When you spend time with friends, it is very special and today was one of those fun, special days melting wax and experimenting together.

Recently, Suze Weinberg did a video on applying wax in a grid fashion using different colors. Her piece was so stunning that we had to try it. Keep in mind, this was a first attempt and you learn as you proceed, often removing wax in error or dripping one color where it was not intended.

We used tape to section off our wood blocks and started adding wax. When it was pretty much as desired, we used rubber stamps to create texture and Perfect Pearls and PearEx to bring out the high spots. Lastly, I added the small black rub-on to mine.

Tomorrow or whenever, I will go back and smooth out the edges to make it more attractive.

Thanks, Barb, for a very fun day!

Carolyn

PS. When I showed Jim my wax art he said, "It took all day and that's all you did? What is it?"

The Oriental Stampart Group has a weekly challenge and this week it just happened to be BLUE -- my favorite color.

As part of my ongoing resolution following Sonia's lead, I was determined to use products and stamps that have not seen ink for a very long time, if ever. This card is the result.

Carolyn

In my previous post was a background created using a floral sweet pea design napkin with beeswax. (The canvas my puppy altered.) I also did a background applying the napkin to a card with gel medium both to give members of the Mixed Media Trends group an idea that they could use an ordinary household item to create stunning backgrounds.

The group also has a monthly digital challenge which requires the member to use the background technique in their creation.

After cleaning all day, I just had to play a bit and being a beginner with PhotoShop I find options that surprise even me.

The above photo of my digital creation started with a sweet pea background like the one on the canvas in the previous post. I inverted it in PhotoShop, applied texture and added the ephemera image from Twisted Papers. Then, I went to my brushes and found some flowers and hearts and added them.

It was fun and relaxing and certainly beats cleaning. I know it is a basic piece but we all have to start somewhere and learning PhotoShop is not an easy task for an oldie like me.

Carolyn S

Happy New Year to all of my family members and friends. It has been a tough few months for many and we can all hope for a more peaceful world and a better economy for all. May you have good health, make new friends and create art!

During the last few days in December, I created some backgrounds using printed napkins for Mixed Media Trends and one piece was a stretched canvas that I covered with beeswax and applied the printed napkin to the hot wax, adding additional wax to create a smooth surface for embellishments.

W E L L .... as you all know we have a new puppy that has grown into a very large dog but still has all of the characteristics of a puppy who likes to chew, chase and get into all kinds of mischief. I usually have Jim "babysit" when I can't keep an eye on her. However, like all small puppies, she can look occupied with a toy and in a second she has disappeared. Last night I went to bed early and left her in the care of my "babysitter" and got up this morning to find the prepared canvas in shreds. She had a wonderful time embellishing the piece for me. My craft area is upstairs and she just helped herself. Evidently, she liked the smell of beeswax and certainly enjoyed the wood and ripping the canvas.


RESOLUTION for 2009 -- put items out of reach. That in itself is a huge challenge as I have items everywhere which would attract most children let alone a puppy.