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 

A Map of Us

February is the month that we celebrate love. Everything in the store is hearts, red and pink. When my husband and I were married, we decided that we weren't going to get pulled into the commercialism of Valentine's Day. What kind of a relationship does one have if they only show each other love on February 14th, once a year? Not to mention the overpriced candy and flowers. But when it comes down to it, I am a female and I want to be romanced. I love it when my husband comes home with flowers or a special gift. I love it when he does the unexpected to surprise me. Over the last few years, we have done a little something for the other not because we mutually agreed to start celebrating Valentine's Day, but because we have found it to be just one more opportunity to tell the other what we love about them.

This year, I decided to map out "Our Story," We have gone through some hard things in the past year and it seemed like the perfect time to commemorate all the battles fought and won in our marriage.

To start this project, I created a sketch.

Using stencils and other reference material, I came up with a final sketch.

One of my favorite reference materials was How To Make Hand-Drawn Maps by Helen Cann.

My sketch was transferred to watercolor paper using a pencil and graphite transfer paper.

I found a color palette that went with my theme and mixed up the colors before beginning.

I applied my first layer of color. 

I kept building up layers and here is the result. As you can see there are some wrinkles in the paper, so I pressed it for several days under heavy books.

Once flat, I used fine liner pens to add the text.

The last detail was adding the title in the bottom corner. I used this stencil to help me create a box.

S274

L978

L332

Thank you for joining me. I hope that you have found inspiration for creating a unique and personal way to show your love to someone.

Kate

 

The new stencils Cat Kerr has designed were inspired by that someone special who lives in her heart and she thought you might like to celebrate your own special loved ones. Cat has prepared a video tutorial using the Flock Stencil to make a transfer.

These stencils are perfect for art journaling, tags, cardmaking, mono-printing, and mixed media. 

Glide is her version of the infinity symbol.

Glide, 4"x4", M327

Two Hands Become One is a stencil with a mask included (you'll need to snip the tiny attachment points). Perfect for cards!

Two Hands Become One, 4"x4" Stencil with Mask, M328

The Love Words Stencil makes a perfect background in your art.

Love Words, 6"x6", S858

The Flock Stencil is made for mixed media with random numbers superimposed over the slightly abstract birds headed to your art studio!

Flock, 6"x6", S854

The Always and Forever Stencil can be used in multiple ways. It makes a perfect background for journal pages or cards and can also be used to make the perfect anniversary card or "Just Because" card for that special someone. 

Always & Forever, 6"x6", S853

Are you ready to create a work of heART for that special someone, a spouse, life partner, or friend?

Valentine's Day is around the corner ;)

Click here to go right to Cat Kerr's new stencils.   

Mixed Media Valentines with StencilGirl® Stencils

Hi, everyone! Jennifer Evans here!
Recently I taught a weekend of Valentine art workshops at Periwinkle Art Studio
using my Spoked Wheels Collage stencil / mask!

We created unique Valentines using a variety of mixed media: watercolor, collage, acrylic, gouache on canvas and heavyweight paper. We let our creativity loose with the heart symbol!

My Valentines are available for purchase in my Etsy Shop!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jennifer