Today has been a series of "firsts" - my first decorated candle, my first visit to the WOYWW community and my first go at editing a video. That's for another blog post though, so if you're interested - watch this space!!
I have great plans for a Crafty Christmas .... provided my craft room is finished in time. Its currently a building site, and has been so since back in August when I first packed everything away, allowing my husband the room to make a few changes in there before completely redecorating. He is a slow DIYer and we've both had a lot of other things which have deterred us from getting the room done. To give him his due, dear hubby has removed a 'built in' cupboard, given me flash new chrome electric sockets and redecorated which was no easy task with the colours that were in there before! So for now, I craft on our dining room table. I have brought a lot of my supplies downstairs so the dining room is a bit of a no-go area.
Anyway, so to my first photo showing said table in all its crafty glory!
I thought I'd better make a start on those Crafty Christmas presents, so today its a practise run at decorating candles. I used a fir tree stamp and a sentiment from another stamp set (both from Stampin Up). I'd watched a few YouTube tutorials some time back and for my first attempt I was quite pleased.
I stamped the tree first, then the sentiment either side.
I used some white tissue paper to stamp onto, then cut out the tree leaving a very small border all way round. Placed it on the candle, then wrapped baking paper round tautly before using my heat gun to gently soften the candle enough for the tissue paper to adhere to the wax.
A word of warning, its best to try and grip the baking paper round the back of the candle. I didn't at first and it got very hot, very quickly!
If you look very closely, you can see where I slightly overheated the bottom of the candle on the right of the tree. Its a learning process, so hopefully my next attempt will be better.
So there you have it, a Christmas Candle.
As with all candles, if you try this at home make sure not to leave a candle burning unattended. I have no idea what will happen to the tissue paper as the candle melts, I'm hoping it'll melt down inside so the tissue paper doesn't touch the flame itself
As ever - Love, Peace & Happiness
Karen x
Materials used:
Lovely As A Tree - Stampin Up
Star Of Light - Stampin Up
Garden Green ink - Stampin Up
Cherry Cobbler ink - Stampin Up
Heat Gun
Tissue paper
Baking Paper (not greaseproof)
YAY you made it here for your first show and tell. Adore the candle, could have a go myself from the great instructions...... We forgot to mention it's a good idea to pop the number of the WOYWW week in the title as well, This week is #440. Hope you won't be in the dining room for too much longer, well hopefully sorted BEFORE Christmas Dinner in served anyway. LOL Happy FIRST WOYWW BJ#17
ReplyDeleteThanks BJ, I'll happily go alter the title to reflect the week number. I'm hoping one day to find blogging easier - all that technology and me! xx
DeleteWelcome to WOYWW!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post about the candle, often wondered how it was done.
Had a quick look around and your cards are really good, especially the twist and pop for your Dad. I like the way you include the tuts as well.
Have a good week
Christine #20
Thanks Christine :)xx
DeleteHiya Karen! Welcome to WOYWW - I'm sure you'll enjoy being part of this wonderful community. There's some amazingly creative gals here and I'm sure you'll fit right in! How did you come across WOYWW? It's interesting to know.
ReplyDeleteI laughed when you said how your hubby had to tackle some tricky painting over what was there before - it was the same in our house (we moved in January) which was like a museum to the world's 10 worst wallpapers. Grim! So we've spent most of this year doing the same thing as you, covering stuff up! Love the candle, it looks really pretty :-D
Hugs LLJ 8 xxxx
Hi LLJ, I know BJ and Anne from another craft group. Met BJ a few years ago and meeting Anne for the first time at the weekend!
DeleteAs for the craft room, I filmed the before and will film the after and then you'll see just how hard it was to cover the paintwork! xx
Welcome to woyww!!! I love the decorated candle and thanks for explaining how you did it! I'm curious too, what the tissue paper will do once the flame gets there - please let us know if you find out (or aren't you going to burn the candle?) Happy woyww, have a warm and bright day, hug from Holland, Marit #19
ReplyDeleteHello Marit, thank you for your comment. I've been blown away how friendly everyone has been. I'll certainly be burning the candle over Christmas, so will update then xx
DeleteHi Karen. So pleased you made it to WOYWW. Interesting 'desk'and post. Love the candle ( I know I've already told you lol ) I can't wait to see your finished craft room. See you very soon!!!!! :-) Anne x #26
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Anne, see you in a couple of days! xx
DeleteYour candle is Beautiful! Very very good for a first attempt. I an excited to see your craft room all finished and put back together. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteEllie #7
Thanks Ellie xx
DeleteHi Karen. Welcome to WOYWW! Yes, it's going to be interesting watching what happens when you light the candle... but it looks great!!! Shouldn't worry too much about the dining area being a no go area.... most of us have been there as well, eating off a tray on our knees!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. The little Santa's stockings are a Jean Greenhowe pattern - I don't knit particularly quickly, but can do three during a Midsomer episode..
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #3
Thank you Margaret, I'm going to attempt the knitting while watching tv in the evenings too xx
DeleteHi there, love your first attempt at a candle. We saw a lot at the Hobbycrafts show, on the Lavinia stamps stand, and all the fairies on the candles looked gorgeous. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #10 XxX
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd forgotten I have some pretty fairy stamps packed away in my stash.Hope I get the chance to use them in time for Christmas! Thanks you for stopping by xx
DeleteWelcome to the fun that is WOYWW! I love the candle, it's gorgeous. Not decorated a candle for years! Helen #1
ReplyDeleteWelcome to WOYWW Karen, nice to see another desk! And for a dining table, it's doing a sterling desk job. Impressed hat you have kept quite a decent working area clear, suggests a tidier mind than some. OK! Mine.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the candle, lined up the text beautifully. The last one I did (which was a loooong time ago) burned down very well, the tissue did just disappear as the wax melted down, so I hope your experience is the same!
Hi Karen and welcome to WOYWW. Thanks for sharing the idea of decorated candles. I have to make a secret Santa gift for work and it will be a great idea. Sarah #27
ReplyDeleteThis is one crafty experience I haven't tried but intend to have a go. Will be looking back at your post and on utube. Anickoana
ReplyDeleteHi Karen and welcome. I'm on catch-up this week as we were entertaining visitors yesterday. Loving the candle. Happy creative belated woyww, Angela x14x
ReplyDeleteSorry I’m so slow in coming to comment Karen, welcome to WOYWW, that candle is brilliant I’ve joined your blog too if you join mine I’ll link across to your blog on the next post and hopefully some more folks will pop by.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your inspiration!
Shaz in Oz.x
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}