Saturday, August 1, 2015

Layering Stencil: Monoprint

Here we are at the last challenge for Tim's A Compendium of Curiosities III book - Challenge number 34, Layering Stencil: Monoprint!  It just doesn't seem possible!  The time has flown for me and I have loved every minute!

I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for all your wonderful comments and for playing along with these challenges!  All of you are so talented!  I have SO enjoyed getting to know all of you - even though I haven't met most of you personally, I still feel like I know you.  Hopefully our paths will cross in the future!

Many of you have commented that you have enjoyed the use of my family photos in my artwork.  I have had so much fun incorporating these photos into my projects and have loved creating some wonderful keepsakes for my family along the way.

As I started off with a family photo for one of my first projects, I thought I would finish up with several as well.

You will find this wonderful monoprint technique on Page 48 of the Compendium of Curiosities III book.  You will see that there are actually two different ways to incorporate this technique.  I decided to go for it since it is the last challenge and created two different projects - with each one I have used the technique differently.  Here they are side by side, one tag and one journal page:


As  you can see, both projects are very different, a vintage tag with a photo of my mother-in-law and my very first journal page using bright colors.    First the vintage tag:


This is a photo of my husband's mother, Rosa Maria Cura Mostek.  She is originally from Spain.  This tag project is a tribute to her amazing journey from Spain to the United States shortly after she married.  It is also a way to thank my wonderful husband who has never complained about all the time I spend working on my art and waiting for dinner on more than one occasion when I didn't want to quite working as I was "on a roll".

I started by creating a monoprint on cream card stock with the Flourish Layering Stencil.  While I can't tell you how I did it, I followed the first technique using Broken China, Vintage Photo, Gathered Twigs, and Hickory Smoke Distress Paints and Antique Linen Distress Ink.  I could have kicked myself when I realized I had become so engrossed in the project I forgot to take step-by-step photos, so I took some close-ups of the project.


I created a frame by die cutting Tim's Sizzix Postage Stamp from Grunge Board.  I then added a layer of gesso and added Antique Linen Distress Paint over the top when dry.  I finished my frame by adding Vintage Photo and Gathered Twigs Distress inks around the edges.  Once this was completed, I added the photo of my mother-in-law after adding some Vintage Photo ink around the edges.

I adhered my frame to my monoprint tag and then began adding several Idea-ology pieces I had painted with Cracked Pistachio, partially dried and then rubbed off a bit to create a patina.

My mother-in-law fell in love with a young Czech man who escaped from then Czechoslovakia after WWII and came to this country shortly after they were married, not knowing any English or anyone here in this country.  I felt Tim's "Life was meant to be a great Adventure" stamp from the Handwritten Thoughts Stamper's Anonymous set was quite appropriate as well as the Idea-ology Word Band choice.

The "angel" wing from the Idea-ology Adornments: Regal represents Rosa's faith and Guardian Angel watching over her.



I added the crown from the Adornments: Regal as she reminded me a bit of a young Queen Elizabeth.  Lastly, I created a bow from Tim's Crinkle Ribbon, using Antique Linen and Broken China Distress Stains.  I added a Trinket Pin, Jump Ring and Heart Charm with the words "All my Heart" representing her love for my father-in-law.  I finished the project by adhering the finished tag to a piece of Aqua color solid card stock.

Now for the second project.  This is my first first journal page (which I have been dying to start) using a photo of my mother, uncle (in the back) and their cousin.  It always puts a smile on my face as I think of simpler times, a fun picnic and wading in the stream.


Now I definitely don't have a step-by-step of this monoprint technique as that would completely give away the technique.  I can tell you I used Picked Raspberry, Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron, Dusty Concord and Mermaid Lagoon Paints along with Twisted Citron and Mermaid Lagoon Distress Inks.  I wanted to leave quite a bit of white on the page as well.

The wonderful sentiment is from Tim's Stamper's Anonymous set Handwritten Thoughts.  Here are a few close-ups:





 Thanks for being patient with my longer than usual blog post.  Hope you have enjoyed both projects.

This final challenge is being sponsored by The Funkie Junkie Boutique.  Linda Coughlin will be offering a $25.00 shopping spree in her online store to the winner of a randomly chosen project.  Tim and Mario  are generously offering a fabulous prize package to the winner of the Curiosity Crew Choice.  A big thank you to all of them for supporting these challenges!

Finally, I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to our fearless leader, Linda Ledbetter.  She has done such a wonderful job putting these challenges together and keeping the Curisioty Crew in line!   I feel so honored that I was asked to participate - I have stretched myself so much artistically and had so much fun along the way, especially being associated with all the other terrific gals on the Curiosity Crew!

Now head on over to Linda's website, study the rules and enter your project!  We can't wait to see what you create for this final challenge!

Hugs, Susan





39 comments :

  1. love both your pieces and that you use your pictures!!!

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  2. Oh Susan...both of your projects are wonderfully nostalgic and done with such great love and care!! I love them both! The tag honiring your mother in law is so lovely! I adore the postage die cut as a frame and then hiw you attached the word band with twine. So classic! The aged Ideaology you've added Looks fantastic! Love the shabby now, too. The your very first art journal page is wonderful! I love the colors and the mix of stencils you used. I think we are kindred souls when it comes to loving nostalgic pieces and combining family photos in our work. This art journal page is beautiful and I love the picture! Susan, you are such a joy and a sweet, sweet lady. I am so thankful for your friendship and the opportunity to have shared this with you.

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  3. I have to say that I have enjoyed your projects and use of family photos so much! This is another project that not only is spectacular, but so touching! I love all the layers! Have a wonderful weekend and it has been a fun ride!

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  4. Your first journal page? I can't believe it! LOVE the bright colors, and the tag is uber gorgeous!!! LOVE the pic of your mother in law. You really do have the best family photos! It's been so wonderful to have been on this journey with you!

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  5. I love being able to see the different layers on your page so clearly. And to include your family photos on these pages is special...not just for but for them. Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Love the vintage look, really beautiful!!

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  7. I always love the story of Tony's parents. Its so "America"! People coming here from other countries, working hard, raising the families and making a better life. I'm really drawn by the message "Remember the Now" contrasted with a photograph of way back then! All the "now" moments captured and remembered, especially in your art, are so romantic and meaningful. Your layered mono print backgrounds are very effective and work well with your photographs!!

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  8. Such an inspiring story about your Mother-in-law! And a great tribute to her in the tag.

    Wading in streams... does ANYONE do that anymore? It is a cherished childhood memory of mine as well...

    Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us this many weeks. I truly appreciate how you challenged us to think "out of the box" and creatively. I will miss this journey...

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  9. Oh Susan, I am SO HAPPY to see you used family pics in the last CC3Challenge! It has definitely been one of you signatures in your art! I love the tag with your MIL...it is so sweet and the colors are perfection! Your art journal page is fun and whimsy all in one. What great pieces you have created to showcase your family history as well as being BEAUTIFUL pieces of art. I am so thankful to have been through this journey with you girls and I will cherish this time and the bonds we have grown! Love you!

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  10. oh my, so fun. love the different use of techniques and combining them :)

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  11. Fabulous projects Susan! Great way to showcase the fun monoprinting technique! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  12. Hi Susan!! Well, I'm one of your followers who loves your use of your family photos in your projects :) The backstories of your family members that you've shared with us are wonderful and touching and magical. This tag you made honoring your MIL is no exception--Beautiful, just like her! And LOVE the photo of your Mom as a little girl with her brother and cousin! Now, that looked like a good day :) :) Completely touching and moving creations once again, Susan!! I soooo appreciate all of your creativity and showing us how to incorporate our own vintage family photos into our creations! AWESOME!! XOXO-Shari

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  13. Great projects, love both! The tag is touching, too! Thank you for telling us your mother-in-law life adventure

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  14. Susan, I always adore your personalized creations with family photos and stories. You truly honor your memories, which is so special. I love that. Your tag is stunning, of course! I, too, got lost in the creative process and stopped taking photos. Funny how that happens, but isn't it great to be so engrossed? I think so. Your FIRST art journal page? Amazing! How fun you made it with the colorful background and then a black & white photo. Hopefully this got you hooked on art journaling so we can see more of your beautiful process. It's been a blast and an honor to create with you on the Curiosity Crew. I feel a very special bond with you and the gang and I'm thankful to have been included in such a talented group of artists.

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  15. How lucky are we to get a 'two for one' post today - so much eye candy! Count me as one who has loved your use of personal photos. This tag is so special with its wing and sentiment, and your journal page is gorgeous. What a treat it's been to be on this wonderful art journey with you, Susan. It's been my pleasure!

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  16. I love both your Journal page and the tag! Your mother-in-law is so pretty and the tag is gorgeous, that color palette is so pretty! Love your use of family photos... great inspiration ; I always felt I could see your passion in your work !!
    Thank you for such a memorable Journey ... for stretching my creativity and all your kind words !

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  17. Two beautiful creations Susan, the tag you made to honour your mother in law is so wonderful and a lot of love was very obviously put into making it. Wonderful embellishments and sentiments that fit it perfectly and the stencil monoprint background sets it all off. And your journal page is equally spectacular, talk about showcasing the stencil monoprint technique! Great colour palette and what a fun picture, thanks for sharing both of your projects and for your continuing inspiration.

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  18. Wow Susan, you certainly made a fantastic start in your journal! I love how you did both pages and incorporated the different ways with the technique. I really love the back story about your mother in law too, it all sounds so romantic but it must have been hard too, she is a beautiful lady.

    It has been such a pleasure to follow along on this CC3C journey with you and the other wonderful Curiosity Crew members, you are all so inspiring! I do hope the journey will continue in some way or other until Tim writes his book No. 4. Thank you!! Hugs, Anne xx

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  19. I just love that you know so much about your family and that of your husband's and that you honor them so beautifully with your artistic talent. It's been so much fun reading their stories and looking at your gorgeous projects. I will miss these challenges so much!

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  20. Hi I love how you have shown how versatile this technique can be. Beautiful pages showing your family. I will miss this challenge x

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  21. Two such different results with the same technique, what a versatile lady you are. These are both wonderful

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  22. Great way to start journaling!! both pages are amazing. I love how you can see each stencil. There is such a great vintage feel to the pages. Gorgeous

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  23. I really like the stamp frame. Very pretty tag.

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  24. Your pages came out great! I love the tag with your Mother in Law specifically. These are great projects for finishing the challenge.

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  25. Your pages came out great! I love the tag with your Mother in Law specifically. These are great projects for finishing the challenge.

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  26. Susan, it's impossible not to love both projects! Nice post full of love. Thank you for this wonderful adventure!

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  27. Susan, it's impossible not to love both projects! Nice post full of love. Thank you for this wonderful adventure!

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  28. Oh, I just LOVE this 2-4-1 !!!! I KNOW I wanna try THIS- start making a journal of art pages just for the FUN of it!!! And I have each of U ladies to thank for that inspiration!!! These 2 items are ADORABLE- esp w the wing & crown making the antiqueness of the tag have a whimsical side that is perfect!! Thanks especially for not just sharing your time & talent, but your FRIENDSHIP w all of us!!! I am so humbly honored to know you all !! ❤️ ~Lyla~

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  29. I do love how you use family photos Susan and you're so lucky to have such a wonderful collection. These projects both express why I enjoy your art so much. The technique is on brilliant display and everything looks perfect on your tag as well as the journal page. Thanks for the inspiration along the way and for your support. See you on FB and on your blog! xx

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  30. Sue, both your projects-vintage and contemporary- really show that you have mastered Tim's Stenciled Monoprint technique! I DO love that you use your family's photos in your artwork...it adds so much love to everything you do! You are blessed to have these photos to use. Your Mother in Law is a beautiful woman, and I think you have really done her photo justice with this beautiful tag. I love Tim's Flourish stencil and your Monoprint technique looks beautiful on this. Good for you starting an art journal! That's on my bucket list, and you have given me great motivation to work toward that goal. Thank you for ALL your hard work and tremendous inspiration both through your art and yours posts through this artful journey called Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge. Hugs!

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  31. Sue, both your projects-vintage and contemporary- really show that you have mastered Tim's Stenciled Monoprint technique! I DO love that you use your family's photos in your artwork...it adds so much love to everything you do! You are blessed to have these photos to use. Your Mother in Law is a beautiful woman, and I think you have really done her photo justice with this beautiful tag. I love Tim's Flourish stencil and your Monoprint technique looks beautiful on this. Good for you starting an art journal! That's on my bucket list, and you have given me great motivation to work toward that goal. Thank you for ALL your hard work and tremendous inspiration both through your art and yours posts through this artful journey called Compendium of Curiosities 3 challenge. Hugs!

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  32. Sue, I really like the way you highlighted your husband Mother's beautiful picture. She is adorable, and the wings and crown are so fitting. You also did a great job using the monoprint technique to give the layout of the children's photo a happy feeling. The whole effect is amazingly beautiful. I really enjoyed all your projects so far and am very thankful for the inspirations you have provided us throughout this great journey.

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  33. Ahhh Susan - this is wonderful. Makes me feel sentimental - memories are so wonderful. Love the colors of the monoprint on your tag. This is a SUPER FUN project and I love seeing it. Thanks bunches for the inspiration. j.

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  34. Ahhh Susan - this is wonderful. Makes me feel sentimental - memories are so wonderful. Love the colors of the monoprint on your tag. This is a SUPER FUN project and I love seeing it. Thanks bunches for the inspiration. j.

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  35. A lovely tag with an amazing story behind it. The soft colors really compliment the photo. What a fun journal page! Such a pop of color using the technique. Congrats on your first journal page. I really love working in mine. Thanks for sharing and for all the inspiration.

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  36. Susan, I love both your projects...they show how versatile this technique is. I am so glad the you shared your family photos with us on this last challenge. Thanks so much for the creativity you have shared through the challenges and for sharing your family with us.

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  37. Susan, I love both your projects...they show how versatile this technique is. I am so glad the you shared your family photos with us on this last challenge. Thanks so much for the creativity you have shared through the challenges and for sharing your family with us.

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  38. Susan, such a beautiful project! I have enjoyed getting to know your work during the Compendium of Curiosity challenges. Thanks for the kind words along the way. Check out my Compendium of Curiosity iii tribute project. I was unable to finish in time due to a car accident!
    http://vic-n-stuff.blogspot.com/2015/08/belated-final-compendium-of-curiosity.html
    XoXoXo!

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