Sources of Inspiration

Hello All, it's Toni here with a wall hanging I've made, using a technique I discovered in one of my Craft Stamper Magazines. The November issue featured a faux batik project by the very talented Kaz Hall, her blog is called The Little Shabby Shed. The vibrant colours really caught my eye. I've had a dabble with hot wax batik on fabric and am very attracted to creating this effect in my crafting. Kaz created her batik project using Distress Markers and clear embossing powder. I've changed it slightly and used Distress Ink Pads which I think have worked well. The stamp I've used is by Dina Wakely for Stampington and Co. As soon as it arrived from Kim, I thought it would be ideal for this technique.
I started by cutting three strips of manila card. I then applied up to three colours of  Distress Ink, tapping each one onto the surface of the stamp. I followed Kaz's instructions and misted the stamp with water before stamping onto the card. this gives a nice water colour effect.

(Sorry about the shadow!) I  covered the image with clear embossing powder and heated with my heat gun. I then applied distress ink over the image and background, using an ink blending tool.

I continued to follow Kaz's instructions and placed a piece of paper over the image and ironed with a hot iron, melting away the embossing powder and creating the batik effect. I repeated this with a couple more stamped images using different colour ways. I then trimmed and mounted the images on black card. This really made the colours seem even more vibrant. Once again taking inspiration from Kaz, I stitched around each panel before adhering the three panels onto a background of corrugated card, which I had covered with Tissue Paper and dry brushed with Fresco Paint in Concrete.

I finished the edges with Black Soot and Walnut Stain Distress ink. I couldn't resist adding the sentiment, as I think these three friends are certainly sticking together ! So, there we have it. Many thanks to Craft Stamper Magazine and Kaz Hall for providing me with the inspiration for this project. Below is a list of the supplies I've used which Kim stocks in the wonderful eclectic Paperie shop. Why not sign up for Kim's newsletter so that you can get first hand information about all the latest products and exciting new developments. Happy Crafting ! x

Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Distress Ink Pad - Mustard Seed	Distress Ink Pad - Peacock Feathers	Distress Ink Pad - Fired Brick	Distress Ink Pad - Dusty Concord
Distress Ink Pad - Salty Ocean	Distress Ink Pad - Mowed Lawn	Ranger Embossing Powder - Clear	Inkssentials Foam Blending Tool	Inksessentials - Mini Mister 3-Pack
Tim Holtz (Stampers Anonymous) -	Stampington & Co. - Silhouette Script Cling Mount Stamp