Happy, a mixed media scrapbook page by Sue Plumb

Hello stencil lover!

It's Sue Plumb here with you today to share my latest project for the StencilGirl Creative Team. Today's project was created for our current theme of "Passages". This theme had my mind going in several different directions; but in the end I decided to interpret the theme quite literally, and create a scrapbook layout that documented a special passage in my life. 

Here's a look at my layout, simply entitled "Happy"...

This layout not only refers to an actual passage (a corridor at the hospital) but it also marks an important passage of time for myself and my boys. I am thankful that on the day this photo was taken that I took the time to write down my feelings. (I will share my journaling with you later in this post.)

With my subject decided and photo printed, it was time to get started on my page. I began with a sheet of heavyweight white cardstock and Distress Oxides in the shades of Picked Raspberry and Seedless Preserves. I applied the first ink to my non-stick craft mat, added a spritz of water, and then swirled the water through using my fingertip before laying the cardstock over the top to absorb it. I then repeated the process with the second ink and the end result was a vibrant, watercolour style background.

Once my initial layer of colour was down, it was time to pull out my stencils and start building some layers on my page. The first stencil I chose was the 4x4" stencil included in the StencilGirl Club Rex Ray-esque collection. This collection of stencils was designed by Valerie Sjodin, and the small stencil I selected from the set features a block style pattern that is almost brick-like in appearance. I used teal Archival Ink and a small sponge to apply the pattern in three places surrounding the focal area of my layout.

Now it was time to add some texture to the page. But which stencil to use was the question? Drawing on the theme of my layout, and how the passage of time had seen my boys come "full circle" to this moment, I chose a stencil with a lovely, loose circular pattern called Circles in the Sand, designed by Roxanne Evans Stout. I then used a palette knife to apply some lilac coloured texture paste through the stencil over the top of the inks. The free flowing pattern of this stencil contrasted nicely to the structure of the first one I had used. 

Although happy with how my background was looking at this point, I really felt that it needed some contrasting highlights to provide more depth. I used one of my very favourite stencils - Organized Chaos by Cat Kerr, which I combined with gorgeous gold glaze from Vicki Boutin.  

Now satisfied with my background, I turned my attention to the focal area of my page and to creating some papery layers. I started with a heart print paper bag to act as the anchor, and it was also where I was going to store the journaling that I had written onto a couple of pieces of patterned paper.

Next, I added some pieces of patterned paper from the Cocoa Vanilla Studio 'Bohemian Dream' collection, which features pretty pink / purple / blue tones and gorgeous floral elements. I also added a couple of paper doilies and some frayed gauze, before adding my photo on top. 

I used a variety of pieces from the same collection to embellish my layout including die cuts, stickers, and a chipboard title. I also fussy cut a few pieces from a floral paper and tucked them in around the photo mat.

If you would like to hear the story behind this layout, here is what my journaling read:

A big day for us today! Back to where it all began for the boys 4 year old (and final!) development assessment as RBWH. Walking the hallway lined with photos, through that glass door and into those never forgotten sounds and smells of the NICU still made me tear up and catch my breath. I had to look away from all the tiny, fragile patients in their "boxes", and the tired, bleak faces of their anxious mothers, because it breaks my heart to know what they are going through.

It is good to know our participation in this program over the past 4 years has provided valuable data to researchers to help care for very premature and extremely low birth weight babies born in future.

Before we left I took a moment to pause in this spot with my boys. At the end of the hall behind us are rooms full of memories - the place I first saw my them, touched their skin, held them and fed them. Moments that felt like I waited forever for each one; and wasn't sure would even happen when I was first admitted. (And were it not for the expert care my boys received here, would certainly not have.)

On the day they were born I was wheeled in as the mum of premmie twins, including the smallest baby in the hospital.Today I walked out holding their hands and knowing how lucky I am.

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

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Passages Through Time by Linda Edkins Wyatt

Hello.

Time travel has fascinated me for years. I wonder about past lives, wonder if I have lived before, and if so, who I was. I have sometimes had the experience of being in a new place, yet feeling like I know it, like I have lived there or been there before. I often watch films and television shows about time travel, and one of my very favorite books is Time and Again, by Jack Finney.

This feeling overcame me when I moved to New York City 40 years ago and was exploring different neighborhoods. On the Lower East Side, I saw a park and a row of old houses that I felt I knew. I hadn't seen a photo of it, or read a book about it. But I did feel like there were memories of the park and houses inside me waiting to be discovered. I had the same feeling in Paris, when I visited Montmartre. It seemed so familiar, and I wondered if I had lived there and been part of an art scene from yesteryear. I felt that odd familiarity with a new place driving through an old tenement area, which was under renovation, near Albany, NY. Most recently, that "I know this place" feeling hit me when working in Harlem.

So to illustrate the StencilGirl® travel/passages theme, I thought, "Time Travel!" and decided to create a little old-fashioned city-scape to illustrate the idea.

Here's a video which shows my process:

The woodblocks and matchboxes were painted with a few coats of white or black gesso.

I have been collecting cardboard boxes that hold wooden matchsticks. Paired with some house-shaped wooden blocks that I snapped up for $1 each at a discount store, I had a good foundation for the project. I painted one of the blocks white, and the other black, and did the same with the matchboxes.

Next, I used the December 2018 StencilClub set, Fancy Houses, designed by Valerie Sjodin, to create the buildings. I stamped a Versamark pad through the stencil, then sprinkled the white shapes with black embossing powder, and the black shapes with white powder, then zapped it with a heat gun. On the back of the blocks, I got a little more experimental, using gold embossing powder on one, and on another, adding color with Derwent Watercolor Blocks.

Areas from the Fancy Houses StencilClub set were used to decorate the blocks and boxes.

I had to be verrrry careful with the matchboxes...there was a fine line between melting the embossing powder thoroughly and burning the box! I also had a little trouble getting a crisp image on the box, especially on the sides where there was a textured strip for striking the matches. Since I was using mostly black and white, I touched up any unwanted blobs and speckles with a black sharpie or a little bit of paint on a small brush.

My stencils were larger than the boxes and blocks, so I selected strategic areas of the stencil, like using just the light post on the edge of one of the blocks. On the other sides of the boxes and blocks, I used the windows or doorway areas, and also a key stamp to add interest. On the back of the blocks, I got a little more experimental, using gold embossing powder on one, and on another, adding color with Derwent Watercolor Blocks.

The sides of the boxes and blocks were also painted and embossed.

The cabaret paper doll fits inside the matchbox. Here, she dances atop the backside rooftops.

I couldn't resist making a little cabaret-inspired black and white paper doll to live in--and dance on top of--my time-travel village.

The old-fashioned doll was made with a Rubber Moon stamp and a Graphics Fairy vintage hat image.

A subtle detail was flipping the clock image before printing to give the idea that time was going in a different direction. I used a vintage image from The Graphics Fairy.

While I may never actually time travel, my little village makes me think about the possibility, and definitely makes me want to read my old favorite book again.

Linda

Passages: Stenciled & upcycled privacy window envelopes

Greetings and Salutations!

Looking for a creative pick-me-up? You have landed on the right blog. Today we are going to upcycle a privacy window envelope.

The Creative Team theme this month is passages, and these envelopes are going to pass from my house, across the wide world, to friends afar.

I became enthused watching one of Mary Beth's FB livestreams where she used window envelopes in her art journal so I took one from my stash and slowly tore it open at the glued areas. A squirrel passed by and then I was busy so the envelope sat on my desk for a few days.... 

Suddenly! Inspiration!

I am a letter-writer and rather than art-journal, it seems to me that these sorts of envelopes are ripe for repurposing even if the window is not always in the right place.

Here is the first one I made:

Because the envelope background is so busy, I thought it would be good to stencil with a single one. I choose Retro Comets, L048, by Mary Beth Shaw and I used acrylic paint on a sponge over spray mists (I love Lindy's brand!). Glue and washi tape form the seal.

Retro Comets Stencil

Arizona summers are dry so I spritzed the stencil with water afterward and made a ghost print on card-stock that I decided to use as a letter. I folded the ghost print in thirds and embellished the non-writing side with pens and a "Star Surfer" stamp by Sandee Setliff (She also has stencils). 

I measured and used washi tape to affix the TO part that will show through the window.

Here is another inside out envelope example using the large stencil from the StencilClub March Mashness set by Mary Beth Shaw and Carolyn Dube.

Tip: Don't forget to cover your windows before you spray.

I have a large box lid that is excellent when I want to use mists. 

I spritzed through the stencil (easier than acrylic) and embellished with colored pens.

To color in the flowers or just leave the outline? I could not resist more color.

Flying pigs make me smile. I used "Pigasus," another of Sandee's oh-so-cute stamps. 

Because the yellow marker bled through, I doodled on the other side above where I measured for the TO box.

Tip: If, despite your measurement, the TO area doesn't quite stay where you want in the window, affix the letter in place a bit of washi tape under the envelope flap.

All kinds of fun things could go in the windows if you were not mailing them. You could even stencil a surprise in the window for when the recipient takes the letter out.

Now I am ready to take apart all of the window envelopes I might otherwise have tossed and stencil pretty envelopes, are you?

Have fun!

Carol Baxter