Wood Burning Illustrations with the Creative Versa Tool

  Hey Walnut Hollow fans, It’s Katie here! This month at Walnut Hollow we have been focusing on wood burned projects. Today I wanted to share with you guys a few tips for wood burning illustrations and I’m doing so …

Rustic Wood Burned Planter Tablescape

  Holidays where family gathers for large meals, are great for festive tablescapes. This woodburned centerpiece combines two Rustic Wood Ledges with a Small and an Extra Large Basswood Country Plank. It can hold candles, flowers, sauces, hors d’oeuvres, wine, …

Wood Burned Tic-Tac-Toe Board

When I was a child I spent many hours and reams of paper playing tic-tac-toe so it seemed appropriate that I should make this as my first wood burning project.  This wood burned tic-tac-toe board is about as easy as you …

Summer Camp Printed Box with Woodburned Stamps

This printed box is made with a card box, woodburned stamps and DecoArt American Acrylic neon paints. The box is meant to hold keepsakes reminiscent of summer camp. I never stayed at a formal summer camp, but I went camping at a …

Woodburned Wedding Tree Activity

This woodburned tree activity is a great way for guests to create a group gift for the wedding couple. Each guest can leave a fingerprint leaf on the tree, using an ink pad and a finger. On the table is …

Rustic Bride and Groom Plaque

By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow

Looking for ideas for a wedding gift? This bark edged plaque is unique – you can easily make it for the bride and groom even if you have never wood burned before!

The Basswood Country Rounds® come in various sizes so you can choose the perfect size you need. Look for a font that you like on your computer for the initials and wedding date. Enlarge it to size and print. I chose Perpetua Titling MT.

Before using the Creative Versa-Tool®, read all manufacturer’s instructions found inside the package. Attach the Universal Point on the Versa-Tool with pliers. Secure the tool stand to your work surface with tape. Place the Tool on the stand and plug it into an electric outlet. Turn the Versa-Temp control to the Red Zone and heat for four or five minutes.

While the Tool is heating up, use a pencil to rub on the back of the printed copy to prepare for tracing it onto the Basswood Country Round. Position the copy on the Round and tape it in place. Use a stylus or ball point pen to trace the initials and date onto the wood surface.

To wood burn all of the outside lines of each part of the copy, begin by placing a metal rule on any areas of copy with straight lines. Use the straight edge of the Universal Point to create the straight lines by following along the ruler edge.

Add all other curved lines of copy using the tip of the Universal Point following the traced lines until all outside lines are wood burned.

Use the side of the Universal Point to burn all solid dark shading in the initials. Use a lighter touch to lightly shade the ampersand.

Use the metal ruler to create lines across each letter and number in the wedding date.

Use a pencil to mark holes for the twine. Drill holes and insert twine to hang.

Sometimes it is better to actually see how to use the Universal Point – we made a video with some tips and techniques. If you’d like to see it, please view the video here:

 

 

Rustic Snowman

By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow

We love our signature bark edged wood products! And who wouldn’t love a Snowman made with them?

You can see here that the Rounds come in various sizes and the Thicks are actually 1 5/8” thick, so it’s perfect to sit on its “thick” side.

I used 2 Basswood Country Rounds® – a Small and a Thick to build my snowman. And, rather than using anything cold, I used heat – actually I wood burned the snowman’s eyes, nose, mouth and buttons with the Creative Versa-Tool.

Stand the Thick on its side barked edge for the body and find the place where it will rest nicely. Mark the barked edge at the top for drilling a hole to place a dowel and also place a mark on Small Round for the head where it will sit on the side of the Thick.

Attach a bit into your drill to match the size of dowel you are using. Drill the holes and place the two Basswood Country Rounds together with the dowel to hold them together.

Use a pencil to lightly draw the eyes, nose, mouth and buttons onto the smooth surfaces of the wood. I was thinking “coal” as I drew them, so the features are not perfectly round.

Note: Before using the Creative Versa-Tool, read all manufacturer’s instructions found inside the packaging. Attach and tighten the Universal Point onto the Tool with pliers. Secure the tool stand to your work surface with tape. Place the Tool on the stand and plug into an electric outlet. Turn the Versa-Temp control dial to the “Red Zone” and heat for 4-5 minutes.

Using the Universal Point, wood burn each penciled shape. First outline the shape using the tip of the Universal Point. Fill in each shape using the flat side of the Universal Point.

Fringe the burlap (4” x 36” piece) scarf ends by pulling the “threads” out until you have about 1 ½” fringe.

Place the scarf around the snowman, pleating and tucking into place. Pin to hold everything in place.

Tie a bow with approximately 24” of ½” red twine. Use a straight pin hidden in the knot to attach on top of the scarf.

Use the Snowman as a winter decoration for your home – this one won’t melt!

 

Monogram Table Setting

By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow

For the past few years, we have seen an increase in interest for rustic table décor. There is nothing quite as popular as the signature Walnut Hollow Basswood Country Rounds® and Basswood Country Planks® to use anytime during the year.

It’s very easy to create your own plate chargers, trivets and even a centerpiece for your next dinner party, or how about this coming Thanksgiving?

All you need is a Creative Versa-Tool® (CVT)and a few Basswood Country Rounds® and Basswood Country Planks®!

Oh, yes – you also need a computer. Find a font that you like and reverse it before you print it on a laser printer. It has to be a laser printer to make the copy.

When you place the laser copy of the monogram ink-side down onto the wood to transfer it, it will transfer correctly. Use pliers to attach the Transfer Point onto the CVT. Place the CVT on the Tool Stand and plug it in to heat for 4-5 minutes. You can turn the Versa-Temp control dial to the Orange Zone because you don’t need the transfer to be too dark – just dark enough so you can see the lettering. Once the monogram is transferred, use the pliers to remove the Transfer Point and drop it into a ceramic dish or mug.

Attach the Flow Point or the Universal Point using the pliers and you are ready to wood burn the monogram.

This is a great way to personalize your dinner table. It’s also a great idea for a gift!

 

LIVE LOVE LAUGH

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: