hugs, Anne x

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  15. This should definitely count surely Julia! What an imaginative and stunning way to use wax and boy the overall page is superb. Love that colour combo, and the gold adds some real opulence to the final piece. Hugs, Buttons x

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  16. Fantastic idea to use the wax in the way that you have on this piece. So inspiring.

    Love Chrissie xx

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  17. Wow! Gorgeous and what a fantastic and imaginative technique.

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  18. What a sumptuous Looking page Julia :)
    Von ♥

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  19. This is beautiful, I'm a follower now, check out my blog when you get a chance. Barb www.king-designs.blogspot.com

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  20. Great calendar page Julia, love your take on candles and the impression it left. BJ

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  21. Your "waxing" is excellent and I love the background too...

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  22. This is a lovely page. Love that red and the wax embellishment is super.

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  23. This is stunning, Julia! The texture and colors are incredibly rich... I love it!

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  24. Absolutely amazing and I love where you let the 'candle' theme take you! Your wax tile is gorgeous!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax