How to Make a Memory Keeper Using Books

I love these memory keepers! This week we're taking a look back on a unique way to showcase memorable moments with your own personal flare and up-cycle old books at the same time.

You can watch the video tutorial here.

What are some of your favorite moments you could showcase in an Altered Book Memory Keeper?

Leave your comments below.  I'd love to hear your ideas!

PS - don't forget, the Facing Faces Online Class is increasing to $44.99 on September 1. 

Sign up today and take advantage of the current price, $34.99!

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

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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.

Thank You!

How to Create a Unique Baby Layette

Need a unique gift for a new baby?  How about creating a one-of-a-kind layette or clothing line, that only one special newborn will have.

I'm on the Stencil Girl Talk blog today describing the steps I took to do just that, using DecoArts fabric paints, my newest stencils from Stencil Girl, cosmetic sponges and my gelli plate.  I hope you'll hop over to take a look!

I also filmed some of my process.  

You can also watch "DIY Layette with Fabric Paints and Stencils on YouTube here.

Make sure to check back on my blog tomorrow, April 1, for a special announcement! 

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Last Minute Holiday Gifts

I'm on the Stencil Girl Talk Blog today with some ideas for last minute holiday gifts using stencils and dollar store clipboards.  I hope you'll hop over and check out my post!

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!  

 

Handmade Holidays Day 5 - Gelli Print Garland, Watercolor Resist Holiday Cards and Banner

Welcome to Day 5 of Handmade Holidays!  Every day this week, you'll find unique art and craft ideas.   Remember that every post has a giveaway, and all the comments for all the days count!  

For today's post, I have three projects for you.  The first project is a simple holiday garland using your excess gelli prints or other patterned paper.   All you do is punch shapes out of your prints, glue your shapes back to back over a piece of string or twine, embellish with glitter glue and dimensional paints, and add inspirational words.  Voila!  a pretty, festive, whimsical garland to adorn your mantle or stairway.  I was inspired by this post by Alicia Burke, in which she used some of her cards.   But then I added my own flair.

Next, here's a holiday card project.  You can use any image to make your cards.   I used the Three Trees Stencil from Stencil Girl Products. 

First, I stenciled the tree designs using acrylic paint.  Then I used a Sakura glaze pen to doodle and create resists.  When I washed around the stenciled designs with watercolors, the doodled areas resisted the watercolor.  

Here’s a video of some of my process making these cards.

You can also watch Watercolor Holiday Cards on YouTube here.

I added some glitter glue here and there, and was about to add the words from the stencil when…..

I spied some corrugated cardboard in just the right shapes to contain the trees!

I cut the trees out, and then painted the cardboard with Golden Fluid Acrylic paint.

I’d had this Bark Paper in my stash forever.  It was time to use it.

I added the trees to my cardboard substrates, pulled out my glitter glue and other items from my stash, and started playing.

 

Before I knew it, I was taken over by my muse.  I originally thought I would use each of these as an individual card or wall hanging.   But then I strung them together as a garland.  I love them this way!

I filmed some of my process.

You can also watch Holiday Garland with Corrugated Cardboard on YouTube Here.

Hope you enjoyed this easy project and it gives you some ideas for the holidays!

I hope this post gave you some fun ideas.  I am giving away one of the Three Trees stencils!  to a lucky commenter.  Remember, for extra chances to win, make sure to comment on all the Handmade Holiday posts!  I will pick all of the winners on Saturday morning, 11AM EST. 

Please leave your email address in your comment (like this: jessicasporndesigns at gmail dot com) to be considered for the giveaway!

And the winners are:

Corrine Gilman’s Brooch:  Lou Lou in Texas!  

Art is you Trade:  Suzie Q 23!  

Clay Ornament:  Karen!  

Hamsa Stamp:  Lisa Meyers! 

Three Trees Stencil:  Lu 

Make sure to check back for more projects and giveaways every day this week!

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!  

 

How to Create Quick Holiday Gifts with Stamps and Stencils

If you're like me, the winter holidays creep up on you!  They're definitely coming fast for me;  I'm leaving for our home-away-from-home in Guatemala on the 13th, and won't be back until January 2!  So I'm going to get right to it.  Here are some past tutorials for Hanukkah and Christmas gifts.  Most of these posts have step outs or videos.  Enjoy!

Holiday Gift Bags and Gift Card Holders

Mobils

Quick and Easy Holiday Tags

Gift Card Holders and Journals

Do you have links to favorite holiday projects?  Leave them in the comments. Make sure to check back every day next week, because Monday through Friday, I'll have new ideas and tutorials for you, as well as some giveaways! I'm calling it "Handmade for the Holidays."  See you then!

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!  

 

Three Ways to Get Ready for 2016

I know ... it's not even Halloween yet!  

I promise that I'm not trying to rush through the holidays.  

But as we wind down 2015, here are three ways to prepare for 2016.

Finish Up Old Projects:

If you're like me, you have unfinished art projects laying around.  Finish a few of them and you'll have a jump on holiday gifts.  I recently finished this work-in-progress.  

I had a 6" square canvas on which I had stenciled some icons from my Teacups and Teapot stencil from Stencil Girl Products.    

I painted in the stenciled images, added some Garden Flowers and Leaves and some marker and pen work, and done!  I already know just who the recipient is going to be! 

To see tips for creating painterly effects with your stamps and stencils, check out this post where I introduced the Krishna Stencil from Stencil Girl Products with a video about giving your stenciled designs your own hand.  

You can also watch Achieving Painterly Effects with Stencils on YouTube here. 

Learn Some New Tips and Techniques

Do you want 21 days of free creative interviews, tips and techniques?  Of course you do! 

Beginning November 2, get 21 days of interviews, tips and techniques, and giveaways from your favorite artists. And it's FREE!  Sign up here.   I'm one of the lucky 21 artists to be interviewed.  On my interview date, I'll have a giveaway for you too.

This is a great way to learn some new techniques, or be reminded of old ones.  Jot down ideas in your journal so you have no shortage of prompts and inspiration for 2016.

Update Your Wall Calendar

I always get excited about picking out a new calendar for a new year.  While I'll be sad to turn the last page of my 2015 calendar, I'm excited to unveil a new calendar for 2016.  Each image is suitable for framing when the year is done.    They are $20, which includes shipping. 

Won't You Vote for Me?

One of my creations is up for the Craftsys Awards.  It's a cigar box transformed into a treasure chest to be filled with notes of gratitude for everyday blessings. I would love if you'd vote for me. 






How do you get ready for a new year?  I'd love to hear.  

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!