The Stenciled Home

Why limit your use of stencils to your journals or fabrics?  They are great for decorating your walls too!

With help from my friend and amazing interior designer Tracey Stephens, we recently built a bathroom on the third floor of our house.  Michelle Ward's Circle 9 Stencil was just perfect for the walls and mirror!

Of course, the stencil was not laid out in the arrangement I wanted, because it was designed to fit on a 9 x 12 rectangle.  Solution?  Cut all the elements out and tape them back together to flow the way I wanted!  Remember - your stencils are YOURS to manipulate and make your own.

I used acrylic paint from Deco-Art,, and chose my colors based on a beautiful painting by Denise Thewissen, and a much treasured pillow by Kristin Van Valkenburgh.  I love that I "see" and think of my artist friends every time I go in this happy room!  I stitched and sewed the flag like valances myself, on fabric decorated with lots of my Stencil Girl Stencils.  

I hope you'll share your "off the page" stencil ideas with me.  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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Two Birds of a Feather

For my calendar giveaway, please click here!

I know I've told you many times about my friend Judy Shea, who I met two years ago at Art is You because we accidentally roomed together.  Since then, we have roomed together two more times, and Judy has inspired me to create new stencils (See my posts about the Judy's Trees and Teapot and Teacups stencils!). This is one of the wonderful things about going on art retreats - you never know if your next lifelong friend will be there!

I wanted to make Judy something special for her birthday.  I remembered that when she first moved into her new home, she posted a photo on Facebook of a Snowy Owl she had spotted.  So I decided to make her an owl themed gift.  I also know that teal is Judy's favorite color - so I started my canvas with a teal wash.  Then I scraped Wendy Vecchi's Gold Embossing paste through the Three Owls on a Branch Stencil from Stencil Girl Products.

I used Cecilia Swatton's Feathers 6 Stencil to add more foliage around the owls and added the sentiment in my own handwriting.  The gears are from my stash.

Happy Birthday Judy Shea!








Here's a video of me creating an art journal page with the owl stencils.  You can also watch Owl Art Journal Page on YouTube here.  

Have a wonderful week, and let your good friends know that you appreciate them!

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.

 

Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has arrived in northern NJ.  We have been preparing for days, and now it is pitch dark outside, the wind is howling, and the lights are flickering.  I have had so many "stay safe" wishes -- many from friends I met through this blog and Art is You.  I feel well loved.  This is dedicated to all of you:

BE SAFE!

Thank you for visiting! If you are so moved, please leave a comment. Hearing from you means the world to me.