and bare wood!
inexpensive plain wood ornaments have unlimited potential and can be used with so many products for a MILLION different results...
here's one way to alter this 5 inch tall wood tree...
from Hobby Lobby...
grab your fern green archival ink &
use the brushed corduroy distress marker to color the trunk...
add fern green archival ink over the tree, then sprinkle on the fern green embossing powder while the ink is still wet...
heat to emboss...
use potting soil archival ink with
to add the pattern to the tree trunk...
ahhh..
cute...
oops...forgot the photo...
add potting soil ink to the green tree edges...
then...
use snow cap white pigment ink with the spatter stamp to stamp over the tree & give it a quick dry...
using the happy holidays stencil...
apply gold metallic embossing paste thru the larger "merry christmas", with a palette knife...
I added it at the bottom of the tree...
then set it aside to dry...
add gold metallic embossing paste to the art parts star & pounce the palette knife over the paste to create texture...
it's kind of like making the peaks in meringue...
set that aside to dry...
it will dry with the texture...
when the paste has dried, use the blending tool to add potting soil to create an aged metallic effect...
I also added a tiny bit of watering can archival to the very edges of the star & now it looks like this...
YIPPEE!
I LIGHTLY added some around the outside edge of the star, then sprinkled on
the rock candy distress glitter...
then added the remnant rub after the glue n seal had dried...
remnant rubs are fantastic over uneven surfaces...
swipe the letterpress over the tree branch archival pad, then sprinkle with
heat to emboss...
while the powder was still hot, I added a second layer of the powder to create a completely smooth enamel effect...
using one layer of embossing powder gives a textured result...
adding the second layer makes it very smooth...
I used potting soil to stamp the tiny text over each of the letterpress...
the next photo shows how to
alter the ice skates...
the top is the original...right from the package & the bottom one is altered...
I used my finger with a very small amount of
tapped it onto the front of the ice skates...
I left the blade portion silver...
then I added some potting soil ink after the paste had dried, which was only a minute, since I used such a small amount of paste...
using the hemostat to hold these really helped...
and it's a really handy tool for embossing small pieces...
it protects your fingers from the embossing tool...
next I added remnant rub words to each skate...
put them on a jump ring & attached the jump ring to the screw eye...
all ready to go...
to change up the linen ribbon...
after shaking the tarnished brass distress stain, dispense some onto the craft sheet & swipe the linen ribbon thru the stain & dry...
I darkened it with a bit of potting soil...
and twisted the middle to make it thinner...
now the star gets glued to the top of the tree...
the letterpress get glued on above the metallic sentiment...
leaving room to attach the ice skates with the screw eye...
the linen ribbon gets tied to the tree trunk & I also added a second screw eye...
so...
from this...
to this...
yes...I AM addicted to letterpress & I don't want the cure!
below you can see the raised gold embossing paste sentiment and the little rub ons on the skates...
I DO believe that
every detail does matter...
instead of sending a card, how fun it will be to surprise some "special people" with a handmade ornament?
did you notice that
I needed an O...
so I used the Q upside down...
hey...
it's ART...
there are NO RULES!
be on the lookout for bare wood items...
Hobby Lobby is loaded with so many fun holiday choices...
I picked up quite a few, for very little $$$
and I'll be sharing more altering ideas in coming blog posts...
I LOVE home decor type stuff...
I picked up several of these same wood trees,
so I think it will be fun to share
several completely different ways
to change them up...
stay tuned!
now...
I'm off with my sweetheart
to celebrate today...
loved him then...
love him even more now...
little did he know then that he would be promoted to HEAD OF SHIPPING & RECEIVING!
haha...
I hope you're inspired to pick up some bare wood
and gather your supplies...
so YOU CAN...
make art!
wendy
ps...THE BEARS STILL SUCK!
Gorgeous home decor piece Wendy, love the paste, texture colours and design. Those skates are so sweet. Happy Anniversary . Tracy x
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous.....thanks for sharing your fabulous creativity Wendy & Happy Anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Ann xx
Happiness Always. Thanks so much for sharing this kewl idea! ♡♡♡
ReplyDeleteStunning!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of you two!!
Absolutely adorable. I just LOVE the finished look. Thank you for showing us the steps you used. I just love it. You are just so talented.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous textures and colours!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY ANNIVERSARY Wendy and Rick!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have many many more happy years together!
I love your project Wendy! So cute...TFS
Wow, great transformation! Happy Anniversary yo you & Rick.
ReplyDeleteWendy I love your work so much. I am going looking for wood items and try something myself. TFS!
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy anniversary!! What a beautiful picture of you and your hubby!! And WOW, your tree is amazing!! It took me forever to leave a comment because I couldn't quit staring at it!! It's stunning!! Have a great day :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Happy anniversary, what a lovely photo... gorgeous tree, love the skates!! have a great time.
ReplyDeleteInspired? You always have such wonderful ideas to share - love the technique on the little skate and what a great idea to use the Q for an O - that's an extra bonus!! Your tree is a delight. Happy Anniversary to you both too... Anne xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always Wendy and I just got my supplies! I ordered from funky junky....delivered quickly! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun transformation to the bare wood tree! I noticed the letter exchange and think its perfect!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Your creativity never fails to amaze me! Love what you did with the tree!
ReplyDeletetotally inspired!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Wendy !
ReplyDeleteOMG,OMG,OMG ...I'm so giddy my heart is beating to fast (seriously)... okay breathing slowly again... I just get so excited... this is fabulous; love the star, the skates LOL !! You definitely rocked it... NO UGLY here mam ( in the commercial voice)!
Gorgeous Wendy! I love the letterpress! The tree turned out wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!! Love this tree and all its gorgeous details.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Love your tree. Now I gotta go to HobLob and see what I can find to alter!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the wedding photo!! Thanks so much for sharing that. Hope you have a fabulous anniversary. Your altered wooden tree is fantastic and the way you used the rub-ons on the skates is totally inspired! I actually meant to stop at Hobby Lobby yesterday to see what I could find to alter but never made it. Will definitely make a point to do that now that you have jacked up my mojo!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this project!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary :)
What a great tutorial! I love what you did to this plain, ugly, wood tree! It came out awesome! Love the wedding pic too!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!!! I forgot yours is in October also. I LOVE the tree ornament!!!! You are very good with the details!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove how you decorated the tree - very inspiring! That is an adorable pic of you and your sweetheart too - congratulations!
ReplyDeleteFantastic transformation will definitely be on the look out for something similar ! Love the photo of you and your hubby happy anniversary to you both xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous tree, I just love all your work, you make it look easy but I bet that took some time!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, must try something similar with stuff from my stash.
Belated happy anniversary to you both, hope you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the tree, it is completely gorgeous.
Love this so much, Can I buy in a kit? If so where? Happy Anniversary to the two of you !!! Amazing how time flies, isn't?
ReplyDeletegreat ornament. like all the techniques and products you used on it.
ReplyDeletestamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/
I would love to be inside your brain Wendy - swirling around with all of your fantastic creative ideas! LOVE this wooden tree - with all it's wonderful details!
ReplyDeletethought you might like to check out my Halloween bottle - all done up with your orange blossom embossing powder!! here's the link to my post.
http://www.createwithjulia.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-vintage-journey-halloween-to-die-for.html
What an awesome project!! Love it!
ReplyDeletelove it. i thought the O was a script O - never even thought it was a Q. Brilliant. Hope you and Rick have an awesome day enjoying each other.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful as always!!! I was born 2 months premie myself & I have had no major issues (and this was waaaaaaay back in the day when no one could touch you) - blessings to the whole family :)
ReplyDeleteReally love this Christmas tree. Love the fact you used a Q!!! You are right, there are NO rules. Thanks for sharing and keep on doing that!!! Love that you show what you are using, really appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteYou rock and it shows.
Love your projects and the products that you put out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!!
Oh Wendy.. This Tree is Wonderful... A friend sent me the link and said I had to see what you have done... So glad I stopped in...
ReplyDeleteThe nearest Hobby Lobby is 4 hours away, one way... Is there anyway you can tell me the measurements of the boards?? I was hoping I could use some wood at the house here and make one...
Thanks so much,
Faith