Stenciled ATCs - Sweet William, Wild Thing, and Happy Cat

I've been making Artist Trading Cards (ATC) since 2009 and was an active member of ATCs for All. I haven't been on the site in two years.  I recently joined a FaceBook group that trades ATCs and signed up for StencilGirl's monthly stencil club.  The point? you might ask is that I never really thought I could use stencils. I mean I'm just learning how to "layer" paint.  Well, I did it, I went and bought me six more stencils and created the following ATCs. Hah, layering isn't so bad.  I really liked how they turned out.  I even picked up my copy of Drawing Lab For Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim and drew the characters for these cards.  As I haven't drawn in over two years it was kind of awkward, but as Carla points out in her book Steven Pressfield states in his book titled The War of Art "There is no such thing as a fearless warrior or a dread-free artist."

Meet Sweet William the frog:

Wild Thing Giraffe:

Finally, Happy Cat:

These are all ATC size, which is 2.5" x 3.5", and created on Bristol paper.  I rolled paint for the background, dabbed paint through stencils, tore vintage book pages, and colored in each image.  I also used stamps, found words in print, and sticker words for the phrases. Lastly, as I always do, I used my ink pads to create a soft border around each one.

My final point is this: Don't be afraid to try something new and uncomfortable. You can't succeed if you never try.

Mini Stenciled Journals

As promised I am posting the video for making what Gwen refers to as "Mini Stenciled Junque Journals".  When I saw her video I had to make some. I love recycling mailers, cereal boxes, etc. so this was right up my alley.  I love her details and am going to have to get some of the metallic paint pens; I tried using Metallic Permanent Markers, but did not get the same effect. I'm not going to bore you with the details on how to make these journals as Gwen does a fantastic job of explaining it.

What I did differently to make them my own:

1. Collaged paper with a Matte Gel Medium.
2. Used six strands of Embroidery Floss to hold the pages in place and to secure the journal closed with the button.
3. The Blue Journal has lots of dots. I used a White Sharpie Paint Pen and the end of a paint brush to make all of those dots.
4. I used large buttons instead of twine.  I poked two holes and secured the buttons with the embroidery floss.  The blue journal button securing was a little more involved as the button has a loop and not holes.

The stencils used are unique to the Monthly StencilGirl Club members, so you can't purchase them unless you are a member. However, that doesn't mean you can't use some of the awesome stencils they have at StencilGirl Products.

Her video is here:

Gwen's Gems: Mini Stenciled Junque Journals (I changed the link to go where the actual video is located. Sorry for any confusion.)

Red Mini Journal

Supplies Used:

Postal Mailer
Bristol Paper
Oriental Rice Paper (Four different types and patterns)
Gel Medium Matte
Embroidery Thread
Large Button
White Gesso
Gold Metallic Permanent Marker

StencilGirl October 2016 StencilClub 4"x4" Stencil

Green Mini Journal

I stamped the two Rubbermoon stamps directly on with embossing ink and used Gold embossing ink.

Supplies Used:

Postal Mailer
Oriental Rice Paper (Four different types and patterns)
Gel Medium Matte
Embroidery Thread
Large Button
Acrylic Paints
Gold Metallic Permanent Marker
Gold Embossing Powder
Rubbermoon 7-Petal Flower Stamp
Rubbermoon Stampstracts - Petal Pusher Stamp
StencilGirl October 2016 StencilClub 9"x12" Stencil
StencilGirl October 2016 StencilClub 4"x4" Stencil

Blue Mini Journal

I stamped the "Beautiful Mistakes" sentiment after using Tim Holtz's Distressed Inks on a piece of Bristol Paper. Then I used an embossing ink pad around the edges and added Silver Embossing Ink.

Supplies Used:

Postal Mailer
Oriental Rice Paper (Four different types and patterns)
Gel Medium Matte
Embroidery Thread
Large Silver Button
Acrylic Paints
Silver Metallic Permanent Marker
Silver Embossing Powder
Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Black Soot
Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Broken China
White Sharpie Paint Pen
Rubbermoon Moonmail Exclusive "Scattered Stars" Stamp
Rubbermoon Mindy Lacefield's Beautiful Mistakes Stamp
StencilGirl October 2016 StencilClub 6"x6" Stencil
StencilGirl October 2016 StencilClub 4"x4" Stencil

Happy Halloween Cards

I forgot how much fun making handmade cards was until I joined an online group that sends cards for Random Acts of Mail, or I like to say Random Acts of Kindness.  I used Tim Holtz Distressed Mini Ink Pads Antique Linen and Spiced Marmalade for the background layering one over the other. I really like the effect these inks have on paper.  I stamped "Happy Halloween" in orange and randomly outlined it with my Black Micron Pen.  Next I used my Rubbermoon Exclusive stars stamp and stamped each background in the center. The pumpkins are stamped on white Bristol paper and painted in with acrylic ink and a white gel pen.  These are Halloween stamps I picked up from Michael's in their dollar section a few years back.  I used 3D circles for mounting the pumpkins on the background.  I cut out some Halloween colored paper and adhered the main image to the paper. I bought some Halloween colored ribbons and self adhesive gems to add some classy touches to each card.

One of these cards has already gone out to a special lady, but I'm not saying who or which one.

Supplies:

3.75" x 4" Bristol Paper
4.125" x 4.25" Halloween Scrapbook Paper
4.25" x 5" Card and Envelope

Rubbermoon Exclusive Stars Stamp
"Happy Halloween" Stamp
Various Pumpkin Stamps
Black Archival Pigment Ink Pad
Black Micron Pen
Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Spiced Marmalade Distressed Ink
Halloween Colored Ribbon
Gold Self Adhesive Gems
3D Circles