Using StencilGuts in a Handmade Art Journal

Hi Everyone! So excited today to be part of the blog hop for a brand new StencilGirl product launch... StencilGuts! Yup... now you'll not only know what happens to pieces that get cut from stencils, but you can get your hands on them to use in your projects. They're super versatile and fun to use as well. For my project with them, I decided to put together a new handmade art journal that features the StencilGuts in lots of different ways.

Without further ado, here's the cover of my journal:

On the cover, I coated the entire background with gel medium, one section at a time, then just grabbed pieces from the Random DirtyGuts and pressed them into the gel. I kept adding pieces until it was pretty full, then let it dry. At that point, I brushed on some green paint and some brown ink, then I covered the entire thing with a brown glaze, waited a minute, and wiped it back so that the only part left was in the holes between the StencilGuts. I love how it turned out - it really highlighted the edges and made a cool pattern!

I also used two different sizes of the same shape from the Geometric StencilGuts Shapes as the basis for a clay medallion to put as the focal point. I just took some air-dry clay and smoothed it out over the shape, then pressed some marks into it and added little details. I did the same with the smaller shape and then put it in the middle to make it two-tiered, then stuck a jewel in the middle while the clay was wet. After it dried, I just applied a few layers of paint to make it look kind of like antiqued metal. In the background, I actually took a strip of mylar that came with my Random DirtyGuts and diecut it with a Spellbinders die. Yes, you can diecut them! Of course, if you use a detailed die, not all of the pieces will come out and you'll need to run it through a few times. But it cuts and embosses beautifully!

First page of the book and the inside front cover:

On the left, I used some underpaper that I really liked to put over the inside of the cover. On the left, I traced another of the Geometric StencilGuts Shapes and then cut it out slightly smaller to make a window. I used alcohol inks on the shape itself and then glued it onto the backside of the page to make the window. I used my Ornamental Compass Screen stencil around it to add some pattern to the page.

Check out how cool it looks when you put the light behind it - it's like a stained glass window!

Here's the next spread:

The back side of the first page with some embellishment and it's hard to see, but I used my Ornamental Floral Screen stencil in the background with gold ink for a subtle touch. That stencil has really become one of my favorites! On the right side, I created a pocket and covered it with patterned paper, then inside are different leaf shaped StencilGuts. As of right now I don't think there are any of these available, but what's in stock will change depending on what stencils are being cut, so check back! Anyway, I used more alcohol inks on these and then added some word stickers and tucked them into the pocket (the top one is glued in place, though.)

Next up, the third spread: 

 

For these pages I used Dylusions paints, stenciled on top with my Ornamental Petals Screen stencil and gold ink, then edged the pages with more ink. On the right corner, I got two of the same shape from the Flourishes StencilGuts Shapes pack and I knew I wanted to use them back to back on the corner of  a page like this. I used gold crackle paste to do the front of one and the back of another and let them dry. Then I glued one in place on this side and cut off the cardstock around it on the corner. 

 Then I added the matching reverse shape on the back and decorated that page.

For this one I used more Dylusions paints and gold ink, this time with my Ornamental Circle Cluster Screen stencil. On the right side, I used the same technique as on the first page with two smaller shapes from the Geometric StencilGuts Shapes pack.

Here you can see the back side of that page:

And the full spread:

I used my Ornamental Compass Screen stencil again, and added a little flap on the right side with another shape from the Flourishes StencilGuts Shapes pack along the edge - I colored this one with a gold paint pen.

There's a fun little space tucked away in there just waiting for some journaling, collage, or whatever I want to add!

Second to last spread:

This spread uses my the Birds StencilGuts Shapes along with my Ornamental Embroidery stencil on top of more Dylusions paints and some collage. I coated the birds using a white, oil-based paint marker and let them dry, then glued them in and added some shading with a Stabilo All pencil. I love the bird shapes pack - there are a lot of different StencilGirl stencils that use birds, and you get a great mix of them in here! 

Last page in the book...

 

 I used a larger piece from the Geometric Shapes StencilGuts pack and diecut and embossed it with another Spellbinders die. I just left this one plain since I liked how it looked. (Again, to get some of the details I had to run this through the diecut machine several times, then use my scissors to help some of the pieces come out.) I used my Ornamental Petals Screen stencil one last time along with a bit of collage. More painted underpaper on the inside of the back cover (you can see some hints from the March StencilClub 9x12 stencil on there too!)

So that's it! The entire book, all done and ready for some journaling (or not!) I hope you enjoyed it and are feeling inspired to use StencilGuts in your projects!

 Now for the part you've all been waiting for!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

 

StencilGirl Products will be giving away StencilGuts from EACH category
(Geometric Shapes, Birds, Cats & Rabbits, Flourishes, Hands & Body and Dirty Random Guts)
to one lucky winner!

 

Visit all the blogs on today’s hop and comment to win!

The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
(One comment per person per blog please.)

 

You have until Saturday, March 26th at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.

Winners will be announced on StencilGirl's Facebook page on Sunday, March 27th. 

 

Here's the hop order:

StencilGirl Talk
Mary Beth Shaw
Mary C. Nasser
Janet Joehlin

Gwen Lafleur <-- you are here!

Carol Baxter

 

Related articles

Stenciled Cardboard Art Journal

StencilGirl & Ken Oliver Blog Hop

 

Comments

[Carol Baxter]

Love it, Gwen! Your flourish is the page guardian!

[Beverley]

Wow, you wouldn't think any of that was made from 'leftovers', love it.

[Frieda Oxenham]

You've surpassed even yourself here, Gwen. I love it!

[Tracie]

Very cool as always Gwen!

[Claudia Nelson]

I love this so much, it is great, and so inspiring. Thank you. [email protected]

[normajean]

wonderfully creative

[Janet]

This is Fabulous Gwen! I Love your book!

[Dottie Lou Crisp]

Your use of colors is amazing! I am so inspired by your work - - Aren't the Guts super!!

[karen]

Guts...who knew?

[Rebecca]

Elegant, as always.

[Glenda Hoagland]

The work you have created is breathtaking. I love, love, love the book cover.

[Sherry Canino]

Love your art Gwen. Amazing journal. Love these guts they are just so cool !!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Suz]

Gorgeous work! I especially love the tip out and flourishes! Beautiful work.

[Terry Garrett]

excited to try these out

[Cecilia Swatton]

Everything here is so jaw-dropping gorgeous -- but if you twist my arm to make me name two favorites, it would be the butterfly layout and the autumn leaves!

[loey]

Loving all the "gutsy" inspiration!!

[Teresa]

The layering on the cover is very intriguing. I love the use of the flourish on the paper edge.

[Denise Gebara]

What a tremendous way to use my collection of alcohol inks!

[Denise Spillane]

What a beautiful book! Love your use of the guts, you made them so elegant!

[Kathleen Amt]

Your work is always so beautiful. I am still practicing making dots. kathyamt(at) mac (dotcom)

[Kathryn A Vargo]

I must get some of the Stencil Guts - they look great for gelli printing

[Connie Livingston-Dunn]

Those are really great ideas!

[Wendy]

I'm blown away. This is stunning. I love the medallions (especially the one with the light shining through) and the flourishes used as cut-out corners. Such a beautiful journal. Thx for sharing these great ideas.

[Denise Huntington]

So much fun and beauty in your work! I especially loved how you used the RandomGuts to layer and create texture/thickness in your art journal. Love!!!

[Annie]

Love those ideas!

[Jean marmo]

gEnius idea to use these. sO very pretty

[Eva]

Well, if you feel that you have to many things and your book needs a new home, I will TOTALLY sacrifice myself and take care of it - honestly: GORGEOUS!!!

[Mary Beth Shaw]

Wow wow wow! I hadn't even considered the translucent quality of the guts, but they are gorgeous lit from behind. I can tell you had lots of fun and really enjoyed seeing all your ides. Totally awesome.

[Cindy Langston]

Another of your incredible pieces of art Gwen! I absolutely love the Stencil Guts along with the alcohol inks and of your display is so beautiful! I would love to give that a try.

[Rae Lynn Reffruschinni]

These are absolutely gorgeous!

[Nancy Sapp]

FANCY embellishment!! Whooooeeee!! I want some Stencil Guts! I think you've come up with a GREAT idea!! Other companies should do the same thing so that the "leftovers" aren't dumped into landfills. INNOVATIVE Concept!
[email protected]

[Annie Choate]

You put those dirty pumpkin guts right to use despite the added floor sweepings. You've got forrtitude and a fine eye for turning guts into treasure. ann_choate (at) yahoo (dot com)

[Mary C. Nasser]

oh. my. gosh!
This book is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!
Would love to see it in person.
So brilliant the way you created the colorful stained glass windows with the GUTS!
Inspiring as always, Gwen. xo

[Jill McDowell]

Absolutely stunning. Everything looks so rich and luxurious. I love the idea of a window. Thanks for the drool worthy inspiration.

[Melissa]

So eye catching.

[Carol Ponsford]

Nice work! I love the Morocan feels some of these have. Color choices are great!

[Caro Lef]

Wow! I love this book. It's so pretty and exotic looking and the window technique is brilliant. Truly inspirational.

[Colleen Gilgenbach]

i'd love to play with these. Keeping my fingers crossed I win
g.spindrift(at)gmail(dot com)

[Rockin Robin Caldwell]

Wow! I never thought that I would want to win a bag of guts, but YES, I want to win a bag of guts! I love your journal! The post on Instagram is actually what got me to the blog hop. I want guts!

[Susan Schultheis]

WOW Gwen really fabulous projects with the guts. Love every one! Anything that has to do with stencils...I am game. Fun, fun, fun with GUTS!! suzschultz23(at)aol(dot)com

[Angji Pruente]

Oh wow I would be over the moon to win these! dicegrrl (at) yahoo (dotcom )

Your leaf is stunning as is the rest of your book!

[Carol K]

Amazing! Who knew that green could be so beautiful

[Janice B. Phillips]

Amazing work again, Gwen. Creative and inventive, colorful and elegant. It amazes me how you can come up with such great designs on every single page! Thanks for sharing your gutsy play with us!
JaniceBond*at*gmail[dot com]

[De wmsz]

So much fun with stencils!

[Sue C.]

Wow, Gwen - you totally rocked this challenge! I really love your page with the flourish on it...it's beautiful and original and clever! Thanks for sharing!

[Gina]

I'm new to all this so I would love these, Love me some Stencils & Stencil Girl <3 Wow this is Insannnnnnnneeee, So divine!!! Love it!!! You're so creative!

[cathy @ ma vie trouvee]

Your book is beautiful! What a fun giveaway.

[Esther]

love the birds, can really take off with them! lovely!

[Susan Pratt]

They make super wonderful embellishments for many different projects My mind is spinning with all the possibilities!!

[Shari Young]

Love your little book.