Lynne Moncrieff: Seek Stillness

Hello! This is Lynne Moncrieff, and I’m thrilled and honored to be a Guest Designer for StencilGirl®! This invitation was such a beautiful artful surprise.

Although I did not know what form my project would take, I instinctively knew it would be with a nature theme. StencilGirl® has a vast range within the theme of nature; I was spoilt for choice!

On receiving the stencils, as I studied the designs, I had thoughts of creating a handmade journal. However, I take a very fluid approach to creating and the initial thought of a journal transpired into more. As I allowed the project to find its own path, the outcome was a handmade folder containing three scrappy journals and I couldn’t help myself, I also made a pouch.

The style of the stencils also determined the other supplies I worked with. When working with a nature theme, it is close to my heart to incorporate recycling and other “Green” options. For this project, I incorporated eco dyed elements, used teabags and recycled paper.  

This project “Seek Stillness” is a nod to the serenity found within nature and of course, within creating. 

StencilGirl® Supplies

Thicket Background

Celestial Grove

Leaf Poetry

Red Rosin Paper was measured to approx. 13” x 6”. On one side only, white Gesso was applied followed with watercolors, applied in a very loose manner. This panel was machine stitched to eco dyed unperforated teabag paper. By folding the bottom edge of the teabag paper, almost half-way up and machine stitching down the center fold, to form two interior pockets.

For the front cover, a trio of leaves from the Leaf Poetry stencil was stenciled onto a used teabag, with contents disposed off (!) with a combination of Stabilo black water-soluble pencil and Distress Crayons, working with the minimum amount of water to blend the media. Stamped PaperArtsy grasses and a partially stamped, That’s Crafty!  Lynne’s Affirmation stamp, were the only additions to the front cover, with the backside of the machine stitching providing extra detail and a textural quality.

Opening the folder, the contents of a pocket with a handful of eco dyed teabags and a trio of journals.

The gorgeously evocative Thicket Background was stenciled onto the lower half, again working with Distress Crayons, applied with my fingertips, barely wetting a paintbrush with water to blend the colors. This resulted in a slightly diffused appearance which I found appealing, beautifully organic.

At this stage, I turned my attention to creating journals. Inside the right side pocket nestles one of the journals. 

To create a journal, I layered various found papers, some tea/coffee stained and others eco dyed. This bundle was machine stitched down the left side. To this I layered a small bundle of eco dyed large, self-fill teabags. Each journal has stenciled leaves as a focal, again with the combination of water-soluble pencil and crayons.

When I have a tea/coffee staining session or creating bundles for Eco dying, I like to gather a variety of papers and textiles, which provide me with the freedom to dip into when a creative session is underway. 

To bring interest to the pages, I randomly stamped, textural style stamps, focusing on the page edges.

The feeling I wanted to create with the stenciled leaves was that of old, dried crumbling leaves, leaves towards the end of their lives. Fragments of handmade paper which had been Eco dyed, layered onto the stenciled leaf helps to tell this story which is strengthened by the stamped words (PaperArtsy).

Leaf Poetry is a beautifully designed stencil, easily allowing the artist to isolate individual leaf designs to stencil yet there is also the option to work with this generously sized stencil as a whole.

On completion of the inside of the folder, including the journals, I decided to return my attention to the outside of the folder, this time the rear.  Focusing on the circular element on the Celestial Grove stencil, I stenciled directly onto the rear cover. Onto another used teabag, the stenciling of another of the Leaf Poetry leaves with quick machine stitching prior to adhering to the stenciled circular element. Selected areas of the stylized trees from Celestial Grove were also stenciled. Finally, another partially stamped, that’s Crafty! Lynne’s Affirmation.

A torn length of eco dyed calico was machine stitched to front flap of folder, long enough to wrap around the closed folder, tucking the end in to bind it.

Recycled brown packing paper, easily transformed into a pouch. After applying white Gesso followed with watercolors, the bottom edge was folded upwards, machine stitching the sides with more machine stitching, this time to the upper flap, a length of re-cycled calico, painted with watercolors and stenciled with leaves from Leaf Poetry.

It has been a joy to create and share this project with you. I hope it will inspire you to create your own nature inspired journals and folder, rooting around your home for recycled elements to incorporate into your project.

Lynne Moncrieff lives in Scotland.

She embraces this creative life and any new art adventures that might come her way.

She welcomes visitors to the following sites:

Blog: Adorn @ https://lynnesbowsandbelles.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynne.moncrieff

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stampingandbeyond/

Pinterest @ https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lynnemoncrieff/?eq=lynne&etslf=4211

That’s Crafty Lynne’s Affirmations stamps available @ http://www.thatscrafty.co.uk/