GARDEN MONTAGE -- My Newest Stencil is Released Today!

Today a new 9" x 12" stencil of mine is released at StencilGirl!

You can find it as the very first stencil shown here.

I surprised myself with how much fun I had using Garden Montage  stencil to make prints on an assortment of background papers ...

I had even more fun when I cut the prints into pieces to collage together on greeting cards --

Please click on the image above as well as the image below, to better see details.

But I wasn't done yet!

After making the greeting cards shown above -- all of them embellished with wooden hearts that I had decorated eons ago -- I decided that I wanted to create a new batch of heart-embellishments, this time with these newly printed papers.

I started with the unfinished wooden hearts shown below, along with a collection of stencil-printed papers; most of these papers were the new prints created with Garden Montage.  Many of these prints had already been cut into small pieces as I'd assembled the collaged greeting cards.  These assorted-size wooden hearts are available at craft stores like Michael's and A.C. Moore.  Similar hearts are sold by a variety of vendors thru AmazonSmile, but as far as I can tell, none of these online sources offers the thinnest hearts, which are best for greeting card covers.  The hearts I had bought at A.C. Moore or Michaels are about 1/16 inch thick.

Above:  assorted stencil-printed papers and some unfinished wooden hearts.

Above:  Here I'm pairing a heart with a stencil-printed paper scrap that fits it. 

Above:  adding glue to the back of the paper scrap. I use Pioneer Embellishment Glue Stick.

Above: Here I've pressed the wooden heart down onto the glued side of the paper.

Above:  assorted sizes of wooden hearts are pressed to glued backs of paper scraps.

Above and below:  Two ways to trim the edges, after the glue has had time to dry; above:  a cutting board and an Exacto knife; below, fine-detail-cutting scissors.

Above:  I used an emery board to smooth the trimmed edges.

Above:  an assortment of ready-to-use heart embellishments.

Although today's art samples happen to be greeting cards, these hearts (and these collages) also work beautifully on covers of art journals, scrapbook pages, gift-tags, bookmarks, etc. I'm sure you can come up with more and better decorating ideas of your own!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!  Tomorrow's post will feature some of the greeting cards embellished with hearts created for today's post.

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Don't Crimp My Style!

Confession:  This is an updated version of a post first appearing here just over 2 years ago.  I love these paper crimpers and the 3-D look they give my art!

For this post, I pulled out my Marvy Corru-Gator Crimpers --

and two old prints, both on cardstock -- one made with an inverted Distress ink --

Above:  stencil used:  6"x6" Quilted Flower Garden.

-- and another print, this one made with my round 8"x 8" Gelli Plate --

Above:  stencil used:  9"x12" Facets.

Following directions printed on the crimper, I inserted the first print --

--and started turning the knob, which starts the sheet of cardstock moving thru the crimper --

Above:  Click on the photo to enlarge it and better see the low-relief pattern that is being imprinted on the cardstock.

--and when the cardstock emerged it was fully corrugated, as shown below.

Again, click the image to better see the corrugation.

My next step was to go over the surface with copper metallic paint using the dry-brush technique -- a technique that I'm too impatient to master well, so anyone unfamiliar with this method can click on the link above to see a demo.  In this demo, the artist (who, unlike me, is good at this) is applying paint to a frame that's 3-dimensional, the same as corrugated cardstock.

I didn't like the results I achieved with this first print, where the paint had been applied much too heavily in areas --

-- so I scrapped that piece and started fresh with my other print.  Choosing a different corrugated pattern this time, I came up with better results.  Below is the cardstock after the dry-brushing has been done:

Next, I pulled out a packet of blank greeting cards from JamPaper.com --

These greeting card blanks measure 6"x6", when folded.  I cut two pieces from my printed cardstock and added them to the front of two greeting cards --

Please click on the photo above, and on the photo below, to better see the details.

This last photo shows the two greeting cards with their final embellishments added.

In place of the dry-brush paint application, many dry media can be used on these corrugated papers -- Pan Pastels, etc.  Adding highlights to the 3-dimensional ridges adds pizzazz!

There is a surcharge of 22 cents for mailing a 6"x 6" card, so the total for sending a card this size is 71 cents.  I just use two "Forever" stamps.

Thanks for visiting here today!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

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Last Day of Special Sale at StencilGirl!

Today is the last day of this 3-day-only sale!

Please click on the above image to enlarge it! 

I've Photoshop-enlarged it, but Blogger wants to keep it this size!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

BUDDING BRANCHES (6" x 6") Stencil Stars in a Video by MaryBeth Shaw!

Using this link,  you can watch MaryBeth Shaw's how-to video using one of my 6"x 6" stencils, Budding Branches.

The stencil itself looks like this --

All my stencils are available at a discount during this 3-day sale!  Just click on the image below to enlarge it and better see directions....

Thank you for stopping here today!

3-Day-Only Sale at StencilGirl!

This 3-day-only sale is still on!

Please click on the above image to enlarge it! 

I've Photoshop-enlarged it, but Blogger wants to keep it this size!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

Sale on StencilGirl Stencils!

At this link, you can be treated to a video showing a special way to use my 6" x 6" Cats stencil --

-- and remember all my stencils are available at discount during this 3-day sale!

You can click on the image above to better see directions for taking part in the sale.

Thanks for stopping here today!

3-Day Special Sale Starts Today!

The special sale starts today!

Please click on the above image to enlarge it! 

I've Photoshop-enlarged it, but Blogger wants to keep it this size!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

Don't Miss This Special 3-Day Sale Starting TOMORROW! -- Central Standard Time

The special sale starts tomorrow!  It's 3 days only!

Please click on the above image to enlarge it! 

I've Photoshop-enlarged it, but Blogger wants to keep it this size!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here. 

THISTLES Stencil Craft Project Now in MARTHA STEWART LIVING MAGAZINE

Mary Beth Shaw has just alerted me to the fact that the July/Aug. 2018 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine carries a craft article that includes a photo of a throw pillow decorated with my 9" x 12" stencil Thistle.

Other StencilGirl stencils were used, as well, not only in decorating beautiful pillows, but also cloth napkins, tablecloth edges, etc.  It's a lovely layout and I'm honored that one of my stencils was chosen to be included in the StencilGirl collection that was used.

These two photos were taken by Mary Beth, the first showing the cover of what is probably the July issue; below that, the muted pink throw pillow.  

You can click on this photo to enlarge it.

The Thistle stencil (9" x 12") looks like this --

And it has a "little sister" stencil, measuring 6" x 6" -- Small Thistles, which looks like this --

Carol Baxter kindly sent this to me so I'll happily include it here --

You can click on the above to enlarge it.

 Thanks for stopping by today!  

Mini Gift Box Covered with Stencil Prints

The idea for today's project is far from an original one, but it's something I never tried before.

I started with a small gift box that came with a matching lid...

Above:  On the bottom left is a piece of foreign newsprint that has been stencil-printed on the side not visible.  To its right is the gift box lid.  I've brushed heavy gel medium across the top of the lid.

Below, the medium-covered lid has been pressed upside-down onto the piece of newsprint.  My next step was to draw lines radiating out from the four corners.  I didn't bother with math-perfect measurements!  I knew I would be trimming off excess paper at the top and bottom.  
    

After cutting off that excess paper, I cut along each of the 4 lines.  Then I started brushing heavy gel medium onto the flaps.  As each flag was coated with gel, I folded it up, over the side of the box lid.... 

Having finished covering the box lid, I set it aside; it's shown -- now right-side up -- on the far left in the photo below.  The foreign newsprint had been previously stencil-printed on this side with my 6" x 6" stencil Ornamental Iron Curls.

In the photo above, at the top left, lies an old map that's been printed with my 9" x 12" stencil Loopy Ladders.  In the lower right is the bottom of the gift box. 

After I covered the bottom of the gift box -- taking the same steps as I had with its lid -- I cut a gift tag from the leftover Loopy Ladders print. The tag appears on the upper right in the photo below.  

Below are two shots of the finished mini gift box.  I've attached the gift tag by punching a hole thru its upper left corner and running a piece of gift wrap ribbon thru it, before tying the ribbon into a bow.

The 6" x 6" stencil Ornamental Iron Curls looks like this --

-- and the 9" x 12" stencil Loopy Ladders looks like this --

Many thanks for taking time to visit my blog today!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

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Rainbow Art made with CLUSTERED LEAVES 9" x 12" Stencil

An artist who goes by "@jadanchik" has created artwork in vibrant bold stunning rainbow colors, using StencilGirl stencils.  I'm delighted that one of these glowing creations was made with my 9" x 12" stencil Clustered Leaves.

The stencil itself looks like this:

Clustered Leaves 9" x 12" stencil

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

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To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.

More 3D Art-- with Janet Joehlin and LOOPY LADDERS Stencil

A few months ago, in a now-ended blog hop at StencilGirl Talk, Janet Joehlin used my 9" x 12" stencil Loopy Ladders in making this unique brush holder --

Following this link for StencilGirl Talk, you can read all about her process; she included step-by-step photos.

Loopy Ladders in its entirety looks like this --

For this project, Janet did what I often do -- she cut the stencil to make a strip of the right size to fit around her substrate.  Kudos to you, Janet!

Thanks for visiting here today!

To see the multiple pages of my stencils, please check here.

Please subscribe to StencilGirl Talk so you won't miss out on future blog hops; you may end up winning a prize!  

And/or you can keep current on all upcoming StencilGirl blog hops and their giveaways by checking here. 

Using EtchAll Products for Etching on Glass with Stencils! -- Art by Debi Adams

A few months ago, in a now-ended blog hop, Nosegay Stencil (9" x 12") was one of the StencilGirl stencils used by artist Debi Adams, in making this gorgeous 3-dimensional artwork --

Debi's artwork here really showcases the beauty that can be achieved by using stencils for etching on glass!  Check out Etchall.com!   

Thanks for visiting here today!

To see the multiple pages of my stencils, please check here.

Please subscribe to StencilGirl Talk so you won't miss out on future blog hops; you may end up winning a prize!  


And/or you can keep current on all upcoming StencilGirl blog hops and their giveaways by checking here. 

NOSEGAY Stencil (9" x 12")

Summer is here!  Flowers are blooming outdoors in the garden, and indoors in the art journal!

Today's post features Nosegay, a 9" x 12" stencil, which I used on two papers, one a white-painted page from an old encyclopedia, and another a paper dyed with watered-down leftover paints.

In printing both papers, I used the quick and easy approach of loading a sponge brayer with heavy-bodied acrylic paint.

Below is an example showing the way I load the sponge brayer.
   

But this time, instead of running the brayer thru just one color, I ran it over several colors that I'd lined up on a disposable foam plate.

This is the way I got the multi-colored results shown above.  

Similar results could be achieved using a Gelli Plate spread with a "rainbow" of acrylic colors.

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To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please go here.  You'll find lots of flower stencils included!

Thanks for visiting my blog today!

PRAYER FLAGS (9" x 12") and OSPREY WINGS (6" x 6") Stencils Together

Two stencils were used in making this art on stretched canvas --

Background areas across the painting were created with Prayer Flags (9" x 12") ...

... and the focal area was developed with a mask I'd made using my 6" x 6" stencil Osprey Wings --

It's easy to make a temporary mask with a silhouette stencil like this one.  I simply placed the stencil atop a sheet of sturdy cardstock and, with a fine-tip pen, traced along the edges of the top Osprey above.  

To cut out the shape, I used fine-detail scissors by Fiskars.  However, for fine-detail work (such as the wing edges), some artists prefer using Exacto knives and cutting mats.

After cutting out my temporary mask, I created my focal point, placing it on the canvas and, with a Sofft Sponge, daubing acrylic paints around it.

Sometimes,  at StencilGirl.com, you can find a sale on StencilGuts.  Each package of these stencil cut-outs features a theme, including a birds theme.  If you're lucky enough to grab one of these, you'll have bird masks ready-made!  To keep track of these sales, check out StencilGirl on Facebook.

Thanks for visiting here today!

To scroll thru the pages of my StencilGirl stencils, please start here.