Take time to do what makes your soul happy

When I first caught glimpse of this project pack I was super excited. This was one fun project to make. And I thoroughly enjoyed creating this pocket watch. It was even more exciting because I got to use our Tracey's studio at hq to create mine. There is no feeling like being in a big studio with every Powertex product imaginable to hand. Oh its heaven.......

So without further a do here is my design for this months project pack.

As usual I made a layout of the items I was going to use. I just had to use some of the rose and daisy embellishments. I made some stone art clay with the stone art powder and Powertex and pushed the  clay into the daisy and rose mould.

Top tip: If you layout your composition for the design you wish to achieve before you start, its a lot less messy.

 Next I took my Ivory Powertex and coated all the mdf and embellishments. The only thing you need here is Powertex. It's magic formula glues, sticks and paints your works of art.

Top tip: I didn't use all of the mdf shapes in the pack. This means I have them leftover for any other projects I wish to use them on. You can chose to use them all or save some for other projects you have in mind.

Top tip: Your items won't be instantly stuck so if you want to relocate them you can pick them up easily and move them to another part of your design.

To add some extra texture to the piece I took some sand and balls and mixed them into some Ivory Powertex I had poured out. I then used a plastic palette knife to apply the mixture on various areas of the piece. 

 I then sprayed blue bister on the left side, green in the middle and black on the right side. I accidentally used brown and only have the photo with brown. But I just sprayed the black on over the top. Bister is a walnut stain so it covered the brown perfectly.

Top tip: I like to mix my bister granules in a small bowl with hot water, this enables them to dissolve better. I use the back of a teaspoon to crush any granules that haven't fully dissolved. You can pop them in a spritz bottle and shake them, it completely personal preference.

I then dry brushed red ochre, yellow ochre and turquoise powercolor over the black stained side, to give a faux rust effect. And turquoise, moss green and yellow ochre on the blue side. 

I think you can tell I loved creating this one and I had some left overs that I can use for other projects. I hope you all enjoy the project pack and find some inspiration in our blogs. Do share your makes with us at Powertex addicts united on Facebook or join our new group. We love to see what you are making. Toodles Anna xXx You can find more of my work on @ Rosehart Studio.

Fairy house delights by Anna

One of the projects I completed when demonstrating at the Powertex UK stand at the NEC hobbyshow in November was the new Fairy house which has now been put into a project pack for February. Just for you!

  

I had a lot of fun creating this piece I used the black Powertex on the base, one of my go to favourite colours in the Powertex range. On the lower part of the piece I used a mix of sand, balls and Powertex. Then added on the door, toadstools and windows. Added some extra detail with the mdf dropouts and cobwebs. 

On the roof I used the natural paper decoration, by cutting it into little pieces and layering it to give it a tiled 3d effect. I used some of the Powertex UK embellishments in between the natural paper decoration. I also added one of the new Raven mdf shapes. 

I then dry brushed with powercolours burgundy, turquoise and yellow ochre. And used the new interference colours to give a little shimmer effect to the roof. If you're looking for a magical project this month you need to get your hands on this one while stocks last. Toodles Anna xXx

Technology - enabler or thief?

Hello there

Over the summer I got to spend time with some of the younger members of our family and their friends.

It was lovely to get some playtime or so I thought. They all arrived armed with their latest ‘couldn’t be without’ gadgets ps3, ipads, mums iPhone to name but a few.After a fizzy drink and piece of cake they all found their own comfy spot and went on to conquer their own digital universes!!!

I was all ready for crafting, mud pies to beat Mary Berry into submission, rose petal perfume that Dior would die for, French skipping, British bulldog and hopscotch to name but a few.

What would these small people do if this was all taken away, would they find their inner creative and start inventing new games or revisit the ones I played as a child.








So it raised a question in my mind - Technology - is it an enabler or a thief of innocent childhood pastimes? Which in turn inspired this piece of artwork.











Using the beautiful rice papers from Powertex UK - hop onto the website here and have a look at the amazing range that is now available there really is something for everyone.

Along with Ivory Powertex, bisters, lace embellishments and the inner gubbins of an old computer destined to be crushed.


















I worked out my frustration at being cheated out of a game of tig and came to the conclusion that yet again it is all about balance, there is a time and a place for both

Happy creative adventures

Annette

We'll meet again....

Well, what an amazing response we had from you all at the Birmingham NEC hobbycrafts show. It was so wonderful to share with everyone our love for Powertex!

The team at Powertex Uk hq worked like busy bees and did a grand job of filling packets, labeling, punching, stapling, organising and packing stock in between the normal day jobs. 

Tracey and Garry out did themselves again!! They had a long Wednesday set up, with a 7 am start and they didn't return home to 6.30 pm. But they certainly brought the blank canvas that was the stand to life. With a beautiful array of new products, samples and jaw dropping, stunning artwork.

The creative team were a buzz with excitement. It's so lovely for the tutors to get an opportunity to get together and put a face to the name you often speak with on social media. And gives them all the experience of a big show and to share there knowledge and passion too! 

We managed to catch up with some old faces and some brand new ones who had never seen Powertex before.

We had a good lark about with our neighbours, whom included the crew at Hochanda, Craig at Marbling 4 fun and the team at Totally beads to name but a few. Convinced some of them to go pink for Powertex pink sunday. And raised a bit of money for Cancer Research in the process.  Who says you can't have a bit of fun on the last day!

We crashed out yesterday and had an easy one. Traceys feet were broken, don't worry not literally, Garry had overdosed on sweeties and my ribs were aching from all the laughter. We always have a good crack at the shows and I think that's apparent from the atmosphere on the Powertex UK stand. 

We hope you all enjoyed yourselves. We definitely did! Until next time, we'll meet again. That's all folks. Toodles Anna xXx 

Jack, Sarah, Powerwax and an important question!

Hello again

Well I bet you were wondering what has been happening with Jack and Sarah?

They took 6 weeks leave in Summer and Jack took her on her own Grand European Tour.  They kissed on the Rialto bridge, climbed every mountain in Austria (!), visited Aphrodite's rock and ended their tour at Monets garden in Giverney France.  Here inspired by the surroundings, Jack knew he had found his true soul mate and so just had to ask the question..........

He chose a MDF box which had been altered using Powertex Ivory and 3D Flex with bister.

Moulded fish and lily pads had been added and coloured with bister also.  

The whole box inside and out was then shaded using the new Powerwax to give beautiful depth and shading.

But what was the question?

And what will be her answer?

Until next time have fun in all your creative adventures

Ax

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