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!
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.)
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:
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!
(Geometric Shapes, Birds, Cats & Rabbits, Flourishes, Hands & Body and Dirty Random Guts)
to one lucky winner!
(One comment per person per blog please.)
Love it, Gwen! Your flourish is the page guardian!
Posted by: Carol Baxter | March 22, 2016 at 12:33 AM
Wow, you wouldn't think any of that was made from 'leftovers', love it.
Posted by: Beverley | March 22, 2016 at 04:36 AM
You've surpassed even yourself here, Gwen. I love it!
Posted by: Frieda Oxenham | March 22, 2016 at 04:49 AM
Very cool as always Gwen!
Posted by: Tracie | March 22, 2016 at 04:53 AM
I love this so much, it is great, and so inspiring. Thank you. [email protected]
Posted by: Claudia Nelson | March 22, 2016 at 04:56 AM
wonderfully creative
Posted by: normajean | March 22, 2016 at 05:22 AM
This is Fabulous Gwen! I Love your book!
Posted by: Janet | March 22, 2016 at 05:59 AM
Your use of colors is amazing! I am so inspired by your work - - Aren't the Guts super!!
Posted by: Dottie Lou Crisp | March 22, 2016 at 06:00 AM
Guts...who knew?
Posted by: karen | March 22, 2016 at 06:56 AM
Elegant, as always.
Posted by: Rebecca | March 22, 2016 at 07:17 AM
The work you have created is breathtaking. I love, love, love the book cover.
Posted by: Glenda Hoagland | March 22, 2016 at 07:21 AM
Love your art Gwen. Amazing journal. Love these guts they are just so cool !!! ❤️❤️❤️
Posted by: Sherry Canino | March 22, 2016 at 07:37 AM
Gorgeous work! I especially love the tip out and flourishes! Beautiful work.
Posted by: Suz | March 22, 2016 at 07:42 AM
excited to try these out
Posted by: Terry Garrett | March 22, 2016 at 07:48 AM
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!
Posted by: Cecilia Swatton | March 22, 2016 at 07:53 AM
Loving all the "gutsy" inspiration!!
Posted by: loey | March 22, 2016 at 08:14 AM
The layering on the cover is very intriguing. I love the use of the flourish on the paper edge.
Posted by: Teresa | March 22, 2016 at 08:26 AM
What a tremendous way to use my collection of alcohol inks!
Posted by: Denise Gebara | March 22, 2016 at 10:19 AM
What a beautiful book! Love your use of the guts, you made them so elegant!
Posted by: Denise Spillane | March 22, 2016 at 11:11 AM
Your work is always so beautiful. I am still practicing making dots. kathyamt(at) mac (dotcom)
Posted by: Kathleen Amt | March 22, 2016 at 11:47 AM
I must get some of the Stencil Guts - they look great for gelli printing
Posted by: Kathryn A Vargo | March 22, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Those are really great ideas!
Posted by: Connie Livingston-Dunn | March 22, 2016 at 12:38 PM
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.
Posted by: Wendy | March 22, 2016 at 12:44 PM
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!!!
Posted by: Denise Huntington | March 22, 2016 at 12:53 PM
Love those ideas!
Posted by: Annie | March 22, 2016 at 01:27 PM
gEnius idea to use these. sO very pretty
Posted by: Jean marmo | March 22, 2016 at 01:42 PM
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!!!
Posted by: Eva | March 22, 2016 at 02:06 PM
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.
Posted by: Mary Beth Shaw | March 22, 2016 at 02:09 PM
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.
Posted by: Cindy Langston | March 22, 2016 at 02:29 PM
These are absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Rae Lynn Reffruschinni | March 22, 2016 at 03:15 PM
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]
Posted by: Nancy Sapp | March 22, 2016 at 03:23 PM
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)
Posted by: Annie Choate | March 22, 2016 at 04:53 PM
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
Posted by: Mary C. Nasser | March 22, 2016 at 05:09 PM
Absolutely stunning. Everything looks so rich and luxurious. I love the idea of a window. Thanks for the drool worthy inspiration.
Posted by: Jill McDowell | March 22, 2016 at 05:14 PM
So eye catching.
Posted by: Melissa | March 22, 2016 at 07:03 PM
Nice work! I love the Morocan feels some of these have. Color choices are great!
Posted by: Carol Ponsford | March 22, 2016 at 07:30 PM
Wow! I love this book. It's so pretty and exotic looking and the window technique is brilliant. Truly inspirational.
Posted by: Caro Lef | March 22, 2016 at 07:41 PM
i'd love to play with these. Keeping my fingers crossed I win
g.spindrift(at)gmail(dot com)
Posted by: Colleen Gilgenbach | March 22, 2016 at 07:49 PM
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!
Posted by: Rockin Robin Caldwell | March 22, 2016 at 07:59 PM
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
Posted by: Susan Schultheis | March 22, 2016 at 08:09 PM
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!
Posted by: Angji Pruente | March 22, 2016 at 08:09 PM
Amazing! Who knew that green could be so beautiful
Posted by: Carol K | March 22, 2016 at 08:55 PM
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]
Posted by: Janice B. Phillips | March 22, 2016 at 09:27 PM
So much fun with stencils!
Posted by: De wmsz | March 22, 2016 at 11:44 PM
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!
Posted by: Sue C. | March 23, 2016 at 01:07 AM
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!
Posted by: Gina | March 23, 2016 at 01:12 AM
Your book is beautiful! What a fun giveaway.
Posted by: cathy @ ma vie trouvee | March 23, 2016 at 05:12 AM
love the birds, can really take off with them! lovely!
Posted by: Esther | March 23, 2016 at 05:26 AM
They make super wonderful embellishments for many different projects My mind is spinning with all the possibilities!!
Posted by: Susan Pratt | March 23, 2016 at 05:39 AM
Love your little book.
Posted by: Shari Young | March 23, 2016 at 06:09 AM