…it’s a HOP!!

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You’re at the HOP!!  It’s my pleasure today to share a fun stencil from The Crafter’s Workshop, designed by Julie Balzer.  The “Peek A Boo” stencil, is a composition of repeating “half moon” shapes in a block pattern.  The arrangement of the patterns on the 12″ x 12″ template was begging me to make an art journal!  The four groups of circles is a perfect canvas for a decorative background for lettering and journaling.  In the midst of my hosting my online lettering classes, this was a perfect opportunity to create another small lettering journal, i’m calling my “Vision Book”.

I started with 2 sheets of 12″x12″ watercolor cut to size.  Both sides were spritzed with the new spray inks, Dylusions from Ranger.  Of course the bold, vibrant palette just sings to me!

After the inks were dry, i painted to a thin coat of gesso to unify the page, soften the colors and create a smooth surface for writing.

When the gesso dried, i cut out around the “half moon” shapes around the borders on all four sides.  When i first saw this stencil i envisioned whimsical scallops as edges of pages in a handmade journal!

 …Using a metal t-square for leverage, i tore the pages down the center creating 4 pages of design to be folded in half to make 8 book pages.  (this is actually a 6 page book with a half sheet for the inclusion, and the other half for the cover decoration)

I used 3 pages to make the book and bound the pages with bookbinding thread.  I then tore the 4th piece in half to make and inclusion page, and a decorative ruffle for the front.  The scallops were screaming “paper ruffle” to me!  I cut two strips for the ruffle from one leftover square from the stenciled pattern.  The scallops were created by rolling the cutout “moons” with a thin paintbrush handle to create dimension, then glued to the journal cover.

Bling girl that i am, i then coated the cover with the new Silks, the delicious acrylic glaze paints, which glided on like shiny buttah!  Be still my blinging heart!

My favorite part comes last, filling the book with lettering samplers, writing words and quotes with my black markers and sparkly Sakura Galaxy pens.  I love how the stencil design elements became the dimension for the edges of each page.

This was such a great challenge, to take a stencil and do something completely out of the ordinary with it.  That’s what i love about my life as art, being constantly inspired to make something simple, or wonderful in every creation.

Join the fun and HOP on these links to see what my friends created with this stencil.  
Creativity is a magical thing!

41 thoughts on “…it’s a HOP!!”

  1. Amaizing backgroumg love it. I did not get into the art journal yet, I am waiting for the gesso, but i want to try it.I lekr the colors and the mist you used..tks for inspiration.

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  5. Wow.. I LOVE CW templates, and have a growing collection, but I don't know that I would have picked up this one UNTIL I saw your post today! I recently had to make a layer of scrapbooking paper with large scallops around the edge, which was a bit of a project before I could move onto the real focus of my whole art journal/mixed media page layout. The way you made scallops, and ruffles, from this template was fascinating to me, and I think now, I simply HAVE to order one ASAP! Thanks so much for the inspiration! ((hugs)) ~tina

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  6. Joanne…you rocked this stencil!!! I see a need to create another journal in a similiar manner…possibly for the next lettering class:)

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  12. Great colors! I really like the scallops, especially the cutouts on the cover. I just bought a couple of bottles of Dylusions but now wish I had bought the pink and purple instead of the blue and green.

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  13. Ok, what you done is fantastic. I too just purchased a couple of bottles of Dylusions. See all of this makes me certain I made the right decision to retire. June 1 is my last day at work and I cannot wait to play and create. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  19. Thank you for the inspiration and sharing. I totally want to get up and go make something. I am in full creative mode right now, but must get through the work day. I knew I shouldn't have taken an internet break. 🙂 The journal is beautiful. The color choices were fantastic.

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  21. How cool is that cute little vision book! Thank you for the inspiration. Love these blog hops to see all the creativity out there. Thank you!

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  32. Stunning! Three of my favorite things; stencils, spray inks, and lettering! Thanx so much for sharing and for the inspiration! :)KimMJbast830@comcast.net

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  33. Joanne: Question 🙂 You must've torn the 12×12 sheets in half PRIOR to cutting the scalloped edges, right? I was following the steps to make one of these, but realized that when I followed in order I had cut the scallops before tearing in half…then I had a straight side. I should've thought that through.

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  40. What a trip this blog hop has been! For one thing, it's my introduction to your art and I love it! I have to thank Julie for introducing me to your art. What you all did with her stencil was so different – I'm not surprised – and so beautiful. I love rich colors and the art work at the top of your blog is beautiful.

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