Guest Designer: May Flaum

Hi, everyone! May Flaum here! When it comes to stencils I love them in all sizes and styles! One way that I’ve been super into using them lately is to build a base texture on a wood or canvas surface that I can layer color over to create an aged effect. Today I’ll be sharing with you my most recent project – a cute little box that turned out beautifully with a Tea Cup & Fleur Mix stencil.

Step-by-step:

1.      Apply stencil(s) to surface using a paste medium. Matte finish is best – I prefer a light paste. You don’t need a heavy layer, just enough to have texture.

2.      Once dry, apply your first coat of paint. I applied soft blue and lavender here. You can start light and add dark, or do the opposite.

3.      Once the base layer of color is dry, add another. I like to use watered down acrylic paint for this stage to help build color gently. Here’s a tip! Sponge off excess with a paper towel – and watch the texture that happens if you use a towel with good texture!

4.      Once finished with paints, add some ink highlights with waterproof ink if desired.

5.      For some metallic fun, use a metallic ink pad, then add embossing powder and heat set. I used some gold and gold powder here to add a bit of shine and even more texture.

At this point – you’re done! You could add embellishments, additional colors if desired, or simply sit back and enjoy your good work. I love how the stencils add to this project and so simply! There is a reason I always say I can’t live without stencils – they can be so useful in so many ways on all of your projects. 

For more of my crafty adventures you can find me on Facebook and Instagram, and at my blog!

Peg Robinson: Upcycled Binder/Box Tutorial

Hello! Peg Robinson here! My project today starts out as so many of mine do...with repurposing a no longer loved item. I love to upcycle and reuse items that would otherwise become trash. That is probably what attracts me to Seth Apter’s art. Seth uses found objects in his creations and I love his art images. Check out StencilGirl for more of Seth’s work.

Working with an old computer book that was ready for the recycle bin, I first reinforced the sleeve with cloth athletic tape. This adds strength and a bit of dimension.

This layer is followed up with a layer of black gesso on the sleeve and the binder insert.

Next is stenciling with Seth’s awesome stencil line.

I created texture by using a texture gel mixed with acrylic paints to colorized the medium. The mixture was spread on the components glued to the front of the sleeve as well as applied through the stencils.

To finish, I used Color Bloom sprays and a few metal embellishments.

I have a video of some of my process for you here:

Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed this project.

Peg’s media links:

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/PegRobinson

Instagram://instagram.com/pegadkinsrobinson

Google + https://plus.go httpsogle.com/u/0/+PegRobinson/posts

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bits-n-Pieces/589536354452865?fref=ts

Blogger http://on-account-a-scrap.blogspot.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/pegarobinson

Wonder Box by Violette Clark

I had a dream a little while ago and woke up with the words "Wonder Box" so I figured it was a sign that I needed to create a Wonder Box. The only thing is I didn't know what it was. Intuitively, I felt it was a box you create and embellish with your hands that becomes a receptacle for things that bring you wonder and joy. When I was asked to create a project using StencilGirl stencils I knew my Wonder Box would incorporate the lovely stencils I chose. I hope you enjoy this project and that it inspires you to create your own magical box.

Watch StencilGirl Wonder Box on YouTube

Supplies:

Folk art paints

Pencil crayons 

Sharpie paint pen - white

Micron pen

Stickles glitter glue

Paint brushes

Credit card (discarded)

Hot Glue gun

Chocolate or tea box

Card stock

Toothbrush

Duct tape

Sponge (make up)

Bloom True by Flora Bowley
Web Stencil by Mary Beth Shaw

Find a box that you would like to use - make sure it's sturdy. 

Measure the top and sides so you know how much cardstock you will have to paint.  

Begin scraping paint on your paper with a discarded credit card. Cut paper to fit your box.

Using a sponge (make up) sponge on some white paint through the Bloom True stencil.

Remove stencil and with a brush, add more paint to flower.

Sponge paint over Mary Beth Shaw's Web stencil in desired areas.

Don't forget to sponge a pattern on paper for the sides of the box to add depth and interest.

Apply paint around lotus.

Dip toothbrush in pink paint that has been watered down slightly and splatter on page.

Outline and accent lotus with pencil crayons.

Add painted dots to the page with folk art paint.

Write words on page with white paint pen.

Outline letters with Micron pens.

Hot glue pages to box.

Choose a duct tape design that goes well with your project.

Attach the top and sides with the duct tape making sure you catch all pieces of painted papers with it.

Use Stickles glitter glue to accent various parts of your box.

Enjoy! Now fill your box with things that bring you wonder.

 My box houses feathers, crystals, rocks, leaves and marbles. I wonder what yours will hold?

Love, Violette

www.violette.ca 

Guest Designer: Diane Salter!

Hi everyone! My name is Diane Salter and I'm so excited to be a guest designer for StencilGirlProducts. I've always enjoyed trying out different techniques and products, and right now what's topping my list is painting papers and using them for collage. So when I was asked to be a guest for StencilGirl, I knew just what I could do.

I gathered up my plain white 110lb cardstock paper, which you can find at any office supply store, my Gelli plate, my paints, a brayer, and a plain wood box from the craft store. The stencils that I decided to use were Mary Beth Shaw's Circle Tile Stencil and Squared On Stencil, and Carolyn Dube's Now is the TimeSmall Stencil.

Most times when I make a batch of papers, I will start with my Gelli Plate, starting out with paint on the plate and then  playing with my stencils.

I also like to add more to some of the papers once I stop with the Gelli printing. These are usually the papers that I'm not really satisfied with that resulted  from the Gelli plate. So I'll add more paint with mark-making tools, such as a texture comb, random size bottle caps or cookie cutters, masking with masking tape, stamping, and maybe even throwing in some paint splatters.

Another technique that I really like to do is adding texture with the stencil. This is a pretty popular technique--modeling paste through the stencil. But I prefer to use regular gel medium for the paper, mainly because it's more flexible when you go to cut it up for collage, and it still adds great texture. 

So the first thing I did with my box was paint the inside of it with a color that would compliment my papers. I then collaged with gel medium on all 4 sides of the box with my papers that would represent my background.

And now comes the real play for me, when I start making 'pictures' with my papers. I usually will get an idea of what I want to do, so I drew simple templates of the images that I wanted  to use and outlined them on my painted papers. Then I got out my gel medium and started collaging....

At this point, I always make sure to cover everything with the gel medium – this seals everything in, and when it's dry, I'm ready for my next layer. And that would be enhancing the images with a  black Faber Castell pitt pen, some doodling with a black Fudeball pen (or any permanent marker/pen), and whatever else I want to do at the time – this part is very intuitive for me. I just have fun.

The lid of the box was just random collaging with scraps of my papers.

And I didn't forget the inside of the lid either, to complete the box.

And the finishing touches – a painted doorknob plate and wood knob on the lid, and also feet for the bottom. And a few coats of gloss varnish, which really makes the colors pop. And if you haven't noticed already, I love color!

This is one of my favorite ways of creating art – starting out with plain white papers and paint and stencils – just enjoying the process and seeing your art piece progress along the way.

Thank you so much StencilGirl Products for asking me to be a guest. I love sharing my art and techniques, and if anyone would like to see more of my work, you can visit me at my blog where I also have other tutorials.  My blog is: http://dianesalter.blogspot.com. You can also find the link to my Facebook art page at my blog.

Exploding Box by Terry Garrett!

When I was asked to be a blog guest I said yes – not knowing where I would go with this.

Then I decided I wanted to do something 3D. I don't do that often and so wanted to challenge myself.

I have long been curious about the exploding box. It's a fun way to have something be both flat and 3D.

I found a template online for the exploding box and there were several to choose from.

The photo below is of the blank pieces. I used a 140# watercolor paper for this project.

I decided I wanted to make my box look like an old city building with brick showing out from peeling paint.

This I thought was perfect to use some of Seth Apter's stencils.

So I started with a coat of some light colors put on with a credit card and then using

Carolyn Dube's Buildings stencil I stenciled on the bricks.

 Once that was dry I used a technique I learned from a friend of mine, John Arbuckle.
I put Vaseline over parts of the brick pattern and other areas and then painted a mixed gray over it. 

When that was dry I rubbed off the paint that was on top of the vaseline revealing some of the brick pattern. Then I found some windows and door online that I wanted to use and glued those down. 

Next I worked on the inside insert. The photo below is the back side of the insert. I painted the background and stenciled with some of StencilClub stencils and collaged with some things from TumbleFish Studios. 

Then I flipped it over and using my eBrush – I used Seth's stencils

and used rubber stamps for the center message. 

The next photos are of the finished exterior.

I used my eBrush with Seth's stencils for what I feel is an authentic looking graffiti.

The eBrush is an airbrush that uses art markers – it takes several different kinds – I used Copic and Spectrum Noir alcohol markers. Here is a link for the eBrush. http://www.craftwellusa.com/products/ebrush 

The photo below is of the inside of the exploding box.

This was a lot of fun!

~Terry Garrett

To see more of Terry's work, please visit his BLOG at whisperwoodartworks.blogspot.com!