Stencil It for A Vintage Journey

Hi everyone and welcome! Today sees the launch of the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey called 'Stencil It'. Our host for this one is the amazing Amanda and here's what she has in store for us; "There are so many fantastic stencils available to us right now and so many ways in which to use them so we would like you to include stencilling in whatever it is you choose to create for this challenge. Don’t forget all the ways in which they can be used – inks , sprays , paints, texture/embossing pastes and gesso are all stencil friendly. So be sure to have fun and embrace your stencils in your vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial or steampunk projects.!"

This month we are being sponsored by Country View Crafts who are offering a shop voucher for a randomly drawn winner. And three hand picked Pinworthies will be offered a Guest appearance for later challenge, so there's plenty of reasons to join in the fun.

I actually had something of a plan in my head for this canvas, wanting to show how stencils can be used in layers with a variety of textures to create the perfect basis for the addition of a little colour and a scattering of embellishments.

And here's a guide to show you how that background came together;

Check out How to Create a Layered Stencil Background by Jenny Marples on Snapguide.

Finally here are some close up photos which let you can see how the handmade flowers and plaster moulds work to enhance that background and provide the essential focal point. I deliberately kept the colours pale and added plenty of layers of white gesso to emulate those gorgeous plaster mouldings you see on the finest buildings in Britain. And did you know you can use the thinnest of smears of gold embossing paste as a way of highlighting moulds and flowers!

I love how the alcohol inks really help to reveal the crackle texture and lower layers of stencilling/crazing. Tim Holtz Remnant Rubs are a great way of adding a little extra detail over uneven surfaces. Coat them with a little matte medium to ensure they remain securely in place. Some of the flowers have been created using Substrate Sheets and there's a guide to making the largest of the flowers on my Snapguide page if you're curious.

I am entering this into the following challenges;

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - August (Anything Goes)

Altered Eclectics - August (Anything Goes)

So that's where this month's fabulous theme took me. Now I urge you to hop on over to A Vintage Journey to see what my fellow Creative Guides have come up with - it's well worth the trip! Then it's over to you - the challenge will remain open for a month so there's plenty of time to get those creative juices flowing and link up your entries to be in with a chance to win. For now take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx