I'm so excited about today's blog hop! I love Traci's work and I was pretty psyched when I found out she had stencils coming out. For today's project, I received Circles Circles to play with. If you know me at all, you know I love me some circles! So I couldn't wait to use this. And I used it a lot!
If you follow Traci's work, you know she has a new book that just came out called Printmaking Unleashed so, inspired by the idea of printmaking, I used this stencil to make a mini art journal with background pages full of lots of prints and mark making using this awesome stencil.
The finished book measures 5.5" tall by 4.25" wide, and there are 40 pages packed in there! There's a thumbnail gallery of all of the inside pages at the bottom of the post if you want to see the whole thing. In the meantime, here's a peek into the process of creating it, along with some of the different techniques I used.
First, I got 11 sheets of paper roughly the same size (one will be the inside cover.) I had cardstock, deli paper, cut up manila folders, and some Rives BFK printmaking paper that I cut from scraps from another project. I also pulled out my Gelli Plate and brayer since I knew I wanted to do gelli printing as the basis of most of the pages.
Next, I got out three colors of paint and started rolling them out on my plate. (Remember to make them colors that blend well together - complimentary colors make mud!)
Here's where you want to have all of your paper handy ahead of time. I put the stencil down on the painted plate and then used a sheet of paper to print through it, and was able to pull a second print as well.
Then you lift off the stencil and put another sheet on the plate to print the reverse of the stencil with the paint that was under it. Sometimes you can also get a print off of the stencil itself. I got some faint ones that I built on top of. I repeated this several times, and changed my color palette halfway through to add some variety. On some of the papers, I didn't print, but instead cleaned my brayer on them to just lay down a wash of color... you'll see how I used that further down.
Once the pages are printed, it's time to start adding more layers! I put away my gelli plate and got out stamps, inks, rubons, and more stencils. I'll share just a few of my favorite ways that I layered on top of my prints.
First up, part of why I love circles is because they create these happy little spaces just waiting to be filled. For this one, I used the Hunab Ku stencil by Mary Beth Shaw along with a foam stamp that I made out of it to fill in some of the circles.
Next, one of the options for how to use the papers that just have paint straight from the brayer. I layed the stencil on top of the painted surface and then used my blending tool to ink over it so that the color showed through.
Another fun way to layer... I got my Circles Circles stencil back out as well as the Runes stencil by Jessica Sporn and layed the circles on top with the Runes underneath and then inked through them (being careful to keep the circle stencil in place as I moved the smaller one underneath.) Then I went back over with my blending tool and ink to add a bit more color to some of the areas that needed definition.
Above is one reason why it's cool that these stencils are so thin, and below is another! This time I used one of Traci's stamps to stamp through the openings in the stencil (I lined it up with the print underneath.)
And one more layering photo... in this one I just used paint and a sponge to daub through one stencil directly onto the page. I just watched the lines to keep it within the circles, but you could also layer the stencils like I did with the Runes stencil above.
The other layering I did was stamping, more stenciling, paint (and some reduction stenciling,) inking, and adding rubons which you can see in the finished book.
Once all the pages are done and dry, you can do a quick and easy binding technique to make a little pamphlet book. I fold all of the pages individually with a bone folder, stack them inside each other, and then use an awl to make the holes going through all the pages at once. I used binder clips to hold my pages together while I did this.
Then you make the cover. I took a piece of thin chipboard (I save the pieces that I get in the mail if I order paper or anything. The envelopes you get when you order from StencilGirl work well too - just sayin' ;) and cut it so it was about 1/4" larger than the pages on all sides. Then I fold it in half and center the paper that I've chosen for the inside cover and adhere it with gel medium.
Once that's done, find a piece of decorative paper or another print for the outside - it should be about 1/2" bigger on all sides than the cover. Center the cover and adhere with gel medium, and then clip the corners as you see in the photo below so that you don't get lumps of paper in the corners when you fold the flaps around. Once that's done, center the inside pages and use them as a guide to poke holes in the cover, and then tie it all together. I used a piece of waxed linen thread.
That's it! Now I have a great little mini art journal with lots of pages that have completed backgrounds ready for me to build on.
The other stencils used in the book not yet linked up are:
Here's the thumbnail gallery, and make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for the next blogs on the list and a giveaway!
Links for today's blog hop:
And... of course, it's not a blog hop without a giveaway!
Update! The winners for the blog hop prize have been announced... congrats to the winners!
Love all the different looks you got from Traci's stencil--fantastic book! That stamp you made is really neat! Also, love how you used my stencil to fill in the circles on the one page :)
Posted by: Maria McGuire | July 13, 2014 at 11:41 PM
Great book! I love how you stamped through the circles. It makes me think I do not make the most of my stencils.
Posted by: muriel | July 14, 2014 at 01:38 AM
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!
Love the way you layered the stencils and created your own stamp, too! This book is SO GORGEOUS, Gwen! :)
Posted by: Mary C. Nasser | July 14, 2014 at 06:38 AM
Gwen, beautiful results, love the book idea! You have jam packed a lot into this post :) Well done!
Posted by: Mary Beth Shaw | July 14, 2014 at 07:08 AM
Thank you for choosing my stencil Silhouette of a Wildflower Bouquet to use alongside the others in making this beautiful book! Traci B's designs are fantastic and you have shown them off in an awesome way!
Posted by: Cecilia Swatton | July 14, 2014 at 07:23 AM
Love the circles, thanks for sharing your tips :)
Posted by: Shannon Miller | July 14, 2014 at 07:27 AM
Book of happiness and joy here! So much playful fun you've captured in your layers and colors! Love the thumbnail gallery too!
Posted by: Carolyn Dube | July 14, 2014 at 07:35 AM
I am not sure what I love most... the colors or the theme. I have not created a journal that has the same theme as the base and I love that idea! Thank you. The stencils are fab - ideas are running through my mind :-)
Posted by: Karen Borusiewicz | July 14, 2014 at 07:51 AM
That's a great little book! I looooove my gelli plate, so I love the idea of a book based on that one stencil for the theme. Puts the burden of creativity into the color and additional textures. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jen Judd | July 14, 2014 at 07:51 AM
I Love your book! So much fun!
Posted by: Janet | July 14, 2014 at 07:51 AM
Your book is so cute...I really want to make one - and I like the idea of using one stencil through out it!!!!
Posted by: Anita Ocampo | July 14, 2014 at 08:10 AM
Wow! I'm a novice yet with my gelliplate, so your use of the stencil is awesome fodder for me! Thanks for sharing your beautiful work.
Posted by: nancy Johnston | July 14, 2014 at 08:12 AM
What an art journal! Colorful and inspirational ~ looks fabulous! :)
Posted by: Kirsten Reed | July 14, 2014 at 08:17 AM
I want to make my own mini journal book. What a wonderful idea.
Posted by: April Lopez | July 14, 2014 at 08:19 AM
LOVE the way you've used this stencil - wowza!
Posted by: Win Dinn | July 14, 2014 at 08:45 AM
Love your gorgeous "printed" art journal! Just shows how versatile these Stencil Girl stencils are by Traci!
Posted by: Beverly Jordan | July 14, 2014 at 09:11 AM
so much information and such amazing designs. thank you so much for the inspiration and chance to win these incredible stencils. xox
Posted by: Lura Brown | July 14, 2014 at 09:42 AM
Gorgeous, you make me want to bring out my brayer!!!
Posted by: Glenda T. | July 14, 2014 at 09:45 AM
Such a pretty little journal! Your techniques are so much fun! I can't wait to try them myself.
Posted by: Raine | July 14, 2014 at 09:49 AM
Always looking for new book ideas, and I love this one. Thank you so much for sharing
Posted by: Courtney Miley | July 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Absolutely beautiful way to show off Traci's new stencils! I love your technique of using two stencils as one. Clever girl ;) thanks for sharing your process, Gwen!
Posted by: Martice Smith II | July 14, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Love your book! Looks like so much fun! Thanks for sharing the process in pixs and words...Helps up newbies envision the process. Thanks for sring.
Posted by: sandy | July 14, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Very cool. I like the circles---very fun.
Posted by: Sharon Gullikson | July 14, 2014 at 11:53 AM
Love the versatility. Can't wait to get my hands on them!
Posted by: Jane | July 14, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Great ideas - hanks for sharing! Loving Traci's stencils!!
Posted by: Suzanne | July 14, 2014 at 12:45 PM
Love the mini book! Traci's circle stencil is perfect for a background!
Posted by: Laurie Hunt | July 14, 2014 at 12:49 PM
I love what you've done - thank you for sharing this with us ! I love the circles stencil too !
Posted by: Gill | July 14, 2014 at 01:06 PM
What a great journal you created! I love all the variations you got from Traci's stencil plus stamps and other stencils. Yummy, rich colors too! Thanks again for sharing how you create these little books.
Posted by: Denise Huntington | July 14, 2014 at 01:11 PM
nice pages with such variety.
Posted by: gjeneve | July 14, 2014 at 01:24 PM
That mini-book is to die for....such fabulous colours. I LOVE Traci's stencil designs, and would love to win a set.
Posted by: Jo Murray | July 14, 2014 at 01:36 PM
Wow! Love your blog! Glad I found it through the blog hop. I'm really excited about the new stencils....I love the circles! And your book tutorial is fabulous! Thank you! Mucho times!!!
Posted by: Linda Levine | July 14, 2014 at 01:41 PM
You've done an awesome job showing off the versatility of this stencil! Such beautiful colours.
Posted by: Wendy | July 14, 2014 at 02:05 PM
So vibrant!!!! What a terrific mini-book!
Posted by: Nancy Curry | July 14, 2014 at 02:08 PM
I just got agelli plate and need some new toys to play with it!! This stencil is amazing! Loved your pages!
Posted by: Nickalli | July 14, 2014 at 02:08 PM
Such a great stencils, they just call for printing!
Posted by: Ruth L | July 14, 2014 at 03:06 PM
Teriffic idea for using Traci's stencil!! Love the little book!! Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Barbara Albrecht | July 14, 2014 at 03:18 PM
Fabulous project using Traci's stencils, thank for a chance to win!
Posted by: Jackie smith | July 14, 2014 at 03:34 PM
Fun way to use the new stencils! Love the little minibook you made :)
Posted by: Jeannie | July 14, 2014 at 03:38 PM
WOW. I am going to bookmark this page - too many cool ideas to absorb in one viewing. Love the prints you made.
Posted by: michelle starke | July 14, 2014 at 03:39 PM
Love the diversity in your art work. You and Carolyn are after my own heart with the bright orange and pink! :) Thank you for the chance to win!
Take care and STAY POSITIVE!
Posted by: #trenabrannonart | July 14, 2014 at 03:53 PM
Beautiful book. I've been itching to use my gelli plate again. I see a book in my future!
Posted by: ShannonWL | July 14, 2014 at 04:18 PM
I love your book! What a great variety with one main stencil! I even have a book swap this weekend and may use some similar idea. Thanks for a really great posr!
Posted by: Denise Spillane | July 14, 2014 at 04:28 PM
What a fun book...one of my favorite ways to use mixed media..and a great use of the circle stencil, and a gelli plate. Enjoyed the post!
Posted by: Beckie Tilinski | July 14, 2014 at 04:32 PM
great new stencil designs. thanks as always for sharing.
Posted by: TheresaMP | July 14, 2014 at 04:47 PM
Love how you combined your gelli prints with the new stencil from Traci (and others). Adorable journal! Now if I could just win a set of Traci Bautista;s stencils, I'll be making all kinds of journals! Keeping my eyes, fingers and toes crossed!
Posted by: MaggieM | July 14, 2014 at 04:53 PM
one word --- AMAZING! I how you used the stencil on the gelli plate! Such wonderful pages! Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | July 14, 2014 at 05:00 PM
Love what you did with these fabulous stencils! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!
Posted by: Vick Robinson | July 14, 2014 at 05:18 PM
enjoyed the tut. These blog hops are so cool.
Posted by: Marleen Higginbotham | July 14, 2014 at 05:35 PM
love! what you did with the stencils-so versatile!
Posted by: donna joy | July 14, 2014 at 06:50 PM
Gwen...your project is so colorful and vibrant. LOVE all the different pages and the mini art journal..FAB! thanks for sharing about my new book and stamps :)
Posted by: Traci Bautista | July 14, 2014 at 06:57 PM