How to Use Inspirational Quotes in a DIY Envelope Book

This week we're taking a look back at one of my favorite DIY projects - Envelope Books.  I originally posted this back in January 2015 and it was a fan favorite.  I hope you enjoy it today as much as it was enjoyed then!

Do you remember the envelope book I made for my parents for Christmas?  It was featured on StencilGirl Talk.  Here's another one, using a different color palette and featuring some different stencils.  I started out using the Hearts, Flowers and More stencil with gesso on the inside of the book, and some of Pam Carriker's paints on the outside.

Watch this video to see how I used the gesso as a resist, and also how I assembled the book.  You can also watch "Creating Resists with Gesso and Paint" on Youtube.


Here are peeks at the inside pages and links to some of the other stencils and stamps I used.  This is a great way to use up old envelopes and reduce your stash!

Each of the envelopes has it's own tag, that peeks out of the pocket.  

This is the terrific pattern from Maria McGuire's Doodle-It Inchie Stencil, with one of Tim Holtz's chit chat words.  These are great stickers to have on hand, as there's a word for every sentiment and occasion!

Here's more of the "Doodle it Inchie" pattern.  Plus, I used Mary Nasser's Compass Stencil, and Pam Carriker's Borders stencil on these page.   

I love this Mary Oliver quote on a Technique Junkies' stamp.  I always stamp on tissue paper first, and then adhere to my tag or background.  I get a much better impression that way...

This awesome hand stencil is by Lizzie Mayne:

and I love this stamp from Tim Holtz.

The cover of the book features one of the hands from the Namaste stencil.

I hope this post tickled your creativity bone.

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Making Your Weakness a Strength

In February 2013, I set myself a goal of becoming comfortable with adding faces to my artwork.  I joined Ayala Art's Face a Day challenge, and set about educating myself through YouTube videos.  I took in-person classes with Jodi Ohl, Pam Carriker, and Cindy Wunsch.  I practiced and practiced, often posting my process on my YouTube channel.

Practicing my weakness turned it into a strength!  At the start of 2016, Mindy Lacefield started an Instagram challenge called #365faces.  While I haven't been able to create #afaceaday - like some of the participants, I have been creating a lot of faces!   Here are some of them.

To see more, look under the hashtag #365faces on Instagram.  You'll see amazing work!  

Are you interested in learning more about creating faces?  I've decided to share what I've learned in an online class!

My class, Facing Faces, debuts on April 4.  I will have a special pre-sign up for newsletter subscribers with a discounted price - so make sure you're a subscriber!

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Why Art is Good for the Brain and Soul

Some of us make art because we HAVE to.  But even if you're not compelled by some energy buried deep inside of you, making art, playing with color and shapes, is good for you.  It stimulates parts of your spirit and brain that may not have been touched in a long time.

Recently, I collected some leaves while walking my dog.  The colors and shapes touched me deeply.  While admiring nature's canvas, I "received" a lesson from these leaves on the ground... they knew when to fall.  They didn't hang on.  They let go.  Just when they were at their most beautiful, they released.

They had profound wisdom to share with me.

When I came home, I thought about painting with the leaves.  Instead, I started playing on my GelliArts Gel Printing Plate, using the leaves as masks.  I made many prints.  And then I pulled out some favorite Stencil Girl leaf stencils and started over stenciling on my prints.  On one of them, I saw a head and hand behind Terri Stegmiller's Curvy Stems.  I traced it out with white chalk - can you see it? (Looks a little bit like E.T.!)  I had to "bring her out."

here's how she progressed.

And here she is, finished.  Around her head are marks from a border stencil by Pam Carriker  and around her neck are marks from Stencil Club Stencils.   She holds her hand up to feel the wind and catch the wisdom of the leaves. She will remind me when it is the right time to let go.

So make some art - collect pretty things from nature and use them as inspiration to make pretty marks and patterns.  See what ideas they spark in your brain, and what emotions they spark in your soul.  Here's a link to 20 Different Crafts with Fall Leaves.

 

LIMITED TIME OFFER ALERT:  
Have you checked out my new online classes?  There are only 6 more days to purchase them for $9.99!  Buy them now and do them whenever you'd like - they are downloadable and yours forever! 

Here's what people are saying about them:

"Thanks for jump starting my creative juices, Jessica. The flowers are growing and blooming..on wood panel, canvas, and in my art mournal. Thanks, Jessica Sporn...love your Floral Canvas online lesson."  Robin Bass

"I just loved your Village Shadowbox class! It really helped me loosen up, and just have fun! Your instructions are clear and helpful, while still allowing us to use our own style. Loved it!"  Michelle Rydell

"Thank you! I just watched all the videos for Village Shadowbox and absolutely loved it! I learned so many tips and techniques!! Great videos!!! " Laura Marshall

"Just finished my page from Jessica Sporn's online class called Floral Canvas. Great class with lots of insight on painting, layering, and mark making!"  Marjie Kemper
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Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

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Do Good, Be Good, Art Journal Page

One of my teachers once said that the essence of yoga is "do good, be good."  Just be motivated by kindness to others.  Little by little, the world will change as your actions inspire those around you to live in kindness too.

Pam Carriker was kind enough to send me some samples of her new paints and inks to try.

Pam's products (which are available at Jerry's Artarama) were perfect for this art journal page, which started out with an old map.  I am in love with the sheer, highly pigmented quality of these paints.  They are like watercolors in acrylic form and I truly enjoyed using them.  Check out the Youtube video where I created this page, using Pam's paints, Mary Nasser's Latitude and Longitude Stencil, and my Horned Owl Stencil  from Stencil Girl Products.  

You can also watch Art Journal Page using Pam Carriker Paints on Youtube here.

UPDATE:  Vicki Ross asked me if Pam's paints are like Golden Hi Flow Acrylics.  Here's my answer:  

Good question Vicki - they are even more watery.  I love my goldens, and won't be giving them up -- but they have more body and adhesiveness (?) than Pam's paints -- and so I think for certain colors, like the yellow especially, there's reason for having both.  They are also truly matte - no sheen -- which is great for art journal pages.  Once they dry, your pages won't stick to each other.  

Need stencils?  There's a big sale this Cyber Monday at Stencil Girl, with deep discounts (like 33% off!) PLUS super bonuses for the first 50 orders and all orders over $100!  See the details below or read all about it over at StencilGirl Talk!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!