Simple step by step to a cute Powertex Penguin

For this month's Powertex Blog we were given the theme of winter crafting.

As we are getting towards the end of the year, and I have obviously got lots of lovely new Powertex goodies on my Christmas list (and I have been a fairly good girl) I thought it was a good opportunity to also use up some spare bits I had from previously in the year.



Meet Quentin

Quentin (made using bronze powertex)

 Priscilla

Priscilla (made using grey powertex)

 and Paulio

Paulio (made using black powertex)

What I used:
Small amount of Powertex Stone Art 
Small amount of Powertex Fabric Hardener
Powertex Colour Pigments
Small amount of Powertex Easy Varnish
Small scraps of fabric
Small Polystyrene Eggs

How I made my Powertex Penguins:

I had a few small polystyrene Easter eggs left over from Easter crafting workshops and projects, and when I looked at these, the image of a cute little penguin appeared in my mind.

Having just finished a unicorn workshop I had a small amount of stone art clay left over, (which was made using bronze powertex) which was just perfect for covering the egg to create a penguin shape.

I had my stone art clay already mixed left over from my previous workshop (if kept in an airtight container it will last for quite some time once mixed up).  But if you are mixing it fresh it is very easy to do (it always reminds me of making pastry)

Simply pour a small amount of your hardener into a tub, and gradually add stone art, little by little, mixing with a pallet knife until a dough like subtance forms.  Roll it into a ball, and keep kneading and rolling until it comes away cleanly from your hands.

I made up three small balls, as I find it easier to work in this way

mix up small balls of stone art clay using Powertex Fabric Hardener and stone art

 From here I simply rolled small bits out and covered my egg shape with the clay. I like to create textures in the clay so I used a small stamp to do this as I went.  Be sure to make the base of the egg quite flat so that your penguin is able to stand steadily.

I rolled a smaller ball to create a head shape, then added small rolls flattened out to indicate the wings, and molded a beak which I added to the head.  For eyes you can use any small round beads.  I was making it up as I went along, and had some Powertex sand balls handy so used these, painted black which worked just as well.

Starting to look vaguely penguinesque 

 It is when you add the colour that the penguins start to come to life.  I used black, white, tequila sunrise and silver, but basically you can use any colour that takes your fancy.  These are fantasy penquins, so use your imagination.

I was quite pleased with Quentin, but something was missing.  My daughter had the solution.  'He needs a little scarf' she told me, and she was right, he did.  So I simply cut up an old scarf from my stash of material, soaked in transparent powertex and wrapped it round him to keep him nice and snug.  The final touch, and purely optional was some frosty glitter.

I was so pleased with him, and with how easy it was to make, that I made up some more stone art clay using some black powertex that had been lingering in the bottom of a bottle, and also some grey and made him a mum and a dad, so now I have my own cute little Powertex Penguin Family

Quentin, Priscilla and Paulio - keeping as snug as possible against that cold wind

These were genuinely quick and easy to make - and a great way to use up any last bits of stone art clay or powertex that you have lying around.

If you decide to make a Powertex Penguin we would love to see your photos over at the facebook page  Powertex Addicts United

You can see more of my makes on my website www.artandmurals.co.ukwww.artandmurals.co.uk 

So what do you do with your spare Powertex??

Hello there

I hope you are well and have enjoyed this lovely Summer.

So here's the question........

What do you create with the spare Powertex left in your tub?

You know that little bit you have left when you've been slightly too generous with yourself when you've been pouring out....

Here are a few of the things I use it for.

1. Coat a spare piece of fabric and a plaster embellishment and create a brooch.

These can either be coloured or left as the base colour so that you can colour them to fit into your future project.













2. Coat a spare piece of fabric, scrunch it up and let it dry.  You now have somewhere to try out your dry brushing colours before going onto a finished piece.  This is great if you want to try something a little different to your normal colour choices.

3. Take a strip of fabric, coat it with the Powertex and roll it into a flower.  Once dry these can be added into a future project.  Again these can be dry brushed at a later date to fit in with your project.

4. Mix it with Stone Art and create a clay,  double wrap this in clingfilm and store in a sealable bag or box and this will last for several weeks.  Alternatively sculpt it into a freeform shape or use it in the moulds to create embellishments.  Again these can be kept until you need them.

5. Create a Powertex mask.  

Either let the Powertex set in the container or pour it out onto a non stick mat creating a more controlled design.  Leave to set then peel off.  

These can be added into projects to give even more layers and textures.













Here the Powertex was left in a round tub and gave a lovely curved effect to sit the skull into.














6.  Take some of your MDF embellishments, coat them with Powertex and apply Rusty Powder, spray with vinegar mix and leave to dry.  You then have ready rusted embellishments at your disposal















I bet you have other ways of using your Powertex,  why not hop onto the Powertex Studio facebook page and share your ideas with everyone.


Until next time happy Creative Adventures


Annette  x

Rainbo the Elephant by Abigail Lagden

An exciting design team pack arrived this month. Imagine my surprise to open it up and find an elephant inside!!

I love all the animal MDF templates by Powertex UK. But these new ones are a bit more exciting. They have been cunningly designed to fit across the pins of the large 2 pin metal stand which means you have the option to make a 3D, free-standing sculpture.

Now, you may have seen that we had the annual Powertex Tutor Retreat in July which was follow by a fabulous Abyssimo workshop run by Maria Fondler-Grossbaum. All of the projects we completed over the three days were all very different and all well away from my comfort zone. But I adore learning new techniques and mingling with other lovely creatives, so it was the most wonderful weekend. Anyway, here are my three completed projects...

Rosie Casselden's Fish Workshop

Abyssimo Workshop

Tracey Evans' Workshop

What I took away from the weekend was a need to do something bright and funky with my elephant project as well as (among other things) the three new, scrummy acrylic paints from The Secret Art Loft. I was also inspired by all the gorgeous unicorns created at the Secret Garden Party.

For this project you will need:

• MDF Elephant Template
• Large 2 Pin Metal Base
• Armature wire 1-2mm
• Masking Tape
• Tin Foil
• White Universal Medium
• Stone Art
• Stamps/shapes to impress
• Daisy Flower Mould
• White Paper Decoration
• Secret Art Loft acrylic paints - Plum Pudding, Blueberry Pie, Mint Jelly, Key Lime Pie, Lemon Meringue, Marmalade, Red Velvet
• Colortricx Clear Gold Pigment
• Easy Varnish

And here is what I did...

First I covered the base in cling film so it wouldn't get covered in mess!

Then I attached the MDF elephant to the large 2 pin metal base using masking tape. I used some 1mm armature wire to form the shape of the ears, which was fed through the two holes in the template and secured in place using masking tape.

  

I then built the elephant out using tin foil and masking tape, so it was no longer just a flat piece of MDF. All of the foil was covered using masking tape before being coated with a layer of white Powertex universal medium.

I mixed some stone art clay using white Powertex and StoneArt. I used about four fist sized balls of stone art clay for the whole thing. I prefer to leave my stone art clay overnight before using as I find it easier to work with after is has rested for a bit.

Taking small pieces at a time, I covered the elephant with the stone art clay and used a clear stamp and a wooden printing block to impress flowers and patterns into the clay.

I used the remaining clay to mould some daisies using the Powertex Daisy Mould and attached these with a little white Powertex.

For the ears I used white Paper Decoration to get a texture rich wrinkly surface.

I added some fish net fabric over the elephant's back and some flowers on the trunk but changed my mind at the colouring stage and removed them.

The project was left to dry. Where I have added stone art clay embellishments, I find it is a good idea to let project dry before colouring as the clay shapes can shrink a little and expose some of the white surface underneath them.

Once dry I used the Secret Art Loft acrylic paints to transform the elephant into a rainbow (Is this getting a bit predictable now?). I applied the paints using a mixture of a brush, a sponge and my fingers!

The paint was left to dry before using white Powertex to dry brush the surface to enhance the appearance of the textures, followed by clear gold colortricx mixed with easy varnish.

And, after my Abyssimo workshop, I couldn't resist adding a little bit of bling too!

I hope you like my rainbow bright elephant and will be inspired to get creating with Powertex.

Please feel free to have a look at what I am up to on my Curiously Contrary facebook page and website.

Until next time, Abs xx

Why I LOVE Stoneart............

Hello there

I hope you've been enjoying the recent spell of warm weather and haven't been too affected by those nasty thunderstorms.....living in the Midlands we've had the joy of both ends of the weather spectrum!!

This month I wanted to share with you my absolute love for Stone Art so I took the monthly theme from Powertex UK and created a masquerade statue using Stone Art in its various forms mixed with Black Powertex.

Stone Art is a unique fiber-composition which has been especially designed for use with Powertex Universal Mediums. 

The reason I love working with this product is the total flexibility you have with it.  You can use it with any of the Powertex Universal Medium colours although I choose not to use the transparent unless I'm adding pigment in to colour it at the same time.

To start off you can layer it on top of a coat of Powertex, press in to form a bond then gently wipe away the excess into a pot for reuse later.  By repeating this process you can build up the stone effect on canvas, polystyrene, wood etc and you waste nothing as all of the excess can be reused.  Polishing the layers with your hand will cause a more natural effect and will cause the darker areas to have a slight sheen.

Next you can mix your Powertex Universal Medium with the Stone Art in a pot to create a slurry of various consistencies.  In its loosest state you can paint this onto any surface to give a rustic texture.  As it gets thicker, you can use a palate knife to spread over your base.  The thicker the mixture the more control you have over it.

Finally you can go all the way and make up Stone Art clay by adding more powder to the slurry stage and then kneading (like bread) to make sure all the white has been absorbed into the coloured liquid.  Again you can choose how firm you mix this before working with it.  When covering statues etc I keep mine on the tacky side so that I can blend in any joins.   However when working on a canvas, I tend to make it firmer so that I can imprint into it with stamps and stencils, these imprints will come out with a rustic feel due to the nature of the clay.  In this firm state you can also use it in silicon moulds to create beautiful embellishments.


I finished my statue by adding the venetian mask from the Powertex range, I coated with black Powertex and then dry brushed with Rich Gold pigment.  As a finishing touch I tucked feathers into the collar.....after all this is all about masquerade!

Until next time Happy Creative Adventures and don't forget to post your makes on the Powertex facebook page

Axx

Cheshire Cat on the Mad Hatter's Hat

Hello there,

I had a great time with the Top Hat kit that I wanted to share with you how I created the Cheshire cat on the Hat that was shown on the Hochanda show with Tracey Evans.

Along with the kit I used the mdf Alice and Grin embellishments.

To start with I assembled the hat using the hat band on the back and front to secure it, then I prepped all of the embellishments so that they were ready to place in the fabric whilst it was still wet

I started by using clear domes to create the eyes.  Using Powercolor black pigment mixed with Easy Varnish I painted the iris onto the flat side of the dome, let that dry completely then cover the whole of flat side with the Key Lime paint repeat this several times to get the depth of colour but let it dry between layers. Set aside.

Using the beautifully bright acrylic paints coat the letters, grin and Alice.  Don't forget the sides. Set aside.

Take the mdf playing cards and using a craft knife carefully cut the shape from the top of the card and use this to fill in the gap in the centre.  Coat the card with a layer of Ivory Powertex, let it dry completely.  Using a wet paintbrush draw around the image on the rice paper and gently pull away the areas not needed.

Coat the mdf playing card with varnish then lay the rice paper image on  top,  using more varnish go over the top of the image and sides of the card pressing gently to adhere.

When dry coat the edge of the card with Powertex Black.

 For the ears, mix up Powertex Black and Stone Art into a clay (when it no longer sticks to your hands its ready).  Shape two ears and set aside to dry.  Make sure you have a flat area that will sit nicely on the hat.

Whilst everything was drying I laid out the stripes on my cat, here is is shown using tin foil however as I had extra Stone Art clay I used that to make the stripes.





For the tail, I removed the quill part of the feather and used the Stone Art to depict the stripes.

Once I had them in position I painted the whole of the hat and tail in Black Powertex.


Using gauze and Black Powertex I then covered these making sure you press around the raised areas to get definition for the stripes.  Place the eyes and use a small piece of gauze to create eyelids.

Whilst this is wet place your letters, ears ( you may need to add additional Powertex to the flat part to ensure a good bond), Alice, Grin, Playing cards and the tail.  Use additional gauze to build underneath any embellishments that need more support.  Let dry

I then dry brushed the stripes and ears with a combination of the Blueberry Pie paint, Raspberry Sorbet paint and white pigment to get the shading.

I hope you have as much fun with the kit as I did and don't forget to post your makes on our Powertex Studio Facebook page.

Happy Creative Adventures

Axx

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat

by Abigail Lagden

I was so excited when I unpacked all the Alice in Wonderland goodies that I couldn't wait to get started. The acrylics were so wonderfully bright and bold that I decided I needed to create something totally different to my usual style. So, it is the tea party set that I have chosen to share with you all this month.

Anyone who knows me and my work, knows I hate flat surfaces so the first thing I did was add some texture to the body of the teapot using wallpaper and painted over this with ivory Powertex. On top of this, I added a piece of the delicious floral rice paper using Easycoat Matt.

I did the same with the saucers and I also used a little bit of wallpaper on the top part of the cups.

I mixed up some Stone Art clay using ivory Powertex and Stone Art and applied this roughly onto the teacups. I used some flower stamps from my stash to make imprints into the clay. 






I then used the gorgeous acrylic paints to paint splodges of colour onto the clay. I left this to dry for a short time before using a damp sponge to gently wipe the paint back off the surface of the clay.

The two saucers were painted using the acrylic paints and left to dry. Again a damp sponge was used to lift the paint off the raised pattern.

More ivory stone art clay was added to the handle, spout and outer edges of the teapot. Lots of daisies were made using stone art clay in the daisy mould and these were piled onto the teapot (leaving some space for Alice) and secured using a little Powertex underneath the flowers.

In the same way as the paints were used on the cups, I coloured the teapot and all the flowers.

The little Alice figure was also painted using the acrylic paints and powertex.

Once all of the individual pieces were complete and dry, they were all attached together using some transparent Powertex and the MDF bar included in the kit.

Et voila!!

The brightest most funky piece I think I have ever made - I have a feeling I may have been converted from the dark side (well... temporarily at least!)

I hope you will all enjoy playing with the new templates, paints and pigments as much as I have. Don't forget to share your makes in The Powertex Studio, we absolutely love to see them.

Until next time, Abs xx

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