Learn to Let Go~ an affirmation keepsake

Happy Heart Day friends;

Today I want to share with you a little heart keepsake that I was inspired to create using the I Am Words stencil created by Cat Kerr.

One thing to note about me is that I am a glass half full kind of girl and I am all about positive self talk, setting boundaries and self love.

The I Am Word stencil is all that for me as it serves as the perfect reminder and hence it was chosen to be the star of today’s project.

I will be using inks on an old canvas today but the project can also be made on fabric and with acrylic paints and a sponge rather than sprays.

Some slow stitches add another layer of interest as does the tattered edges.

For the tattered edges I used drop cloth ~ yes the kind you find at the hardware store!! 

Choose bits of fabric, lace, ribbon or simply leave it as is.

Think of the process as making a sandwich.

There is a bottom layer, a middle and a top layer! 

Let’s start:

Set the stencil on your fabric and apply paint or spray ink of your choice. I am working on canvas and decided to use Distress Spray stains

Now remember the sandwich reference- here are the steps.

*Cut out a heart from your stencil fabric

*Cut a piece of batting the same size

*Cut a third heart about 1/2” bigger than the stencilled one.    This will be the base.

 I used a piece of rescued denim. 

Now we will layer them together.

I used fabric glue to hold them together.

*glue the batting on to the base fabric. In this case the denim.

Next cut pieces of fabric that will serve as the tattered edges.

The length will depend on the size of heart. For this one I cut 2.5” strips and folded in half (just to save time pus it makes it easier to stitch)

With the fabric glue tack them all around the heart shape ensuring they overlap the batting just a bit.

Take the stencilled heart and with the glue tack on top of all this goodness.

I found using some pins to keep it secure also helped with the slow stitching. 

Stitch around the entire heart by hand or the sewing machine.

Now as I said up top, this step can be omitted but it does add a raw rustic feel which I love.

Lastly, add a positive note or several ~ that you can refer to when needed 💓

Thanks for stopping by and remember be kind to yourself because you are worth it!

Let’s connect Tina Hois Art

Supplies:

Stencil I AM words

Fabric

Batting

Inks or paint

Needle and thread

Fabric glue 

Slow Stitched Boho Birds

Hello creative friends,

As a stencil artist I always push my creative options with each stencil - what else can I create with this- and I so love the results with this fabulous stencil! 

Today’s project was an answer to that question.

Get ready to slow down and enjoy the meditative process of stencil art & slow stitching.

I am using Boho Birds stencil designed by Gwen Lafleur and her passion for creating collage animals in here art.

This stencil has three beautiful hand drawn birds as well as words and phrases making it the perfect addition to any stencil collection.

The Process:

With a pencil trace the outline of the bird ( I’m showing two here because we will be bird stuffing later!)

This will be the template for our bird base.

Trace the tail, the wing, beak and eye.

Feel free  to piece out as many and multiple pieces of each bird section- in my bird I also cut out a piece for the underbelly. 

Cut each piece and we will use them as templates on our fabric or papers.

Trace each piece onto your fabric pieces and cut.

Assemble the bird using a glue stick to temporarily tack down the pieces~ this will make it easier to stitch. 

Select your thread and start stitching.

Remember this is not about perfection so create stitches intuitively, some short some longer. 

Varied stitches will also add interest.

A variety of thread colours and densities can also be incorporated for further interest and dimension. I am using a crochet thread, feel free to use thread if your choice.

Once you are satisfied with the stitching - this little guy can be used as is in your art. 

If you want to use it as decor refer to the next steps.

To create a dimensional bird, grab the second base piece.

Use cotton, batting, tissue or like I did here a  dried baby wipe! (Nothing gets wasted) 

With the glue stick to adhere the top stitched piece to this base and join them together with stitching around the perimeter.

Watch the full process here YouTube

Supplies:

Stencil L628 Boho Birds 

Fabric or papers 

Needle & thread 

Pins

Cotton batting 

Let’s connect

Tinahoisart

Stencil it! Wear it! Louise Nelson's Necklace in Black & White

Hello Hello :)

What is not to LOVE about 'wearing' your favorite StencilGirl Stencil :) :) :)

There are sooooooooo many ideas for this particular theme it was hard to choose!!!

That said, I really wanted to create a statement neck piece using one of my current favorite stencils. Making my own jewelry and personalizing it to my own tastes is one of my favorite creative hobbies at the moment. With that in mind, you will not be surprised that I chose to create these neck pieces in black and white LOL :)

Let me first begin by sharing with you the fabulous stencil that I used! The 'Clustered Leaves' stencil was designed by the fabulous Cecilia Swatton.

I love all three of these neck pieces that I created, I can't wait to wear them out!

I have created 3 photo collages to share with you just how easy it was to create these neck pieces :) :) :)   To begin you will need to collect the following supplies and tools;

• Cropodile, Foam brush, sponge applicator, small jewelry pliers, Tonic scissors, painters tape
• Canvas sheet, white gesso, acrylic paint, jump rings, coordinating tassels and soft material cord, eyelets.
• Your favorite StencilGirl stencil >>> Clustered Leaves :) :P :)

Clustered Leaves 9x12 Stencil by Cecilia Swatton

• Begin by applying a thin coat of white gesso to the canvas sheet, allow to dry.
• Position and tape down stencil over canvas sheet [ I find this helps to prevent it from moving when I apply the paint.
• Apply desired paint with a sponge applicator and allow to dry.

• Start to trim and cut the stencil patterned canvas that will become your neck piece.
• Select coordinating eyelets and set them into place in positions from where you would like to suspend the piece on neck cord.

• Attach tassels with jump rings and and the soft neck cord. This soft cord that I have used is tee shirt material but I cheated and I bought a big roll of it from the hardware store as it is sold as soft plant tie :) :) :)
• What isn't pictured is that I have also sealed the stenciled canvas with spray on sealer (I used one that is used by artists to seal painted canvases).
• I have also adhered (with liquid glue) stiff plastic (from product packaging) to the backside of the canvas pieces to ensure they don't fold and buckle when I wear it.

Please find below some close up photos of the neck pieces so you can see the details a little clearer :)

Some areas I did touch up using a white paint pen to define the pattern a little better and where the black paint had smudged.

Creating these neck pieces was so easy and simple, it is something that you could perhaps do with your children??? :)

I do hope you have enjoyed this creative share :) I so loved creating them and look forward to wearing them.

Cheers and Happy StencilGirl Creating!!!

Louise :) xoxox