Hello everyone, Tammy (aka Tambarambaa) here today to share another colorful creation. Another butterfly inspired one…..butterflies always make me think of being free, so that’s the theme of this one.
![Art journal page with purple, red, yellow and aqua with a grunge background and rainbow butterfly](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/C3C9E96C-4A56-4ED6-83F8-1BCFF26857D8-1-1024x1024.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
TCW provided me with some awesome goodies to play with but the opinions and art are solely mine.
![grungy and colorful art journal page](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8070-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
So let’s take a look at how this page came to be…..
I began by applying TCW9001 White Gesso to my large Dylusions Journal. This acts as a primer and allows me to add lots of mediums. I then selected a few paint colors – I used PaperArtsy paint, but any paint will work, and I just added it randomly with a paintbrush, beginning in the center of the page and pushing it outwards.
![background with red, yellow, purple and aqua paint randomly applied](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8046-1024x764.jpg?resize=768%2C573&ssl=1)
Now I laid down stencil TCW876 Screen View and sponged paint through using a makeup sponge, lining up the colors so the image the stencil left behind continues the pattern out farther on the page.
I did overlap the colors in some places – just be careful not to take it all the way to the edges. We want some white space at the top and bottom of the page.
![adding some stencil work using screenview stencil](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8077-1024x1024.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1)
Now I grabbed stencil TCW662 Tile Mania and laid this over the top and using a spatula I swiped TCW9009 Black Modeling Paste through it. This part it a bit messy, but will be worth it when we lift up the stencil. It gives a grungy feel to the page and as I was going for the grunge look, you don’t need perfection for this step.
![adding black modeling paste through tile mania stencil](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8075-1024x683.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1)
You will be left with something like this….
![background of art journal](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8054-1024x702.jpg?resize=768%2C527&ssl=1)
While this dries, I grab some white cardstock and stencil TCW737 Love Sonnet, TCW764 Number Scramble and TCW9002 Black Gesso and sponge sections with a makeup sponge.
I then used TCW926 Bubble Rebound to trace some circles onto these and cut them out. You want a variety of sizes.
I kept them black and white as I wanted them to contrast against all the color.
![making circles to add to journal with black and white text and numbers](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8076-1024x1024.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1)
I then adhered them randomly on the page using TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium. Swipe some over the top of each one too and allow to dry.
![adding the black and white circles](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8078-1-1024x1024.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1)
I then traced loosely around the edges using a black paint pen, and added flicks of paint to the page and around the edge to grunge it up a little more.
![background of art journal page complete](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8066-1024x708.jpg?resize=1024%2C708&ssl=1)
Now it’s time to create the butterfly…….
On some white cardstock, add the same paint colors you used for the background of your page. I just use my fingers to apply the paint, overlapping as I go.
Once dry, I used stencil TCW933 Joyous Butterfly in the 6×6 size. I laid it on toop and then sponged TCW9002 Black Gesso over the top.
Cut out the image and you have a gorgeous colorful butterfly!
![creating a butterfly in rainbow colors](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8074-1024x683.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1)
Now add some doodling with a white gel pen and adhere to your page. I placed it towards the right hand side of the page, and just added TCW9011 Matte Gel Medium to the body part – I wanted the wings to sit up, to go with the free feeling.
![close up of completed rainbow butterfly](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8071-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I then found a quote – “Doing what you like is Freedom. Liking what you do is Happiness” and added that to the left hand side.
I also added a few key words from the quote around the butterfly.
![close up of quote - doing what you like is freedom, liking what you do is happiness](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8072-1024x768.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1)
![colorful art journal page with a rainbow butterfly](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8073-1024x768.jpg?resize=768%2C576&ssl=1)
There you have it! I adore that butterfly and can imagine it in all sorts of color pallettes!
Wouldn’t it look gorgeous on a card?
![finished art journal page in red, yellow, purple and aqua](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecraftersworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/IMG_8069-1024x768.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I’d love you to give it a go…..
Don’t forget to share your work with us. We really love seeing it and I especially love knowing if you gave my creation a go, or if it inspired you to play. Just use #tcwstencillove when sharing so we can find it!
You can see more of my colorful work on Instagram HERE.
Much love and arty vibes,
Tammy Klingner aka Tambarambaa – Design Team Member for TCW