The creative and spiritual journey of a (textile) recycler. . .

I have thought about starting a blog for a long time now. I just couldn’t seem to get started. I thought. . what would I say, what would I do and really . . . . . who would care.

Last year I had the great fortune to witness a ‘happening’. As a spouse at a reunion (I know, groan) I was both an observer and participant. This reunion was attended by some of the most creative and talented people on the face of the planet. Really, no exaggeration! But many were holding onto life long insecurities. They didn’t think they were talented enough and embarrassed to perform in front of each other for fear of . . who knows . . . finger pointing, whispers, laughter, ridicule of some sort for sure. Once it was revealed that many shared the same feelings, the healing began. And I was the lucky one. I got to witness it all and benefit as well.

So, the message is that we all think we are not good enough compared to someone else, but we are. Don’t let your fears and insecurities stop you. We can’t measure our own success by someone else’s talents.

This revelation and the kindness / support of strangers has propelled my creative journey to a place I had given up ever getting to. Tho I thought my creative juices were dried up forever, they have merely been reawakened. Many thanks to all involved in my process, including in-part . . Victoria B, Mrs. W., Charles Mc., Claudia H, Mary B, Cindy G, Sandy B, Traci B., Kat C, and my IAA family. So, thank you. I dedicate this blog to all of you!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Bubble Girl stencil test drive


I was honored to be invited by Jessica Sporn to take part in one of her stencil test drives. I love Jessica's spirit, creativity, awesome art work and her fab stencils....so for me, it was a no brainer .... I was in.

Then began to ponder what I'd do....

 I am not a painter, but having just received some canvas boards from a friend cleaning out her basement, I thought I'd just play and see what I could come up with. I had nothing to lose. I started in one direction...shades of yellows and oranges. Not at all my palette. Something went seriously wrong, so I began to just slap paint here and there just to cover up my disaster. Hmmm.. I kinda liked what I'd done so far, so I kept going, adding the stencil, newsprint and metallic paint. Oh boy.. I just love Bubble Girl.. 

The finished piece: Bubbles Brighten a Grey Day



Then I wanted to do something with fabric since I'm a textile recycler. I grabbed an old quilted bedspread that I've had hanging around for just this occasion. I did a crude measure of a spiral notebook and hacked away.

Next I stenciled the image onto the quilted fabric, then did some thread sketching in between the lines. The bubbles are metallic paint and outline stitched in black.

Last I added some text. A light lavender wash was applied to a small piece of fabric for some background to add text to. Then I just wrote the balance directly on the piece. I'm not totally thrilled with the ink coverage of the pen I used for the text, but I still can't wait to start using my new notebook cover!




I had been mulling over from the beginning what I really wanted to do with this stencil. The plan was to use some sheer fabric and do a really cool overlay with some piecing and stitching. But every time I got close to pulling the bits and pieces I needed, something else caught my eye and I was off in another direction. So after switching it up a handful of times, I landed on this vintagey fabric.

I cut some flowers and leaves from another fabric, then added it to the background, traced my pretty little bubble girl onto muslin, painted her, added her to black felt to add dimension. Did the same with the butterflies and bird. Then I fiddled around with various pieces of lace and decided to frame my gal. Last the entire piece was applied to a 12" x 12" canvas for a nice dimensional wall piece.

The finished piece: Leaving the Garden with Butterflies



So there we go... three uses for Bubble Girl;
in a painting, thread sketching and applique.

For a chance to win your very own Bubble Girl stencil, just leave a comment on this blog by October 27 at midnight EST telling me how YOU would use Bubble Girl.


Click the links below to see how each artist blogger
has used her Bubble Girl stencil!
Leave a comment on each of their blogs and you have even
more chances to win your very own Bubble Girl stencil!
 The more times you comment, the more chances you have to win!

And while you're at it, be sure to check out the
fabulous selection of cool stencils at Stencil Girl Products
Thanks for stopping by. Happy stenciling!


60 comments:

  1. wonderful fabric pieces did you made and I fall in love with the painting! Awesome!

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  2. Wow, 3 amazing project with the same stencil, really inspirational, thanks.

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  3. I would use Bubble Girl to decorate prayer flags I am making to take to An Artful Journey in February.

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  4. You say you're not a painter...but I love the painting....and leaving the garden is lovely.

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  5. K - so amazing! I love the muted colors of your canvas board and the way those bubbles just pop. Reminds me of trying to brighten up a rainy day. And you journal cover and applique - so great. I love how the girl changes with each different application. Thank you so much for being a part of the test drive.

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  6. Hello,

    I think I would use the bubblegirl in front of a walled house, where the wall had already started to fall apart. Maybe the playing girl with its bubbles had caused the battering down of the wall and has already started to enable light, fun and laughter to move into this desolate world again. Who knows?

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  7. Love all the different ways you've used this stencil!

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  8. 3 fabulous and unique projects!!! I love the dream-like quality you achieved in the first one!

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  9. Your "mission" statement resonated with my spirit and it is the exact place I find myself in, after raising six children and squashing down my creative spirit for over twenty years. So thank you for that. As someone who has also blown thousands of bubbles with my babies over those twenty plus years, I would enjoy this stencil. I would piece various papers over the girl's dress and set her in a field of flowers and sunshine, filling in each bubble with words that reflect my dreams for my daughters. I would definitely hang it in #6's bedroom. Thanks for showing us more than one idea.

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    1. Glad that you responded my opening statement. What I have learned is to just jump in and take a risk... best of luck.

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  10. All of them are fantastic, but I love your fabric piece with ideas as bubbles, so true! xox

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  11. I'm not a painter either but I love what you've done!! I'd like to do something similar!!

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  12. Your creative exploration is so inspiring!

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  13. Wow you just took that stencil on a big ole journey! Love it.

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  14. I like that you demonstrated the flexibility that stencils have! I would definitely use her in a mixed media piece!

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  15. What a fantastic job, You are an amazing artist, thank you for show how can be use this pretty stencil!

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  16. The colors on the used canvas are super! And they came from a boo-boo! OH!

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    1. I make a lot of boo-boos and try to turn them into happy accidents :)

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  17. Love what you did with Bubble Girl Stencil!

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  18. I really love all your projects. I do not think something went seriously wrong with your painting (although you did make me laugh)--I think you got a dreamy look to your piece :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I didn't post the seriously wrong one, I painted over it...lol... thanks for the visit.

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  19. Just wonderful , loved the three ways you used this great stencil , I think if I had this stencil I would try the thread stitching , seems like a real fun way with great results. Thanks for sharing .

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    1. Thread painting is fun! Try it....Thanks for stopping.

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  20. I love to see different projects with this stencil!

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    1. Glad you like what everyone has done.... now go and try it yourself!

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  21. I can see those bubbles with texture paste through them, then the insides painted in a lovely light blue!!

    Sam xxx

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  22. not sure how i would use it, you gave me so many ideas and i loved them would probably try those first. great stencil. xoox

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  23. LOVE all three of your projects but Leaving the Garden With Butterflies is simply divine! LOVE the colors and this stencil is just amazing!!! I so hope that I am the lucky winner of this stencil because my mind is racing with ideas to use it on!!! TFS!

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    1. Hopefully you win, but if not, be sure to go to Stencil Girl and buy it. You'll have bunches of fun.

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  24. Wonderful pieces! Thanks for hopping and thanks for sharing!

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  25. tooo cute and you really made great uses from the one stencil ^5
    I would use it in my Art Journal, and prolly on canvas my self.
    thanks for showing your work

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    1. Oh, please... use the ideas and share your work. Thank you for visiting.

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  26. I love that you played with fabric. This is fabulous. Blessings, Janet PPF

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    1. Thank you Janet! I love fabric and stencils....yum....

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  27. It just amazes me how each artist is able to put their own touch to this delightful stencil.You went over the top with not just one but 3 ways to use the stencil.

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    1. Awe, thanks. The stencil is so cool I could have just kept going and going..glad you liked the projects.

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  28. loved your multiple uses of the stencil.. thanks for the inspiration

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    1. Welcome! I hope you try some of the ideas and share.

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  29. I love the use of fabric in an art piece and to use it with collage is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this great idea.

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  30. Amazing work - 3 different results with the same stencil!
    Very inspiring!
    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    Enjoy the party.

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