(click on the pics to enbiggan)
The wood/woodgrain trend doesn't seem to be dropping off at all--I love the natural look and feel of real wood embellishments on my projects but sometimes, it can be fun to "dress" them up or alter them! There are TONS of fabulous wood shapes, embellishments and other alterable items that can be used!
There are so many different techniques that you can apply, but I thought it would be fun to share some recent things I tried. I must admit, I also love that they were easy to do! I also have a video that shows the different things I played with so you can follow along that way, if you like! :)
(select 720p for HD quality viewing)
White embossing on Real Wood sheets is a fabulous effect--just be sure to keep your heat gun a safe distance away to avoid warping! Wood veneer sheets are as thick as card stock, but they aren't designed to take high heat gun temperatures. If you do end up warping the wood, use plenty of strong-bonding adhesive over the entire back to mount it to your card base to avoid buckling.
Stamp Credits: Hero Arts "What's Up!" set, Wise Bird; Real Wood Birch (Cherry was used in the above project); Versamark Ink; Heat Gun; White Embossing Powder; Be Creative Tape; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Corner Chomper
Gelatos are a quick and easy away to apply creamy pigmented color directly onto wood surfaces--I didn't take the time to prime this wood veneer/shape with gesso, but if you were working on a project much larger than a card, you might do that. I tried using a water-brush to blend out the color, but I seemed to have better luck just using my finger tip!
Stamp Credits: Hero Arts L'Oiseau (bird), Thanks For Caring; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Neenah Solar White Card Stock, Bazzill Taffy Card and Gold Coins Card Stocks, Vellum Card Stock; Faber Castell Gelatos (Lemon, Green Tea), Studio Calico Lemon Lush Wood Veneers; Impression Obsession Branch Die; My Mind's Eye Charmed Enamel Dots; Stickles Golden Rod Glitter Glue
Woodburning is such a beautiful artistic form. But, just the thought of me wielding a wicked hot woodburning tool is kind of scary. Ok, REALLY scary!!! Plus, I don't know that I'd be patient enough anyway. But, faux pyrography? Piece o' cake!
I used Memento Luxe Pigment Ink in Espresso Truffle and pressed a wood veneer butterfly against the inked surface. While the ink was still wet, I used a Tsukineko Brushstix to smudge the image lines to simulate that smoky woodburned look, and then heat set it. An image with lots of detail and open line work looks AMAZING with this technique!
Stamp credits: Hero Arts Flower Swirl Vine; Savvy Stamps "Hello" (from my stash); Memento Luxe Espresso Truffle Ink; Basic Grey Mon Ami 6x6 Paper Pad; Neenah Solar White Card Stock; Studio Calico Butterfly Wood Veneers; Bronze Hemp Cord Set; Mister Huey Color Mists in Warm Calico and Bazinga
At first glance you might think this is cracked porcelain tile, but yes, it's a wood veneer! I first applied a thin coat of regular white embossing paste, then Distress Paint, then a thin layer of Crackle Embossing Paste--let each coat dry completely before applying the next. To enhance the cracks, I applied Walnut Distress Ink, dabbing it on top with a foam blending tool and then spritzing it with water.
The dark walnut color seeps down into the cracks and tints them beautifully! After wiping the excess water on top away with a paper towel, I made sure the surface was completely dry, touched it up along the edges with a Wink of Stella Gold Brush Marker. When dry, I then applied a thick coating of Glossy Accents. The Glossy Accents goes on cloudy, but becomes crystal clear when fully dry, leaving a glassy, smooth finish on top!
Studio Calico Lemon Lush Wood Veneers; Tim Holtz/Advantus Symphony Tissue Tape; White Embossing Paste, Crackle Embossing Paste; Ripe Persimmon Distress Paint; Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink; Walnut Distress Ink; Ink Blending Tool; Glossy Accents; Basic Grey Spice Market 6x6 paper Pad; Bazzill Butter Mints Card Stock; Cosmo Cricket Tinseltown Glitter Sheets
I hope my playtime with altering wood surfaces inspires you to try some of these ideas on your future projects!
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