Turning a SKETCH into a STENCIL . . .

"I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing."

-- Mae West

Hellllooooo & Happy (officially) Summer!

I've been playing with a new toy: a wood burning tool! I'd been talking about making my own stencils with an arty friend, when she suggested that I try a wood burning tool and overhead projector sheets. Not only did she tell me what to do, but she then gave a stack of said sheets for me to try it. 

Try I did, and I have to say, I'm hooked! It's fun, relatively easy, and totally unique to me - or you - once you give it a go:

Have Fun & Happy Cutting!

Kristin xo

Summer Blog Hop, Video & Giveaway w/ Jessica Sporn Designs!

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade".

-- Gertrude Jekyll

Helllloooo & Happy {almost} Summer! 

To celebrate, I'm HOPPING with the Jessica Sporn Design Team where we'll be sharing Summer-inspired projects and offering a GIVEAWAY of Jessica Sporn's newest stencil, "Women Will Heal the World." 

Wanna see the stencil first? Okay, here it is:

"Women Will Heal the World" by Jessica Sporn Designs For Stencil Girl

Pretty fabulous, right? It's such a unique stencil, I can't wait to share what I did with it. Here's my take on the theme; a DIY canvas tote for all our Summertime Art Journaling needs. . . .

Now, Let's get hopping! Be sure to comment here and on each blog listed below for multiple chances to win Jessica's newest stencil. All comments must be entered by Monday, June 12th, 6:00 pm EST. The winner will be announced the following day, Tuesday June 13th, on Jessica's Blog. 

Marit Barentsen

Karen Gaunt

Jessica Sporn

Until we meet again,

Kristin xo

DIY Toddler Tank Top with Jessica Sporn Designs!

“When kids hit one year old, it’s like hanging out with a miniature drunk. 

You have to hold onto them. They bump into things. They laugh and cry. They urinate. They vomit.”

— Johnny Depp

It's Design Team Thursday. . . .

And I have the cutest little DIY project to try: It's fun, incredibly easy, and can be done so quickly that you may find yourself looking for other things in your children's closet - or your own - to alter. 

I used Jessica Sporn's  6 x 6 Horned Owl Stencil for this project, and think it would make the sweetest-ever first birthday shirt. Can you picture it? "Look Whooo's Turning One?" You could even make matching invitations by taking the same stencil from fabric to paper! But I digress. . . .

To see the video - it's just 3 minutes! - and to learn more about this teeny tank, check out Jessica's blog and her YouTube channel.

Find your own "Horned Owl" Stencil Here

And if you love this stencil as much as I do, you may wanna check another other video in which I trade this owl for it's mixed media alter-ego. To make sense of all that, check out the video below:

Until we meet again,

Kristin xo

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Abstract Art Journaling w/ Jessica Sporn Designs!

“What goes on in abstract art is the proclaiming of aesthetic principles. . . It is in our own time that we have become aware of pure aesthetic considerations. Art never can be imitation.”

— Hans Hofmann

Helllooooo!

Abstract Art Journaling?! I know. I haven't heard of it either, although I wouldn't be surprised if there really was such a thing. 

I had so much fun playing with pattern, form and color (and not much else), that I'm not sure I'll ever "journal" the same way again. But I digress. To hear the entire story, and to see to how I used the following fabulous tools, pop over to Jessica's site over here. . . .

For more on the products used, check out the links below:

"Dots and Dashes" Stencil by Jessica Sporn for Stencil Girl

"Build-A-Villa Window Cube" by Jessica Sporn for RubberMoon

Until we meet again,

Kristin xo

Valentine Blog Hop w/ Jessica Sporn Designs Creative Team . . .

"All love is sweet, given or returned."

-- Percy Bysshe

Hellooooo & Happy Valentine's Day(ish),

Today I'm playing with the Jessica Sporn Designs Creative Team as we create Valentine-inspired artwork for our Valentine Blog Hop, featuring products from DecoArt Media!

So what did I make? Why something sweet of course! Or, better put, something to put something sweet in. Check out the video below for the whole process. 

And if you'd like to try it, please help yourself to the following TEMPLATE: 

But wait! (Yeah, there is). 

"Seven Hearts"

Leave a comment here and on the blogs below for a chance to win your own "Seven Hearts" Stencil. One lucky winner will be taken from all blog comments and announced on Jessica's blog next Monday morning, February 13th.

Jessica Sporn

Denise Alloca

Marit Barentsen

Sherry Canino

Karen Gaunt

With Love, Luck & Valentine Kisses,

Kristin xo

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Art Journaling w/ Deco Foil & High Flow Acrylics . . .

“That night she dreamed of the deer. Strangely, the animal was holding her. She cuddled close into the soft fur and touched and kissed it gently. In the morning her pillow was wet with tears.”

-- Julie Andrews

Helloooo!

I had the opportunity to see a deer recently, not a normal site for this girl. I was so entranced, so enthralled and so just, blown away by the beauty of it, that I haven't been able to stop thinking of her since. This page is a direct reflection of my thoughts in this way, thoughts that run up and down that creek and keep landing on the meadow where I first saw her. . . 

Until next time, 

Kristin xo 

Design Team Thursday: Art Journaling with Bubble Girl!

"Surround everyone you can think of in bubbles of love."

- Diana Cooper

Happy, Happy, Happiest New Year! 

And welcome to my first post of the year for the Jessica Sporn Desgins CT. . . . This go around, I've been art journaling with a loose piece of "scratch" watercolor paper and my very favoritest (that's gotta be a word somewhere) stencil by Jessica Sporn for Stencil girl. 

My Favoritest 

Head over to Jessica's blog to for more, including details on the process. . . .

Oh, and while you're there, be sure to check out all the Design Team YouTube videos: there's a ton of talent, fabulous products & tutorials and a whole lota loveliness awaiting you there!

Until we meet again,

Kristin xo

Holiday Blog Hop - Create Your Own Gift Wrap - And Video!

{Gift Wrap Created w/ Decorative Papers & 1 Stencil}

"Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year."

- Victor Borge

Helllllloooooo & Happy Holidays!

I hope this finds you safe, warm and feeling incredibly loved. 

Speaking of which - love that is - I can't wait to share with you the latest from the Jessica Sporn Designs Creative Team: a Holiday Blog Hop using her ever-so-lovely Stamps & Stencils. . . .

Not only are we hopping along with Jessica Sporn herself, but also with the following Design Team Elves, er, Artists:

Sherry Canino

Karen Gaunt

Denise Alloca

And in the spirit of the Season, there are presents to be had as well! That's right, a total of three (3) lucky winners will win one of the goodies below:

Giveaway #1 Blessings: Rubber (Moon) Art Stamp

Giveaway #2 Smoochy Ornament handmade by Jessica Sporn

Giveaway #3 Gorgeous Wall Hanging by Denise Alloca

(It even has a little clip for hanging your favorite picture or notes!) 

How cool is that?! All you have to do is leave a comment here - and everywhere else you hop - to be considered. You have until next Monday (12/12, 9 am EST) to put your hat in the ring, and the winners will be announced on Jessica's blog the following day. Good luck!

So what did I do for the Holiday Hop?

I played around with making my own Gift Wrap using decorative papers and just one stencil. I tend to decorate my home in candy colors for Christmas, and this wrapping paper is no exception. I found that Jessica Sporn's Paisley Flower Repeat was the perfect partner for creating elegant patterns on a variety of old 12 x 12 scrapbook papers I had on hand.

Wanna see more? Here are a few detail shots:

Lime green Christmas wrap with a handmade fabric bow

{To make a smaller bow, cut the width in half and adjust the length to your liking}.

Oranges and pinks with Stickles glitter for an "embossed" look. . . .

Teal with Swarovski Crystals. 'Cause every Christmas deserves a bit of Sparkle. 

{Oh, and in case you're wondering. . . . yes, the boxes are all empty! I know, I know. Crazy, right? In the end, they will be for your eyes only}. Thanks for watching, hopping and playing along! 

I wish you much love, luck and magic this Season and always.

Kristin xo