StencilGirl Blog Hop: Eileen Hull / Sizzix!

This week the StencilGirl creative team showcasing stamps and Sizzix dies by Eileen Hull!

I was pretty excited about this, because I'm kind of going back to my roots with some stamping and scrapbooking. We got to work with some of Eileen's acrylic stamps and Sizzix ScoreBoards dies. For today's post, I'm using the Picket Fence stamp set, and diecuts from the Sizzix ScoreBoards Mini Album XL Die, and the Sizzix Bigz Flower Layers with Heart Petals Die along with a few stencils from StencilGirl.

And without further ado, here's today's project:

I used the mini album ScoreBoards diecut to make... a mini album! It's been a while since I've done any scrapbooking and I had some photos I was excited to use. And I do love me a mini! Not only that, but I wanted to show how easy it is to use stencils and stamps to create your own patterned paper when you want to make a theme album and use the same colors and patterns to tie everything together.

Here's a little tutorial on how I decorated the cover and assembled the book. (The final album photos are in a thumbnail gallery at the bottom so you can see how I used the stamps and stencils on the inside pages.)

To start, I picked out a color scheme I wanted that would go with my theme and photos (yellow, blue, dark blue, ivory, and kraft) and then painted the outside of the album with Golden Titan Buff as the base. Then I laid down the Heart Grid Stencil by Terri Stegmiller and pounced Golden Hansa Yellow fluid acrylic paint through the opening with a Sofft Art Sponge. 

Once that dried, I put the stencil back in place and then stamped over it with one of the background pattern stamps from the Picket Fence stamp set. Two great things here: first, the stencils are thin enough that they don't interfere with getting a good impression when you stamp through them. Second, the background stamps are designed so that you can create a larger background pattern by matching up the edges. So I just stamped over the stencil like I was creating a large background across my cover.

And when I finished... pull back the stencil, and voila!

I repeated this on the other half of the cover, and then took my Fude black pen and did a little outlining of the stenciled shape.

And then, even though it wasn't in my color palette, I really needed a pop of color, so I used Liquid Pearls to color the hearts.

Next, time to do the inside covers. I painted the background with Golden Cerulean Deep Blue fluid acrylics, let it dry, and then stamped all over the inside cover with a cream ink and the polka dot background stamp from the stamp set. Then I layered the Heart & Flowers stencil by Margaret Applin over top and pounced my Hansa Yellow paint through the openings. Once that was dry, I outlined with a fine line applicator filled with Titanium White fluid acrylics mixed with a bit of airbrush medium. Finally, I masked off around the larger opening and then stamped through that again with more polka dots.

You can see how the this turned out in thumbnail gallery below.

Next, I worked on the inside pages. I cut several sheets of white and kraft cardstock into 10.5"x4.5" strips, folded them in half and creased with a bone folder, and then stacked them inside of each other and clipped them in place. I created a template showing where the holes were going to go (make sure you mark the top,) and used that to poke 5 holes in the fold of the pages.

Next, I took my stamps, stencils, and inks and went and sat in front of the TV while I decorated the inside pages. I alternated stamping and stenciling and also switched back and forth between yellow and blue inks, just working steadily through them until all of my pages were decorated with patterns. I continued to use the Heart Grid Stencil, and also added the Inky Hearts stencil (also by Terri Stegmiller) and the Random Squares stencil by Jessica Sporn.

From there I grabbed my dried cover and used my template and centered it on the spine and used an awl and a self-healing mat to drill the holes. Then I just used a embroidery needle and some bakers twine to bind the book (make sure all of your pages are right side up first. I'm not speaking from experience or anything. lol.) I took the needle through the top hole from the outside, and then just went in and out down to the bottom and then back up again so that there were no gaps between holes inside or out. You'll come back out again through the top hole, and I just tied it off, but you could add some beads or charms or something here - I've done that before and it's a nice effect.

Next I added the photos to the right hand pages and then I just went through my stash and found embellishments and journaling spots that went with my colors and theme to do the rest. Finally, it was time to finish the front cover. I took some flowers cut from mat board and stenciled and stamped them, inked the edges, and then added some blue and yellow ribbons to the back of the largest flower.

You can see here and in the inside pages where I took yellow and blue paint markers (the one below is from Krink) and filled in some of the openings in the stenciled and stamped images. It really made a difference and helped them look more like patterned paper. I loved the effect!

Then I stacked them with glue dots and finished it off with a yellow enamel dot and adhered the whole thing to the front of my album along with a blank label to help it pop off the background.

And that's it! Here are the inside pages:

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That's my project for today! I hope you enjoyed it :) 

Updated with the winner - congrats Auntie Em!

Here are the blogs to make sure you visit today, and check out StencilGirl Talk every day to make sure you get the full list for the week!

• StencilGirl Talk
• Gwen Lafleur <-- You are here!
• Mary C. Nasser 
• Anna-Karin Evaldsson
• Michelle Zerull

Happy hopping!

Comments

[Eileen Hull]

Gwen- wow this is just beautiful and you used the stamps and stencils in such creative ways! I have to try that binding system- I am always in such a rush but think this would be a good way to keep the pages in securely. Cute little ones you have too :-) Thanks for hopping with us!

[Anne Rx]

I think that Heart Grid Stencil is fabulous and I love that you took it further and outlined it in black, it looks amazing. The Hearts and Flowers one is beautiful. I love the fact too that the stencils are thin enough to be able to add some stamping - so versatile!

[Cath Sheard]

As a scrapbooker this project really appeals, and I love that you shared your book binding process; it's something I want to get better at.

[Mary C. Nasser]

Beautiful, Gwen!
Brilliant that you stamped through the stencil!!

[Stefanie]

Love this mini you have created :o) I'm just getting into journaling and I really like how you've used the stencils and stamps together to create the backgrounds - I shall have to remember that!!

[Jackie P Neal]

Gwen, your mini journal is simply adorable! And I love the stencil used as well as your choice of colors and embellishments!! Sweet!

[Dolly]

Very arty!! TFS

[Janet]

This is beautiful Gwen!

[Amy*]

Gorgeous mini album! I love the stamping through the stencils!
Amy*

[Tasha F]

So much fun. I almost forgot that I can my mixed medium goodies back to my scrapbooking roots :)

[Claudine Criner]

Wow, this is awesome, so many beautiful bright colors and so cheery

[ShannonWL]

Love stamping through the stencil for custom backgrounds. An idea for me to remember. :-)

[marylouh]

thanks for the detailed instructions on making the mini-album. It is so bright and colorful. Will look great when displayed on a table.

[Denise Huntington]

Gwen, your album is amazing! I love the design and color scheme (and your family photos too). Just lovely. I want to make albums for my family members for Christmas and this is great inspiration for me. Thanks!

[Linda K]

yes, yes, yes. Wonderful project and the colors are right on!

[Tricia]

What a great tutorial on how you did this. I really love that book and how you embellished it with the flowers. Love all the layering you did!

[Andrea Ockey Parr]

LOVE your many clever techniques here and the pictures and instructions were fabulous! So much eye candy and inspiring info. I especially liked the idea of outlining the stencil shapes with pen-- such a great whimsical look. Thanks for sharing!

[Nancy Sapp]

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your mini-album! So pretty. And you're so talented.

[Linda from LA]

loved the project and found it inspiration. Got several ideas for future projects of my own.

[Noreen]

It looks so easy with stencils and stamps! Love your flower!

[shawna vail]

I like that grid.

[ros]

thanks of sharing the colour is so vibrant

[Elizabeth]

The black pen work adds so much dimension to the stenciling. Really cool effect!

[Gill]

Wow! this is fabulous, I love what you've done!

[Anna-Karin]

Fabulous mini book!! Love all the different patterns you made and the happy bright colours. The flower on the cover is gorgeous.

[Debbie Kaste]

Great album. Love the colors and the stencils look like so much fun to use. Thanks for the tutorial. Can't wait to try doing this myself:)

[Jo Murray]

Thanks for all the detailed info. Your colours are perfect and I love the embellishment on the cover.....those teensy hearts just make it sing.

[ScrappyCamperSisters]

I love the use of the stencils, the color combo and the layered flower!

[Heather Thompson]

wow, that is a great book, you put a lot of work into that!! great colors.

[Marguerite Harty]

I so love mini books and you did a fabulous job with yours! Very nice. I also love the colors you used.

[Lisa V]

Love the colors you used!

[ionabunny]

That's a mega mini-book. Love the cover. Blue and yellow is a classic combo and just gorgeous here

[Kathy Adams]

Beautiful mini book! I love how you made your own patterned paper with the stencils!

[Sandy Lane]

I love the project & you instrutions Tks

[Mary Beth Shaw]

Gwen, this is so totally adorable. I love how you used these two stencils together, I had never thought of it, but the pair up beautifully. Awesome work.

[Denise Spillane]

I love your book. Thank you for sharing your cool style.

[Shari Czerwinski]

Beautiful journal and wonderful colors!

[Carol Samsel]

OH MY!!! What an adorable mini!!!! You did a great job!!!!

[Linda Cain]

This is just too cute for words! Bravo!

~Linda

[Denise Bryant]

Great project! Love the stencils you used!

[Carol K]

LOVE these stencils. . . great technique. . . thanks for sharing.

[Shari T]

What a lovely little baby book, Gwen :) And I love using stencils as masks, too! Stencils are a multi-purpose tool, for sure :) I'm hopping along with the SG/EH Blog Hop and completely enjoying the wonderful creations everyone has been making! Wonderful inspiration! XOXO-Shari T.

[Susan Schultheis]

Another great hop from Stencil Girl using Eileen hull's inspiration. A perfect pair! I love everyone's creations as always.

[Donna]

What a great mini album! I love how you used your stencils and stamps. Great colors!
Love all the details!

[Liz]

Very cute project! Love how you combined the stencil and stamp. Very clever.

[gribouille]

What a marvellous album !!!! I love it !!!!

[Laurajo]

What a darling album. Those heart stencils are fab and love Eileen's Scoreboard Die. It made the perfect sized mini album. TFS!!

[mjmarmo]

THis is a wonderful project! Love the stamping through the stencil!

[Amante del Papel]

Fantastic mini, is so lovely, and the colors choice fantstici!!!

[Ruth L]

So much fun of a mini album, loved all the pages of it!