Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Use Your StencilClub Stencils with Hand-carved Stamps

Hi everyone, it's Gwen here today to share a few projects I did with this month's exclusive set of StencilClub stencils designed by Mary Beth Shaw.

As usual, I absolutely love this month's stencils! When I pulled them out of the envelope and saw circle patterns, I did a little dance in my kitchen. I love me some circles! I felt like these would be fabulous mixed together with another of my latest obsessions - making my own hand-carved rubber stamps. I thought it would be really cool to have a set of stamps that would coordinate with my stencils, so I traced some of the circles from the 9x12 stencil onto different pieces of rubber, then drew and carved designs around them. Here's what I've made so far:


You can see from the placement on the stencil how I had intended for them to line up. I was really excited to play with the stamps and stencils together.

Here's my first art journal page - the background was done with watercolors, then I used my stencils with Archival Ink to layer on top. (Notice some of the circles where I layered the 4x4 scribbly stencil on top of the other circles - you just mask one stencil with the other... I love how this looks!) Then I used black Archival Ink to stamp a few images from one of my hand-carved stamps, doing my best to line up the center with the circle so that the inked background image would become part of the stamped design. Finally, I used Derwent Graphix markers to add some color (and dimensional paints, of course!) I was pretty excited about how well the elements worked together.


 Here you can see a bit of a close-up to get a better idea of how the stamps and stencils all worked together:


As soon as this page was dry, I flipped to a new page and started playing some more. This time I started with acrylic paints in the background and used the 6x6 stencil and some ink to get more pattern. Then I turned the 9x12 horizontally for a different look and used another stamp on top. So much fun!

If you look closely, you can see that I used the 4x4 again to get pattern in the middle of the dark blue circles. It gives just a little bit more texture and depth, I think.


Finally, I made a quick tag - this actually took me less than five minutes! (Of course, my stamps were already carved, but it shows how quickly you can pull something together with a few great tools.)


I took a pink shipping tag and stenciled the 4x4 all over the background with ink. Next I lightly added some pattern from the 9x12, moving it around as I went so that it wouldn't all line up. Then I stamped my flower over top of the small circles, added some leaf stamping, and embellished.

I had so much fun putting these together, and I'm sure I'll use the stamps and stencils together a lot more, and I'll definitely make more stamps to pair with my stencils!

Hopefully you're feeling inspired and excited to get this month's stencils. And if you're not yet a member, sign up by March 15th to start your membership with this set!



Happy Stenciling!
Gwen



5 comments:

  1. Love your rubber stamps and the way they complement these stencils, Gwen!!
    Was wondering what material you prefer to carve your stamps out of? I'd like to give this a whirl! :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary! I've tried a few different kinds of rubber for carving. The kind of retro / atom looking stamp was carved from a piece of Blick rubber and the others were SpeedBalll Speedy Carve. I prefer the Speedy Carve - it's a bit easier to carve and it takes details better. I have trouble using the #1 blades on the other types I've tried, and the tougher surface on those makes it easier to slip up and make mistakes. Hope that helps!

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    2. Thank you so much, Gwen! I read that SpeedBall Speedy Carve works great, so thanks for confirming!
      Your stamps ROCK!!

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  2. wonderful stamps and examples!

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  3. Love these designs Gwen!! Each one is unique and so pretty. I really dig how you incorporated your stamps, handwriting, and doodles.
    Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

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