Monday, February 24, 2014

StencilGirl and Walnut Hollow Blog Hop

I love me some wood burning.
It is hard to find a savory art, one that smells good, like a crackling fire on a cold night. Needless to say, I was delighted when Walnut Hollow agreed to do a Blog Hop with StencilGirl. And when I met Chris and Sara at CHA I was even more delighted; they are just the kind of people I like to hang out with, so down to earth and easy to like. 
I have two tools from Walnut Hollow. In the interest of disclosure, both were gifts Walnut Hollow sent to me - the Hot Marks and the Creative Versa-Tool. I really like both of them. 
See that knife? That is the attachment I used to cut the foam core. 
The Hot Marks tool has a variety of attachments and may be used on nearly all surfaces including paper, wood and......wait for it.....foam! You know how I am about foam, I do all my doodling on Foam core and struggle with cutting it, I mean struggle, that being with a capitol STRUGGLE.
Well no more of that! '
This Hot Marks tool makes an easy job of slicing Foam core, it is like buttah, I kid you not. Where have you been all my life, Hot Marks?
Instead of boring you with pictures of me cutting up blocks of Foam core, I decided to play around a little bit by attempting to cut something more complex. 
Here is a confession. 
Although I LOVE our stencils, I also like that play on positive and negative that occurs when you have a stencil and a matching stamp. But alas, we are not a stamp company. So what to do??? Hmmm, Foam stamps anyone?
I selected the stencil Wonky Eyes, one of my new faves. First I stamped the design of the stencil onto the foam and then I started to cut. I am telling you - buttah! It is awesome. SO quick and easy that I kind of surprised myself. 

After cutting, I glued it onto another piece of foam using Gel Medium. I put a coat of Gel Medium over the top too so it would be sealed.

Wow, wow, wow!! I love the effect. See that more solid blue-ish piece in the back? That is what the actual stencil looks like. And now I have a stamp too. Gotta love it!!!
The Creative Versa-Tool is very snazzy! In addition to all the attachments, this tool has a temperature adjustment. It gets really hot and you can do master wood burning with it. Or I guess you could if you were a master wood burner. I am a baby wood burner. 
First you need wood (duh) and Walnut Hollow has got you covered. They have these sweet wood panels in a variety of sizes. The front size is smooth and perfect, the back side as a little cradle so you can pop that puppy right onto the wall once you are finished!  

I selected the small Tribal Hand stencil because I thought it might look like a Henna effect after it was burned. The first step is to sand the wood so it is very smooth. I will just admit from the start that I forgot this part because I was so excited about the burning part and it still worked. But I had really smooth wood to start with. After sanding, lay out the stencil and trace the design using a pencil. 
I
Once you have traced, you are pretty much good to go. When you look at the kit, you will see a bunch of different attachments and I can only tell you which ones I liked, you would really need to play around on your own. 

For the linear parts, and the outline, I liked the small chisel shaped too, I think it is really for calligraphy but it worked well for my purposes. I also used the Universal tip. When I was doing the curvy parts, I used the shading tool and there is a terrific tool for making circles, hence my edge treatment. I can't tell you how satisfying it is to hear the sizzle of the burning wood as you raise and lower the tool to make each circle.
And voila, here is the final product. 
To recap, I learned some things using both these tools that I want to share them with you. 
1. Read the instructions before you start. Seriously. There are useful tips as to how to work with different surfaces. 
2. If you are changing attachments, turn the tool off and allow it to cool down first. Make sure you really have it turned off(uh, just saying.....) and use pliers to handle to screw the attachments in and out. 
3. Let the tool do the work, you do not have to force anything with either of these tools, they have ample power and heat for any of the tasks indicated, you don't need to use force of any kind.
4. If you mess us, you can use a knife (or sandpaper) to scrape the burned part away, then you can re-burn.
5. Have fun! You can do lots of cool stuff.

Blog Hop Order
Mary Beth Shaw You are HERE
Kirsten Reed Go HERE next






81 comments:

  1. Both projects AMAZING!!! Lizzie's hand was the perfect choice for wood burning!

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  2. Awesome, I must try wood burning, I never did before, but it looks so cool!

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  3. This is way cool!!! I'm thinkin' I really need to try me some wood burning!!

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  4. Love the new stamp MaryBeth!!! I haven't done wood burning since I got a set for Christmas as a kid! Time to be a kid again! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. What a brilliant way to make matching stamps to go with stencils! I've played a bit with wood burning but now I really want to dive in -inspired by your handy work! And yes, pun intended...

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  6. Love the technique for making a matching stamp. Burn, baby, burn!

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  7. awesome piece, and great idea to make your own stamps!

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  8. It's gorgeous! All this wood burning makes me think I need some new toys!! :)

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  9. Ah, I have that tool somewhere! ;) And like you I like the positive and the negative. Very Cool!

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  10. I love your stamp idea Mary Beth! It seems there's a lot of burning going on in this hop. We're 3 for 3 so far and I know that's what I did too. Great minds! I love the idea of shading in the stencilled areas...I only outlined mine.

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  11. I had not thought of using stencils to create reverse stamps! Genious! Love the tribal hand, on my wish list!

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  12. Great ideas! I love these blog hops as I get so much inspiration from them. Thanks.

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  13. awesome projects Mary Beth. I have those tools and have never used them -- but now I will.

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  14. Something new for me would be wood burning. This is great, MB. This is a great hop. Glad to be hopping with you.

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  15. So much fun and inspiration!!! What a wonderful way to use a stencil and not just using sprays or paint !! :)

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  16. Who doesn't love henna? Mary Beth you are a genius!

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  17. I love the hand - what fun!

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  18. Very nice! Loving all the projects.

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  19. Love how your hand project turned out! I would LOVE to win that Creative Versa Tool, even though I have never done wood burning before :) Thanks for playing!

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  20. Your henna hand turned out lovely! What a fab project. Love the stamp making idea, too. I've always been intimidated at making my own stamps, but now it seems fun & do-able. Thank you, Mary Beth!

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  21. Using the different tips makes it look so beautiful. I'm such a goober I know I would burn myself!!

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  22. Beautiful and so inspiring!

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  23. These are wonderful projects to get inspired by!

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  24. I'm off to cut some foam core...what a great tip! Thank you for the info and the giveaway. That tribal hand makes great images.

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  25. Mary Beth--this looks great! And easy!

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  26. Yeah a way to cut foam core..........who knew

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  27. Anonymous1:27 PM

    Great idea with the stamp! We love your wood burning... obviously... ;)

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  28. This looks so fun! I can't wait to try it out.

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  29. This looks very addicting!! I have this tool. Somewhere. Need to find!! Great work.

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  30. It's as much fun to hear you tell the tale of how you make something, Mary Beth, as it is to see the finished product! You have the best sense of humor. Oh and I'm also really loving the idea of an easier way to cut foam core board!

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  31. Wow Mary! You are a girl after my own heart. I adore Stencil girl stencils & often wish they made coordinating stamps. Thanks for showings how to make my own. I NEED the hot marks tool ;-) Theresa x

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  32. This hop is full of great ideas. I like burning wood with my WH tools. Now I have new sources of inspiration.

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  33. I like the tool that cuts like butter. I am still not really into wood burning. But a friend would be if I win it.

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  34. Such awesome projects you all out did yourselves on these ones, thanks for the giveaway and the great ideas! I love that hand stencil it has been on my wish list for some time now.

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  35. Anonymous3:51 PM

    Terrific project! I also love your humor. It makes a process much more fun to read about.

    ...Raine

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  36. Anonymous3:59 PM

    Terrific project! I also love your humor. It makes a process much more fun to read about.

    ...Raine

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  37. I enjoyed seeing this! Learning so many new things!

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  38. Wow! That Hot Marks looks WAY cool! Thanks for introducing us to it and the possibilities!
    LOVE both your projects!! So cool!

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  39. That's a really versatile tool. Thanks for the reminder to always read directions. They are tools not toys and require common sense when using them. Love your projects.

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  40. I love your project!

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  41. So many new techniques to try in my crafting!

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  42. Wow never thought about using a wood burning tool. What
    a cool idea!

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  43. You are awesome, MB ! Always finding new ways to spread the stencil and arty joy!
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  44. Love your project and I am enjoying the hop!!! Thank YOU

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  45. Wow! Thanks for all the great tips. This is a super blog hop!

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  46. What a fabulous project! I have visited every blog and each hopper has made the most amazing art pieces. I am so glad you introduced Walnut Hollow to us. This has been a great hop and the giveaway is generous as well. Thanks.

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  47. Anonymous2:15 AM

    Now I need to try wood burning!!

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  48. Anonymous7:08 AM

    Fantastic Mary Beth......great ideas. xox

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  49. I love the circle pattern

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  50. Anonymous10:07 AM

    Mary Beth, I love the tribal stencil on the wood panel, it really shows up well. You must be an expert with the versa-tool!

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  51. Anonymous10:11 AM

    A fun craft that I hadn't thought about in a long time. Love your box. Going to get the burning tool out again and see what I can do.

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  52. Love to try this out. Wow!

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  53. Can't wait to experiment! That was so cool! Thanks, Mary Beth.

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  54. Your wood burned plaque is beautiful! Thanks for a great idea to make my own stamps to match the SG stencils... opens so many possibilities!

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  55. Anonymous7:17 PM

    your project was amazing, i have used walnut hollow before at charity wings and they worked so well, i would love my very own. and stencil girls you know how much i love you and all your products. thanks so much for all the inspiration and generosity of these prizes. xoxo

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  56. Question for Mary Beth: did you make your stamp out of foam core? the picture looks like some kind of thinner foam. Maybe I missed something... Love the ideas and using the stencils as the wood burning pattern. Thanks so much! Terri D aka tclyndaniels@gmail.com

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  57. I love the idea of the reverse stamp. Have you played with Pellex yet?

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  58. Unique use of the stencils and a nice end result. Thanks for sharing.

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  59. Now I'm a believer! That wood burning tool looks fun to own!

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  60. What an innovative and fun way to make you own stamps. I love the henna effect achieved with the wood burning too.

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  61. I used to love woodburning as a kid! Your hand stencil is awesome burned onto wood!

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  62. Anonymous10:49 AM

    Oh dear, I feel a new art addiction coming on! This is just too exciting... :D
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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  63. Anonymous11:23 AM

    I am loving the burnt wood! The handmade stamp looks cools too! Sue C x

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  64. Very nice results...I love that hand!! Good job!

    Hugs Giggles

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  65. Wow, a new experience and a new opportunity to create. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  66. Your henna hand is awesome! You certainly use the tool well! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  67. This is so cool! love what you have done!

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  68. What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing and a chance to win! I can see myself playing and playing....
    Janelle R

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  69. OOOH! AAAAH! love the design and process. Now I must have the Hot Marks tool. I love foam core and hate the cutting of it.

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  70. I was just telling DH tonight about the magic of cutting/melting my way through stuff with the Hot Marks tool.

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  71. What a fabulous way to get new toys with the stencils - love it!!

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