Road Trippin' Ready - Groovy Stenciled RV Curtain

Happy hubby thought he wanted a plain blue curtain.

Ever stenciled a big canvas? A wall? A curtain?

Peer into this post and you’ll find me, Carol Baxter, peering out at you from the front window of my RV. We can see each other because the Baxter home-away-from-home needs a curtain!

Acrylics in hand, this RV Curtain is my first attempt at painting anything larger than 18” x 24” that was not one color of paint on a wall. I am using regular acrylics instead of fabric paint as I am not anticipating a need to wash this curtain much.

I began at my kitchen counter (protected – eek! I nearly forgot this step - with a piece of board to protect it) and a 2 yards long piece of navy cotton duck, conveniently, at 70” x 43” just about the size I needed after sealing the edges with hem tape. I taped down the fabric after noting the vertical center.

Once hung between the cab of our Jamboree and the dining/cooking/sleeping area, much of the bottom right and some of the bottom left won’t be visible so I planned my painting to fade out. My counter space is smaller than my fabric so I’ll be moving and re-taping or rolling the fabric for Layers 2-5. Note that because this fabric was not stretched on a frame it did move and stretch a little.

Next: Gather stencils and lay them out. This was fun, I grabbed more stencils than I thought and ended up with ones (koi) I would not have thought about using had I not sorted through my folders.

Onto painting the sky! I thought the roller would be great, it was not. The squeegee worked okay. I cleaned up a few linear edges with paint on a sponge.

Area 1: I initially chose navy fabric because I figured the sky would be at least a third of my piece. I painted black and blue then white, blue, and pthalo blue to gradually take my sky from dark to light. I used white to create my mountain using the rock portions of the small stencil from the Caves and Ladders StencilClub set. I also used white to the color in the area where I will eventually park my Vintage Camper Trailer and I needed a couple of trees to hang my flags.

Area 2: I hand-painted in the trunk and arms of the trees that frame my trailer because I had the mask and not the stencil of the small WindsweptTree. Added another couple of layers to my mountain.

I used Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold (QNAG) to stencil in the trailer outlines. I filled the trailer in, then once it dried, went back in with black to outline the doors and windows so they have polka dot curtains. At this point, I am not sure what colors I am going to paint the flags and I have another couple of elements I want to add so I am holding off.

I am no gardener, but like art journaling, I keep trying. I yellow, pink, and orange to paint flowers using the small stencil from the Floral Fascinations StencilClub set around my abode and then sponged in a little green around the edges and used the small stencil from the Modern Botanicals StencilClub set to add some bushes.

Area 3: I completed this layer in two sessions and got excited for the second time when I started layering up the cenote.

First, I painted earthy greens and browns with a river running through it with the large stencil from the Early Art 2 StencilClub Set.

I was originally going to go for a beach scene, but the hubby and I are headed to Bottomless Lakes (cenotes, not really bottomless) in New Mexico for our first RV vacay in a couple of summers and lo and behold, Carol Wiebe designed a cenote for StencilClub back in September 2018 (okay, it might be a well, but I am using it as a cenote) and a cave in the mountainside was part of that set. Meant to be. I mixed a light blue for the water.

Stenciled in the bricks/rocks around it then went over them with a lighter paint.

Two Chinese Garden Koi swam into the picture. I used yellow to stencil one fish and then added details with black. I detailed the other fish in orange and black. I added the line details back in with QNAG.

If the fish are that big in Lake Lea, I will truly have a tale to tell when I get home!

I touched up the bricks/rocks and drew in the reeds around the water by dragging a toothpick through green paint. There were little marks around the cenote, so I stenciled in a bunch of flowers and then made some dot flowers with the end of my paintbrush.

The first time I ever swam in a cenote was near the Mayan Chichen Itzu Ruins. There were a couple hundred steps to get down to it and there were flowering vines hanging down, some to the waterline. The water was clear yet dark and soft. It was gorgeous and an amazing experience. The Cenotes in New Mexico are closer to level with the surface of the land. Cenotes are fed by underground rivers and rivers lead to the sea; facts lead me to the base of my RV curtain.

Rumor has it a Mermaid may be swimming in from the Coast.

Area 4: Although the curtain will only be up at night, I couldn’t decide between night or day, so I decided to go for both.

Time for scattered starlight. This section was pure fun!

I had previously swiped some back paint where I thought it would look cool as a darker sky. Not so much. The large stencil from Second Star to the Right... StencilClub set to the rescue! I hummed David Bowie tunes and stenciled in a bunch of black stars.

I used gold, silver, rose, and purple paint Soho paints and randomly stenciled in stars with

• Stars Stencil Stars Mask Edge
• Trefoil Rieven Glyphs (masked off)
• Night Sky Mini

We always have music around the fire at night so my moon glows as a Musical Roundabout in silver.

Area 5: Rose Window is a gorgeous stencil. I stenciled it in yellow and then went back and filled it in with yellow/white/orange. After it dried, I put the stencil back down as close as I could and stenciled it in gold. Subtle but fabulous.

I extended the cloudy sky.

There is a Japanese fairy tale about a rabbit who lives on the moon. I’m sending a Bunny in Motion to the moon via a Hot Air Balloon.

You can see the sun and the bunny in the quick video below.

Hang it: Sticky back Velcro strips (5lb strength). With the a/c on when we are plugged into electric the curtain makes a nice barrier to keep the cool air on us :)

Beats the heck out of the pinned-up sheet it has replaced. With the addition of grommets, I’ve hung my personalized RV curtain. Ray and I will now sleep sound knowing that nobody can see inside.

Touch-ups for later: Front curtain on trailer the trailer and I will probably paint the opposite side of the mountain black. 

Although this was an all-day-and-into-the-next-several art project, I might just be hooked on large formats. If you have not tried stenciling something big, I encourage you to try.

For me, totally worth it.

p.s. Have you seen all of the perks of StencilClub? Current members my order past club sets!

 

 

 

 

Mixed Media Pastiche is Bloomin' Fun!

Greetings & Salutations!

Carol Baxter sharing a few artsy-crafty stenciled projects today.

Vintage photos + stenciled papers + ephemera = my mixed media pastiche projects.

The stenciled backgrounds bring the work together. Imaginative words are optional.

You may know, Mary Beth used to sell her paintings at art fairs. She also sold picture collages of kids and adults with amusing sayings. Wry bits of art such as these never fail to make me smile and were my inspiration.

Mostly, I used papers from my stash for these projects.  

My Ink Sister Patty came up with this particular photo caption. I felt I needed a garden for the flying pig buzzing the little boys. Garden Flowers and Leaves & Garden Flowers and Leaves Outlined by Jessica Sporn made the background special. I actually spent a few hours making papers with these stencils. 

Bloomin’ Awesome is my next piece. I decided to let the photo speak for itself rather than add words.

I had a bit of photo mat paper I had purchased a bag of at the thrift store. I must have painted it at some point with the Spirit Wind Mask by Valerie Sjodin. That's Drops and Swirls Repeat, also by Valerie, stenciled on the cloth.

Dang! I remember when I could do this on a swing.

I had to break out my hot glue gun to affix the lace.

While I was playing with the bits and pieces I planned to use, I realized it needed more embellishment because the orange paper did not give it enough oomph. I added another layer of lace, a bit of map paper, as well as tracing and doodles – that upper left side was rather empty. A little burnish on the paper edges backing the photo gave the piece a little more depth. 

Sometimes subtle is what you need. Especially if you are stenciling words. 

This piece of paper from my stash was created with a pull from my gel plate using the small stencil from the Circle Up Set by Suzi Dennis for StencilClub March 2016.

Is it cheating? I was too lazy to stencil all the words I added so I dropped this into Photoshop. Apologies if there is a Katheryn Collingsworth. I made the name up.

I am one of those people that when I look at a map I want it to be facing the way I am traveling. The L-thumb-trick? I like it. Fortunately, I am happily married so I needn't worry about which way to swipe on a dating app but when I saw these two dudes and the expression on the face of the woman in the straw hat, this card was the result.

I used the It's a Small World Longitude Mask by Mary C. Nasser.

Another notecard using the Pollen for Bees Stencil by Daniella Woolf and Scribble Roses Stencil by Mary Beth Shaw.

Composition books cost a buck and are not very interesting. I covered these with some of Mary Beth's printed collage paper and then added a little embellishment.

If you're freaky then own it!

What's in your photo and stenciled paper collage stashes? Fair warning, mixed media pastiche is addictive!

Thanks for stopping by!

Carol B.

Masked for Fat Tuesday Grocery Shopping & Pet Walking

Mardi Gras Time!

Carol Baxter greeting! I wear many hats but I swapped hats for masks today and I am so glad you have joined me!

Mask 1: Starman

This mask was inspired by one of my favorite musicians, the late David Bowie. 

I made my collage paper with The small stencil from Mary Beth Shaw's Private Collection 17.1 and the mini from Rae Missigman's Modern Botanicals Sets for StencilClub and Golden Quinacridone Magenta and Phthalo Turquoise.

The key to the collage paper for me was to stencil fast so I could stay random. Once the paper was dry I used a bronze pen to make some dots. I turned it face down so I could tear it up in pieces without over-thinking.

When you are applying collage pieces on a pre-made mask, you'll need some of the pieces to be small so you can apply them smoothly over the hills and valleys. I used a mixture of glue and water with the brush I keep just for glue.

Lastly, I trimmed the mask with a Cricket Craft Knife, used the bronze pen to highlight the eyes, and applied just a little Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold to make make the mask pop around the outside edges.

Optional: Highlight and/or affix embellishments from your stash if you wish.

Mask 2: Be Kind 

I tore and glued strips in pieces the same as in Mask 1, except this time I tore intentionally as I planned hearts on one side and little people on the other (mostly).

Sprinkle and spritz collage papers: I used my clean palette knife to sprinkle Magicals by Lindy's Stamp Gang in Bachelor Button Blue, and Color Blast Color Shimmer Dust in Sunflower on sheets of paper and then spritzed with water, placed the stencil, and sandwiched it between another sheet of paper or brayered it- sometimes with the stencil, sometimes without. I have lots of papers that are ready for more treatment, but later.

When I used the heart part of the stencil on one of the papers, I gessoed the hearts first, let the paper dry, and then used the dust. I embellished with a green Gel Writer Pen - nope, not permanent but hearts bleed a little, right?

You'll notice that some of the people on the collage paper are embellished, some not. I had in mind that there are people who feel like they are in or out at any given moment but they, we, all need love.

Stencil: Home is Where the Heart Is L107 (also comes in a small size, S072)

Twelve months ago, I was partying in New Orleans celebrating friends’ birthdays, falling in love with the music on Freemont Street, the food (alligator sausage with mustard anyone?), the street art, and of course the gorgeous leather Mardi Gras masks.

Now I wear a mask of a different kind when I go out, but I think it will be a kick to up my grocery shopping attire on Fat Tuesday, February 16th.

You are invited… Nope, I am throwing down the challenge gauntlet. I DARE YOU to make your own Fat Tuesday mask and go grocery shopping in it (along with your mouth mask of course - you can find some fun mask ideas from the StencilGirl Creative Team members Peg Robinson and Wendy Baysa).

Not grocery shopping? Take a walk in your mask and let your neighbors know a cheerfully brazen artist lives nearby!

We need to celebrate the little things in a world gone mad, dontcha think? 

Daring folk, please share your pics on Instagram:  #StencilGirl #FatTuesday

I have 2 masks in hopes of convincing an artsy friend to play along.

I am certain we’ll get some double takes, some oh-my-gosh-she-must-be-nuts looks, some wow-she-has-guts looks, but hey! We will spread a little merriment pushing the cart through the aisles to the pastry counter. Beignet, anyone?

My stash now includes 10 unpainted masks. Hoping for a Fat Tuesday Party in the Pines in 2022. I’ll surely need a couple of Kristin Reese Williams' Happy Hour and Carolyn Dube’s Alternating Diamonds Stencils to make those invitations.

Wishing you whatever brings you joy,

Carol

 

 

 

 

Set aside the weeds of the year and bloom

Hi! Carol Baxter greeting you from the StencilGirl blog today.

It has been about a year since I stenciled this blooming shirt, wrapped it up, and sent it off across the miles. The Creative Team's theme for November 2020 is "wearables" and Mary Beth sent me a little assistance with this photo.

It gave me such pleasure to paint it and seeing the smile on Mary Beth's face in this pic makes me believe it's high time I stenciled another one or two blouses, which brings me to point one:

If you are putting off creating because it has been 

a long bloomin' year the past 8 months 

(I feel like this too)

and you don't feel like being the least bit artsy, 

grab a couple of art supplies and create anyhow.

Doodle, stencil, write, paint, scribble. 

It will make you feel better or at the very least be cathartic.

Maybe you won't want to show anyone afterward. 

Heck, maybe you even want to tear it up and start something new, 

but you will have accessed your creative self which can only lead to more access.

Set aside the weeds for a few moments and allow yourself to bloom. 

I bet you'll even find your smile if you think you've lost it. 

Repeat as necessary.

My Popa told me "It's better to give than receive," so here is point two for you to ponder as you make holiday gifts:

If you stencil something for someone to wear 

it is kind of like wrapping them up in a big hug 

until you visit in person again.

Steps:

Wash the blouse you are stenciling without fabric softener. Dry. Iron if necessary.

Cut the petals (and maybe leaves) you want out of thin cardboard (such as the envelope your stencils were shipped in).

Put a piece of cardboard or butcher paper between the layer of the fabric you plan to stencil and the other side of the blouse to protect against bleed-through.

Use fabric paint or a mixture of acrylic and Fabric Paint Medium by Golden and your favorite stencil(s) to create the petals. The stencil goes under the cardboard petal.

Outline the petals, add the stem (and leaves) using a thin brush or marker or Fantastix & permanent ink.

Toss it in the dryer to set.

I wish you fun and joy!

Carol B

Passages: Stenciled & upcycled privacy window envelopes

Greetings and Salutations!

Looking for a creative pick-me-up? You have landed on the right blog. Today we are going to upcycle a privacy window envelope.

The Creative Team theme this month is passages, and these envelopes are going to pass from my house, across the wide world, to friends afar.

I became enthused watching one of Mary Beth's FB livestreams where she used window envelopes in her art journal so I took one from my stash and slowly tore it open at the glued areas. A squirrel passed by and then I was busy so the envelope sat on my desk for a few days.... 

Suddenly! Inspiration!

I am a letter-writer and rather than art-journal, it seems to me that these sorts of envelopes are ripe for repurposing even if the window is not always in the right place.

Here is the first one I made:

Because the envelope background is so busy, I thought it would be good to stencil with a single one. I choose Retro Comets, L048, by Mary Beth Shaw and I used acrylic paint on a sponge over spray mists (I love Lindy's brand!). Glue and washi tape form the seal.

Retro Comets Stencil

Arizona summers are dry so I spritzed the stencil with water afterward and made a ghost print on card-stock that I decided to use as a letter. I folded the ghost print in thirds and embellished the non-writing side with pens and a "Star Surfer" stamp by Sandee Setliff (She also has stencils). 

I measured and used washi tape to affix the TO part that will show through the window.

Here is another inside out envelope example using the large stencil from the StencilClub March Mashness set by Mary Beth Shaw and Carolyn Dube.

Tip: Don't forget to cover your windows before you spray.

I have a large box lid that is excellent when I want to use mists. 

I spritzed through the stencil (easier than acrylic) and embellished with colored pens.

To color in the flowers or just leave the outline? I could not resist more color.

Flying pigs make me smile. I used "Pigasus," another of Sandee's oh-so-cute stamps. 

Because the yellow marker bled through, I doodled on the other side above where I measured for the TO box.

Tip: If, despite your measurement, the TO area doesn't quite stay where you want in the window, affix the letter in place a bit of washi tape under the envelope flap.

All kinds of fun things could go in the windows if you were not mailing them. You could even stencil a surprise in the window for when the recipient takes the letter out.

Now I am ready to take apart all of the window envelopes I might otherwise have tossed and stencil pretty envelopes, are you?

Have fun!

Carol Baxter