November StencilClub - File Folder Art Journal

Hi Everyone, today is our creative team post sharing projects for this month's StencilClub stencil collection. I say it every month, but this is my new favorite StencilClub release. Take a peek at this month's stencils designed by Seth Apter:

(Here's a little plug... if you sign up for the club before November 15th, you'll start your membership with this collection! Just sayin'...)

I may have gone a teensy bit overboard this month. (Cough cough...) Of course, I was sitting in my empty house with nothing to do but play with the stencils and a few bags of art supplies I brought with me from Chicago in the trunk of my car. Thus my file folder art journal was born! I took three file folders, nested and bound them to make the journal (I just used a pamphlet stitch with some waxed thread.)

Without further ado, here's my project... starting with the cover.

I used the 9x12 and 6x6 stencils for this... I took the "TRU" from "TRUTHS" and then the "E" from another word to spell "TRUE" and then stenciled "story" from the 6x6. Word stencils don't always have to say exactly what's on them - you can mix it up!

Since I'm still working out of boxes, I pulled out a few random things to collage onto the cover that I ended up loving. A piece cut from some Chinese ephemera (it's probably a good thing I don't know what it says.) Also some fussy cut glittery pieces from a fancy paper scrap, some rubons, some dicrofibers (hard to see in the photos) and more stenciling. I love how much depth you can get while keeping the actual project relatively flat.

Next up is the first spread:

On the left I used a lot of repetition from the 9x12 stencil (my favorite of this set) with paint, ink, and a little collage. On the right, I used the textural elements on the stencil with molding paste and paint. I also added a little window that's framed with a chipboard slide holder (I believe it's a Maggie Holmes embellishment from Crate Paper.) It's backed with a piece of 7 Gypsies printed transparency.

Here are a few close-ups so you can see more of the stenciling on these pages:

Moving on to the second spread...

Both of these pages use the 6x6 stencil - words and textural elements (plus a few details from the 9x12.)

I also used some of Seth's stamps with acrylic paint to get layers of texture into the background. On the right I just used a very old library card pocket and a shipping tag along with a strip of beaded and embroidered ribbon.

For the third spread I kept going with the 6x6 stencil and more of the textural elements on all of the stencils.

The butterfly is a Chinese papercut that I picked up in Beijing a few years ago. I added some old Basic Grey rubons, paint (most of this actually came from cleaning my brushes on a spare folder that I ended up using,) very light stamping in the background, and lots of stenciling!

Next up, the fourth spread. I used a mix of the 4x4 and 9x12 stencils for this one.

Bits of collage, ink, paint... I really loved using the stencils to create repetition with the words - I felt like it made a powerful statement on the pages.

Last but not least, the final spread in my mini journal (which I actually did first!)

I felt like using the entire 9x12 stencil on the right side was begging for an interactive element. It's a little literal, but I couldn't resist.

First, the left-hand side using the 4x4 stencil on the back of my peacock tag and the 6x6 underneath it (the design in the background is from one of my handcarved stamps.)

And my overly literal but fun interactive flap on the right hand side:

So there you go... that's my project for this month! I hope you enjoyed it, and for you StencilClub members, I know you're going to adore this month's stencils!

Don't forget to visit the StencilGirl blog for our group post - there are several other awesome projects using this month's stencils that you won't want to miss!

Related articles

StencilGirl: March Club Stencils

StencilGirl: Stenciled and Shaped Books

Stenciled Cardboard Art Journal

Comments

[Mary Hockett Thoma]

WOW, I think you rose to the challenge very nicely. Beautifully done as always Gwen. You go ladybug!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thank you so much Mary! These stencils are just fabulous to work with - it was so fun!

[Terrie Lightfoot]

GORGEOUS!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks so much Terrie!

[Karenliz Henderson]

Gorgeous pages. The colors, the collage pieces, everything. Stunning.

[Denise Spillane]

So wonderful!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thank you so much Karenliz! Much appreciated :)

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks Denise!

[Mary C. Nasser]

Absolutely STUNNING, Gwen! Wow!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thank you so much Mary!

[Seth]

Are you kidding me Gwen? This is spectacular. Talk about making something from nothing! I absolutely love your signature style which is evident all over these pages. Thanks a million for showing off my stencils so well!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks Seth! Although to be fair, it wasn't exactly nothing - the few bags of stuff I brought in my car had a LOT in them! LOL. And thank YOU for designing such fabulous stencils!

[Marjie Kemper]

Positively fabulous, Gwen!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks so much Marjie!

[Anna Friesen]

True art, wowsers! You create so much depth and your colors are so mysterious, but lightened up with the rose and butterfly elements. Incredible artwork. You rock! :) 💗

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks Anna! I admit, I really like flowers and butterflies on a dark background. I guess I'm just not capable of doing 100% dark and grungy! lol.

[Karen Bearse]

Wow outrageously amazing!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks so much Karen! This is still one of my favorite projects :)

[Missy]

wow!!! I love this!! This is so fab!

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks Missy! So glad you liked it!