Mar 21, 2016

Making Stencils from Die Cuts for Mixed Media

book 1

Today I am sharing another spread from my cardboard junk journal.  I am having so much fun getting messy these days.  Here I used layer after layer of Prima papers to build up a frame of sorts for my focal image, a Tim Holtz photo booth image.  I love the look on this gal's face.

book 2

I took a sheet of thick plastic and made some stencils with my new Tim Holtz die cuts.  This is a great way to double the use of your dies.  If you have problems cutting through the plastic, try putting a sheet (or two or three) of thin cardstock on the back of one of your plastic plates.  This acts as a shim and puts a little more pressure on the die.  Plastic folders from the office supply store are a cheap option for stencil material.

book 3

After I used crackle past through my DIY stencil, next came the fun part, mixing watercolor puddles everywhere!  I loved adding black Glimmer Mist here and there and the unique sparkle it left.

book 4

I also stamped a Prima script stamp randomly and added some handwriting.

book 6

I tried to keep the bulk down in this book so it will lay flat and be stored nicely on my bookshelf.  The great thing about the cardboard pages is that you can push the embellishments down into the cardboard.  The corrugated section has a little give way.  Love that these rhinestones didn't bulk up the pages too much.

book 7

I decided to put the second of my hydrangeas from my Martha Stewart punch on this journal page.  Hydrangeas are my favorite flower.  I once read of a homeowner who bought a farmhouse and planted over 100 hydrangea bushes when she first moved in.  Years later her home was featured in Country Living and was the most beautiful I've ever seen!  I hope to do this if we ever move.  :)  I hope this last pic shows you the balance of light and dark on the spread.  It is quite dramatic, but I was pleased with it.  Let me know what you think.  <3

book 8

I'm playing along with:

43 comments:

brenda said...

I can only begin to imagine how beautiful that lady's garden must have been Autumn..

Your journal spread is beautiful with the soft lilac hues and the drama of the darker colours creeping in.

B x

talkis23 said...

beautiful creation. Thanks for playing at mmp challenge

Craftyfield said...

Another beautiful mixed media page, Autumn! It's full of texture and layers, and I love the photo too. Thank you for sharing with use at Vintage Stamping Challenges.
P.S I'm totally with you on both using cardboard and making stencils from die-cuts!

Donna Ellis said...

Your stencils look remarkable on your beautiful pages, Autumn!

experiments in paper said...

Well, I love it!! Fabulous idea to use your die cuts this way, and absolutely adore your palette! I also love hydrangeas - and love how this page evokes them along with your lovely blooms! xxx Lynn

rachel said...

oh my goodness Autumn - this is soooo very beautiful!!! Big hugs rachel x

Jackie T said...

Hi this is stunning. Thank you for joining us at <a href='http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk/’> Creative Artiste Challenge Blog </a> for challenge 12 Anything Goes with the optional twist of using chipboard. Hugs Jackie DT

Carol said...

Wow...beautiful pages Autumn, what a great way to use your dies. Thanks for joining us at Stencil Sunday too this month. Carol x

MaryH said...

Awesome, you are doing some astounding things on this journal. Thanks for the tip on the plastic folders for the die plastic. I've had trouble trying to cut the stencil material. Love the shading & light you've got going on this, but the colors are really pretty too. Love the faint stamping and the flourish design (guess this was the paste). What brand black glimmer spray did you use? The hydrangea blooms look so lush & full. Great job on this! TFS & hugs

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

What a GORGEOUS spread, and love the techniques behind it. Stunning color too!

Lisa said...

Oh wow, this is absolutely gorgeous, Autumn!! I love the beautiful colors!! The texture is amazing!! The hydrangea is a perfect touch!! I would love a yard full of them...I would love to see pictures of that woman's garden!! Absolutely stunning journal pages my friend!! Love, love them!! Have a great evening!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

kiwimeskreations said...

What a wonderful spread - love your use of colour and the increasing dimension you are building up on these.
Blessings
Maxine

Pawsitively Creative said...

Well I for one and more than pleased with this light and dark design. I am drawn more to the dark side though. Bwahaha! This junk journal isn't junk-it's amazeballsness! What a creative and fun way to try new techniques. Genius idea on the DIY stencils and die cuts. Fantabulous design and details! Hugz! ~Niki

Mimi said...

Wow, love this! The hydrangea's almost look like a chrysanthemum the way you've layered them here. And how smart are you??? It has not occurred to me to use a die cut to make a stencil! Thank you!

Mimi said...

Wait, one more thing: this chick resembles you a little... Talk about found relatives!

Kotolifestyle said...

Wow this is so gorgeous. I love it. Thank you for joining us at MMW

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic art journal pages Autumn! Love the inky background and pretty color palette!

Vintagehandmade said...

Oh wow, another stunning art journal spread from you, Autumn! I absolutely love this one with such awesome textures and a beautiful vintage feel to it! Fabulous layering and embellishing! It's brilliant! Big hugs! Branka xx

Brenda Brown said...

Fabulous pages with wonderful texture and colour xx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Stunning !

Redanne said...

Wow Autumn, this is a real feast for the eyes, the colours are gorgeous, the stencilling looks beautiful and I love how the hydrangea takes centre stage on the left page, it is so, so beautiful. I do love to see hydrangeas growing, they come in so many wonderful colours, they really do have the wow factor. Hugs, Anne xx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

Beautilicious! Love how the texture of the cardboard is coming through. The colours are fantastic and there's that yummy grunginess about it!

Pamellia said...

Wow Autumn, you are really rocking the journal pages!! This is gorgeous! Great textures, wonderful colours, stunning layout! hugs :)

A Pink said...

Yet more gorgeous junk journal pages, Autumn for me to admire - thank you . This is definitely going to be one heck of 'a beauty' when complete! Can't wait to see the next ...... hugs x

Pammejo said...

Lovely art journaling pages. I did my first one yesterday, think I love doing them....Thanks for sharing with us on Emerald Creek Supplies Challenge Blog.

sarascloset said...

GORGEOUS, Autumn! I love the colors and that handmade stencil steals the show! I make my own stencils too, using a heavy cardstock though. I bought the stencil stuff and never used it. The more I use my cardstock ones, the grungier they get with the buildup of paste and what not, which is just FINE with me! I don't believe anyone does a collage as well as you do! I think me needs to study your work! Big hugs!

crafty-stamper said...

Fabulous journal pages -fabulous texture -love the colours and vintage image -all together a fabulous result -I think I overthink mine and get a too tidy result will have to be more free and study yours for some tips
Carol x

Chris said...

I love hydrangeas too although they always end up pink in my garden. I think yours with the punch is gorgeous and that's a superb background you created, the colours and textures are wonderful! Chris :-)

Unknown said...

Love this texture! Thank you for taking part in the Mixed Media Place challenge! :)

Marty F said...

Your pages are beautiful - love seeing the Hydrangea again! Great idea about making stencils with your dies, too. Your background is just amazing, Autumn! I also wanted to thank you for your sweet feedback on my blog for my bird cage tag - so appreciated!

Marjan said...

So very creative those handmade stencils and so very beautiful is the result!

Petra Swart said...

Oh, this is so beautiful, Autumn!!!! I love all the purple and the hydrangea is just stunning!!! Wonderfully done!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugz

Lynne Moncrieff said...

The colours are perfection, with a beautiful hazy, dreamy quality, utterly divine.
Wishes
Lynne

Asmah Zainal Abidin said...

I adore your hydrangeas {my favorite flower too :)} and the self made stencil is brilliant idea. Fabulous background with amazing purple Autumn. Your handwritten scribble makes this art journal very elegant and classic. Thanks again for joining us at STAMPlorations March Mixed Media Challenge. Excited to see you again next month. Love life and big hugs xx
Fondly,
Asmah
STAMPlorations Mixed Media DT
Qinaahana Arts and Crafts {My Blog}

Wheelie Crafty said...

Absolutely Stunning, I love the depths you have created with the colours and layers and the texture is stunning as well.. I love the colours.... Thank you so much for entering our challenge over at Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge Blog, we hope to see you join in again...

Hugs Rhonda DT & Owner xxx

My Scrap Pages and Cards said...

Wow, love all the different layers to your creation
thanks for joining over at our challenge at
http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.com.au/
Debbie Dt

Words and Pictures said...

Lovely layers and a wonderful vintage romantic atmosphere... Your junk journal is taking your creativity to new heights.
Alison x

Claire said...

Wow what a fabulous project, that background is stunning! Thanks so much for joining us at We Love 2 Create this time
Claire xx

Linda Manning Findley said...

Your AB looks great ... love all of the textures

Curls N Twirls said...

The light hues of Lilac has a calming effect .. So pure .. I loved this page a lot !!

Nirvana said...

woow!!! nice!!!!

Таня Паламарчук said...

Oh, love all details!!
Thanks for playing with Mixed Media Place!

Anastasi Kuznetsova said...

Very tender and beautiful! Thank you from MMP!

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