Creating Prayer Flags, Bags and Bookcovers

On a cold Saturday, five creatives came over and we stenciled our own fabrics and made amazing creations.   Here's a re-cap - with lots and lots of eye candy!

This class was inspired by a workshop I took at Art is You in 2014, taught by Kecia Deveney and Linda Willis and called Flags of Affirmation.  You can read more about my experience in Flags of Affirmation here.  Kecia and Linda gave me permission to pass on their techniques and add my own spin.

We started off stenciling white and solid color fabrics with all sorts of beautiful colors from Deco Arts Fabric Paints.  

Here is Isolina Perez's gorgeous work - how many Stencil Girl Stencils can you spot?  Isolina is a jeweler and will be teaching at Art is You this fall.  I am always so honored when other teacher's take my classes.

Sandy Grezzi used gorgeous colors to create front and back journal covers.  Sandy is a former VP with the Craft and Hobby Association turned full-time marketing consultant.  I'm happy to give her opportunities to get her hands painty. 

Tery Favo concentrated on sea colored fabrics for a purse she's making.  She's a former doll maker and jeweler.  She brings the best snacks and always has the best creative ideas.  

Jodi Oster created a beautiful cover for her art journal.  You can see more of Jodi's beautiful folk art on Etsy

 Here I am sewing up Isolina's beautiful prayer flag banner.  My daughter Samy peeked in.

 Here's how Isolina's banner looked all stitched up.  So beautiful!

Brigitte ended up with a beautiful bag, and lots of stenciled fabric to play with at home.

and I finally finished sewing a mat for hot platters.  I've been working on it forever!  We had a wonderful time together!

The deadline to apply to my Design Team is May 1!  I hope you'll check out the requirements and apply.  

Visit Stencil Girl Products and RubberMoon Stamps to see all my designs!

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How to Create an Embossed Box Tutorial and Class Recap

I recently had the honor of hosting six lovely women in my home studio for a Meetup class I call "Blessings Box."  It involves repurposing a cigar box into a box to hold treasured items representing blessings.   After the class pix - there's a tutorial for how you can make a box of your own!

I am lucky enough to have a nearby cigar store that gives me empty boxes whenever they accumulate.  I have to leave them outside for a week to let aerate, but then they're just perfect!

We had so much fun play with loads of stencils from Stencil Girl.  We created embossed embellishments, tissue paper accents, and collage papers, which we used to create mosaic designs on the boxes and more. 

Look at this pile of lovingly used stencils!

Tery Favo had brought a tutorial with her for embossing a box into a very gothic, steampunk creation.  Isn't it gorgeous?

I decided to try my own take on this technique.  First, I painted my box with black gesso.  Next, I took my Hearts, Flowers and More stencil and scraped Modeling paste through it with a palette knife.  I let it dry overnight, and then painted over all of the embossed areas with black gesso.  

I pulled out some of my earthiest fluid acrylic colors.  Using my fingers, I rubbed Van Dyke Brown, Burnt Umber Light, and then Burnt Umber around the raised areas of my box.  When that was dry, I placed the stencil back over the embossed areas, and stenciled them with Iridescent Bronze and Iridescent Gold.  I painted repurposed wooden bingo balls with the iridescent gold and bronze paint, and glued them as feet and a handle.

Another holiday gift done!

This is one of my favorite pics from class - it's a Michelle Ward's Marrakech Mix stencil and my Medieval Leaf Stencil having a playdate!

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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Art is You Mixed Media Retreats 2015 Recap

Another Art is You Mixed Media Art retreat has come and gone.  As always, it was heartfelt and wonderful.   I taught a class called "Masked and Unmasked: Stencils and Silhouettes."  (Thanks to Suze Weinberg for taking this picture!)




My adventurous students explored mediation, and exercises in letting go and working with abstraction. Here are a few of the "underpaintings", in which we explored line and color.

We did lots of gelli printing with the Gelli Arts Printing Plate, resulting in spectacular papers. Several of the women had never used a gelli plate before.  Of course, it was addictive!

We hand cut our own silhouettes and stencils. Of course, stencils from Stencil Girl Products were in the mix too.

Everyone's final canvases were breathtaking.  Some of these are still works in progress.  I look forward to getting pics of the final creations!

As always, the best thing about Art is You is the camaraderie and support among the staff and attendees.  Seeing old friends, making new ones, and taking care of each other is paramount.   

It was great hanging out with Marjie Kemper and so many other wonderful friends.

Terry Favo, who has attended some of my Meetup classes, is having severe problems with her hands.  Many of us altered gloves or recreated our hands for her.  The presentation of a beautiful garland with all of the helping hands was one of the most touching moments of the weekend and so symbolic of sisterhood and love at Art is You. 

The deep connections start at the top, with fabulous organizers Sallianne and Ellen, and their wonderful staff.

Do you have an art retreat or class that has touched you deeply?  I hope you'll share it in the comments.

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!  

 

Tell All Tuesday -Teaching News and More

Festive Soul Food starts 9/1.  

Are you signed up?   Check out this amazing video showing samples from all the participating artists.  Or watch Festive Soul Food promo on YouTube here.    

For $32 you get a month of lessons from so many amazing artists, recipes and more!

Here's another sneak peek of my project.  I'm so excited to share it with you!  I'll be sharing lots of tips about using your stamps and stencils in ways you might not have thought of, and we'll create a holiday themed project that will make a great gift or keepsake!


Go to Community Thrive and sign up today! 






October Art is You Retreat Spots are Filling Up Fast

Have you checked out all the amazing workshops at Art is You this October?  I'm teaching on Sunday and Monday, and there are many other amazing instructors teaching all throughout the weekend.  Register today - you'll have a wonderful time.

New Meetup Classes Added! 

I recently added new Meetup classes for the fall.  So if you're in the NY/NJ area - come on over to my home studio for semi-private lessons.  6 students max, and lots of individual attention!  I've even added some additional dates beyond the ones in this graphic.  Spots are filling up so check it out today! 

Digital Sketching

I recently purchased the Memopad app for my iPad and have been having fun sketching with it.  Do you use a digital sketch app?  Let me know in the comments what you like and why.  Here are some recent sketches.




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!