We couldn't be more excited to be participating in a blog hop with StencilGirl!
It's like our products were meant for each other!
There are SO MANY ways to use StencilGirl stencils...with paints, sprays, textured mediums, markers, tracing, pastels, inks, Gelli Plate....and because Art Squares are made from a museum quality, 4 ply, archival, acid/lignin free, absorbent, matte board material....they can stand up to all kinds of layers of StencilGirl color and texture!
Join us over the next 3 days to see 9 different designers, from each of our teams, as they share their creative ideas.
And what would a blog hop be without a giveaway!
Leave a comment ON ANY (or all) of the blogs involved in the hop as your entry
We'll be picking one lucky winner to receive a
$25 StencilGirl Products Gift Certificate and
1 package each of White 4", 3", ATC (2.5" X 3.5") and Swatch (2" X 4") size Art Squares!
All comments left on the hop list participants’ posts will be entered.
One comment per blog.
Comments close on January 30th @ 11:59PM Central.
Winner will be announced on StencilGirl Product’s Facebook Page on January 31st.
Your journey begins by hopping and visiting these blogs today:
January 25
StencilGirl Talk
Mary C. Nasser
Mary Beth Shaw
Lisa Lee (you are here on the Inchie Arts blog)
Lisa's Blog Hop Project
I think the most difficult part of this blog hop was figuring out which StencilGirl stencils I would use for my project! After much deliberation I chose 3 - 4" stencils; Random Marks, Classic Feather and Frazzled and Ruffled Feathers. Although I did not take advantage of it (yet!), both feather stencils also come with a separate mask component.
Our newest 2" X 4" SWATCH was the perfect size for this project. Begin by using a light tack adhesive to stick 3 of them to your work surface, fitting them tightly together. (news flash: by customer request...this dark gray SWATCH is now available for sale in addition to white and black.
Apply the first of 3 horizontal bands of Pan Pastel color across all three SWATCH Art Squares. Begin with the lightest color (Turquoise) using a Sofft Art Sponge (these are fantastic and made for use with Pan Pastels). Don't be timid as you apply the color and repeat until you have good coverage.
Apply the next two colors in the same way, with Ultramarine Blue in the middle and Violet on the bottom. This is what it should look like before blending.
With only a small amount of pressure carefully blend the colors diminishing the appearance of solid lines between colors. At this point it is a good idea to take your entire work sheet to a well ventilated area and using a spray fixative 'set' the pastel so it will not smudge.
Because you might be curious, here is how these same Pan Pastel colors look as a background treatment on a dark gray Art Square (left) compared to a white Art Square on the right. You can achieve a totally different effect depending on the color of the Art Square...and they come in 7 different colors! (white, ivory, dark cream, light gray, wheat, dark gray and black)
Time for ink! I have chosen 3 different Fresh Ink pigment inks that are similar to the pastel colors. Pool (the lightest color), Capri Blue and French Lavender. It's always a good idea to set up your inks and daubers (the kind with the caps!) before you start inking - this really does help prevent getting them mixed up and accidentally contaminating either a dauber or ink pad with another color (learned that from experience!).
After placing the feather on the pre colored SWATCH, apply the inks in the 'opposite' order from the Pan Pastels. In other words, use the purple ink at the top of the feather. If you look through the stencil you will be putting this purple ink on top of the Turquoise Pan Pastel. As you move down the feather, the Capri Blue is next and at the stem end of the feather is the Pool ink. You want to apply a good amount of ink as prep for the next step, the embossing powder.
Quickly, and before the ink has a chance to dry, dredge the SWATCH in clear embossing powder and gently tap off excess. Heat set until completely melted but being careful not to burn it.
Repeat the process with the panel on the far right, angling the feather in the opposite direction. To get ready for inking the next (different) feather, flip the middle panel so the light color is at the bottom or opposite end.
And, just as you 'flipped' the panel, you are going to 'flip' the ink colors too. Apply the Pool colored ink at the top of the feather (when you peek through the stencil you will see the darkest purple Pan Pastel), then blue in the middle and the French Lavender at the stem area. This is the exact opposite of what you did with the other feather. After inking, quickly dredge in clear embossing powder and heat set.
The last step uses the Random Marks stencil and VersaMark ink. An often forgotten technique to add visual texture to a background involves using this clear ink on a colored background where it appears darker, almost like a watermark.
Position the stencil directly over the completed feathers, and using a dauber carefully apply the VersaMark clear ink ONLY around the outside edges and background areas. Gently heat set entire panel when finished.
Be sure and leave a comment on this blog post, and all the others you visit today...and for the next 3 days as your entry to win the Inchie Arts and StencilGirl giveaway!
Today - January 25
StencilGirl Talk
Mary C. Nasser
Mary Beth Shaw
Lisa Lee (you are here on the Inchie Arts blog)
See you tomorrow!
