Follow Your Heart | StencilGirl®

Hi friends!

Today I am here to share a project that I created for the StencilGirl® Creative Team. This time around our team was challenged with the themes of "Stencilled Poetry or Spring Break Stencil Party." As soon as I saw the word spring, my mind immediately went to flowers and my decision was made instantly. 

I am a huge fan of using flowers in my creations. In fact, I probably own more floral-themed stencils than any other type. And regardless of how many floral stencils I already have, I am always drawn to new ones because each one always offers something different. For this page, I decided to showcase one of my most favorite floral-themed stencils - Wildflower Bouquet designed by Wendy Brightbill. I wanted to allow the stencil to really shine, so I kept the remainder of the background quite minimal - it was perfect for this photo of my daughter in one of her Cosplay costumes.

I began with a sheet of white cardstock and some Distress Oxides in Spun Sugar; Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry. I began with the Spun Sugar and applied the ink to my non-stick craft mat. I then spritzed it with some water and swirled it through with my fingertip to mix the color. I laid my cardstock over the top and smoothed it down with my hand to absorb the ink. I then dried it off and repeated the process with the other colors, which I used more sparingly than the first. (This was so I didn't overwhelm the stencil design that was going to be placed over the top.)

With the inks in place and dried off, it was the time to add my stenciled design over the top. I chose a Colour Blast by Bee Arty Colour Paste (Deep Water) to apply the design, as I wanted to use a product that would also add some texture. My paste color choice was largely dictated by the photo I was using, but also because I wanted something beautiful and bold to show off the floral design. To apply the paste I simply taped the stencil down onto my cardstock using washi tape; then masked off the stems of the bouquet, and then used a palette knife to spread the paste through the stencil and then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I decided to add another stenciled layer to my background. This time I used another Distress Oxide (Lime Citron) and sponged the ink through the stencil. The stencil I chose was a soft, flowing script called Rembrandt's Words (small), designed by Carolyn Dube. The addition of the green provided an instant lift to the background, and the loose, organic design of the stencil added an extra layer of softness as well.

The final step for my background was to add some ink splatters. I used two inks - black and an emerald green, and a small stiff brush to add tiny splatters around my page. This added a bit of a "grunge" factor and helped tie in my photo. I then set my page aside and turned my attention to working on the layers that would go on top.

I gathered together a variety of patterned paper pieces that I cut and tore into different sizes and shapes and then stacked them together, securing the pile with a couple of staples. I then used tape to fix the stack onto my background before adding some frayed gauze and then my photo on top.

Now it was time for some more flowers! This time I didn't use a stencil however, it was time for some paper ones instead. I grabbed a selection of pink flowers and some green leaves from my stash and created 3 clusters with them, framing around my photo.

There was just one thing my layout was missing now - butterflies! When I think of spring and flowers, I also think of butterflies, so that was just what I needed to complete my page. I grabbed my Paint Tin and Butterflies stencil designed by Cathy Taylor (another of my favorites); Archival Ink and a sponge dauber. I chose a piece of watercolor style pink patterned paper and stencilled 3 butterflies of varying sizes onto the paper. I then fussy cut around them and adhered them onto my page.

Now it was time for the finishing touches. I added a few enamel dots on top of my butterflies to give them some extra detail; as well as placing a few extra scattered enamel dots around my page. I added a page title using a clear sticker from MAMBI, and a few coordinating clear heart stickers.

Here are a few close-ups of my finished project so you can see some of the details...

That's all from me today, I hope I have inspired you to pull out some stencils and get creative too.
Here's a look at the three stencils I used...

Wildflower Bouquet

Rembrandt's Words

Paint Tin and Butterflies

Until next time, happy scrapping! X

The Real Deal ~ a mixed media artwork | StencilGirl® Products

Hi everyone!
Time for a catch-up project from me and a bit of a change of pace. Today I am sharing a mixed media artwork I created a little while ago as part of the StencilGirl® Creative Team. For this round of projects the team were challenged to "Frame It or Fill It With Circles". I decided to go with "frame it" and create a lovely mixed media piece with the intention of framing it for display.

The artwork I created was a good example of how plans can change once you start working on a piece. Initially, my intention was to create something that was A4 sized; but through the evolution of my process, I ended up with a finished piece that was 12x12" instead. (That's what happens when you follow the creative flow!)

I began my project with one particular stencil in mind - Strength Face by Pam Carriker. I knew I wanted to create something that featured a face as the focal point, and after looking through all my stencils, this was the one I kept coming back to. Every time I looked at it I immediately thought of John Lennon (I think it is the circle around the eye that makes me think of the glasses he used to wear); so I knew that I wanted to capture that by incorporating something musical into my piece as well.

I started with my background, using Distress Oxides to create a watercolor effect. I simply swiped the ink pads onto my non-stick mat, spritzed with a little water, and then placed the cardstock over the top to absorb the ink. I started with 'Faded Jeans' then repeated the process with 'Iced Spruce' over the top. I love the moody, mottled effect I got on the page.

Next, I turned my attention to the "frame it" theme, choosing to frame my page with a matching border, also in "Iced Spruce" Distress Oxide. I chose the 9x12" stencil from the January 2019 StencilClub set designed by Mary Beth Shaw and Seth Apter. I used the section of the stencil that features a long row of soft-edged squares and stenciled the pattern around each edge using a sponge dauber.

Next, I reached for a music paper stamp and used black ink to lightly stamp the motif randomly around my page; taking care not to press too heavily (I didn't want a "perfect" image).

I then turned my attention to creating the focal point of my page using that amazing face stencil designed by Pam Carriker. I continued with the black ink and stenciled the face in the lower right corner of my page, again using a sponge dauber. 

I then added the third Distress Oxide color I had chosen - "Seedless Preserves", by mixing a little with some water and then using a small brush to paint some contrasting color across and around the face. 

Once I had the focal image in place I knew my page needed some texture. I wanted to keep the texture subtle however so I chose the Starlight 6x6" stencil designed by Lesley Riley and used it to apply some gold texture paste using a palette knife. The combination of this stencil and the paste created stunning, fine golden details; which I cascaded down and across from the top left corner of the page. I also moved the stencil around to add some extra randomly placed detail.

I was extremely happy with how the layers were looking together at this point, but it was right about now that my plan for this piece took a bit of a turn. To further reinforce the "Frame It" theme, I decided to mount my existing A4 sized piece onto a sheet of 12x12" colored cardstock. I wanted to keep the frame size consistent around though, which meant that I had space alongside left to fill. I found a sheet of music paper from my stash and tucked it underneath the edge to balance the page. 

To finish off, I found a pack of die cuts that featured lots of floral pieces in colors that matched, as I wanted to use the flowers to bring some softness to the piece.

The die cuts in the pack also featured some gold foil pieces, which tied nicely in with the stenciled gold details I had added earlier.

I couldn't resist popping a few butterflies on there - three of them (of course, I must have balance!) Finally, to finish off, and smooth the transition between my original A4 piece and the additional sheet of music paper, I added a clear floral sticker and I was done.

I popped the completed piece into a white 12x12" shadow box frame and now it proudly adorns a space in my home.

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you today. Until next time, happy creating! X

Bloom & Grow | StencilGirl®

Hi everyone!

I promised I would be back again soon, and it seems I have some catching up to do! Today I am sharing a project I created for the StencilGirl® Creative Team last year. For this one, the team were challenged with "Gift It or Grid It", so I decided to go with "Grid It" and create a scrapbook layout. Grid designs are often used in scrapbooking, and are particularly effective when creating layouts that feature a lot of photos, as it provides structure and prevents the page from looking too cluttered.

With my daughter just started high school this week, it's an appropriate time to share this scrapbook layout documenting all her "first day of school" photos from each of her seven years at primary school. It's such a lovely way to reflect on how much she has grown.

Because I knew I was going to be using a grid design for my photo placement, I wanted to created a background with less structure to contrast against the squares of the photos. As purpose of the layout was to document my daughter's growth, I decided a floral pattern would be perfect so I chose the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet stencil designed by Traci Bautista. As it didn't entirely fill my 12x12" cardstock, I also used the Deconstructed Zinnia and the Deconstructed Double Zinna to fill the remaining space (both also designed by Traci). 

I used three Distress Oxide ink pads (Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass and Squeezed Lemonade) and some small make up sponges to dab the inks onto the page through the masks. (I chose a mix of colours that would also blend to create other colours on the page.) Once the page was completely covered, I lifted the masks to reveal the background.

I then used the Numbers stencil (designed by Seth Apter) to add the numbers 1-6 on my background in a few different places using Lovely Lilac Distress Oxide and another sponge. 

I then repeated the process with the smaller row of numbers from the same stencil.

Once my background was complete, it was time to set out my grid placement for my photos. I used squares of patterned paper (this one is from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'More Than Words' collection) as a mat for each photo. I used a small dab of liquid adhesive to hold each square in place. 

I then added some scrap cardboard to the back of each photo (to help pop them up from the page) before sticking them down on top of the paper squares.

With my photos all in place, it was then time to embellish my layout. I chose another paper from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'More Than Words' collection, this time it was one that featured some beautiful sketched flowers and fussy cut several pieces that I tucked in around some of my photos.

I wanted some leaves to go along with the flowers, so I used the Leafy Doodle Border stencil (designed by Valerie Sjodin) and some black ink to stencil some flowers onto a sheet of vellum. I love the sectioned design of this stencil as it means it can be used in a number of different ways. 

Once the ink had dried (it takes slightly longer on vellum) I fussy cut a number of them, then added them in with the flowers on the page. 

For my layout title, I used some Cocoa Vanilla Studio foam title stickers, which I placed in the middle section of my grid. I love the way the bold black ties in with the photos and the stencilled leaves; providing contrast against the pastel colours of the background.

I was so happy with how this layout turned out, and the way the theme inspired me to capture these memories of my daughter's progression through primary school. I hope I have inspired you to get some supplies out and get creative too.

Here's a linked list of all the stencils I used in my project:

L352: Deconstructed Floral Bouquet

S290: Deconstructed Zinnia Mask and Stencil

S296: Deconstructed Double Zinnia Mask and Stencil

L184: Numbers Stencil

L736: Leafy Doodle Border

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you. Until next time, happy creating! X

Scribble That Shit Out - Art Journal Page | Viva Las VegaStamps

Hi everyone!

Today I am popping in to share an art journal page that I created for Viva Las VegaStamps to showcase one of the stamps from the recently released plate #1517, which features some fabulous arty scribble-style faces. I wanted my page to represent the creative thought process, and how therapeutic art can be.

To create my page, I started with some loose white cardstock that I had cut down to an A5 size, with the intention of punching it and putting into my art journal binder once it was complete.

I began by applying Mustard Seed Distress Oxide using a foam blending tool to the cardstock. I then took an Aboriginal inspired stencil from StencilGirl that featured a rippling wave style pattern, and applied Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxide using a sponge dauber through the stencil over the top.

For the focal image on my page, I first stamped out the Large Lightbulb using black StazOn ink onto another piece of cardstock. I then used a water brush and the Mustard Seed and Carved Pumpkin Distress Oxides to colour the light bulb image before cutting it out. 

I then repeated the process with the Tina Walker Scribble Girl with Curlers and Earrings stamp; using Barn Door; Spun Sugar; and Mowed Lawn Oxides to colour it in before cutting it out.

In keeping with the style of my chosen feature lady, I used the Scribble Circle stamp and stamped it directly onto my page background. I then took the light bulb I had already prepared and positioned it in the circle so that it was surrounded by what appeared it to be energy flowing from it.

Next, I stamped the Scribble That Shit Out phrase stamp (also from new plate #1517) along the bottom edge of my journal page. I then took my scribble lady and added some cardboard to the back of her before sticking it down slightly overlapping the light bulb in the background. (This represented her "ideas".)

I was so happy with how this page came out and I am crushing on those new scribble ladies from Tina - I expect I will be using them again very soon!

Thanks for stopping by so I could share this with you, I hope I have inspired you to get inky too! X

VLVS stamps used:

- Large Lightbulb

- Tina Walker Scribble Girl with Curlers and Earrings

- Scribble Circle

- Scribble That Shit Out