As you may have noticed, I'm a Sheena Douglass groupie. I just love her style! In Sheena's new release there are six Rubber Stamp sets and 10 Stencils. She has stencils - woohoo! Stencils are so versatile. I used the stencils in my projects in different ways - using the whole stencil and also using parts of it.
Greeting Cards
I taped the stencil down over black cardstock with a low tack tape and taped stencil over it. I sponged in Memento LUXE Ink Pad wedding dress with an Ink Sweeper all around the inside of the stencil to help define the silhouette.
Next, I added in mountains in the lower part of the scene with a torn paper, Sponge Daubers and Distress Ink Pads mowed lawn, vintage photo. I dabbed color into the sky the same way using Radiant Neon ink pad electric blue. I needed more mountains/hills and added it with Radiant Neon ink pad electric green. I dig the subtle scene beyond the foreground of the stencil. NOTE: to clean die ink off my stencils, I use a baby wipe, I wipe onto a piece of scrap cardstock and use it later for something else. :)
Next, I added in mountains in the lower part of the scene with a torn paper, Sponge Daubers and Distress Ink Pads mowed lawn, vintage photo. I dabbed color into the sky the same way using Radiant Neon ink pad electric blue. I needed more mountains/hills and added it with Radiant Neon ink pad electric green. I dig the subtle scene beyond the foreground of the stencil. NOTE: to clean die ink off my stencils, I use a baby wipe, I wipe onto a piece of scrap cardstock and use it later for something else. :)
The base is a folded 8.5" by 11". I adhered the ribbon with Collall All Purpose Glue and clipped a clothes pin on to hold it until it dried.
5" x 6.5" size Greeting Card
This night scene was inspired by a moon I saw in my neighborhood. It was a beautiful crisp night with a clear sky and the moon was very bright. It had a lovely glow around it.
For a placement guide, I penciled in the Beach Huts stencil roof tops and ground onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock. I made a quarter moon shape out of a low tacky tape by punching a 1" circle and then cutting it with my scissors.
Next, I used my eBrush System and Spectrum Noir Markers TN1, CT3 to brush in color for the sand and huts. The system allows for a really tight control, so I did not even have to mask areas. I was able to control the spray of color using air pressure 2.
I lined up the stencil with the colors, held it down with my hand and sprayed the sky with Spectrum Noir Markers TB9, leaving some subtle white space for the clouds you can see on a clear night.
To clean off my stencil, I spritzed some alcohol and then laid Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock on top to pick up the negative image of the stencil. I repeated a few times to get almost all the ink off. I love these prints and will save them other projects. NOTE: the ink does leave a little stain. For me that is not problem, it makes it easier to see where the stencil design is.
On the inside, I added a trimmed edge of the design to carry the theme inside.
A2 Size Greeting Card
I used traditional tropical colors with the Beach Huts stencil for this little beach scene, as well as Sheena's new stamp images from A Little Bit Magical - From the Ashes and City in the Clouds.
I used my eBrush System and Spectrum Noir Markers CT1, CT4, OR1 to brush in color as a gradation from a light yellow to orange onto Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock.
I taped the cardstock down with a low tack tape and then taped the stencil down over it with two pieces of tape on opposite sites. I can pull up one side of the stencil to check the coverage of the ink, while the other taped side keeps it in place - like a hinge. If I need to add more ink, I can lay the stencil down in the same place. I drew a line for the root tops. Next, I used a Sponge Dauber to apply Memento LUXE Ink Pad tuxedo black.
To clean the stencil, I rubbed a baby white over it smooth.
I added color to ground and to the magical Saturn with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 046, 071. I edged little scene with a black water-based marker for a finished look.
5.25" square Size Greeting Card
I just love the tree in Sheena's Summer Meadow stencil. In my next card, I used embossing paste matte white to make it really pop out.
For the background of the tree, I used one of the Beach Huts stencil prints I got from my clean up. After I chose the spot where I wanted the tree, I taped it down and also taped the stencil on top of it on two opposite sides so I'd have my hinge to check. I laid down a small amount of paste on my craft mat and added drops of Spectrum Noir Ink Refills CR11, CT3. I lightly mixed swirls of color - I wanted to leave some variation of color. NOTE: be sure to clean your stencils and emboss tools right away after using them.
After it dried, I placed the stencil back over it and dabbed color in the tree trunk with a Sponge Dauber and Distress Ink Pad vintage photo. I added birds in the sky from the same Sheena stencil, laid the faux-cross stitch stencil over the top of it, and stippled in color with Distress Ink Pad black soot. I edged little scene and the base card with a black water-based marker for a finished look.
Envelops
I don't worry about finding an envelop to fit all my different size cards. I can make my own with the The Ultimate Tool. There is an instruction booklet with measurements to make your own right size envelop. I love the capability to make cards any size I want!
Journal Pages
When creating in my journal, it is all about the building of layers, colors and interest. I do not have a specific vision of exactly what I want the page to look like. The intention is not to have a perfect scene or image. It's more of creating a cohesive art piece. I identify certain supplies and colors I want to use, the rest happens along the way, and I'm OK with that. It's the joy of creating something unique - hanging in there through the process and getting to the moment I say to myself, "that's it." :)
I Stamped the large word image from Stamp-It Australia Dreamer EZMount Stamp Set - Once In a Lifetime with an India ink pad onto a piece of thin shipping paper I saved from a box I received. After it dried completely, I tore pieces and adhered them with a matte medium. After it dried completely, I added some words and sentences in my own handwriting with Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 069, 073.
I started with two colors and white to use for my first layers. I added little water to the paint for transparency and brayered the first layer of color - varying the colors around the page. NOTEs: (1) I chose two colors that when mixed together formed a third color. I have the white so that I can have a variety of shades to work with. (2) I tried to use thin layers of paint and only a little bit - the thin layers will dry faster.
Next, the fun part! I used portions of Sheena's stencils Beach Huts, City Trees, Nature, Perspectives, Summer Meadow with Memento LUXE Ink Pads dandelion, olive grove, danube blue and Ink Sweepers to fill the pages interest and a more color. I repeated this process until I was happy with the colors and shapes. NOTE: To make the full tree, I flipped the stencil over and lined it up with the half.
To make the pages more interesting and artsy, I used a variety of tools and techniques. I used Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 069, 073, 120 to add a few lines for interest and highlight some shapes. I also used a Spectrum Noir Paper Stump to blend the Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencil 120 to make the full tree pop. In some areas I drew free hand, in other areas, I laid the stencil back down for a sharper definition. I also went back in with the Memento LUXE Ink Pads and darkened areas around the stencils to create depth. This is what I enjoy about journaling - you can use your artistic license and color the way you like! Just have fun!
Next, the fun part! I used portions of Sheena's stencils Beach Huts, City Trees, Nature, Perspectives, Summer Meadow with Memento LUXE Ink Pads dandelion, olive grove, danube blue and Ink Sweepers to fill the pages interest and a more color. I repeated this process until I was happy with the colors and shapes. NOTE: To make the full tree, I flipped the stencil over and lined it up with the half.
To make the pages more interesting and artsy, I used a variety of tools and techniques. I used Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils 069, 073, 120 to add a few lines for interest and highlight some shapes. I also used a Spectrum Noir Paper Stump to blend the Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencil 120 to make the full tree pop. In some areas I drew free hand, in other areas, I laid the stencil back down for a sharper definition. I also went back in with the Memento LUXE Ink Pads and darkened areas around the stencils to create depth. This is what I enjoy about journaling - you can use your artistic license and color the way you like! Just have fun!
Shout Out: MaryBeth Shaw did a video on back to the basics that inspired my journal pages.
Crafter's Companion has had several new releases. For more ideas, be sure to pop over to the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, as well as visit the Crafter's Companion Education and Inspiration Team members. You can see their latest designs by clicking on the names on the left side of my blog.
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Take care and STAY POSITIVE!
