I will "Owlways" love you - a Valentines project

Hello there everyone

I hope you had a very Happy Christmas and that this New Year brings you everything you need.  

To start you off on your 2018 creative adventures here is a little Valentines step by step project using the Powertex UK Owl kit and a few extras.  Have fun and don't forget to post your makes on our Facebook page - Powertex Addicts United.  We would love to see what you create.

It is best to read through the instructions then layout what you are going to use where before your start.

I started with the Powertex Owl kit, some packaging (including a paper filled jiffy bag) that I had collected over Christmas, a needle, thread and a piece of Powertex UK rice paper.

I started by painting the main owl figure, the wings and four pieces from the dropouts pack in Powertex Bronze on both sides.  I attached the dropout pieces one on top of another so that I had two raised pieces which will be used to support the wings slightly above the body so make sure you choose appropriate sized pieces. Attach these in place using the bronze Powertex but do not attach the wing yet.

Using the paper packaging, coat it with the bronze Powertex by dipping it in and then making sure all excess is squeezed out before placing it on the body of the owl, give it a little push to hold it in place. Using the same method, cover the wings and the beak.

Using the eye circle from the owl kit draw around it several times on the backing paper in the kit.  Cut these out and attach them together and then onto the circle using the Powertex.  Once dry you can use scissors to tidy the edges if needed.  Place the eye from the embellishment pack into the centre of the circle and attach it using the Powertex.  Place this to one side to dry.

For the other eye I used pieces from the drop out pack to create a winking eye with eyelashes.  These are all coated with Powertex then placed together and left to dry 

Take some of the paper filling from the jiffy bag and mix it with some bronze Powertex to form a very thick paste, use this to cover the branch.  Then using the remaining embellishments from the Owl pack coat them in bronze Powertex and sit them into this thick paste.  At this time place the Owl's feet as well.

Using the remaining packing paper from the owl kit, draw a heart several times and cut it out.  Coat these with Powertex and stick them together, take several short pieces of lace (you will need the longest piece in the next stage) and dip them into the Powertex then use it to cover the front of the heart. Let this dry naturally (drying with a hairdryer can cause the paper to ripple).  

Once dry take the longer piece of lace from the kit and run a very loose running stitch through the edge, dip the lace into the Powertex and work through to ensure it is covered.  Make sure you leave the loose end of thread out of the liquid.

Now gently pull the thread to cause the lace to start bunching,  stick this side onto edge of the heart using the end of a pencil or paintbrush to help push it into position.  Cut off any excess lace and the thread. I then coated the large metal owl in Powertex and using some of the jiffy bag paste we made earlier I attached the owl to the heart and then the key to the owl.

Now attach the eye, winking eye, beak, wings and heart to the owl using the jiffy bag paste.  Try the wings in different positions and go with what you like best.  I decided to have the wings holding the heart - as this raised the heart a little I used a large button, from the embellishment pot, covered in Powertex to support it underneath but you could use more of the drop out pieces.

Now leave everything to dry thoroughly before moving onto the dry brushing.

Once dry I dry brushed the owl using the pigments in the kit and Easy Varnish.

To dry brush, place a 5p size of varnish onto a plastic plate, dip your brush vertically into the varnish then straight into the pigment, (don't worry it won't contaminate the pigment), now mix to a thick paste on a clean part of your plate.  If it is too thin dip back into the pigment and mix again.  If it is too thick dip back into the varnish puddle then mix again.

Now wipe off all excess colour on a piece of kitchen towel before going anywhere near your owl.

If this is your first time at dry brushing wipe off lots as it is easier to add more colour than to take it away.

Now you can either hold your brush flat like a drumstick and gently sweep over the owl.  This will add colour to the raised areas only or you can hold the brush loosely on the end and flick over the owl.  This will give you a more concentrated colour and will go into some of the crevices.

The pigment mixture will dry very quickly so you will need to repeat this process until you get the colouring you like.

How you colour your owl really is personal choice but don't be scared to mix the pigments together on your plate to create new colours as this really helps the whole piece blend together.  You'll be surprised how many shades you can get by mixing the pigments in the kit.





































Once you have finished your dry brushing attach the rice paper to the back of the owl using the varnish.

I misted the sheet with water then tore off pieces and attached them randomly.  This gives it a nice finish and gives you a place to write that little love note!!

I WILL 'OWLWAYS' LOVE YOU

And look what I still have left to create more projects and have even more adventures.

I hope you've enjoyed this project, until next time........

Happy Creative Adventures and don't forget to show us your creations.

Annette