Seth Apter blog hop

I almost jumped up and down when I received my new Seth Apter "Inside Out" stencil.  The first thing that came to mind was a secret note in a private diary.  
Some of you may remember a book called "Griffin and Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence", published in 1991.   This stencil (as well as the other new stencils by Seth, are really perfect for this idea.

Inside Out Stencil

If you haven't seen the book, Griffin and Sabine, I should tell you that the entire thing is a series of letters, each in its own envelope attached to the book page.  One has the feeling of reading someone else's private correspondence.  There is something a bit thrilling about it all...

For my project I chose a "stray" envelope that had become separated from its original card-mate.  I selected a number of pieces of travel ephemera.  I save things like customs forms, tram passes, and museum tickets when I travel.  I often collage them into journal pages or postcards.  

After dampening the Stonehenge paper I crumpled it and stained it with several 

ink tones that gave the paper and envelope and "aged" patina.

After drying I pressed the paper flat with my iron.

You should probably protect the iron surface with a piece of parchment or a teflon pressing sheet.  (right after this pic I had to clean my iron...duh).

Using Yes! glue I placed several old bits of travel ephemera on the paper.

Next, I loosely brushed a bit of opaque white paint over the surface of the collage.

I used a customs document on the outside of the envelope, glueing it into place with 

more Yes! glue.  Notice I tore one corner of the paper and glued it to the flap.

This is the side that will remain exposed when placed in my journal.

Now the fun part!  

I selected various portions of my stencil to add elements over the surface of both my paper 

and my envelope.

I love the splatter!

Cool, huh?

This portion is a small "blotch".  I like it.

Next, I wrote myself a short "letter" about the project.

I folded the letter unevenly because I wanted to stencil over the edge of the piece.

I love how the lines at the base of the envelope, another part of the stencil, 

give the effect of a postmark.

Using a blend of white and umber I made a few stencil marks on the journal page.

Once dry I used Yes! glue to secure the envelope (sideways) into my journal.

I love how it turned out.  

Seth's stencil is one I will use frequently, and I think it will become part of my 

small travel kit!  I hope you consider trying it, too.

Please be sure to head over to Paula Phillips next.  You can, of course, 

hop around to any of the participants.  Just be sure to leave comments 

because the more times you do, the better chance of winning the prize.

Good luck, and thanks so much for visiting!

Blog Hop Order

StencilGirl Talk

Seth Apter

Mary Beth Shaw

Mary C. Nasser

Linda Cain

Carolyn Dube

Kirsten Reed

Linda Kittmer

Janet Joehlin

Judy Shea

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Paula Phillips

Dont forget:  We will have a giveaway on the StencilGirl Talk blog!  All comments on the hop (on ANY of the blogs!) are eligible for the giveaway.  The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to win.  The giveaway will close on Sunday, May 4th at 11:59 PM Central Daylight Time.  The prize:  2 lucky winners will each get a set of Seth's new stencil releases!  How awesome is that?!