2017 #18 Torn, Ripped, Burnt: Autumn Leaves with ESC {by Lauren Hatwell}

2017 Topic 18: Torn, Ripped, Burnt

So it seems we have created a bit of a fad for people burning things!The challenge entries are growing as people realise how much fun scorching things can be! Lauren has gone into the torn-and-burnt-zone and shares here a bunch of fun ideas for you to explore! Torn Xmas gift tags? There you go! Sorted! Step away from your paper trimmer!

Hi everyone, Lauren here and today I'd like to share with you a couple of projects I made using torn paper which I burnt gently before using the charcoal created to colour the paper...... 

My inspiration was my daily walk through the woods with my dogs. I particularly love walking in the autumn when the leaves are changing and there's a nip in the air. As the days get colder I can often catch the gentle tang of wood smoke in the air beckoning me home to a warm fire and a cup of tea... 

I love torn paper layers and I wanted to see how burning them slightly would affect the paper. I was pleased to find I could spray the burnt edges and get some colour to spread onto the paper too. I did managed to set quite a lot of paper and fabric on fire before I got the result I wanted but it was worth it in the end. 

Raquel's (Scrapcosy) stamps are, of course, perfect for my woodland theme and I couldn't resist a stencilling with some lemon juice through one of her stencils. I love the calendar words (picture above). They are the perfect way to suggest the passage of time...

PaperArtsy Stencil 071 (PS071)

For the panel, I tore up strips of Regular Smoothy card and then burnt the edge of each strip before sticking them down onto another piece of card to form layers. I found the best way to get the gentle smoulder I was after was to use a candle and then damp down the flames on a heat resistant glass mat or craft sheet. (if you blow the flames you often blow the candle out - been there, done that, got the t-shirt!?)....

I was really pleased with the way the flames nibble away at the paper to soften the edges and create a nice definition. What I didn't expect was the amount of ash I saved on the glass mat and it got me thinking that maybe I could use it in some way. The embossing was an afterthought but I found I could rub the dry ash onto the paper with a damp piece of cut and dry foam and it acts like ink.

Now for the tag...

For the tag, I tore Smoothy card and stuck down the layers before burning the edges and then spraying with water. I was amazed at how much colour variation I got.  I really like the effect. The colours are much lighter and I can only think it might be because I was working from the edges so I had less ash. Once the water had soaked in a bit and the staining had spread, I dipped the tag in the bits of ash still left on the mat to get some black sooty patches.  I think this is my favourite of the two effects.

Such beautiful texture. It reminds me a bit of wood shavings or silver birch bark.

Eclectica³ Scrapcosy Set 05 (ESC05)

I love a bit of colouring and fussy cutting.... I used a little watered down Rusty Car, Olive Tree and Gold Sands to watercolour the leaves and and a bit of Terracotta for the acorn.  I think this image is gorgeous. I love the detail. 

Who knew you could have so much fun with a candle and some strips of scrap paper? I really enjoyed these two projects. Why not give it a try? You'll get a different result every time but I think there are lots of different effects you could get depending on what material you use. I struggled with fabric and managed to set every single piece alight. That's something I want to try again once I've thought about it a bit more. I think perhaps my fabric was too fine or the weave was too open. One thing I didn't try was burning holes in the paper. I think that would look really cool.

That's me for today. I hope I've got your creative juices working a bit and you've found it interesting.

Blog: marvelousmechanicalmouseorgan
Facebook :Lauren Hatwell

I have a Demo Day at Birds in the Barn on 16 December. 

Well we always knew you were a clever chookie. Ink from ash!! Who knew!!!! Knowing what a natural klutz you (very occasionally) can be (LOL) it's a blooming miracle you didn't burn yourself OR your craft room!!! I would have felt somehow responsible had that happened! So hurrah for an awesome post and you survived! Whew! Thankyou! Leandra

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The current topic link Topic 18: Torn, Ripped, Burnt will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 10th December 2017, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

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