I'm so excited to be participating in this week's blog hop with Leslie Riley and StencilGirl! I've always loved the look of transfers, especially photo transfers, so I was excited to use Leslie's Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) along with stencils for this week's project.
I frequently audition ideas for bigger pieces of art in my art journal, and I had an idea I wanted to try out using TAP to transfer a photo and embellish with stenciling. So my project today is my art journal "prototype" using a picture of my niece Aubrey that was just begging to be played with!
I started out by following the directions on the packaging for creating the transfer and printed out my photo.
Then I cut it out and ironed it onto a blank page in my art journal.
For my first time trying this, I was pretty pleased! I messed it up a little, but I was good with it... most of it was going to be covered up. The transfer has kind of a cool, grainy texture (which might be because I did it wrong... lol. It could happen.) and you get pretty true colors but with a slightly grungy feel. I really liked it!
From here, I wanted a background to surround the photo, so I took the backing I peeled off during the transfer and used it as a mask to stencil the background.
To do this, I used the Rembrandt's Words stencil by Carolyn Dube and stenciled it first in light green ink, then just nudged the stencil over a bit and did it again with teal to create an offset effect with the words.
Next, I took the Layered Peonies stencil by Jessica Sporn and started creating a crown of flowers around Aubrey's head with various shades of pink acrylic paint.
So far so good! Then, since she had pink and purple flowers on her shirt, I thought I'd add purple flowers to her crown. So I used purple paints and the Tossed Blossoms stencil by Terri Stegmiller to put some in here and there. Yeah... the purple? Not so good. Maybe it would look better with a butterfly? I had planned that all along, but was hoping it would cover up some of what wasn't working and make it better. I added that using the one on the Nature's Promises stencil by Roxanne Evans Stout. The butterfly looked good! The rest? Not so much. This was definitely an ugly phase.
Am I wrong? No. Ugly. (Not my niece, she's adorable. But the rest? Ugh.) In an effort to keep going and salvage things, I attempted several potential remedies that didn't turn out well. I was about 90% convinced that I was going to be starting over, but decided to give it just one last try before throwing in the towel.
I kind of morphed the pinks into yellow (because neon is really best in small doses.) Then I glazed the entire page with Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide Golden fluid acrylics and let it dry. And finally, when all else fails, add Liquid Pearls (and turquoise, of course!) I thought I might have gone too far and finally ruined it completely, but I kept pushing it and ended up really liking it, even though it was absolutely not what I originally had in mind.
It's kind of like a cool, pop art piece and despite the fact that it's a little weird, I really like it! A few close-ups:
And that's my project for this hop! Despite my near epic failure, I had a lot of fun and really loved using the Transfer Artist Paper. Such a fun product!
And now for the part you've all been waiting for, the giveaway!
Do you want to try TAP Transfer Artist Paper and StencilGirl stencils? We have you covered! Just leave a comment and enter to win this FABULOUS pack that will get you started!
ALL comments left on all the posts in this week's blog hop are eligible to win! (One comment per person per post, please.) Giveaway closes on Sunday, November 16th @ 11:59PM Central Time.
If you haven't already, don't forget to hop over to the other posts today for more inspiration and chances to win!
- StencilGirl Talk
- Mary C. Nasser
- Gwen Lafleur <-- you are here!
Thanks for stopping by, and happy hopping!
Wonderful page, Gwen!
Love the look of the offset lettering in the background.
And isn't being an aunt the BEST! :)
Posted by: Mary C. Nasser | November 11, 2014 at 04:34 AM
I like all the texture in your page. I'm sure your niece will love it.
Posted by: Kimberly Carmichael | November 11, 2014 at 05:42 AM
I like how you kept pushing it...bea
Posted by: bea savellano | November 11, 2014 at 06:31 AM
Love your ideas!
Posted by: Leslie | November 11, 2014 at 06:44 AM
How fun! Can't wait to get some TAP and play!
Posted by: Shari C. | November 11, 2014 at 07:03 AM
Your niece is adorable and I love the way you framed here with the flowers and stenciling
Posted by: Jackie P Neal | November 11, 2014 at 08:17 AM
Your piece isn't a failure at all. I think it turned out great. Very pop arty for sure. Thank you for the chance to win.
Posted by: Kim McM | November 11, 2014 at 08:50 AM
I think it's fabulous!! Love working in layers.
Posted by: Marguerite Harty | November 11, 2014 at 09:39 AM
Love what you did, very creative.
Posted by: Margaret Griffiths | November 11, 2014 at 10:14 AM
Great ideas..and wonderful color. Thanks for sharing..and for the chance to win some TAP!
Posted by: Beckie Tilinski | November 11, 2014 at 10:32 AM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Not weird at all. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Tiffany McGuckin | November 11, 2014 at 10:55 AM
You have to start somewhere when you get a new product.
there may be some boo-boo's, but nobody will know that except you. Great picture in your art journal.
thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Marylouh | November 11, 2014 at 11:15 AM
I enjoyed your process narrative. We have all been there - about to put a piece in the UFO box, but just need to try one more thing. And after a few more steps (inspired nudges?)you have something that stands on its own. I like your results - nice use of the TAP and stencils.
Posted by: Barb Ingersoll | November 11, 2014 at 11:22 AM
What a great work of ART. I think I might like to try TAP
Posted by: sherri scott | November 11, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Good rescue. Looks like TAP makes image transfer relatively easy. LOVE that handwriting stencil!
Posted by: Jo Murray | November 11, 2014 at 11:46 AM
Thanks for sharing your process with us
Posted by: Kim Ward | November 11, 2014 at 11:49 AM
Wowza! Looks like you rocked this! I need to try the TAP too….thank you, Gwen!
Posted by: Sue Chesley | November 11, 2014 at 12:32 PM
I haven't tried TAP yet but I do love stencils.
Posted by: Rhonda Davis | November 11, 2014 at 12:43 PM
great use of the flowers! sltresso at hotmail dot com
Posted by: stephanie | November 11, 2014 at 01:13 PM
Beautiful page, is great!
Posted by: Amante del Papel | November 11, 2014 at 02:40 PM
Hi Gwen. I love how you stuck with the project. Trying something new can be frustrating but what you ended up with is fantastic. You certainly know how to trust the process.
Thanks for joining us and giving TAP a whirl~
Posted by: Lesley Riley | November 11, 2014 at 03:14 PM
Enjoy seeing all these ideas. Keep up the great work! Thanks
Posted by: sandy | November 11, 2014 at 03:26 PM
It's that happy accident thing...and it did turn out great! Glad you pushed thru because she looks like a cool little rock star :)
textilerecycler (at) yahoo (dot)(com)
Posted by: textilerecycler | November 11, 2014 at 04:16 PM
What a fun idea.
Posted by: Gilda (mcstamper) | November 11, 2014 at 04:42 PM
I can think of soooo many potential projects with that tap. Glad you kept going because it did turn out pretty cool!
Posted by: Lisa V | November 11, 2014 at 05:17 PM
It is amazing where our experiments lead us!
I love tap! And using stencils.
Jo
Posted by: Jo Vandermey | November 11, 2014 at 06:13 PM
I love that you kept going after you thought it was in the ugly phase. I usually stop at that point and probably miss out on the jackpot! Thanks for showing us your lovely project.
Posted by: Denise Huntington | November 11, 2014 at 08:20 PM
Thank you for a chance at such a great giveaway! Using TAP looks like so much fun and the ideas are endless! I love how your project turned out!
Posted by: Melanie | November 11, 2014 at 08:36 PM
I love how you dove in and tried something new. It was inspiring to read about your process.
Posted by: Cheryl | November 11, 2014 at 09:49 PM
Really interesting treatment of the piece! Oh, and your niece is adorable, too.
Posted by: Linda on the Prairie | November 11, 2014 at 10:13 PM
Some great ideas, Gwen...thanks so much for the inspiration!
mzdetail (at) gmail (dot com)
Posted by: Wendy Bain | November 12, 2014 at 07:34 AM
Nice job!
Posted by: terri thayer | November 12, 2014 at 09:35 AM
Sooooo cool!!
Posted by: Helen Markee | November 12, 2014 at 10:15 AM
wow! very cool!
Posted by: Cheryl | November 12, 2014 at 11:33 AM
Interesting and staying with it can teach us a lot.
Posted by: [email protected] | November 12, 2014 at 12:31 PM
I would love to try TAP. Just what I am looking for right now. Love the stencils.
Posted by: Eileen | November 12, 2014 at 07:20 PM
I think it turned out cool! You can always try it again and again, and it will come out different every time. That's been my experience. Love Carolyn's Rembrandt's Words Stencil and the flower stencils tat you chose. Fun Hop and wonderful giveaway too. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Laurajo | November 12, 2014 at 08:09 PM
I loved your description of your creative process with this piece, and seeing the changes! What fun! Thanks for the inspiration, and thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Pam | November 12, 2014 at 08:12 PM
The whole process looks like a lot of fun. And it's important to have fun and learn from the process as one "plays" with various products and media.
Posted by: Maeve | November 12, 2014 at 09:59 PM
Thank you for your inspiring narrative and artwork! This really encourages me to be more daring. Love what you did and what you ended with.
Posted by: Rebecca Buchanan | November 13, 2014 at 06:29 AM
It was interesting to read your process!Thanks for the opportunity to receive the products.
Posted by: Jan | November 13, 2014 at 08:03 AM
Turned out great and love the neon!
Posted by: Sharon Morrison | November 13, 2014 at 08:54 AM
What a fun idea! I know my daughter would love for me to do that with a photo of her! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lisa M | November 13, 2014 at 06:31 PM
I love this pop art feeling, fun, playful photo art! I am always so inspired when I come to your blog!
Posted by: Carolyn Dube | November 14, 2014 at 07:48 AM
Glad you just kept going. It was like reading a mystery, waiting for the next chapter. The end result is darling. I'm sure your niece will love seeing it also. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Posted by: Glenda Lovchik | November 14, 2014 at 07:51 AM
I LOVE it!
Posted by: April Lopez | November 14, 2014 at 08:33 AM
I think I do the same thing - keeping at it until something emerges that I like or love. I have journal pages from last year I'm still adding to, trying to get them to work. Sometimes they go through a terrible phase, where I'm ready to scrap them completely! Hitting on the thing that finally works is such a great feeling!
Posted by: Sallee | November 14, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Love how you used the backing as a mask. Cute!
Posted by: Suzanne B | November 14, 2014 at 01:11 PM
What fun - I'd love to have a go!
Posted by: Gill | November 15, 2014 at 04:19 AM
Great tips and ideas -- I love StencilGirls' stencils (I have several), and Lesley Riley is an inspiration. I love this opportunity to see other artists, what they're doing, and to see how they inspire me as well. Thanks.
Posted by: Sandy | November 15, 2014 at 12:47 PM