Slime and snails Or puppy dogs' tails.......

What kind of magic spell would you use? Well Halloween is here. I love this time of year it is literally magic! Hope you have all had a fantastic time carving pumpkins, dressing up, eating toffee apples and lots of candy. 

I decided to create a little Halloween project of my own. If I was at Hogwarts I would definitely be using this to write all of  my spells in.

For the base I used Black Powertex, I added some lace and used 'the end' stencil with easy structure for extra texture. 

I love the black for how the colour pops once you have dry brushed your piece. I always lay out my design so I get a balance to the composition. I used a mixture of plaster and metal embellishments. The roses were created by pushing stone art clay into the rose mould.

I am loving the new mdf hinges, alphabet and cobwebs they give great depth to any project. Once everything was coated with Powertex I left to dry and then dry brushed with turquoise and burgundy. Toodles Anna xXx

Halloween Powertex winner is......

I was absolutely blown away by the amazing response to our Halloween challenge from all our Powertex addicts.

The decision was very tough and there were two in particular that came in very close together near the end.

However there can only be one WINNER!!!

So the team at hq have put their heads together and come to a joint decision.

So without further a do.......

The winner is...... Cate Wilshaw! Big congrats Cate, And thank you for everyone who entered. I love seeing all of your creations. Keep them coming. Toodles Anna xXx

The End (by Anne)

I just love a bit of Halloween Fantasy. Have you seen the FAB new stencil – ‘The End’ ? Perfect for Spooky makes.

I used Easy Coat decoupage medium to apply stamped images from the Chocolate Baroque ‘Texture Fragments’ to the background. I also used Easy Structure Paste applied through the stencils and some onto the background and impressed with the stamps for added texture.

No fabric was included in this one but I used a lot of paper cut shapes treated with Transparent Powertex; great for stiffening, gluing and sealing the embellishments.

I hope that you enjoy my spooky scene. Thank for reading Anne.

Materials Used:

• 30 X 22.5cm stretched canvas
• 30 X 30 cm Stencil (The End)
• Powertex Hardener (Transparent and Ivory)
• Easy Coat Mat Medium
• Easy Structure Paste
• Bister (Green and Yellow)
• Chocolate Baroque Stamps (Texture Fragments)
• Brusho Powders (Lemon and Leaf Green)
• Alcohol Markers
• StazOn Inkpad (Jet Black)
• Gilding wax (gold)
• Tissue paper, card (white and black)
• Electronic cutting files were used to cut the bats, spiders and ferns. The skeletons, pumpkin and vines were cut using dies.

Powertex puts the texture into Halloween

Halloween crafts are full of dripping, draping and ageing textures and Powertex does this sooo spookily well!

Powertex halloween textures

This door sign used "The end" stencil for the drips, skull and lettering. Lots of gritty textures here with a sand and balls mixture and plenty of red Powercolor to amp up the gore factor!

Just Lead Powertex, fabric and Powercolor pigment and a plaster skull create this bottle and goblets. See how the Powertex holds all those beautiful folds but the finish is like pewter! Gorgeous and perfect for a spooky evening of alchemy and spell casting. After curing, these can be washed gently without soaking. 

Ivory Powertex, fabric and bister spray creates this aged and decaying fabric look. It looks so fragile but isn't. The way the bister spray dries on the plaster skulls is amazing! This technique is brilliant if you want to add an LED light to your bottles. The Ivory Powertex and gaps in the fabric let the light through. I chose a frosted bottle for a fantastic eerie glow.

This mixed media canvas also uses "The end" stencil and 3D sand to create deep earthy textures. Black bister spray made this one deep and dark. I'm loving the deep cracks when the sand dries completely. Heavy fabric or paper will make brilliant "scrolls".

There's still time to get your Powertextures on before Halloween! Grab your Powertex and wrap a bottle or two for your spooky Halloween night. 

If you'd like join a workshop, go to the Powertex UK Tutors page to see who's near you.

Or if YouTube's for you, check out the Powertex UK channel for some tips on getting started.

Happy Halloween! Kore.

Powertex Daisy Bowl (by Anne)

This was my first attempt at creating a 3D bowl with Powertex. I was really chuffed with the results.

I recycled an old cotton scarf and used the lovely Daisy Moulds to create 3D embellishments from Stone Art clay.

I also added some 3D Sand & Balls plus a few glass seed beads for more texture.

Materials:

• Powertex (Transparent, Terracotta, Lead and Ivory)
• Powertex Daisy Moulds
• Stone Art
• Black Bister
• Colortricx (Rich Gold)
• Easy Varnish
• 3D Sand and Balls
• Recycled cotton scarf (blue)
• Kitchen paper
• Glass seed beads
• Glass kitchen bowl and cling film (to create mould)

Powertex is Seriously Addictive

My name is Michele and I am a Powertex addict, I admit it.

I have something of the ‘freshly converted’ about me. The slightly wild look in my eyes, inane grin and random splashes of ivory and bronze on my person, coupled with every other sentence beginning with “you could Powertex that” possibly indicate complete obsession!

Take this beautiful picture of the sea and lighthouse – did anyone else think ‘Powertex’ before seeing the actual picture?

I’m having trouble establishing boundaries. I simply cannot believe anyone wouldn’t fall hopelessly in love with Powertex once they’ve discovered it and if I notice so much as a whisker of interest twitching in my direction, I pounce. Here’s an example;

I recently visited a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem and whilst sampling the local delights and casually discussing all things Powertex, my friend happed to mention that the lady who just walked in to the pub café was known locally as ‘Crafty Kim’.

What?!

I was immediately up, ears pricked, fully alert, nose twitching like a bloodhound when a tray of sausage rolls go by. “You mean craft as in ‘making’?” I asked, just to be sure.

“As in she has ‘Can’t Remember A Flippin’ Thing’ moments, so she makes stuff” my friend confirmed.

After sniggering at this acronym for a moment, I knew I had to meet her. Normally (and by normally I mean in my pre-Powertex life) I would ask to be introduced but I am no longer operating within the boundary of normal. I accosted the unsuspecting Crafty Kim by swooping down on her with all the inhibitions of a zealot and regaled her with photos, stories and incoherent, excited babble about Powertex.

This was not my first time accosting strangers and it began to dawn on me that I may have a problem so I sought counsel from our guru Tracey at Tex Towers who sagely confirmed that yes, she does it too, then countered with “but Garry is worse!”

United we stand!

Here's the thing. So it's a pretty fair assumption that Powertex has changed my life. I actually find it hard to remember a time when I didn't have it in my life.

So for all those potential addicts I have chatted to at the shows over the years and have told me they bought a kit and still haven't used it this is for you. Do it, do it, do it!

*clears throat and puts on best mummy voice* (no not the bandaged up, been in a tomb for a couple of years mummy. The 'you've been told', mummy is always right but you don't accept it until your 20's, ok late 30's) 

Yes I am giving you permission to make some time for you. No, I don't want to hear you're too busy. Do it, do it, do it!!! Yes, it will be ok still.

Give your bottle a shake and crack it open. Can you hear the world full of wonders that awaits you burst out of the bottle. Grab it by the hand, jump in and get creating, invite a friend over, heck get the kids and all the family joining in!

Once you have done this I want to see all those makes over on the Powertex addicts united page on facebook.

And yes, you can do it there is no right or wrong. Just let go....feels good doesn't it?  Look at all these lovely pictures scattered through this blog. hmmmmm...yummy right?  Do it, do it, do it!

And if you need a little guidance or inspiration booster, cause to be honest Powertex UK hq is my favourite place as I get to pick Tracey's brain, not quite sure she feels the same, I think I may tire her out lol. Anyhow, I do like to deviate! 

Find a tutor in your area if you need guidance because joining our club is the best decision you could EVER make. Welcome to the Powertex addicts family! Toodle pip Anna xXx

How to create a simple canvas using the fabulous Tutankhamun Mould from www.powertex.co.uk

I love all things about Ancient Egypt so was thrilled when Powertex UK bought out the Tutankhamun mould. I have always been fascinated with pyramids and ancient symbolism.  This canvas is very easy to create but so effective.  

The canvas measured 20 x 20 centimetres. Magical numbers interest me too and I wanted this creation to mean something. The polystyrene bases from Pizzas are thin and easy to cut using scissors.  The 3 small pyramids measure 9 x 9 x 9 centimetres each.  I cut out some shapes of corrugated cardboard so I had a selection to choose from.  The wooden bits come with the canvas and are really handy embellishments. I decided later not to use the jute but like to have lots bits cut out ready before I begin.  2. I placed 2 pyramids on the canvas and drew a line.

I used Blue, Red and Ochre Powertex Hardener.

I also used Stone Art, Easy 3D Flex and some Sand and Balls. Not shown here, but I also used Brown Bister

which is a water based stain available from www.powertex.co.uk

I used a casting powder in the mould

Using my line as a guide I applied a coat of Red and Ochre Powertex Hardener

I am going to have to describe the next stage as it isn’t easy photographing and working on it at the same time.  I sprinkled some of the Stone Art  all over the wet canvas then using the palm of my hand pressed down all over so that a layer of it stuck. I brushed off the excess, added a few more blobs of Powertex then applied another sprinkling of the powder. This was again worked in and the excess removed.  I was aiming at an aged look so sprayed Brown Bister around the edges.

7. At this stage I was becoming really excited so placed some of cut outs on the canvas to see what it looked like.  As you will notice with the end result I changed my mind about the positioning. Next it was time to apply a border that looked like cracked stonework. 8. For this I used Easy 3d Flex mixed with the Ochre Powertex.  

9. For more of an aged look I sprayed a little more Brown Bister around the edges.  10.  Using the Ochre Powertex I stuck the bottom 2 pyramids down. These I had painted Brown.  10. For the top pyramid I used the Blue Powertex.  Whilst the Powertex was still wet I added some of the Sand and Balls.

I got so carried away with it, that I forgot to photograph adding the little bits of wood and the half moon at the top. I used a water based wet wipe to wipe away the Bister on the surface of the Easy 3d Flex and dry brushed over the surface with Ivory Powertex. Then came a touch of gold. You can use Gold Powertex Pigments for that or a gilding wax.

I really hope you have enjoyed this little project. Check out the Powertex website for your supplies and a certified tutor in your area. www.powertex.co.uk.

For workshops in Polymer Clay and Powertex with me, please visit my website www.birdyheywood.com