She's like a rainbow: mark making with Jennifer Gallagher

Hello! 

Jennifer Gallagher here again with another post for StencilGirl Products®. This month we were challenged to ‘Texture It or Make a Mark on It’ and I’m doing just that with this bold art journal page. Mark-making is super easy with the right stencils. StencilGirl® has many stencils you can employ for adding marks and texture.Let's dive right in!

I decided to work in my large dylusions journal. Using just a basic mechanical pencil, I sketched out my basic layout and shapes. I knew I wanted to feature a fabulous 9x12 stencil from designer Pam Carriker. It was part of the Stencil Club set from November 2018 entitled "Her Story."

Next, using computer copy paper as masks, I followed the penciled design and painted each color of the rainbow one at a time. I used a premium acrylic paint here because I wanted vibrant colors. I started with red on the far right and worked my way across the journal spread from right to left.

I painted the face, my page focal point, through the stencil with a mini-blending tool and black acrylic paint. Once it was dry, I added a floral headdress with stencil L352, Deconstructed Floral Bouquet Stencil.

Now onto the mark-making. Using a different design for each colored section, I applied white acrylic paint through the stencils. Be sure to use a mask to prevent any unwanted cross-over of paint. I’ve picked the March 2019 Stencil Club release, Mail Art, designed by Ann Butler, the Playtime Collection, by Carolyn Dube,for Stencil Club in August 2018, and the February 2019 Stencil Club release, Mary Beth's Private Collection 19.1. I’ve left the yellow section free of marks. This is where my words will later be added. 

At this point I realized that the face would look much better if I “beat back” the colored sections that were peeking through. I used a watered down white acrylic and brushed a few layers on. Once dry, I placed the stencils back down and reapplied the black to keep those designs nice and dark and visually impactful.

With a black gelly roll pen I added doodling all around the stenciled designs. Then with a mini-blending tool, I added a rough black edge all around the art journal spread.

On my computer, I typed up a few song lyrics that I’ve had stuck in my head for a while now. I cut them out and glued them in place with a premium matte medium.

I have had so much fun on this mark-making adventure. Thank you for letting me share this art journal page spread with you. If you would like to see more of my work visit my blog or  look me up on Instagram.

Happy Creating,

Jennifer Gallagher

Experimenting with StencilGirl Stencils and Ceramics

Once upon a time, several decades ago, I loved to paint ceramics. Usually I would paint them all summer long. I don’t remember why I stopped. I only know that lately, the call to work with ceramics has been returning to me. This time is a bit different though. I have the maturity and desire to experiment and move beyond simple painting. I have not yet mastered making my own greenware but that’s ok. The art store near me has ready to paint greenware, supplies (glazes) and a kiln. Chances are you have a similar store near you.

Some shops have a dedicated creative space in which you can paint your greenware. If this is the case, just bring a few stencils along. They will also likely provide the paint/glaze for you to use. In my case, I had the option to buy my greenware and glazes and take them home (which greatly appealed to the introvert in me). I chose a non-toxic food safe glaze, several coffee mugs and a bowl. I picked a few stencils, grabbed a silicone sponge and paintbrush and was ready to start experimenting.

Though stenciling on greenware has a few similarities to stenciling on other items, there is one key difference when working with a mug or bowl. The surface is curved. I did learn a few tricks that helped keep my greenware in place.

Here are a few key takeaways that I learned as I went along:

1.You can prevent the mug or bowl from moving by nestling it in a rolled up in an old towel, baby blanket or shirt.

2. Smaller stencils sized 6x6 or smaller are easiest to use.  You can still use a larger stencil. Just take it slowly and use small sections of the larger stencil. Consider cutting the larger stencil into a smaller piece that will lay against the curved surface more easily.

3. Usually the glaze dries quickly. However, be sure it is fully dry before moving to the next section.

4. Pay attention to border designs or repeating designs to ensure you will have the design just the way you want it. Be willing to adjust you design by filling in open spaces with free hand drawings or other smaller sections of stencils. For long stencils, pay attention to how they fit on the curve. Be willing to reposition the stencil so that the design remains on a horizontal line.

I used a combination of free hand drawing and stenciling on all four pieces of greenware. Not all of my creations were successful (in my opinion) as the stenciled design was not always as crisp as I wanted it to be. I struggled a bit with the larger stencils. However, I still think all of the pieces came out pretty cute.

The first mug I created was my favorite.  The Decorative 6-Petal Flower Screen was the perfect size to curve around the mug. I transferred the face from my art journal and the stencil complemented it perfectly.

The second mug was all about creative play. I painted a quick border on the bottom and then stencil over the paint with the Pilgrimage to Mexico Stencil.  The stencil job isn’t as crisp as I would have liked. This is the mug that really taught me about the struggle of using a larger stencil with a curved object. Still, the mug is playful and cute with the added cat doodles. I think I can do better if I try again. Creating is all about play and learning to live with imperfection.

I tried a free hand portrait on mug 4. The paisley design from the Pilgrimage to India Stencil was just the touch it needed. I was a bit heavy handed with the paint on the sponge (remember you don’t need too much) but I still like how it came out.

I found the bowl to be a bit more challenging than the mugs. When you wrap a border stencil around a mug, the design tends to slant. I learned to work in small sections, picking up the stencil and adjusting it so that the design of the Swag Borders and Dangles stencil stayed horizontal.

Using stencils on greenware was a fun way for me to return to painting ceramics. It’s a fun summer craft which you can do with your kids. For younger kids, I recommend trying the stencils on a flat surface before giving the more challenging curved surface of a coffee mug or bowl a go.

If you are curious about my other work, please feel free to stop by my blog or Instagram account. They are both a bit random as I create according to my mood. 

Happy Summer Crafting!

Christy Strickler

Mermaid Mixed Media Art Journaling

Hello, all! Katie Lamb here today to share a my new mixed media art journal layout with ATC Mixup Daley and Mermaids Stencil and Masks!

Start off by dabbing two tones of blue acrylic paint on to a blank journal with a make-up sponge.

Next take a texture background stamp and stamp it in navy blue along the center of the pages.

Take a few smaller ones and stamp those around the pages.

Use a makeup sponge to dab paint through the stencils and leave to fully dry.

Then place the stencil back over the image and draw around the outline of the stencil with a fine black pen.

Thank you for visiting!
Katie Lamb

FOUR easy Scrapbook Pages using StencilGirl® Products!

Hi there Stencil Fans!

It's Natalie and I'm back doing a little guest spot this month showing you
FOUR easy Scrapbook Pages using StencilGirl® products!

Life has been AMAZING & CRAZY for me this year and I have not been scrapping
as much as I'd like so it was a no brainer to create a page or four today 

especially for StencilGirl®!

This first page has been created using The Floral Frolic 9x12 designed by Wendy Brightbill.

Start with some smooth cardstock and use a modeling pate to wipe it over the Stencil. 

I wanted to only do half the page so made sure I didn't go right to the edge of the stencil -
I don't want to see a straight line of paste half way down the page. 

Once dry, I started with a Lindys Gang spray in Hibiscus Rose & gave it a generous spray. 

To help it drip down the page, I gave it a light mist with water. Before it dries, I added the next colour, Hydrangea Blue
then Time Travel Teal and the let it dry.

This is how it looks before adding the embellishments and photo.

And a few close ups.

The next page is using a similar technique but with a twist.

I used the Peony Bloom 6x6 stencil for this one (designed by Wendy Brightbill).  

When adding the paste, I dried it before doing another so that I didn't smudge or squish 

the image I had just stenciled.   Once dry, I use a paint brush to dip direct into the spray bottle and puddle the colour
on allowing it to bleed into the colour next to it.

And before the embellishments and photo.

And a few close ups.

 I think this next page is my fave of the four.

I wanted a delicate circle and the Butterfly with Border by Jennifer Evans was perfect!

For this page, I applied paste only to the circle and let it dry. 

I then applied water with a paint brush only to the stenciled area before dripping 

Lindys Squirts all over it. The colour only went where the water was! 

I dripped in a 2nd colour and then while it was wet, sprinkled some 

Magicals over it to add some additional shine!  The result is soooo incredible!

Here are the close ups.

And finally, a layout of my family.

This page is all about this photo so I had to keep it the hero.

The Circles Layer Me by Carolyn Dube was ideal for keeping the background simple.

Once the paste dried, I used a combinations of the Lindys Squirts in Black & Blue plus a spray in Teal 

to get that awesome colour to cover the page.

And finally the close ups.

So thats it! 

These four pages took me two hours to create the backgrounds and another 2 to do all 

the embellishing and finishing off!  

I love how easy it is to use stencils to create a beautiful background ... 

and StencilGirl® will always be my first love!

Until next time

xxx

Natalie May

StencilGirl® PRODUCTS USED - L380 The Circles Layer Me by Carolyn Dube, L499  Butterfly with Border by Jennifer Evans, S657 Peony Bloom 6x6  by Wendy Brightbill, L671 The Floral Frolic 9x12 by Wendy Brightbill.

OTHER PRODUCTS USED - Lindys Gang Sprays, Squirts & Magical, Liquitex Light Modeling Paste + assorted embellishments