Summer Funky Wreath Candle Holder Centerpiece

Summer is almost upon us and I have a happy little summer decor piece to share today. I posted previously about how I made the Decor Frame banner in this photo, but today I wanted to focus on the votive centerpiece.

This summery, floral candle wreath was inspired by a vintage seed packet I got in one of Paula Cheney's project kits last year. I saved it because I like the warm floral colors, so decided to use them as the inspiration for this project.

To begin, I needed a base for my centerpiece. This was made by cutting multiple wood slices from chipboard using the Tree Rings Bigz die. It is a steel rule die so it will cut through chipboard. The larger middle Tree Ring on this project has 6 chipboard layers, while the smaller two have 4 (L) and 2(R).

Adhere the slices on top of each other to form thick slices of wood. You can paint the edges and then add Distress Crayon to make them look more like rough wood bark. You could also add Distress Grit Paste or Distress Crackle Paste to add some additional texture. I wanted this layered bark texture for this project.

The top of the slices are the Tree Rings cut from Distress Mixed Media Heavystock. Emboss them by running them both though the texture fade that is included with the die. I colored them with Distress Stains, then adhered them to the tops of the wood slices.

Back to this photo. I cut a piece of heavy cardstock to fit underneath all three Tree Rings. then adhered them to the heavystock and to each other where they were touching on the side. I used Distress Collage Medium to do this, so I let them dry overnight. When they were completely dry I could pick them up as one piece. Now it is time to decorate.

On each end I added the four little twigs that are part of the Funky Wreaths die set. I cut them from Woodgrain Cardstock and attached them to the outside edge of both of the smaller Tree Rings. Then I added some of the foilage from Funky Foliage. I cut these from Distress Heavystock and then colored each one before adhering it. I stayed with the color scheme on the vintage seed packed I posted earlier.

Here you can see another vantage point for the end bits that have flowers, leaves and the twigs.

For the larger center Tree Ring, I first attached the twig Funky Wreath and the little extra twigs.

 I cut the wreath and the twigs from some Distress Woodgrain Cardstock. I have some Distress Paint wiped lightly over the high points of the woodgrain and then sprayed it with Distress Spray Stain in browns.

 I ran it through the Vagabond 2 with the Chrome Precision Plate.

 I attached the wreath to the larger of the two Tree Ring Bigz die cuts. This became mainly a place holder with twigs popping out here and there, because the wreath became covered up very quickly on this project.

If you look in this photo you can see the wreath under there. Once it was in place I began to tuck flowers and leaves from the Funky Foliage set in and among the twigs.

I really like the warm spark of color from this little centerpiece.  It a nice little bit of summer decor.

I hope this inspires you to bring some warm summer colors into your decor to brighten up your home.
Tami

I am an affiliate with Simon Says Stamp and Scrapbook.com so the links below send you to one of those stores depending on which logo you choose.  If you wish to purchase something from either store and use one of my links below, I get a small percentage of your order, at no additional cost to you. This helps me to defray the costs of this blog, the time, the ideas and tutorials I post here. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Stand Tall and Rise Above - Gertrude

  

I'm so excited to get to share this project featuring the delightful Gertrude and a Doodle Art 2 background highlighted with Distress Crayons. 

 It is said that Giraffes represent confidence, peace and power. I wanted an art piece that would show that bit of inspiration as well as to highlight Gertrude, who exudes peaceful confidence.

Here is a tutorial for this Stand Tall and Rise Above project.

 

 

Supplies I used for this project:

• Gertrude
• Doodle Art 2
• Handcut Lower Alphanumeric
• Vignette Frame approx 6x8 (5x7 is a bit smaller and 8x10 is larger if you are buying a frame)
• Distress Collage Medium
• Distress Paint - Vintage Photo or Gathered Twigs
• Distress Spray Stain - Walnut Stain or Scorched Timber 
• Distress Crayons - Peeled Paint, Weathered Wood, Peacock Feathers, Fossilized Amber, Crushed Olive, Walnut Stain
• Distress Mixed Media Heavystock
• Distress Woodgrain Cardstock
• Distress Cracked Leather Cardstock
• Patterned Paper in a neutral color pattern

 Directions:

1.     Paint the frame, back and sides of a Vignette Frame with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. Once dry, lightly sand the frame. Then scribble some of the Walnut Stain Distress Crayon over raised areas on the frame and rub it in with a damp finger. 

2.     Spray the frame with Ground Espresso Distress Spray Stain. Set aside to dry. 

3.      Cut a 12x12 piece of patterned paper to fit the size of the back of the Vignette Frame. About 6x8. Out of the remaining piece of the paper, cut two of the Doodle Art 2. The paper I used was from Idea-ology Wallflower, which is now re-retired, but something from Backdrops Volume 4 would work perfectly.

4.     Take a few minutes to look at the patterns on the Doodle Art pieces and determine an area on each that you want to trim to fit in opposite corners of the frame. In this picture you can see where I trimmed some scrap paper pieces first and I have them laying over the two cut from the patterned paper. 

5.     Then using some detail scissors, carefully cut away portions to make two corner décor pieces. You can see I have one that is larger than the other. 

6.     Adhere the solid piece of paper to the back of the frame with Distress Collage Medium. Use a brayer or bone folder to press it onto the panel and to remove any air pockets. 

7.     Then apply a nice layer of Collage Medium across one corner of the paper on the panel, and press one of the Doodle Art corners into it. Then do the same in the opposite corner. 

8.     Cover the entire piece with a thin layer of Collage Medium. You will notice that there will be some brush strokes. These will dry into the background and if you like them, you can leave them to dry as part of the texture. 

9.     But if you would prefer, use your hands to smooth the Collage Medium gently using circular motions to rub it in and it will smooth the surface. 

1    While that is completely drying, take a piece of Distress Woodgrain Cardstock, color it with Ground Espresso Distress Stain so that it looks like dark brown wood. Dry it with a heat tool. Using your finger, pick up a little bit of Crushed Olive Distress Paint, then run the paint on your finger across the surface of the Woodgrain cardstock. This should bring out some of the woodgrain. 

11  Do the same thing with Peacock Feathers Distress Paint and you should have a piece of paper that looks a little like old, Distressed Wood. Use this paper to cut out the sentiment you want. I chose the phrase Stand Tall and Rise Above which I cut from the Hand Cut Lower Case Alphanumeric. I cut all of the letters a second time from heavy black cardstock and adhered them together to make the sentiment letters a little thicker making them stand out when adhered to the background. 

12  I used the same technique to smear some Scattered Straw Distress Paint on a piece of Distress Cracked Leather Cardstock. Then sprayed it with Antique Linen Distress Spray Stain. Once dry I cut it into 1/8” strips to form a frame inside the wooden frame later on. 

13  At this point the panel should be completely dry. Pull some Distress crayons in colors you want to use to form a blended background. I used Peeled Paint, Weathered Wood, Peacock Feathers, Fossilized Amber and Crushed Olive. 

1    Begin by scribbling some of one of the colors over parts of the Doodle Art. Just start in a small area at a time. 

1    Then using one of your fingers, push the crayon around and into the indentations. Continue this in a few different places around the panel.

      Continue adding different colors and blending them as you go until the entire background is covered. 

      Using a Walnut Stain Distress Crayon, go around the outside of the piece and blend it in to add depth to the colors around the edge of the piece and also the edges of the Doodle Art pieces so they stand out. 

      Using the Weathered Wood Distress Crayon, scribble it onto various areas of the frame and rubbing it in to add interest to the brown frame and to tie it in to the background. Then put some Collage Medium onto the back of the frame and put it onto the panel. This takes time to dry, and needs to be held in place, so I set it aside and put books or something heavy on top while it dries. 

19  While it is drying, it is time to put together Gertrude. I used Distress Mixed Media Heavystock and I colored several pieces with different colors of gold and brown and then cut them out. Sizzix already has a great video for assembling her, so I’m not going to reinvent the wheel. 

2.   At this point the frame should be dry. Use the thin Cracked Leather Cardstock strips to form a frame about ½ - ¾ “ from the inside edge of the panel frame. 

2.   Adhere Gertrude along the right side of the frame. I added a bit of chipboard underneath her to give a little dimension. 

22  Before adhering the Woodgrain Cardstock sentiment, lay it out inside the Cracked Leather frame to get the spacing correct, then adhere once it all fits. 

Thank you so much for sticking with me on this rather long tutorial. I just love Gertrude and her sense of self-confidence, so I wanted a project that would celebrate that. I hope you are inspired to give Gertrude and Doodle Art 2 a try on a project soon.

Have a creative day!
Tami

I am an affiliate with Simon Says Stamp and Scrapbook.com so the links below send you to one of those stores depending on which logo you choose.  If you wish to purchase something from either store and use one of my links below, I get a small percentage of your order, at no additional cost to you. This helps me to defray the costs of this blog, the time, the ideas and tutorials I post here. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Quick Decor Frames and Funky Foliage Banner

I have another quick banner on the blog today. This one features the Chapter 2 Decor Frames and Funky Foliage flowers.

This banner goes together faster than you may think and I like how the frames and foliage flowers twist and turn in the wind.

I began by cutting several flowers, flower centers, and leaves from different colors of cardstock from the Idea-ology Lost and Found paper stash. The Sizzix Sidekick was perfect for this. I needed three of each flower. One you sew through, then one of the other two needs to be cut backwards so the same color is on the front and the back when it twists.

Here you can see the different colors of flowers and centers.

Next you need to cut several of the Decor Frames from Chipboard or Sizzix Little Sizzles Mat Board. Then cut each frame from some patterned paper. I used the 3x4 pieces in the Idea-ology Wallflower paper stash. You need to cut two frames from the patterned paper so that the frames are covered on both sides. Adhere the paper to the front and back of the frames.

Now begin to sew through the frames and across the centers.

The sewing machine will have no problem going through the paper and the chipboard.

When you get to the center of the frame, add a flower and sew through it and continue to the other side of the frame.

Then sew through and let sew for a few stitches before adding another frame.

As you can see here, I added two leaves, and then a flower on both sides of the one that was sewn. It will spin or twist on its own, independent of the frame when you are finished.

Alternate the flower colors so that one color is in the oval frames and another is in the rectangle frames.

There will be thread between each Decor Frame, so I colored some thin natural jute with Distress Stains in the same colors as the flowers and leaves, then tied them in between the frames.

This is a delicate banner and I enjoy the movement it makes with little breezes as the frames and flowers turn and move.

I appreciate you stopping by and supporting my blog and my creative efforts.
Thank you!
Tami

I am an affiliate with Simon Says Stamp and Scrapbook.com so the links below send you to one of those stores depending on which logo you choose.  If you wish to purchase something from either store and use one of my links below, I get a small percentage of your order, at no additional cost to you. This helps me to defray the costs of this blog, the time, the ideas and tutorials I post here. Your help is greatly appreciated! Thank you!