Taking a Dip...Step By Step...How to...etc...

...In UTEE! And ... making Faux Porcelain flowers! You know I went to Stamperama on Sunday and helped Jennie out and did a Make & Take, well, as I said yesterday, quite a few of the Make & Takee's asked if I had Step by Step instructions on how to do this...doh! I knew there was something I forgot, and I know that when you sit and make something it is almost impossible to remember exactly how to do it...so, as promised, here is a Tut on ... er.. how to do It....*no...not "it" that would be far tooooo silly and rude - lowering the tone as usual Hels* But first of all, I must say thank you to Jennie - 'cos before Friday evening last, I had never made one of these flowers and I love love love making them now - they are addictive...and also to Sherry who started this off, where Jennie got the idea from in the first place :O)




So, here goes - I hope the Step by Steps are clear for you...if you can't read the writing on the pics, please just click on them, this will make 'em big and you should be able to see what it says...oh, and ... I would love your feedback so please leave me a comment and tell me whatcha fink...*only if it is nice though ROFL*


STEP 1

Pour some clear UTEE granules into a Melt Pot - straight into the pan - don't use a Project Pan, it won't get hot enough for UTEE *these are for Beeswax etc* and set the thermostat to UTEE and pop the lid on.



STEP 2

While your UTEE is melting, stamp several flowers onto lightweight cardstock. This stamp is the large flower from the Flower Power set. Use a permanent ink for stamping.



STEP 3

Your UTEE should be melted and ready for dipping in about 10 mins - but this depends on the amount of granules you pop in the pot...you will need quite a bit if you are doing a few flowers at a time, so fill to the MAX level marked inside the pot.



STEP 4

Use Distress Inks to colour your cut out flowers - Distress Inks are special because they keep their true colour when wet - use a background stamp to make a pattern on the flowers. Cut *as shown* to make four layers which will form a rose once dipped and placed. Use clips to secure your petals together when gluing - I always use Glossy Accent to glue 'cos it dries super fast and doesn't affect the UTEE. *note, new DI colours :O))*


STEP 5

Once your petals have dried together, make a peak in the first layer - which has five petals...do this by popping your fingernail under the pointy bit at the bottom and pushing upwards gently, this will give the other layers something to sit on. You will need to make some larger holes in the bottoms of the next layers so they nest together properly.




STEP 6

Use your Cool Tool tweezers and pop the first layer into the UTEE, flip it over and give it a wiggle so it is completely covered in the UTEE both front and back.






STEP 7

Drain off the excess UTEE over the Melt Pot and immediately transfer your layer to a non stick craft sheet. You can leave this alone now...it will begin to harden off and be ready for the next layer.





STEP 8

Repeat the dipping with your next layer - you will see that sometimes the UTEE will bubble, this is normal and it is only because of the water content in the inks and card




STEP 9

Once your four petals are covered in UTEE, drain it a bit, take it out of the pot and immediately place it onto the five petals waiting patiently for you :O)) Now is the time to use your Cool Tool and move the layer around so it sits nicely...*don't be tempted to use your finger to move it...IT IS STILL MOLTEN RED HOT!!!!* Mmm, the voice of experience speaking there LOL




STEP 10

Repeat the process with the next two layers, so eventually, you will have a four layered rose - I have tried to pop the middle single petal into the centre on these roses but the UTEE is a little thick and it wouldn't sit right...so I improvised...which leads me to the next step :O))




STEP 11

First of all....sorry, this is a really baaaad pic and out of focus...typically, the battery was conking out on my camera so I was rushing!! Take a pearl or a bead and pop it onto the end of a pokey tool and dip it into the UTEE, rolling it gently to cover it all the way around....BUT!!! Don't cover over the top and onto the pokey tool...1) it gets HOT and 2) it goes hard instantly and the bead/pearl will not budge! *as I found out on Sunday morning on my first flower....but of course I did that on purpose to show how not to do it LOL


STEP 12

Immediately, pop the pearl into the middle of the top layer of the rose, the UTEE will hold it in place...and....voila! Here is your finished Faux Porcelain Rose, ready to add a badge pin to to make into a brooch or to use as a decorative piece on your art.



VARIATIONS

Whilst fiddling about with the flowers I have made a few variations for you to see;



Five & Four petals - like what we made at Stamperama :O)




Graduating Stamp Sized Layers with Pearly Centre - for this one, simply cut each flower like the first layer of the rose, right up the middle of one petal and draw these together to make five petals, make a peak in the bottom of each layer so they nest...cute huh? The colours used here are...Barn Door, Rusty Hinge and Wild Honey...my fave new DI colours!


Full Rose made using K&Co papers; Large flower, stamped 3 times as before



Hey! Are you still awake???? I know, this has to be the longest post ever, ever, ever ... but... I hope this has been of use to you...and if you did come along to the Make & Take, please leave me a comment to let me know if you enjoyed it...AND...did your badge pin stay put? *we had sooo many probs with those pesky things LOL* All of the products used in this Tut are available from The Artistic Stamper.

Thanks for looking...I am off for a rest now...am worn out with all this typing LOL

Hels x