Hi there!!  Today I am sharing an art journal spread I created using loads of media from the Crafter’s Workshop and 4 stencils.  I didn’t have much of a plan other than the stencils and colors I wanted to use.

I also filmed myself creating it so you can see my process from start to finish.  You can click on the video below or HERE to go to the video on my YouTube Channel.

The Crafter’s Workshop provided me with some product to create this project. The opinions I share are solely my own.

Below are the stencils and media I used:

Unfortunately, I missed the very beginning of the video and process of putting down some layers of paint to build up my background.  Not too much was missed, but below is the first stage of the process.

Next, I added a semi-transparent layer of Gesso on top to tone down the colors.

Once the Gesso dried, I used this large text stencil and the Gel Medium to add a layer of text all over both pages.

Once the Gel Medium dried, the pattern became a resist for the watercolor washes and drips I added next.

I love the way the colors turned out, picking up some of the original colors and drying in a random pattern.

Using a heat tool, to speed the process along, I then placed the large stencil I had planned to use for my main focus, partially overlapping the center seam of the journal. 

I added a fairly thick layer of the Black Modeling Paste, which is such a lovely, substantial consistency that it holds the lines of the stencil without any bleed through.

Using some Archival Ink, I added some texture with the tiny fragment dot stencil.

Once more, waiting to dry…and then using more of the Heavy Body Acrylic Paints, I stenciled lots of the small branches from this 6×6 stencil; adding it around the heart shape and at the borders of the journal.

With the same archival black ink, I added several areas of the smaller 6×6 version of the text stencil.

My drying time seems to be the longest part of this process!  After the previous layer was dry, I used the Gel Medium again, but this time for it properties as a glue.  I adhered a couple pieces of the Altered Pages icons and some left over scraps from previous stenciled projects around the pages.

Using a couple plastic rings, I added some thin circle stamps of the Silver Heavy Body Acrylic paint.

Finally, the last step, was to add some NeoColor crayons to intensify a few colored areas.

Along with my NeoColors, I used a couple different permanent pens to give definition to the lines from the stencil and ring stamps.

I finished up with a quote I found on Pinterest that spoke volumes to me personally from the past couple weeks…

Below is the final spread!

I had so much fun using this creative outlet to express myself and provide a little self healing therapy…the original reason I started an Art Jounral.  Thanks for stopping by the Blog today to let me share it with you all.

Be sure to share your stencil creations on our Facebook page or by tagging The Crafter’s Workshop on Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest!

Jenni Calma

The Crafter’s Workshop Design Team Member

Supplies Used:

TCW9001 – White Gesso

TCW9024   – Heavy Body Acrylic – Kale Smoothie

TCW9022 – Heavy Body Acrylic – Grape Jelly

TCW9014- Heavy Body Acrylic – Iridescent Silver