Typography Art Journal Cover by Wendy Baysa

So glad you stopped by! We are excited to introduce you to one of our newest team members, Wendy Baysa, and her first wonderful piece of art as a Creative Team member.

Hello, Wendy here. 

Today I will be working on the cover of this Jane Davenport canvas journal that I picked up for a hot buy at Micheal's for a whopping $6.97! The journal measures 6" wide x 9" tall.
Start by generously applying collage medium onto one side of the journal cover. I used a palette knife but a brush or credit card can be used also. 

Be sure that the collage medium is thick enough to stay wet while applying, this is the trick to get the paper to become translucent. If the glue dries, it will remain frosty white.

The Typography collage paper is also 6" wide so I lined up the edge of the paper with the edge of the cover. 

Apply more collage medium, being careful not to rip or slide the collage paper but you want to be using enough pressure to press out any air bubbles or gaps between the paper and the canvas of the cover. Don't be skimpy with the medium, the wetness will help the collage paper adhere and transform it into a translucent state. 

Optional: If you prefer no brush marks, you can use your finger at this point and smooth the collage medium with your finger. You have a small window of time to do this step if like a smooth surface better. 

I used a sanding block to remove the excess but you can also rip, use water brush or scissors to remove the little extra.

Front and back ~ looks great as is or take it a little further like I did .....

When almost completely dry I started to rub the paper with quite a bit of force and what happened is where the collage medium was a bit thicker and not completely dry yet, the paper ripped up exposing some random solid areas of the canvas cover. Then I let dry overnight. 

I then added scraps of vintage piano paper rolls. This can be any vintage paper you may have on hand but try to stay with solid pieces vs busy (like music). Using this as a neutralizer and taming down the business of all the typography. You could also use gesso or acrylic paint. 

Using the Vintage Typewriter Numbers Stencil by Carolyn Dube L591 I pounced with Burnt Umber only on the vintage paper areas. If you accidentally get some on the white type. paper clean up with rubbing alcohol. I also added random words onto the vintage paper with Now is the Time Stencil by Carolyn Dube L317 both front and back.

I have a brown Stabilo All pencil and added some lines to the stenciling to add another dimension. 

Adding another layer by using a Versimark Brush side marker and Walnut Stain Distress Glaze in random letters. 

Edge the sides using Golden Black Gesso and a blender tool. 

To seal and get the glaze to a matte finish I applied Luiqutex Matte Medium to front and back with a brush.

For the final step a closer~ I poked a hole through with a craft pick and screwed in Idea-ology hitch fastener. Then stapled elastic on the back with the tiny attacher. That's it :) 
Here are a few final shots ..... 

I left the spine blank so I can write on it what I end up using this journal for. 
Thank you for joining me and have a blessed day! Wendy xo 

Wendy's bio:

Wendy says “she is thrilled, honored, and ecstatic to be invited to participate with the talented and inspirational SGCT and is so looking forward to the year”.
Wendy lives in Michigan with her husband of 24 years, 3 young adult children, and a miniature Aussiedoodle named Luna.

Her creative journey started long ago with exposure to many different mediums. Over the years she is self-taught in sewing, canvas expressionism along with a little realism painting, paper crafting, recycling furniture, and home décor just to name a few. Although she does admit to not being able to roller paint walls or knit. Sssshhh, lol. Wendy also enjoys outdoor time which includes grilling, gardening, campfires, and skiing. 

Discover Wendy: www.dabbledoday.com 

Art Journaling Layers with StencilGirl® Products

Pond of Inspiration 

The lotus flower is quite exotic and one of my favorite flowers. It reminds me of all the different places in the world I would love to visit. But my first memory of the lotus flower was my Dad's backyard pond. He loved to garden and could be found most summer evenings and Saturdays playing in the dirt. He transformed most of our backyard into beautiful flower beds by the time I went off to college.When I was a little girl, I remember he designed a pond, dug the holes and put in a waterfall. I went with him to the garden center where he allowed me to pick out fish and water lilies (lotus) and then we put them in the pond together. My Dad was so proud of that pond and I found it to be a source of relaxation and comfort. I spent many hours sitting and playing in the pond while growing up.

Creating the Layout

Backgrounds are my favorite way to use stencils as they create so much depth and texture.

But they also make the best focal points. 

I used PaperArtsy Chalk Paints to color my stenciled images. And who doesn't love a little bit of gold glam from embossing.

I created a flip out page because I love interactive pages.

I loved the background texture and decided I couldn't cover it up so the flip out allowed me room to decorate.

I am so glad that you stopped by the blog today. Stay creative! You can visit my BLOG for more stencil inspiration.

Kate Yetter

Stencils Used In Today's Project:

Just a Few Minutes With Mary Beth

Come along as it gets real this month. 

If you are interested in watching my technique Livestreams on Facebook, 

you may find them on the StencilGirl® Products Facebook page, 

every Tues & Thurs at 1pm Central Time. 

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Just a few minutes with Mary Beth!

Stay tuned!

Mary Beth Shaw will be back again next month with another new VLOG post!

Cat Kerr: StencilGirl® Products & Leather!

Hi, everyone! Cat Kerr here! Glad to be back to share another tutorial!

I've been obsessed with leather lately. I've been working on wallets and book covers and even jewelry. I've been cutting and shaping and stitching and dying it. I've also been painting it, which is what originally led me to start thinking of leather as not only a workable material which can be cut, stitched and dyed but also as a possible substrate that can be embossed, stamped, and you guessed it...stenciled. 

Today I'm making a simple leather cuff, but honestly, there's nothing simple about it. What I mean is that my video shows you how to add design to leather using one application, but there is so much more design possibility here. The cuff part will always be created the same way and with StencilGirl® Products’ store full of amazing stencils to choose from, well... there's no limit to the design opportunity! Plus, keep in mind that leather paint works almost the same way as acrylic paint (it doesn't crack when you bend it, which is great for cuffs). That means you can end up creating a work of art...for your wrist. How cool is that!

Material list:

Veg Tan leather 3-4 oz. Weaver.com

Blade Awl

Metal Ruler

StencilGirl® Products Stencils

StazOn Pigment

Sandpaper

Snap Closure and setter

Hole Punch

Leather Dye

Turquoise Leather Paint

Leather Sealer

Wood Burnisher

Doodles and Doodahs Delight

Do you doodle?

Posca Pens

Inktense Pencils 

Stabilo "Woodies"

Uniball Signo White Pen

Dina Wakley Scribble Sticks

Sakura Pigma Microns

Tombo ABTs

Tim Holtz Distress Crayons
Papermate Gel Pens

Whatever pens, pencils, and crayons you have, they adore StencilGirl® stencils!

Here are five fairly random stencils for fantastic fun finger play. Let your mind go.

You can hardly go wrong with one of Andrew Borloz' Crazy Quilt Stencils. 

This one happens to be, Crazy Quilts Calm & Frenzy.

Want a slightly slower pace? Try: Mod Ovals and Circles by Lizzie Mayne.

Lizzie stayed with a monochromatic theme. What color would you choose?

Tame the tornado, Doodle It Tornado Flowers by Maria McGuire that is.

Here's how in 3 steps:

1. Stencil background.

2. Cut out shapes.

3. Embellish shapes. Of course, you are allowed to use more stencils :)

Stencils you see by other designers: Urban Insiders Square, Text & Texture, Free as a Bird, Now is the Time, and Wall of Words.

Scribble. Scribble. Scribble.

Make it partially readable by covering some of your thoughts with paint.

Make it partially legible by writing close together.

Keep it secret by writing half over each line.

Not sure what to scribble? Try song lyrics or a poem.

Is Figments of Imagination by Carolyn Dube the first stencil with masks you were thinking of using for scribbles? Maybe not, but it so works if you are in a mood that is perhaps partially perplexed, whimsical, or simply need to lighten the mood.

And really, there is no justification needed for art journaling!

Circle Web by Sui Dennis has all sorts of spaces to capture an entire thought or (depending on the day, right?!) scattered words and colors.

Circle Web is in the background but adding Scrappy Cat and Fun House Checks you can use stencils with pens and pencils and crayons almost like creating your own paint-by-number:

Remember, StencilGirl® stencils are as pictured. The white part is the mylar and the black area is for you to paint and doodle to your heart's content.

What are your fave stencils and pointed colorful tools to use for divine doodles and doodahs?