The humble paper bag! Carry It :) :) :)

Hello, Hello, fellow StencilGirl Fan :) :) :)

Today I would like to share with you my creative take on our new theme, 'Carry It!' 

Do you remember using a paper bag to carry your lunch to school in???  I do! :) 

Recently I have been using paper bags in my Junk Journals and I have been absolutely LOVING IT! 

So, with that in mind, I would like to share with you 3 arty brown paper bags that I have created using the fabulous StencilGirl stencils with!!! :) The inspiration for these arty paper bags comes from an incredible artist, Brooke Wandall,  The Original Terrarium Painter.

I have used 2 fabulous StencilGirl Stencils:

The Layers of Scallop Stencil by Mary Beth Shaw

    

And, the Ladders Stencil by Carolyn Dube
                                                                                                                                            

Whilst it is probably easy to see how I created these arty paper bags, I have created 2 step-out photo collages to briefly depict the basic creative process of creating the backgrounds before stamping on the flower images and the final embellishment tweaks.

• To begin with, I gathered the following supplies; brown paper bags, acrylic paint, StencilGirl stencils, Stamps, black ink pad, black embossing powder, Embossit pen, black Stabilo pencil, Fude ball journal pen, Posca paint pens, Gel printing plate, brayers, heat tool, and acrylic stamping blocks.
• I used the gel printing plate to lay down the 2 color blocks of paint onto the paper bags.
• I also used the brown paper bags to create a vase shape that I could transfer onto the paper bag backgrounds.

• As you can see from the above photo collage, and the images of the actual finished paper bags, I used the stencil and vase mask 2 different ways to transfer the stencil patterns, first onto the vase, and then to the surrounding space around the vase.

Here are some close-up photos of the finished arty paper bags :) :) :)

                   

       

            

Well, that is it from me for this fabulous themed challenge, I have so loved creating these arty paper bags for my junk journal.

Cheers and Happy Stenciling!!!!

Louise :) :) :)

Butterfly Journal by Lisa Hoel

Hello there, I’m Lisa Hoel and I’m honored to be here and share my latest journal project with you. I’m in love with Jennifer Evans’ Butterfly with Borders stencil and I designed a project around it! I thought it would look fabulous wrapped around the cover of a journal. So see for yourself and read on to see how to achieve this look.

When I’m using stencils, one of my favorite techniques is to use lots of layers to give it visual texture. (I’ll show more of that in my step by step photos.)

I used many stencils inside the journal as well:

Onto the how to…

Materials Used:

StencilGirl® Stencils

Eileen Hull Sizzix Journal Die

Sizzix matboard

Text stamps

Ranger Emboss-It Dabber

Distress Oxide Ink Pads (various colors)

Distress Ink Pad - Tattered Rose

Distress Spray Stain - Twisted Citron

Archival Ink - Pale Ochre

Sakura Souffle Pens

Charms & embellishments

Text weight paper for signatures

Button

Sari silk ribbon

Step 1 – After cutting out the journal cover pieces I stamped on them using archival ink and the script text stamps (Stampers Anonymous Ledger Script). I also rubbed my Tattered Rose ink pad on my craft mat and misted it with water – then laid my cover boards down onto the ink droplets to create a speckled ink pattern in addition to the stamping. (It’s all about building texture with layers!)

Next I implemented the “faux batik” resist technique using the Butterfly with Borders stencil. I took the Emboss-It dabber and used it to apply embossing ink through the stencil over my prepared cover pieces. I then embossed it with clear embossing powder to protect the lighter under colors and resist my subsequent layers of inking.

Stencils used on front: Butterfly with Borders, Woodland Leaves, Mod Circles & Ovals Small

Step 2 – Once I was done adding all my layers of stenciling on the front, it was time to remove the embossed resist and really get that ‘batik’ look. You need a few sheets of absorbent plain newsprint paper and an iron. Lay the paper over the area that’s embossed and then place your iron (no steam!) over it until the heat melts the embossing again and it’s absorbed into the paper. I like to lift my paper up as I slowly glide the iron along so the paper doesn’t stick. If it does stick, just reheat the area to melt the powder again and lift off the paper.

I embellished the stenciled design with Sakura Souffle Pens. When the ink dries they turn a chalky color and are wonderful for adding details.

Step 3 – More stamping and stenciling on the inside of the covers!

Stencils used: Birds & Bunnies, Woodland Leaves, Mod Circles & Ovals Small

When I was done with the stencilling and pen work, I glued the two cover halves together. I like to use a strong liquid glue and let it dry well but you can use the super strong tape strips too.

Step 4 – I made the journal inserts from scratch and gussied up the covers with Spray Stain and … more stencilling! ;-)

Stencil used: Butterfly with Borders

I hope you are inspired to go off and create! Thanks for stopping by. You can always come visit my little corner of the cyber world and see what else I’ve been up to.

Blog

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

Using Resist Techniques to Create Cards

Hi all - Jessica Sporn here.  

Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days and commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year, starts at sundown on September 13.    It begins a 10 day period, known as the Days of Awe, which culminates with Yom Kippur, the most important and solemn day of the year.  Like the tradition of making New Year resolutions for January 1, Jews look inward during this time period and reflect on mistakes of the past year and plan changes for the New Year.  (Unlike the American New Year, Rosh Hashanah is not a time of drinking and sports watching!)  

It is customary to send Jewish New Year cards.  So I thought I'd make some this year, using resist techniques with my StencilGirl Stencils, and some of my coordinating stamps from Rubbermoon.  

I used 6 x 9" Watercolor paper, which I folded in half, to create 4 1/2" by 6" cards.   Using a watermark pad, I stamped the Tree of Life and Hamsa images from Rubbermoon.  Then I added embossing powder, which I melted with my heat tool.

Using white gesso, I pounced through the Cascading Leaves, Paisley Floral Repeat,  Garden Flowers and Leaves, and words and images from the Happy Birthday Icons, and Teacups and Teapot stencils from StencilGirl Products.

Once the gesso was thoroughly dry, I painted over all of the cards with various watercolor washes.  As the watercolors dried, the gesso stenciled areas resisted the paint, and the patterns showed through.

I used my Derwent Intense pencils to add shadowing and detail. 

You can watch my process in this video.  

Or watch "Gesso and Embossing Resist Techniques" on YouTube here.

I hope this tutorial gives you some ideas about how to combine your favorite stencils with some of your favorite stamps!

StencilGirl Guest Designer Magdalena Muldoon

Hi, I'm Magdalena Muldoon. I am the owner of MercArt. MercArt was founded in 1970 in Mexico City by Magdalena Barrena (my mom).Since then, MercArt has been offering only the best quality products. In 2002 I moved to Texas with my husband and three daughters and I created MercArt USA, becoming the first company in the US to offer the best quality and most complete variety of tools and metals for Metal Embossing. We are commited to excellence, not only in our products, but also in our Craft.

I'm here today to show you how to 

emboss metal with stencils!

 First decide what to emboss: Place the aluminum (color up) over the stencil and over the acrylic IF you want the white part of the design to be embossed. IF you want the blank or empty parts of the design to be embossed, then place the stencil on the color side, and flip the metal to the back over the acrylic.

I am using two StencilGirl stencils today. Large Tribal hand and Small Segments.

Small Segments is the Deal of the Day at StencilGirl Products!

1. Rub the metal against the stencil with a paper stump until you can clearly see the design.

2. Outline every part of the design with the pointy part of the Teflon D-01 tool.

3. Flatten any bump on the metal with a paper stump.

4. For the background, place the metal over the stencil and rub with the paper stump to see the design.

5. Outline each line with the Teflon D-01 tool.

6. Remove the color off the embossed areas with a sanding block.

7. Use the thin Fiber Glass tool to remove the color from small or specific areas.It 

removes the color better than the sanding block. (Remember to clean any fiber glass  residue with a damp paper towel).

8. Add a border with any Decorative Wheel.  This is done at the back of the metal and on the suede.

9. Rub the metal with your choice of any Gilders Paste color to add several patinas and tones to the metal.

10.  At the back of the metal and over the suede, emboss assorted areas of the design with the Cup and Ball and the paper stump to create a bigger dimension and make the metal “puff”

11. Fill the embossed areas at the back with MercArt’s  “Filling Paste” and let it dry. This will prevent any embossed areas from being pushed down.

Here is another version with a slightly different color:

Where You Can Find Me

Website

Blog

Facebook

Products used:

StencilGirl Products Large Tribal Hand and Small Segments

MercArt’s green aluminum       

MercArt’s Teflon Tool D-01 

MercArt’s Cup and Ball #4 

MercArt’s Paper Stump #3   

MercArt’s Big Decorative Wheel   

MercArt’s suede   

MercArt’s Filling Paste    

MercArt’s Thin Fiber Glass Tool. 

Glass or acrylic (surface to work on)

Gilders Paste in assorted colors: Foundry Bronze, German Silver, African Bronze, and Copper.*

Sanding Block

Available Gilders Paste colors @ MercArt: Rich Gold, African Bronze, Copper, Iris Blue, Verdigris, Slate, Foundry Bronze, Sandalwood, Rust, Patina and German Silver