Friday Focus - Metallic Distress Stains

Happy Frilly and Funkie Friday! Don't you just love that it's nearly the weekend? Buttons here to suggest a few ideas for using Metallic Distress Stains (well they're not just for Christmas you know!) As they are the subject of this week's Friday Focus there will be 15% off them at The Funkie Junkie Boutique - this means they are at a bargain price so make sure you grab some quickly whilst they are still in stock.

Now you know me, never content unless I'm trying out a new technique. Anna-Karin at Layers of Ink recently posted a Dry Embossed Wax Resist tutorial which was awesome. It showed how to use embossing folders and a white wax crayon with inks. That got me thinking "what if I use coloured wax crayons" (don't you still seem to have a stock of these tucked away somewhere even when the kids grow out of them?)
It also occurred to me that you don't need to be limited to using ink mists over them either; as Distress Stains/Metallic Distress Stains are water-based they will work just as well. After a bit of play work I created a few samples using different coloured crayons and Metallic Stains. Darker coloured crayons are definitely more effective and you can mix your Stains by spritzing them with a little water and blending them over the wax. And for those who don't like sparkle fear not - these leave a beautiful sheen to surfaces. I went on to use a couple of other testers as backgrounds, but you could easily cut them into various shapes too.

My team mate Trace was definitely in the forefront of my mind as I created this piece, as she has a passion for hearts. Having embossed white card I ran blue and brown crayons over the raised areas.

Don't worry about being accurate as it actually looks better when some of the wax is applied to the unraised areas too. Then a sweep of Brushed Pewter over the top and some Stormy Sky Distress Ink around the edges finished the background.

The heart was made from grunge paper and chipboard layers, both covered in a blend of Brushed Pewter and Antiqued Bronze Metallic Stain and then rubbed over with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I love that you can also use these Stains over things like torn book pages because their semi-opaque quality means you can still see some of the text through the colour.

The current Frilly and Funkie Challenge - 'William Morris Style' was in my mind with this one. The lacy background used a mix of red, green and brown wax crayons over the raised areas followed by Tarnished Brass Metallic Distress Stain over the top. Once dry you can strengthen the colours by reapplying the wax crayon over the Stain.

I added a digital image postcard, some stamped ivy leaves and a butterfly made with metal flakes to keep it relatively simple and uncluttered (well for me anyway!)

So I hope that has given you a few more ideas for using your Distress Metallic Stains. Don't forget to check out the extra discounted price for these at The Funkie Junkie Boutique, and whilst you are there see what else is on offer. I've listed the items used in my pieces below too. And enjoy your weekend! Hugs, Jenny xx

Tim Holtz Ranger Metallic Distress Stain - Tarnished Brass	Tim Holtz Ranger Metallic Distress Stain - Brushed Pewter	Tim Holtz Ranger Metallic Distress Stain - Antiqued Bronze	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Stormy Sky	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Walnut Stain
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Tea Dye	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Grunge Paper	Venise Lace Trim - 1/2 inch wide	Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee
Ranger Archival Ink - Jet Black	Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents	Ranger Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet	Ranger Inkssentials Ink Blending Foam