Each season I like to update some of the decor in my art studio. This year I am in the midst of renovations and have a small corner that I craft in so I will update it with just a little somethin~somethin.
I had these embroidery hoops from a previous thrift shop and they inspired me with the perfect idea for my little corner ~ stitched wall art!
Off I went gathering the few supplies needed for this project (see supply list below).
I decided on denim as my fabric and the pretty stencil created by Jane Chipp.
The stencil is titled Seed Heads which is very fitting for this time of year before everything starts blooming.
Visit the Stencil Girl Products page for this particular stencil and discover a multitude of ways to incorporate it in your art.
I will be slow stitching it.
STEP 1 :
Trace the stencil on to the fabric with a gel pen
STEP 2:
With your favourite colours start filling in the seed heads and the stem.
Remember this is about enjoying the process and does not need to be perfect.
Just like Nature, be imperfectly perfect.
By the way I am by no means an embrydery expert, I just basically place the needle in the fabric and out
until my seed head was filled.
STEP 3:
With a cotton swab add some bleach circles. This will add another layer of interest to the fabric.
If bleach is not your thing create circles with acrylic ink or simply leave as is.
STEP 4 :
Select the appropriate size hoop and remember you can always go bigger for a differenc statement.
STEP 5:
Create more texture with adorable seed stitches
I hope you enjoyed this quick and simple project and remember if stitching is not your thing use acrylic ink or modeling paste that has been mixed with your custom colour!
Most of all enjoy the process and be proud of the outcome!
Some materials carry memory without asking for attention. Maple seed pods—the ones we called “helicopters” growing up—are like that. They drift, they spin, and they show up where you least expect them. Quiet, familiar, and just a little bit playful.
Chinoiserie Inspired Accordian House using "In the Wind" Stencils
This month’s StencilClub set, In The Wind, designed by Dee Dee Catron, captures that same sense of quiet movement. The designs are rooted in nature but feel lifted—suspended mid-air. There are delicate maple seed forms scattered in allover patterns, birds resting on wires in a moment of pause, and one stencil in particular that leans into something more decorative, more historical. A repeating composition of birds, leaves, and branches that immediately called to mind the elegance of Chinoiserie—that Western interpretation of Eastern motifs, filtered through imagination and ornament.
I’m Kim Hamburg, a mixed media collage artist, and when I saw that pattern, I didn’t think “print”—I thought wallpaper. Not the kind you roll onto drywall, but the kind you build slowly, page by page, layer by layer, until it becomes something you can hold.
The House That Unfolds
This project became an accordion book shaped like a row of houses—something that feels both architectural and intimate, like a street you’ve walked a hundred times.
To begin, I cut six pieces of 4x6" cardstock into simple house shapes. There’s no template here—just trim a triangle off each side of the top edge until it resembles a roofline. Imperfect is better. You can make as many houses as you like, depending on how long you want your book to stretch.
4" x 6'' Cut Paper Pieces
Cut Each Piece into a House Shape then Paint with Solid Color
Each house was painted with a beige chalk paint—a quiet, neutral ground. I wanted something that would echo aged walls, the kind that have absorbed years of light and shadow. Once dry, I used a lighter tone and a sponge (or foam) brush to apply the Chinoiserie-inspired stencil. Not perfectly. Not evenly. Just enough to suggest wallpaper that has lived a little.
Then came the contrast. Using black acrylic paint and a blending brush, I added the “birds on a wire” stencil—carefully placing it only along the top or bottom edges of each house. It acts as a visual anchor, a horizon line of sorts, holding the softness of the background in place.
Once everything dried, I edged each house lightly with black paint. This step is subtle but important—it defines the shape, gives it structure, and makes each piece feel finished.
Building the Book
The construction is where it all comes together—literally.
Linen Fabric Hinge (double sided tape)
I used double-stick tape (I used the Gorilla brand) and strips of linen fabric to hinge the houses together. Tape one side of the fabric to the back edge of a house, then attach the next house using the exposed adhesive. Repeat this process until all the houses are connected in a continuous accordion.
The fabric hinge gives the structure flexibility and durability, allowing the book to expand and contract with ease. It also introduces a softness—a tactile contrast to the painted surfaces.
The Story in the Details
Once assembled, the real work begins—the part that turns structure into story.
I collaged windows, fragments of imagery, and small details onto each house. A suggestion of life inside. A glimpse of narrative without explanation. I added marks—lines, scribbles, gestures that feel almost like handwriting, though they say nothing specific.
Adding Collage Elements like windows and doors
That’s the beauty of these accordion books: they’re endlessly adaptable. I’ve seen them filled with photographs, layered with fabric, even used as visual journals. Each page can hold its own moment, or contribute to a larger rhythm across the whole piece.
And like those maple “helicopters,” the work doesn’t land in one fixed place. It moves—through memory, through interpretation, through the viewer’s own experience.
Collage elements (vintage papers, imagery, ephemera)
Glue
In The Wind is available exclusively to StencilClub members who join by May 15, 2026, and will ship the day you join. Membership includes 25% off all regular collection stencils, a project and PDF from the featured artist, and an additional members-only project from me.
If you make your own version of this accordion house, I’d love to see where it takes you. Tag me on Instagram @gluepaperscissors_ and share your work—because every house, every page, every mark tells a different story.
Hello again from Kim Hamburg, a mixed media collage artist who believes there is no such thing as too much paper. Today I’m sharing one of my favorite studio habits — making an “infinity roll,” a continuous strip of dyed and stenciled paper that you can tear from whenever your collage, junk journal, or assemblage needs an extra layer of texture and story.
Infinity Roll
ATC card with Infinity Roll Piece
The Infinity Roll
A never-ending strip of possibility for your mixed media projects
There is something very satisfying about a roll of paper.
Not a precious sheet you’re afraid to ruin. Not a perfectly cut background. A roll. Continuous. Practical. A little industrial. The kind that used to live in a cash register.
In the studio, though? It becomes an infinity roll — a stash of ready-to-use collage magic you can tear from whenever your junk journal, assemblage, or mixed media piece needs “just one more thing.”
This month, I decided to make mine monochromatic. I made one in purple and one in teal, and I’m honestly in love with how the edges turned out.
Here are the completed Infinity Rolls -- one in blue, one in purple.
First, tear off a workable section of your roll — about 3 to 5 feet. That’s the sweet spot. Long enough to feel abundant, short enough to manage without dye going everywhere.
Pour a little RIT liquid dye into a shallow cup or lid. Set one end of your paper strip directly into the dye so the edge can start absorbing color.
Let it sit for about an hour. If you want deeper color, leave it longer. After an hour, flip the strip and let the other end soak.
As it dries, the dye creates this beautiful watercolor bloom along the edges. It’s soft, organic, and slightly unpredictable — which is exactly what we want. Mine dried into these moody purple and teal gradients that feel rich but not fussy.
Let it dry completely before moving on.
Paper Cash Register Roll
RIT dye in shallow container
I flipped the paper over to dye the other half. Notice how beautiful the dye takes to the paper.
Completely Dry
Step 2: Add the Stencils (Layer It Up)
Once your paper is dry, roll it out across your table.
I used this month’s Stencil Club set — “Wonderfully Wonky” by Cat Kerr. It’s a two-stencil set filled with imperfect, handmade-feeling marks. They’re playful and organic, which makes them perfect for something like this.
Using a sponge roller and acrylic paint, I randomly applied the first stencil across the strip. I didn’t measure. I didn’t space things evenly. I just moved along the paper and let the marks land where they wanted.
Be sure to stencil both sides. That way, no matter how you tear or layer it later, you’ll have interest.
After the first layer dried, I used the second stencil from the set and added another color on top. The layered marks give it depth and movement — and suddenly your plain roll looks like something you bought at a fancy art supply store.
Except you made it.
Using a sponge roller to add first layer of stencil images
Adding second layer with a contrasting color
Step 3: Tear and Use
Now comes the best part.
Tear pieces off as you need them.
I used mine to create ATC cards (2.5" x 3.5") and layered sections of the infinity roll onto cardstock. Add collage papers, glue it down, build on top. The dyed edges create built-in softness, and the stencil layers make even the smallest scrap feel intentional.
Because the roll is continuous, you always have more. No pressure. No preciousness.
ATC Cards with Infinity Roll Pieces
Why an Infinity Roll?
Because mixed media artists need building blocks.
Because junk journals are hungry for texture.
Because it’s easier to create freely when you already have beautiful components ready to go..
And honestly? There’s something really comforting about knowing you can just reach over, tear a piece, and keep making.
Plus it looks great sitting in your art space ready for the next creative idea.
Here are few tips you may want to use:
1. This is super messy!! Make sure to lay down paper over your work surface.
2. You can add water to the dye to make it less intense.
Instead of RIT dye, you can use watercolor liquid.
3. You can leave the paper roll in the dye overnight and you will get a really great result.
4. You can mist the paper roll with water while it is sitting in the dye.
5. Make sure to let it dry completely before adding the stencil designs.
6. These make really great gifts for your favorite mixed media friends. You can actually use an old spool to roll the paper around and then add a fabric bow to hold it together.
Wonderfully Wonky is only available to StencilClub Members who join by March 15th and will ship on that day.
Infinity Roll dry and ready to use
You get lots of great benefits as a club member, including a coupon for 25% off all regular collection stencils, a project and PDF from the artist, and an additional project by me that is for members only. So don’t delay!
Trena Brannon here, and I'm so happy to spend a little time with you today, sharing a fun and simple project to create a greeting card that will make someone smile.
This technique puts your hand lettering in the spotlight, with the stencils playing a supporting role. We'll also explore how to use different elements to connect the layers of your artwork, making the whole piece feel cohesive and engaging.
STEPS:
Building the base. I started by selecting a stencil (Curve Ball Tile S989) that was airy and open, allowing most of the white card base to show through. This creates a clean, minimal background that provides a nice contrast for the detailed design to come. I gently dabbed on some gouache paint with a sponge, keeping it slightly dry to get those nice, crisp lines.
TIP: Use a baby wipe to clean your stencil and transfer the paint onto a journal or scrap paper. It's a great way to start your next creative project! I learned this from my stencil sister, Carolyn Dube!
Connecting the layers. I used the same stencil on a piece of colored cardstock, using a similar color of paint to create a subtle tone-on-tone effect. This immediately begins to connect your different layers.
To see it better, here's a shot of the piece of cardstock on a black background:
Adding a second connection. Next, I used a different stencil (Diamonds and Kisses Tile) and applied the color I used on my white card base. Repeating a color throughout the piece is another great way to create a feeling of connection.
Making the details sing. Now for a bit of contrast! I used a tiny detailed stencil (Couture ATC Patterns) to add little pops of white. Using the same color as the white card base helps tie everything together and adds some interest through a contrast in scale. For more flexibility in using the ATC sections, I cut them out of the larger stencils.
Lettering with joy. Now for the most stylized part that personalizes the card —your lettering! I did a few quick very rough sketches on scrap paper to find the style I wanted. Then, I used a black brush pen to draw the letters on my orange cardstock, leaving enough space inside each letter to see a piece of the design. It's so important to have fun with this part! As you can see, my letters aren’t perfect—and that's okay! They are drawings of letters - that's what makes them unique. Initially, I forgot my "y." š
Bringing it all together. Once my letters were cut out, I played with their arrangement until I found a placement I loved. Before I glued them down, I added a few small black dots to the base layer—a final chance to connect color in the letters to the base card. I chose a bouncy, playful look that conveyed a sense of joy.
TIPS:
After cutting your letters out, use a black marker to darken the edges. This gives them a nice, finished look and tidies up any stray cuts. I do this from the back side of the cardstock to avoid accidentally drawing onto the design side.
Take a photo of your final layout before you glue anything down. It's the perfect guide to keep you on track.
One more detail: To make the card even more special, I added a design element to the envelope to give the receiver a hint of what's inside.
color: gouache paint dried in a palette, reactivated with distilled water - the white paint was freshly squeezed
tools: sponges, black marker pen, color pencil, scissors, craft knife, cutting mat
adhesives: low tack tape, permanent tape runner
All my stencils are on sale for the next two weeks! Use code: TB20.
When you create a card or another type of art piece with this technique, I would love to see it! Feel free to tag me on Instagram @trenabrannon and/or Facebook at TrenaBrannon Art & Design.
Cover the stencil with a blank piece of paper and lightly rub so that the stencil image is transferred
Clean the gel plate and repeat the process on the opposite side of the your paper
Fold the paper into quarters and cut (unless you want a GIANT pinwheel!)
You will have four pieces of paper
Take one piece and fold it from right to left to create a trianlge and trim off the excess
you will end up with a square. Note this method works with any size square
With the ruler draw light lines from corner to corner and a small circle in the middle where the lines joins - this will act as your cutting guide (do not cut past this guideor it will all fall apart)
Once all the lines are cut add a small dab of hot glue to the center of the paper
Bring the right corner of each individual trangle to the center, and hold in place until the glue keeps it there (repeat with all four corners attaching with glue as needed)
