Monday, April 28, 2014

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

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?!

103 comments:

  1. Looks like a lot of fun. I like how you used different parts of the stencil. What was it that you used to make your fun "splatter"?

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  2. Yes! The splatter is on the stencil. There are so many great "bits" on it!

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  3. I love the way you used the "bits" from the stencil and the way you altered your paper, thanks for the idea!

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  4. I do remember "Griffin & Sabine" and still have them all! This is just my cup of tea. I adore what you did especially the letter because few people write these days. It's a treasure!

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  5. what a fun idea also using bits of the stencil is more interesting

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  6. today I will go to my husbands book shelves and find that book, I had forgotten it, I think we have another of his too. Love all the little bits you can use separately on the stencil.
    Bev Longford

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  7. This is fantastic!! I love the envelope idea...it would go well on just about anything: card, scrapbook page, tag, and of course - an art journal page!!! So cute!!

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  8. Great idea. I'm going to have to find a copy of "Griffin and Sabine". Until then I'll play with your idea of creating some pages like this! Thanks Leslie! Your envelope and letter are stunning!

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  9. Great piece with all your bits and bobs! I really like that you added a note to yourself- neat! And yup, I like that splatter part too! tfs

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  10. A must-have stencil. Your project is amazing.

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  11. Loving your project! The stencil is perfect for this!

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  12. Love seeing the details of your wonderful project! Great use of the stencil!

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  13. What a great piece, great use of the stencil!

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  14. Oh Leslie! I love love love your project! That is an awesome addition to an art journal! It gives me all kinds of ideas! Thanks!

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  15. I love this project, so wonderful.

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  16. How very postal of you. Nice use of the new stencils!

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  17. This is SO FABULOUS, Linda! Loved how it turned out! Great to see your process, too!

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  18. A great choice of paper. I must find some. Your blog is awesome. Thanks.

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  19. Oh, fun! I want to whip out my art journal now.

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  20. so creative!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  21. I think I feel an art session coming along...perfect day since severe weather is expected. Maybe all the electricity in the air will jump start my mojo with some zing!

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  22. Oh Leslie, you had me at Griffin & Sabine......this is lovely.

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  23. Oh Leslie.. I adore this. I have the Griffin and Sabine book. I fell in love with it years ago. What a great idea. You could look at that so many times and see something different.

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  24. I love the "secret" that you tucked into your journal!

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  25. Love your entire project ..... so many ideas to "file away" for future uses. Great look too !!
    SusieW

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  26. Really amazing - such a fun idea! These blog hops are so fun and inspiring - takes a bit of time, but you each have such great ideas, it's hard to skip one!

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  27. Great use of the stencils, love it!

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  28. I am going to copy your idea so I can do something with all of the emphemera I brought back with me from Italy 2 years ago! What fun to go back and relive that vacation!

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    1. Karen, that is the BEST way to use ephemera from a trip. Something about handling it all again...it brings back all the memories so vividly. I do hope you try something with all your things!

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  29. What an awesome project. I am unfamiliar w/ Stonehenge paper, will have to ck it out.

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  30. LOVE this. Such an interesting piece with layers of meaning. Thanks for the book recommendation...it's now on my wishlist.

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  31. Leslie - I love your 'secret' letter idea - the use of the stencils with it added so much to the finished page. I also save many 'bits' from travels - now I have some inspiration for what to do with them!

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  32. Leslie this looks like so much fun..I love this idea! I love your different twist on the "hop!" Thanks for sharing!

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  33. What a great project, Leslie! I love what you did, and at this point, I just can't wait to get my set…I'm in love with these stencils!

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  34. Wow, so much detail on such a lovely project - gorgeous xxx

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  35. Such COOL ideas & techniques you all have & used! I LOVE looking at all your blogs & rethinking my other stencils.
    I NEED those stencils!
    Grandma Nancy

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  36. What a fun project! Thanks for sharing it and for giving us more ideas on what to do with these awesome stencils! I love how everyone is using a diff part of the stencils.

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  37. Thanks for all the pics showing how you aged and layered the papers. Great idea for adding an envelope to a journal or scrapbook.

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  38. Great idea. Thank you for sharing I can't wait to find a way to incorporate it into a journal. :)

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  39. This was such a clever idea, great!

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  40. What a fantastic project! Great use of the stencil, too.

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  41. I love how your project turned out too! Great idea and hopefully I will win a set of Seth's great new stencils to try and make my own page with your inspiration. Thanks.

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  42. These new stencils are so cool! I'd love to have them! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  43. This is an incredibly neat-o idea. I can sooo see me using this in my art & journal journals. tfs such a fun idea. Be blessed, Suzanne :)

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  44. So much fun to read all the comments! I just knew there were many other Griffin and Sabine lovers out there....

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  45. Hi Leslie, I'm enjoying getting to see you in action in Cas' s class! Love seeing what you did here with the stencil!

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  46. That is such a wonderful book! And this is such a wonderful way to use it!

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  47. Enjoyed your Tutorial! Great giveaway. Thanks for offering.

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  48. Gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for sharing the process and beautiful pictures with us! Loved it!

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  49. I have all six of the Griffin and Sabine books. Your page is wonderful!

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  50. That is a really neat way to have a lot to one page. These are not the type of stencils that get put away.

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  51. I haven't thought about that book in years! It was stunning, wasn't it. So unique. Your idea is wonderful. Thank you for sharing your project....it would make great Snail Mail as well.

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  52. Thanks for the detailed directions. It became a great project. I love these stencils. there are so many identifiable elements that can be used on some many different projects.

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  53. I really like this journal page and how you used parts of Seth's stencil. Inside Out is my favorite stencil. Hope you won't mind if I copy your project in my own journal:)

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  54. Very cool project & wonderful stencils!

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  55. I love this! What a great idea! I think this is my favorite of Seth's new stencils.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  56. EXCELLENT!!!! love everything about your whole post...about the book and then how you used the stencil. really great, great job. i just love stencil girls and seth apter....well he is so cute, sweet and talented. i really, really want to win this one. did i say really??? heres hoping, wishing and thanking you all for the inspiration and chances to WIN!! XOX

    lurabrown@gmail.com

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  57. You have illustrated well how versatile Seth's stencils can be! Thanks for the inspiration:)

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  58. What a fun project - I love it!

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  59. I love what you did with his stencil! I am in love with all of his stencils.....the possibilities are endless!

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  60. Wonderful journal page. Secret letters ;) I also loved the book.

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  61. Love the Griffin and Sabine books, and love what you did with the inspiration!

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  62. Love what you did with the stencils! I've put them on my list! (But winning them would be better for my wallet! Lol)

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  63. Wonderful project. Love all the layers. I haven't seen anybody use Yes! glue in a long time.

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  64. Cool! Did you mail yourself the letter?

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  65. Jo, I didn't mail myself this particular letter, but I often mail collaged postcards to myself when I am traveling!

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  66. My husband & I read that series. Believe we have one missing..loaned it out & never came back to us. Wow, never thought that was my 1st exposure to mixed media art/journaling. Absolutely LOVE what you did & it does seem inspired by the Griffin & Sabine series. Seth Apter’s stencil designs also seem made for YOUR project!

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  67. It does look like you're having so much fun! Thanks for the great detailed photos, Leslie.

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  68. Your project is wonderful! I would love to put those stencils to work!

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  69. Fantastic tutorial to use with my current Seth stencils! There is such a hip, "cool" factor with each design !

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  70. my gosh! I have not thought about those books in ages! have to dig mine out again. wonderful project!! have a wonderful day!

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  71. great job with the stencil. loved what you did

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  72. Love the colors of the paper. I wondered about the iron & cleaning part! Project looks inticing - want to open it to ready your secret letter. These stencils that Seth produced are going to be lots of fun using together. Thanks for the opportunity to win them.

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  73. Leslie, I love the idea of using personal ephemera on your page, love the envelope idea also....

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  74. I love the idea of writing oneself a letter. What secrets would I share? What fun! This turned out to be very interesting!

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  75. Such an awesome idea of how to use Seth's new stencils! You are so creative and I love the inspiration!

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  76. Love your project! I will be borrowing from you for sure :) Thanks for the chance to win!

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  77. I am a Nick Bantock fan. His workshops are hard to get into--they fill up fast. I appreciate how you have captured the spirit of his idea in your project.

    The Apter stencil looks like it would produce a finished artwork if used in its entirety. I recently bought some Stencil Girl products (book and videos) but my real goal is to make my own stencils that feature my own marks!

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  78. I love this stencil and seeing it used in so many different ways. I am also doing the Documented Life Journal. It is an interesting, fun and exciting project. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  79. Leslie, I LOVE the Griffin and Sabine series and have a couple of the books--also love the artist Nick Bantock. Love how you combined inspiration from that to come up with your project. The whole idea of writing a letter to yourself has really inspired me. Thanks for sharing this.

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  80. Love an interactive element in journals … and layers, layers of material and meaning. Great job!

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  81. I love all the layers and the aging process. The stencils are great! What a cool idea to write yourself a letter.

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  82. Love it! Love the stencils!!

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  83. This is a great use of the stencil. Love these pages!

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  84. Great stencil. I love using envelopes in my journal, too.

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  86. Exquisite. Thanks for sharing.

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  87. Very inspiring! Love all the layers in this!

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  88. What a fun idea for a journal page! I love your envelope full of "secrets".

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  89. Wow, totally love this idea! One of the best journal ideas I have seen in a long time. Beautiful work. Love how the stencil worked with you. Thank you for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  90. What a cool project. I don't remember the book you refer to at the start, so now I need to go track it down (it's the librarian in me...). Thank you!

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  91. I love Griffin and Sabine and you have done a wonderful piece inspired by Nick Bantock. This stencil was perfect for this piece. Thank you for sharing it and just perhaps inspiring a little something for my journal
    Sandra d.

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