Irish Eyes are Smilin'

Hello!

It's time for another challenge over at Heather Hudson's My Artistic Adventures challenge blog!  The theme this fortnight (using at least one of her images) is either St. Patrick's Day or Spring!

In keeping with my New Year's Resolution to do more altered art and things other than cards, I made this scented vanilla candle.  Well, I didn't actually make the candle, but I altered it using several of Heather's charming Victorian vintage collage sheets that you can find in her Etsy shop. 

I used two techniques that I'd never done before, printing on tissue and melting the images into the candle's surface.  I wanted to use tissue paper (the gift wrap kind) as it's lighter weight and much more flexible allowing it to melt into the candle's surface more easily and become part of the candle itself.

Here's a look at the back.

The images were all taken from Heather's collage sheets which I will be listing below.

I truly enjoyed making this project as the candle has a lovely vanilla scent to it.

To melt these papers into the candle is simple: merely lay a piece of tissue on the surface, hold your heat tool over it (keeping it in constant motion), and allow the surface wax to slightly melt and "grab" the paper.  At the same time, use your other hand to smooth it into the candle, then, after each piece of paper, roll the candle on your work surface to smooth any bumps out.  

Note: Keep the heat tool in motion at all times.  

Looks like part of the candle, right?  The gold sheen is Rub 'N' Buff which I lightly buffed over the entire surface.

The wrap around the center of the candle is made up of a net ribbon that's interlaced with metallic gold threads, cream lace trim and a thin green ribbon.

I made the centerpiece "flower" with wide lace trim that I gathered into a rosette and sprayed with my homemade "aging" spray, a scrap of vintage eyelet, some slightly melted tulle, a bit of the green ribbon and a vintage earring.

Such sweet images...

...including the little ticket shapes.

One of the little tickets on a larger postage stamp shape.  See what I mean about melting them?  Using tissue paper allows both layers to become part of the candle, not just one.

Thank you so much for joining me and I hope you'll pop on over to Heather's blog to see what the rest of the lovely Design Team has crafted for you!  And don't forget to play along.  Remember the theme is either St. Paddy's Day or Spring!!

Happy crafting!

Vintage Green St. Patrick's Day Stamps

Vintage Dark Green Stamp Base

Vintage Light Green Stamp Base

Pink and Green St. Patrick's Day Tickets

This scented candle is for sale in my Etsy shop.