Stencil 101 by Ed Roth is one of those books that encourages you to tear out its pages. It contains 25 reusable stencils on glossy cardstock. And the very day it came in the mail my son was already pulling out the stencils and using them on a wooden case that was just screaming out for customization. And, hey, if something passes the teen boy test for coolness it must be pretty special. And he must be somebody special, too, because I let him use the book before I did.
I know it’s been said so many times that it’s ridiculous but really… these aren’t your granny’s stencils. You won’t find any English ivy or country geese here. We’re talking muscle cars and luchadores.
a journal page using a couple of the stencils
At the beginning is a brief history of stenciling and then a nice chapter on the basic stuff needed to get started. Then the author shows several projects using the stencils in the book. I wanted the book just for my journal pages but now I’m thinking my kitchen cabinets need an edgier look to them.
click for detail
The book has a nice expandable pocket in the back to keep your used stencils in. As I mentioned earlier the stencils are on cardstock, glossy on both sides so you can flip them either way. They should hold up to many many sprays. Even after you pull out the stencil there is a page left in the book that shows the design so you can still flip through the book to know what designs you have without digging them all out of the pocket. Or if it came down to it and you lost your stencil and were too cheap to buy another you could scan the image and cut another.
Speaking of buying stencils, Ed has lots of them available at his website, Stencil 1. He also has his own line of spray inks. And don’t forget to check out the awesome how-to videos while you’re there.
Don't forget that all comments left on the Book Week posts are entered at the end of the week for a book giveaway! I can see by the stats that y'all are out there lurking so start speaking up. :)
I am extremely honored to have won my very first blog award, the Premio Meme. Marie Segal at Art From My Heart has passed this award on to me and I am very grateful.
I like this definition of the award. The Premio "... is designed to recognize unique voices and visions on the Web as well as to promote fraternization amongst bloggers of all sorts." Don't we all like to be recognized as unique?
According to the rules of the award now I am to give 7 facts about myself and pass it to 7 people.
1. I am afraid of the dark. 2. I am addicted to books... old, new, fiction, non-fiction, all types! 3. My nicknames are Francie, Punkin, and Peanut. 4. I've been sewing since I was a pre-teen. 5. My favorite food group is the pastry group. That's a group, right? 6. I just got my nose pierced again after 12 years. I gave it up the first time for a job that fell through anyway. 7. My inner child is 12 years old.
I would like to pass this on to the following people (some of whom I only lurk at their blogs but still...):
Cloth Dolls for Textile Artists comes to us courtesy of Ray Slater - textile artist, costume maker, doll artist extraordinaire. The dolls and surface techniques presented in this book are nothing short of stunning.
The author begins with a list of basic tools and equipment, general information, stuffing the doll, and the most general of info on machine embroidery. Since there are only a few pages devoted to this I would suggest that this book is definitely not for beginners.
She gives patterns for everything from the stump doll to the jointed doll and several variations in between. She’ll show you how to make a flat face, beautiful needle-sculpted one, or a completely 3- d head. The directions for the painting the face with colored pencils are excellent as well.
While this book is not for the timid, it *is* for those who want to make a statement with their dolls. The techniques can be accomplished with the step-by-step directions and patterns. The photos are highly detailed and inspiring. I believe this is a book that should be on every dollmaker’s shelf.
(just a intermission here in Book Week to show these)
I received the latest Anthropologie catalog today and was struck by the beautiful clock face display in the background on these two pages. Don't they just have the most clever design team?! I'll have to start collecting old clocks from thrift stores and garage sales so I can recreate this look.
French General: Home Sewn is one of those books that makes you want to push everything to the side, pull out the sewing machine and make.something.right.now. It’s the latest in the French-influenced line of books, stationery, and other sundries from Kaari Meng. And she does it so well. The photos are gorgeous. The illustrations are charming. And it never feels uppity-French (That’s a technical term. ;) ) It has a rustic elegance suited to almost any home.
one of the adorable illustrations
I want to make everything in this book. Fortunately, everything is labeled according to its difficulty - one spool for beginner, two spools for experienced, and three spools for advanced. The one spool projects are perfect for when I just have a couple hours and want whip up something simple and pretty. Speaking of simple, some of the projects will have you thinking “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Yet they’re so beautiful you won’t feel like they are a waste of space in the book.
The beginning of the book is dedicated to finding and caring for vintage French fabrics and notions. The instructions are applicable to all old fabrics. Next is a small chapter on putting together a sewing basket. In the back of the book you’ll find general sewing and embroidery techniques. Kaari has listed her favorite suppliers and designers in the resource guide, as well.
The book lies flat with a convenient spiral binding. There is an envelope of full-size patterns as well as monograms and embroidery designs.
All in all, I love this book. It’s my new favorite sewing book. I’ve pictured here some of my favorite projects… the ones that are first on my list to sew. Anyday now.
P.S. I may have to steal the spool rating system to start rating books here on the blog. :)
P.P.S. Don't Forget to leave a comment to be entered in thebook giveaway at the end of the week. For more info click below.
I just finished up the June kids’ journaling classes. Before I start the July one, I have next week off. I’ll also be doing a craft class where we’ll make a stuffed painted critter a la the article in Cloth Paper Scissors, tie dye and stencil t-shirts, learn to needle-felt, and work with polymer clay. But that class doesn’t start til the second week, either. I also don’t have any articles due currently.
To celebrate, I’m declaring this next week on my blog Book Week. Every day, Sunday through Saturday, I’ll post a new book review. Comments from all Book Week posts all week will be entered for a free book to be given away Sunday, July the 5th.
I’m also challenging all of you to review or share a favorite book on your blog. Just one. Well, more if you want, but it can be just one. No stress. Feel free to borrow the button below and share the idea.
And be sure to check back all next week. I have some good books to share. There’s a little bit for everybody… sewing, felting, stenciling, jewelry, mixed-media…
Thank you all for entering the Art Journaling giveaway. I did the drawing the old-fashioned way and put all names on slips of paper and shook 'em up in a gallon size can. Then, the boytoy drew out a name.
Congratulations, Maureen, you won! Email me your mailing address please. primseydolls (@) yahoo.com If you'll also tell me your favorite color and whether you're a vintage or modern girl I'll put some other goodies in your package, too. :)
Thanks, everybody, for playing and don't worry, I already have my next one planned. :D
I adore this watercolor embroidery by MimiLove! She makes the most original things I've seen in embroidery in ages. Go. Go now. And if you need my shipping address do let me know.
I have not looked at Somerset in a very long time. Honestly, I think a lot of the art submitted had started to look all alike and I got burned out on it. I was very pleasantly surprised with these two issues, however. In fact, I have so many little paper bookmarks in them if you were to pick them up wrong it would all come down like confetti.
The March/April issue focused quite a bit on paper dolls so it has a special meaning for me. I also marked the Somerset Workshop as something I can’t wait to try out. When did they start doing that?! I also got a big kick out of a little story in the back called “but it’s SpiderMan” which looks to be an excerpt from their magazine, Life Images.
Now the May/June issue is what really got me hot and bothered, though. Where to start? There’s an article called “Spirit of Steampunk” by Ramona Szczerba that looks very interesting. I noticed a couple of the vintage collage images we’re used to seeing but totally turned on their heads. And then sideways. And back again. Because this art’s interactive. And cool. Did I mention that part? Check out Ramona's etsy shop because that's where the real fun is. While Somerset published work that incorporated some of their favorite images, in the shop you'll see a much wider selection. Definitely not to be missed.
The Melange section has always had the edgier stuff and this issue’s batch of art doesn’t disappoint. Want to be a princess but not your run of the mill Disney fairy princess? Maybe something a little funkier? Check out Margaret Cogswell’s crowns! Yowza! These I love. I want one to wear everyday while I’m creating. It would be part of my ritual. When the crown goes on, the muse comes out to play. And in this interview of Margaret by Beth Livesay, she stresses that they are “…definitely made to be worn.”
Still in the Melange section is an article called “Becoming Change” by Sarah Natalia LeDoux. I literally gasped aloud when I saw these photos. I am only sharing one page layout with you because I really want you to go out and pick up the issue to look at this article. It’s a collection of pieces about progress and change, Bob Dylan and the Civil War, the country’s identity and our personal identity. It’s amazing and stunning and delicious fodder for journal work. Sarah doesn’t have a website listed unfortunately.
The Artful Blogging magazines are a whole ’nother blog post so be watching for that in coming days.
Jen Osborn did a great review of Art Journaling Winter ’09here on the Glitter and Grunge blog. I highly recommend it. It’s extremely inspiring. And in its digital form it takes up less space, doesn’t collect dustbunnies, and the dog never chews it up!
Which brings me to the giveaway... Since I love journals and was sad that so many missed out on the first issue of Art Journaling, I want to give away this digital copy to one lucky commenter. So leave your John Hancock below. Tell me if you have one of these issues and what you thought of it. Just say hello if you want. I’m in and out of town until Sunday so I’ll close the comments at 6 pm Central time then and draw a name so I can mail it out Monday. Good luck!
a journal page using a couple of the stencils
