Monday, December 26, 2011

JUST some cool candle decor...





Whew! We did it - CHRISTMAS. {Check!} Santa MADE it! Yipeeee!





Sure hope YOURS was wonderful! I am SO not ready for it to be over!
I'm just getting warmed up for Christmas craft... {Maybe I should make
stuff for NEXT year, so I can feel AHEAD of the game!} But, I digress..



Part of the reason I am STILL in the mood, is, because, I'm FINALLY
getting caught up! {Yikes!} So, a little late, but no less excited..., I'm
now able to share with you my Just Us Girls creation for this week - WE
are making decorative "sleeves" for pillar candles! SUCH a great way
to add a little seasonal dazzle to your every day candles, without
"committing".... When the holidays are over - just remove the sleeve!
Super fun! Check out how the rest of the Just Us Girls team
tackled with lovely assignment! {Meowwww!}

Pam
Dana
Kathryn
Lisa
Andrea
Lynn
Kristin

And our super TALENTED guest designer, Lenet!

Of course - the rebel in me, WANTED to commit to more. Especially,
since this project reminded me of one of my ALL time favorite ways
to play with stamps and dress up a standard candle: the TISSUE paper
wrap, MELTED into the candle! {Old school, but I LOVE, love, love it!}


All you need is some tissue or super thin vellum, fave stamps, dye and
permanent ink - and a HEAT gun! {*BAM!*}


Cut your tissue or vellum, to size, so that it wraps around the circumference of
the candle, just overlapping by less than a quarter inch on the backside. Plan
your "scene" or composition. Since I knew I wanted to feature a wonderful Santa
in sleigh stamp, I punched a circle from yellow vellum and lightly glued it to the
candle, where I wanted to feature Santa. Next, I sponged dark and medium blue
to create the sky effect, with dye ink. Noting where the moon would show through,
I left that area clear. Next, I stamped the city scape along the bottom with Staz On.
Then Santa!


ALREADY, kind of magical...! {BUT wait, there's more!}



With pad, direct to paper, I "swiped" in water, with the lighter of the two blue
colors, used for the sky. Then, punched star shapes along the top of the sky.



Lightly tape the top and bottom of the seam of the vellum sleeve to the candle.



Cut an 18" sheet of wax paper, and place the pillar in the middle of the piece,
clutching the ends in one hand, so that the candle hangs, horizontally. Lightly
apply heat with a heat gun. You will notice the wax begin to glisten. Heat only
to activate that change, then move on. Rotate the candle within the wax paper
so that heat can be applied to the entire surface of the candle, giving special
attention to the the seam of the vellum. Wax from the paper, AND from the
candle, will coat the stamped vellum, securing the design to the candle.



The design will appear to be imbedded in the wax. As the candle burns, cut the
excess paper and NEVER leave candle unattended. I can say from personal use,
that I have never had a problem using a candle wrapped in light vellum or
tissue paper, but I always recommend doing this technique with quality made
candles, never discount brands. Good wax and wick materials make a big
difference. If you've never played with this technique, I sure hope you'll try!





Won't you, won't you, won't you PLAY with us?

We SURE would love to have you!

Thanks, for letting me share this FABULOUS technique!


Supplies -

Paper Vellum - Stampin' Up!
Stamps - Creative Imaginations {Santa and sleigh}; City scape - My Cute Stamps
Ink - Stampin' Up!; Staz On
Star Punch - Marvy
Silver Cord - S/U!
Christmas Light beads - Darice
Bling - Want2Scrap™

10 comments:

Lynn said...

Absolutely stunningly gorgeous Elise! So glad Santa made it and that you and your family had a wonderful time together!

Claire said...

Wonderful candle! I STILL have never tried this. Thanks for the reminder!

Rosemary said...

woweee... what a gorgeous candle!! you are the crafty mistress extraordinaire!!!

Karen said...

Love, love, love it when you get your "Scene" on! And it just gets better and better when you apply your scene to other materials. Altered and Elise-ized...perfect! :>

Rose said...

girl your talent blows me away!!!
just saw i have 6 hrs to enter this challenge so going to dig around for a candle :)

Anne Tussing said...

Gorgeous scene! LOVE your candle from the city scape to the sparkly stars:)

Dana Gustafson said...

Beautious! You ARE a clever girl!

Kathryn B said...

I've never tried this technique before I'm glad you made the tutorial! Now I'mm gonna give it a try. I love the scene you've created it's just beautiful!

Carol L said...

You are the mistress of candle making my dear! This is the most incredible creation and I love how you went about planning the detail work for the scene! What an amazing item for gift giving - or keeping! LOL
I hope your Christmas was the best!!

farmhouse-story said...

this is beautiful, elise! i never thought to do a scene on a candle-you clever girl!