I’ve always had a thing for unusual purses and I can’t tell you how long I’ve wanted to make a wooden one. Not one with wooden handles, but one with actual wooden elements to it. Well, the wait is over, … Continue reading
One of my favorite things about this time of year is making my garden pretty. Besides my vegetable garden, I also love to plant pretty flowers. Isn’t it so much fun to watch the things you planted grow? I wanted … Continue reading
I have the greatest best friend! We have been friends for a really long time. She is always there for me, but we live pretty far apart these days and rarely see each other. Friends like her don’t come along very often. … Continue reading
This chalkboard game tray will help your kids get through long road trips and rainy summer days. The checkerboard is perfect for games of checkers or chess, which seems like an obvious use. I’ll be frank, I can only play … Continue reading
By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow
We are so excited to be blog hopping with Clearsnap today! We have so many creative projects to share with you using Clearsnap‘s high quality Made in the USA ink pads and stamps and Walnut Hollow Wood Surfaces and Tools. Let us know what you think about our projects by leaving comments. See the whole list of bloggers at the end of my post!
![40057-41-portrait[1]](https://walnuthollowcrafts.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/40057-41-portrait1.jpg)
I really like this new Natural Bark Edge Panel. After thinking of many different ways to use it, I decided to create something functional for my first project. I’m also going to share how I corrected something that happened while I was creating it.
I wanted to make the Panel more of a neutral look and have all the fun come with the colors of the Chalk Markers. I like the color combination of tan and black, so I used a large flat brush to basecoat the top panel with DecoArt® Americana® Chalky Finish Heirloom. The Chalky Finish paint is so thick and creamy – all you need is one coat. The black area was painted with Americana® Chalkboard Paint™. Make sure you follow the directions on the bottle for the Chalkboard Paint.
Now to the fun part – I wanted to include a family name and there wasn’t a better way to do it than to use Ann Butler’s EZ-De’s Flourish 2” ABC’s. So many other alphabet stamps are so small – these are just perfect! I used the Ann Butler ColorBox Crafters™ Aquamarine ink pad. Using a ruler to measure the top panel across, I marked the center with a pencil. I also drew a very thin pencil line to help keep the lettering straight.
I work from the center to stamp any name or saying. As you can see, the “N” in the center of “BRUNNER” was first, the next “N” to the right was stamped also (since I had the “N” on the acrylic block!). I like to work to the right then to the left, however if there is a repeat in letters, I make it easier on myself by working that into how I stamp the name.
After the family name was stamped, I heat set the ink with a heat tool. Then it was time to antique the top panel. I used Americana Staining and Antiquing Medium with Dark Chocolate (1:1). I applied the mix to the panel and wiped off the excess with a soft cloth. I was sad! Holy Smokes………you couldn’t see the name very well anymore. Geesch!!! Now what?
Well, I thought of many things and many words……but you don’t want to hear about that. Actually, the solution to my problem was quite simple, mainly because the ABC Stamps are clear. Ta-da! I over-stamped each letter using a darker ink color. I used ColorBox Crafters™ Stone (it’s a gray, not black). I inked each letter and could see through the acrylic block to position each stamp precisely where I had previously stamped. Again, I heat set the ink so it was permanent.
To condition the Chalkboard Paint, use regular white chalk to wipe onto the painted surface. After covering the entire area, wipe the chalk off with a soft cloth. Now the Chalk Markers will not leave any “shadow” marks when you erase.
Using Marvy Bistro Chalk Markers, I used white to write each name, then a colored Chalk Marker to add the parentheses.
A great feature for this Natural Bark Edge Panel is that the four basswood panels are attached on the back with 2 braces that include keyholes on each end of the brace. Now it’s time to easily hang it on the wall.
Thanks for stopping by to see my Family Chalkboard! Now go see what Steph Ackerman created!
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By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow
If you haven’t tried wood burning yet, this project would be a perfect way to start learning. It’s easy, fun and also gives you a chance to try the Alphabet Hot Stamps to add words!
I used the Creative Versa-Tool® with the Versa-Temp Temperature Control to make things easier.
After reading all of the instructions found outside and inside the package, use pliers to attach the Flow Point on the Tool. Secure the Tool Stand to your work surface with tape and place the Tool on the Stand. Plug into an electric outlet and turn the Versa-Temp control dial to the Red Zone and heat for 4-5 minutes.
While the Tool is heating, position a stencil onto the Basswood Canvas. I used a Martha Stewart stencil for this project. Use a pencil to trace the design onto the wood, leaving room to add the words under the branch.
Use the Flow Point to wood burn the branches and berries. Outline the bird, legs, feet and eye. Use the pliers to remove the Flow Point, dropping it into a ceramic dish. Turn the Versa-Temp control dial to the Yellow-Orange Zone.
Attach the Shading Point with the pliers. With the Versa-Temp control dial on the Yellow-Orange Zone, wood burn very lightly inside the bird with the very flat portion of the Point to shade the bird. The lower heat of the Tool will help to keep the shading lighter than other parts of your wood burned design. When you are finished shading the bird, use the pliers to remove the Shading Point and drop it into the ceramic dish. Turn the Versa-Temp control dial back to the Red Zone.
Attach the Circle Hot Stamps on the Tool with the pliers. Wood burn all the edges of the Basswood Canvas with half of the Stamp on the top edges and the full Stamp on the side edges. Use the pliers to remove the Circle Hot Stamp and drop in into the ceramic dish.
To add words, attach an appropriate letter from the Alphabet Hot Stamps with the pliers. Place the Tool on the Stand.
Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines under branch to keep letters straight on the Basswood Canvas. Carefully burn each letter, removing and attaching each letter with the pliers.
Once your wood burning is complete, erase any remaining pencil lines. For a protective finish, apply 2-3 coats of either spray or brush-on varnish.
For more information and videos on Beginning Wood Burning using the Creative Versa-Tool see the YouTube Video below:
I feel like I should stand in front of a room and say, “Hi, I am Chris Wallace and I love boxes!” Not that I have a problem or anything, but I really do love boxes. I was beginning to write this blog and I started to name it “One of my favorite boxes”, but then I like so many of our boxes, I realized that I needed to confess!
This particular box really is one of my favorites because the artwork is so simple. The box itself is called a Roomy Box. http://www.walnuthollow.com/store/wood-surfaces/boxes/items/roomy-box/1253op/ The lid is hinged to the box bottom. It’s made out of basswood, so it’s great for wood burning and wood carving.
I wanted a very simple design, so I stained the wood with DecoArt® (http://www.decoart.com/) Americana® Burnt Umber mixed with Antiquing and Staining Medium. Brush on the stain with a large flat brush and wipe off the excess with a paper towel. I stained the entire box – inside and out.
While the stain was drying, I cut my paper. Any type of decorative paper will work. I cut the strips for the bottom of the box 1 5/8” wide, 4 ¾” long for the sides and 7 ¾” long for the front. The top piece was cut with a Spellbinders die, Lattice Rectangles,http://www.spellbinderspaperarts.com/products/p-69-lattice-rectangles.aspx. Finished, the paper that was die cut is 4 1/8” x 5 1/8”.
I used medium grade sandpaper to sand all the edges of the stained box. Wipe the box with a damp paper towel to remove all the dust. I used Tombow®( http://tombowusa.com/craft/adhesives/mono-aqua-liquid-glue.html) MONO Aqua Liquid Glue to adhere the paper to the box.
Just add a knob by gluing onto the lid, or drill a hole and attach with a screw. Easy, simple, but really pretty!
Here are a few other ideas made with the Roomy Box. I like them all – the carved one is really easy too, even if you haven’t carved before. Would you like to learn how to make it? Let me know sometime and I’ll write a blog about it.
Okay, think about it. Doesn’t everyone love boxes? So I really think I’m okay, don’t you?
How true! And if you love cherries, like I do, you find that life is great.
I love our wood pieces with the silhouette cut-outs. They are fun to use with photos, embellishments or any added features. And this particular project was so simple and quick – again adding to the delight for the finished piece.
So, let’s get started. I misted the entire wood piece with Tattered Angels® Glimmer Mist Marmalade: http://mytatteredangels.com . No need to seal the wood first, just mist and wait for it to quickly dry.
Next I choose the letters from the Color Magic chipboard sticker letters by Heidi Swapp to spell the quote. Rather than misting the letters with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Trunk Bay, I gently shook the bottle from side to side to distribute the “glimmer” and brushed with letters with a medium flat brush.
Once the letters were dry, I peeled them off the sheet and placed them on the dry Silhouette wood piece. I added the name of the author of the quote – Bob Fosse – with Tim Holtz® plastic sticker letters.
I found a fun embellishment from Jennifer Heynen and used a screw eye to hang it in the square opening.
Secure the screw eye in the square opening and tie the hanging cherries with a scrap of white ribbon.
So easy and so fun to make.
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