Follow Your Heart, a mixed media scrapbook page by Sue Plumb

Hello stencil lover!

It's Sue Plumb here to share my latest project created for the StencilGirl® Creative Team. This time around our team was challenged with the themes of "Stencilled Poetry or Spring Break Stencil Party." As soon as I saw the word spring, my mind immediately went to flowers and my decision was made instantly. 

I am a huge fan of using flowers in my creations. In fact, I probably own more floral-themed stencils than any other type. And regardless of how many floral stencils I already have, I am always drawn to new ones because each one always offers something different. For this page, I decided to showcase one of my most favorite floral-themed stencils - Wildflower Bouquet designed by Wendy Brightbill. I wanted to allow the stencil to really shine, so I kept the remainder of the background quite minimal.

I began with a sheet of white cardstock and some Distress Oxides in Spun Sugar; Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry. I began with the Spun Sugar and applied the ink to my non-stick craft mat. I then spritzed it with some water and swirled it through with my fingertip to mix the color. I laid my cardstock over the top and smoothed it down with my hand to absorb the ink. I then dried it off and repeated the process with the other colors, which I used more sparingly than the first. (This was so I didn't overwhelm the stencil design that was going to be placed over the top.)

With the inks in place and dried off, it was the time to add my stenciled design over the top. I chose a Colour Blast by Bee Arty Colour Paste (Deep Water) to apply the design, as I wanted to use a product that would also add some texture. My paste color choice was largely dictated by the photo I was using, but also because I wanted something beautiful and bold to show off the floral design. To apply the paste I simply taped the stencil down onto my cardstock using washi tape; then masked off the stems of the bouquet, and then used a palette knife to spread the paste through the stencil and then set it aside to dry.

Once dry, I decided to add another stenciled layer to my background. This time I used another Distress Oxide (Lime Citron) and sponged the ink through the stencil. The stencil I chose was a soft, flowing script called Rembrandt's Words (small), designed by Carolyn Dube. The addition of the green provided an instant lift to the background, and the loose, organic design of the stencil added an extra layer of softness as well.

The final step for my background was to add some ink splatters. I used two inks - black and an emerald green, and a small stiff brush to add tiny splatters around my page. This added a bit of a "grunge" factor and helped tie in my photo. I then set my page aside and turned my attention to working on the layers that would go on top.

I gathered together a variety of patterned paper pieces that I cut and tore into different sizes and shapes and then stacked them together, securing the pile with a couple of staples. I then used tape to fix the stack onto my background before adding some frayed gauze and then my photo on top.

Now it was time for some more flowers! This time I didn't use a stencil however, it was time for some paper ones instead. I grabbed a selection of pink flowers and some green leaves from my stash and created 3 clusters with them, framing around my photo.

There was just one thing my layout was missing now - butterflies! When I think of spring and flowers, I also think of butterflies, so that was just what I needed to complete my page. I grabbed my Paint Tin and Butterflies stencil designed by Cathy Taylor (another of my favorites); Archival Ink and a sponge dauber. I chose a piece of watercolor style pink patterned paper and stenciled 3 butterflies of varying sizes onto the paper. I then fussy cut around them and adhered them onto my page.

Now it was time for the finishing touches. I added a few enamel dots on top of my butterflies to give them some extra detail; as well as placing a few extra scattered enamel dots around my page. I added a page title using a clear sticker from MAMBI, and a few coordinating clear heart stickers.

Here are a few close-ups of my finished project so you can see some of the details...

And here's a closer look at the three fabulous stencils I used to create this page:

Wildflower Bouquet

Rembrandt's Words (small)

Paint Tin and Butterflies

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

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