My Other Creations: Notebook and Bookmark using Donna Downey's Dandelion Pods Stencil

"Stencil It" is this week's theme at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  I went back to my lit-lovin' roots and revamped a spiral-bound notebook (complete with bookmark).

Here's how the project went down.  I started with this notebook from Pink Paislee.

Next I cut several strips of patterned paper to form the background.

I sanded the notebook cover (since it was glossy and slick), then glued the patterned paper strips on top and blended the edges with white paint.  Then I applied Tim Holtz's Splotches stencil and painted more white over it to form some white circles.

When the paint dried, I used another stencil with even bigger holes (Simon's Irregular Dots) and stamped right on top of the stencil with a small-text stamp (She Was Tired by Impression Obsession).  Stamping on top of the stencil allowed for the stamp to come out in circular shapes, as you can see below.  This technique works best with stencils that have large openings and stamps that have small patterns.  The stamping comes out in your stencil shape.

The next step was to use Donna Downey's Dandelion Pods stencil and black paint to get the focal element.  I have always loved circles with sticks and drips and I like what Donna did with this stencil design.

I wanted to add in some more color, so I tried out the new Prima Impasto acrylic paints. They have a nice thick consistency and they dry completely matte- no shine at all, which is a great feature if that's the look you're going for.  Then I filled the circles in with floral fabric and also used a circle punch to make a square "frame" around one of my pods.

I toned everything down with more white paint and then decided I wanted a different look for the spine.  I bent off the gold spiral binding coil on the edge of the notebook and laced it back together using embroidery floss.

Last but not least, I covered the spine with a strip of fabric to hide the holes.  I also added the sentiment, which was a scrap of old book text I had in my stash.

I decided to make a bookmark, which I made out of paint, Washi tape and yarn.  I still use the good old Crop-A-Dile whenever I add on an eyelet.

I enjoyed this project and the invitation to whip out some stencils!  Here are the supplies I used, which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Pink Paislee C′est La Vie Notebook	Bo Bunny Life in Color 12 x12 Paper Pack	Heidi Swapp Memory Planner 12x12 Paper	Heidi Swapp Magnolia Jane 12 x 12 paper	American Crafts Shimelle 12 x 12 Starshine Paper
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil SPLOTCHES	Simon Says Stamp Irregular Dots Stencil	Donna Downey Dandelion Pods Stencil	She Was Tired stamp by Impression Obsession	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
Dina Wakley heavy body acrylic Black	Prima Impasto paint, Jade	Prima Impasto paint, Green Apple	Dina Wakley TANGERINE Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Dina Wakley LEMON Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
Iris Embroidery Floss Primary Colors	Crop A Dile	We R Memories Eyelets	Illustrated Faith Reminders Washi Tape	Sanding Grip - Idea-ology
Ranger Non Stick Craft Sheet

I can't wait to see how you work your magic with stencils this week!  Upload your creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog to inspire us and have a chance at winning a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store.

My Other Creations: Stay-cation Collage Using TCW'S Onion Skin Stencil

"Let's Take a Vacation" is this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge theme.  When I saw this theme, I had just returned from a week of rainy hard-core camping with teenagers and toddlers, so the only kind of vacation I wanted was to bar myself in my crafting room with some serenity and a good beverage.  That's why my project represents the peaceful side of vacationing (or stay-cationing as the case may be).

To create the muted watery tones in the background, I brushed a ton of water on a piece of Strathmore Mixed media paper, then sprayed Dylusions Ink Sprays on it and let it blend, then dabbed the sprayed sections with a paper towel to mute the colors a bit.  Then I put a stencil on top and sprayed more Dylusions ink spray through the stencil. Once all of that dried, I smeared some white acrylic paint on top of Washi and paper scraps.  I covered the Onion Skin stencil with black acrylic paint and pressed it onto my collage so that it worked like a stamp.  I added some other stamping and a tab shape that I punched out of patterned paper.

I gave the mug some oomph by adding some floral Washi and the word "Stay," which I typed out on my trusty Memory Keepers typewriter.

Here are the supplies I used which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Mini Onion Skin Stencil by The Crafter′s Workshop	Dylusions Holes Stencil, 5" x 8"	Simple Stories, Summertime Sweetness Washi Tape	we r memory keepers tab punch
Bo Bunny STITCHES Clear Stamps	Dylusions Lemon Zest Ink Spray	Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray CHERRY PIE	Dylusions Ink Sprays - Bubblegum Pink	Dylusions Ink Sprays - Fresh Lime
Dylusions Ink Sprays - Vibrant Turquiose	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Dina Wakley Black Heavy Body Acrylic Paint	We R Memory Keepers Mint Typewriter

It is the time for vacation adventures, so I'm excited to see your projects!  Be sure to upload them to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store.