Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Emerald Creek & StencilGirl - Emboss those stencils, baby!!


I used to be a rubber stamper back in the day, before StencilGirl. Once I became obsessed with stencils, I lost my love for rubber stamps although I do still use them from time to time. As the years went by I will confess I had forgotten about embossing powder. So come along with me as I blast to the past and find a new love in the process!





GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to StencilGirl Products
AND a $25 Gift Certificate to Emerald Creek!
***AND Seth Apter is giving away his original artwork created for this hop, too!!!***
check it out!

Enter to win by leaving a comment below.
Then be sure to visit the other blogs in the hop and comment to win!
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
One winner will be chosen at random from all blog comments!
(One comment per blog please.)
You have until Tuesday, December 19th at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.
Winner will be announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page on Wednesday, December 20th.

Wednesday, December 06, 2017

Creative JumpStart - it's back and better than ever!

I'm excited to announce that I'll once again be participating as an artist in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2018, run for the 7th time by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2018. I am pretty sure I have done it every year. And I can say with certainty, that I love this event! 
I mean who doesn't need a kick in the butt during the month of January. 
You will get access to 31 downloadable videos from 31 featured artists. 
31 Downloadable videos, over 6 hours of unique content -  for just $45 (USD) if you use coupon code 5CJSWOW and sign up by December 31st, 2017, 11:59 pm EST. This is a wonderful saving, considering the price will return to $50 on January 1st, 2018
So you need to sign up now! It is definitely worth it.

Monday, November 27, 2017

Creative JumpStart 2018

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating as an artist in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2018, run for the 7th time by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2018. I am pretty sure I have done it every year. And I can say with certainty, that I love this event! 
I mean who doesn't need a kick in the butt during the month of January. 
You will get access to 31 downloadable videos from 31 featured artists. 
31 Downloadable videos, over 6 hours of unique content -  for just $40 (USD) if you sign up by November 29 11:59 pm EST, 2017Afterwards, it will be 45USD until December 31st, 2017 before it goes to its normal sale price of 50USD. 

Announcing Creative JumpStart 2018 - CJS18 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

StencilGirl Stencils are on sale Cyber Monday through No. 29th!




Cyber Monday

Save 25% off all* stencils

Use code: 25cyber 

Monday, November 27, 2017
from midnight until 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA

PLUS 10% discount when you buy 6 stencils of the same size!
NEW THIS YEAR! Choose 1 FREE large stencil for every $100 spent (after discounts are applied). You MUST specify your choice(s) by L### code in the comments section of the cart when you check out or it will be StencilGirl's choice. Sorry, no exceptions.

BONUS! Spend $500+ (after discounts are applied) and I will send you an original artwork.

SHOP: http://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencilgirl-products-s/1846.htm

Tuesday & Wednesday 

Save 20% off all* stencils

Use code: 20cyber 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017, & Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Sale ends at 11:59 p.m. CST (Central Standard Time) USA
10% off 6 stencils of the same size discount, FREE stencil(s), and Bonus still apply.

*Stencils only. Does not apply to DVDs, books, tools, wholesale orders, StencilClub, or gift certificates. The StencilClub exclusive monthly member discount does not apply.

Here is a link in case you need to check your time zone against St.Louis, MO: 
https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/personal.html

Friday, November 24, 2017

Wanderlust Free Class

Did you know that I am one of the Guest Teachers on Wanderlust 2018
I am quite excited because it's my first year to participate and I have heard many good things about the past years. This is a year-long worth of online programming for such a good price and my class is a topic near and dear my heart; you won't want to miss it.
So.....if you haven't signed up yet, you will want to click here and immediately take advantage of the early bird pricing. 
And guess what? In the meantime, I am happy to share a lovely free video with you.  
Kasia and Jamie (the brains & hosts behind Wanderlust) are sharing a free video from 2016 called “Prayer Flags”. This was one of their most popular and loved lessons in 2016 and now they are making it downloadable for everyone for FREE! 

Click the link and go to “Free Video” tab. You’ll also learn more about Wanderlust 2018 which is now open for registration at the Early Bird Price of only £79 (approx. $105 USD, €89 EURO, $139 AUD/CAD). Regular price is £99! 

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

My love for Distress Crayons


In January of 2016, Tim Holtz of Ranger expanded his Distress Products with Distress Crayons. Of course, the colors were gorgeous and matched up with all the other Distress products. But the crayons themselves, oh my oh my. Intense color in a creamy crayon, what more could a girl want? I started traveling with them, carrying them places where it wasn't convenient for me to use paint especially, and I fell deeply in love. 

Here's a video of some of the ways I use them.


Distress Crayon Video

GIVEAWAY



One lucky winner will receive a $50 Gift Certificate to StencilGirl Products!
Sign Up for The Scoop for your chance to WIN!
Then visit the blogs of Team StencilGirl and comment for MORE chances to win!

October 18: Adirondack Alcohol Inks


October 19: Distress Oxide Ink Pads 

October 20: Distress Crayons 
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
One winner will be chosen at random from The Scoop subscribers and blog comments!
(One comment per blog please.)
You have until Tuesday, October 24th at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.
Winner will be announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page on Wednesday, October 25th.

Sign Up for The Scoop

* indicates required

Friday, September 29, 2017

Artists for Artists

Michelle Ward comes up with the best ideas. 
I am proud to announce I am part of  Artists for Artists, a fundraiser to support fellow artists in times of adversity. The cards included as part of this set are absolutely gorgeous and I'm pinching myself to be included in such a stellar group of artists  

“In the face of adversity, lies opportunity.”

ARTISTS FOR ARTISTS – a collaborative effort from working artists who are rallying to support fellow artists who need help getting back on their feet following unfortunate events.
LIMITED EDITION SET OF EIGHT (8) ART CARDS and a mask/stencil set of Plus Signs (aka square cross, Swiss cross, medic cross)


Click this Etsy link to purchase. 
Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit a national non-profit foundation that supports artists in time of need.   CERF+ (cerfplus.org) is especially committed to assisting artists in the wake of recent natural disasters.  Etsy Advocacy has promised to match our donation, dollar for dollar, therefore doubling our efforts.  Thank you for considering a contribution to this project.
You will receive 8 Art Cards – (5.5” x 8.8”, high-resolution art prints on heavy card, matte finish)
Featuring original art donated by the following artists:  Julie Prichard, Michelle Ward, Lynne Perrella, Judi Riesch, Laurie Mika, Mary Beth Shaw, Lisa Hoffman, and Andrew Borloz.
You will also receive a mask/stencil set (4.25” x 5.5”, 10ml heavy mylar, by GreenPepperPress) for your creative pursuits of adding more positivity into the world.
The postcards are high quality, heavyweight, and have a matte finish on the front side.  The back of each postcard white.
Ships USPS First Class Mail.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Feed Your Wanderlust for Art!

You can feed your Wanderlust for art techniques from the comfort of your own home or studio!


I hope you will join me and all the fabulous instructors for this journey:



Wanderlust 2018 from Everything Art on Vimeo.

Wanderlust 2018 is on sale at the Early Bird only until 31st of December 2017. (Approx $125 US Dollars, depending on exchange rate at time of purchase.) 
There are four free videos available on our Community right now!

Friday, September 01, 2017

Wanderlust 2018 - Early Bird Discount!


I am thrilled to be a part of Wanderlust and I hope you'll join me and all the other fine instructors!

Wanderlust is a whole year long journey - an online event offering you :
  • videos from 24 guest teachers and 2 resident teachers on a weekly basis (each one is full length, high quality and downloadable),
  • access to the Wanderlust Community with a supportive and friendly atmosphere, where all of the classes are gathered.
You will also find there various activities that will stimulate your creativity and motivate you to simply enjoy the process of making art.

Together with the class you will also get an exclusive whole year discount to leading art and craft retailers.


Wanderlust class is the perfect alternative to in-person classes!




Wanderlust 2018 from Everything Art on Vimeo.

Wanderlust 2018 is on sale at the Early Bird only until 31st of December 2017.
There are four free videos available on our Community straight away:
  • Introduction to Wanderlust, Colour & Composition,
  • The Basics of Art Journaling and How to use the Community.
Plus for our Early Bird Adventurers we have:
  • a “Dynamic Paper Painting” class with Kasia and
  • a printable Eliza’s Collage Collection filled with some lovely ephemera.

Buy Wanderlust 2018 before 31st December 2017 and save 20%!

Early Bird Price - £79! (regular price £99)

Sign up:

Friday, June 16, 2017

Creative JumpStart June Sale

Did you miss it the first time around? If so, you missed some really great material from me and loads of my friends - Pam Carriker, Jodi Ohl, Andrew Borloz (one of my favorite videos!) and Gwen LaFleur. Not to mention tons of others - Michelle Ward, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, and of course Nathalie Kalbach. 
Just $40  for 27 videos that you can download and keep to watch over and over.  
Here is the link you need to sign up.


I don't think you will regret it. 
Seriously.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Reuse Repurpose Recycle - Sustainable Souls Project


I am honored to be working with the folks at Sustainable Souls Project for the month of May. I can think of no more important theme for LIFE than the idea of sustainability. That word has ramifications extending into every aspect of life. Harkening from: 
Sustain + Ability
I am kind of a word geek, ok, not kind of. At any rate, I did a bit of research to find out what this word means and it appears there isn't a true consensus. In a nutshell, it means, "the ability to be maintained at a certain level or rate." Of course, most people use this word in connection with our environment. The definition I really love is, "the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld or confirmed. " There is something about those words supported and upheld that ring true to me and I imagine our vast planet being held in hands and hearts worldwide.

But I digress and you probably stopped by to see what I made, not hear me blab on and on......this month, May 2017, we are talking about Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle, which are topics near and dear to my heart. 
For art making, I reuse materials such as paint stained paper towels, scraps of paper, garbage (ie, treasures) I find on the ground, old paper plate palettes, junk mail, magazines, well, I think you get the idea.


For this project, I pulled out some precious scraps and paired them up with existing paintings that needed something. You know, those unfinished pieces hanging around your studio? The ones that need a little sumpin' sumpin' to make them complete? Well, in my case, it was a couple of pieces I had done with oil and cold wax. I hadn't gotten around to completing them and the idea of adding some collage really appealed to me. 

Incredibly, I had JUST the perfect scraps for each painting, don't you love it when that happens?

I cut and tore snips here and there. Punches are my friend, especially making circles from the sturdy paper plates. You probably already know this but turn your punch upside down to 'crop' the best parts. And don't forget your old fashioned office hole punch, I love tiny little circles especially painted ones.



And before you know it, voila! A security envelope here punched circles and circle waste there, some deli discards.....who woulda thunk? They are done for now, but I reserve the right to continue to work on them.....ahem.....

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

StencilGirl and Amazing Casting Products



When I was attending Creativation (fka CHA) this year, I met up with my friend Cat Kerr at the Alumilite (Amazing Casting Products) booth. I was floored by the complexity of products she was making, from assemblage to embellishments for artwork to jewelry. She rocked my world with her artistry of the mysterious(at least to me) art of making molds and casting resin pieces. The idea of a Blog Hop was born.

In case you don't understand how a Blog Hop work, this is what happened. The lovely people at Alumilite sent my StencilGirl peeps some product and us, here at StencilGirl, sent their peeps some stencils.
Playtime ensued. At my house, this always includes a cat. Ahem.

But I digress, let me show you what I received. Keep in mind I had absolutely zero ideas what to do with these products.
Seriously. I learned by reading the box. First you mix up the putty and make a mold. Then you pour resin into the mold to make your object. It is really quite simple, I am sure a chemist could explain why this works, hahaha.
Naturally, I was interested to know if I could use stencils to make 3-dimensional objects. And voila! Yes, it can be done. The first picture below shows a Seth Apter stencil and the second shows a Rae Missigman feather mask. When you use a stencil or a mask, the result will be flat. In order to transform this into a mold (that will hold resin), you need to make a little wall about your imprint. The second picture shows the 'wall' which was made by rolling the putty into a little snake and then attaching it - it basically attached itself on contact, so this is super easy.
But I couldn't stop at stencils because I also wanted to make a mold of something else, something fun! I searched and searched for something cute, buttons, acorns, shells, hmmmmm, such potential. I settled on a tiny tube of paint that met my requirements and oooh la, who knew how much I would love making wee resin paint tubes.

Here is an images of my final products prior to painting and after painting.

Not sure what I am going to do with them as of yet. I am amazed they are quite strong and I am thinking a closure on the front of a journal for one of the feathers, wouldn't that be cool! 

After playing for several days, here are my tips:
  • Don’t be stingy with the product. I had a couple molds that were too thin just because I was trying to ‘save’ product. You will get much better results with a beefy mold that will stand up to multiple uses.
  • If you are using a stencil or a mask, pick an isolated image rather than one where the image is part of an intricate pattern. 
  • When using a stencil, first, use a brayer over the stencil (on the mold putty) and then use a thin palette knife to press the stencil even deeper.
  • After making your resin piece, you are easily able to trim off ugly edges. I found you could also trim the resin the next day too. I imagine you could also poke holes in it (to make jewelry).
  • To add color, I put the Alumidust in the mold prior to pouring the resin. Gorgeous! 
  • I forgot to do this a couple of times and my resin piece dried to solid white. No worries though because I was able to add color with Pitt pens, Acrylic paint (craft and Golden), Sharpie marker and Stayzon ink. Seems like nearly anything might work. 
All in all, I had a terrific time and know that there is more mold making in my future. Can you say paint tube earrings?????

Here is a list of the participants in our Hop and the dates you may read their posts:
April 19
Mary Beth Shaw (you are here)

And YES!!! There is a give away, of course there is!

GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive both a $25 Gift Certificate to StencilGirl Products
AND a $25 Gift Certificate to Amazing Casting Products!
Visit the fabulous designers from both teams and comment for your
chance to win!
The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
(One comment per blog please.)
You have until Sunday, April 23rd at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.
Winner will be announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page and Amazing Casting Products’s Facebookpage
on Monday, April 24th.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Abstracts in acrylic & ink by Jodi Ohl

Have you seen my friend Jodi Ohl's book? Here's a picture of the cover, so beautiful; I am in the book, on page 138 to be precise; it was so sweet of Jodi to include me!
Abstracts in Acrylic & Ink by Jodi Ohl
If you are interested in painting abstracts, there is a lot to love about this book. As you all know, I've painted my fair share of abstracts and am quite impressed with Jodi's great way of organizing information in an accessible manner. She includes a ton of fun techniques with different substrates (Yupo! Claybord!) and ways to create texture (alcohol! Crackle medium!). If you aren't inspired by all the goodness in this book, well, your heart must simply be dead to abstracts. 
LOL
Seriously though.....
Stencils and scribbles and doodles and painted papers, you know how much I love all these things, I feel like Jodi crawled into my head and put together a book talking about all my favorite stuff.
Bottom line: if you want to explore Mixed Media abstract painting, this is the book for you!
And, guess what.....I just happen to have a copy to give away.
Leave me a comment below as to why you are playful enough to paint abstracts! 
Because painting abstracts takes a leap of faith and playfulness is definitely encouraged.
I will select a winner on April 17th. 
Be sure and leave me your email in the comments. Email at blank dot com.

Wednesday, April 05, 2017

StencilGirl and Canvas Corp make Surfaces


This month StencilGirl Products is collaborating with Canvas Corp Brands to show you unique ways to use StencilGirl stencils with a variety of Canvas Corp Brands surfaces and Tattered Angels Paint Kits! Be sure to check out the details at the end of this post on how you can win a wonderful prize package worth over $50 in goodies from StencilGirl Products and Canvas Corp Brands!

Canvas Corp is practically a neighbor of StencilGirl! I mean, shoot, they live right down the road from us in Arkansas (we are in Missouri). They manufacture under the names Canvas Home Basics, Tattered Angels and 7gypsies.
Back in the day, before I spent the bulk of my time running SGP, I used 7gypsies materials in my collage work All.The.Time. There are certain discontinued 7gypsies tissue papers with which I am obsessed and I may be hoarding them. Just sayin'
Imagine my delight when I was allowed to pick some products to try! I wanted to play with the Tattered Angels brand, specifically the Naturally Aged Kits - I chose Tarnished Silver.
This stuff is crazy! I mean seriously crazy. You can get such interesting effects and you can absolutely depend on it. I have tried this sort of thing in the past and could never get it to look right, but trust me when I say these are completely awesome.
I went a wee bit wild I shall say, on tags, scrap paper, in my journal. My oh my. 
The thing is, the package insert is excellent, so incredibly specific with a step by step description of how to get the desired effect. It would be impossible to mess it up and trust me, I am the Queen of messing stuff up. I did spill one of the bottles, but, I think I was overexcited. 


See what I mean? Addictive in a good way.
All these examples were done on paper type products, gessoed and non-gessoed. The last image shown (above) is a journal section where I had used a stencil from our StencilClub, my designs from January 2017.
Here is the Tag that I made and embellished with other products from Canvas Corp. I also used our stencil by Carolyn Dube, Now is the Time, one of my favorite stencils ever.
Just as an fyi, these Kits will work on matte or glossy paper; canvas; corrugate (must try this next!); handmade papers; cork; other natural materials. And I must say, I need to get my hands on some more of these as there are other Kits I am dying to try - the Peeled Paint Kit or the Age Terracotta or the.....well, you get the idea, they are all pretty special.


What would a matchup be without a fun prize!!!!
Here’s your chance to get your hands on a products from StencilGirl Products and Canvas Corp Brands.
All you need to do is….
  • leave a comment here on any or all of the Matchup Posts during the month of April with StencilGirl Products and CCB.
    You can leave one on each post for more chances to win. Don’t forget to include the hashtag #SGPCCBmatchup so we can find you!!!
  • and/or leave a comment on the CCB Facebook page or StencilGirl Products Facebook page. Don’t forget to include #SGPCCBmatchup so we can find you!!!
  • and/or leave a comment on any of the CCB Instagram posts or StencilGirl Products Instagram posts where you see any of the projects from the CCB team or the SGP team.
    Don’t forget to include #SGPCCBmatchup so we can find you!!!
  • You can follow along by searching #SGPCCBmatchup. If you love what you see and would like to join the Facebook group CCB Collective – ask to join today.
  • You can find all StencilGirl Products in our shop – www.stencilgirlproducts.com
  • Shop Canvas Corp Brands at https://shop.canvascorpbrands.com 
  • We will be sharing projects the entire month of April – learn new techniques, see how new products are used and be inspired with great ideas from members of the SGP and CCB creative teams.