Well, it’s my turn again to test out one of Jessica Sporn’s new stencils called Starry Night by Stencil Girl Products. This time around, I used the stencil creating two pieces. I didn’t start out thinking I would do two, but it just seemed to fall into place that way.
PART 1 – First, I’ll show you my collage. I took Bristol Paper and made a paste of Super Heavy Gesso and Hansa Yellow Medium acrylic paint by Golden. Then I used the stencil to push the yellow paste through it onto the paper. Let dry.
The result is below left. Then I took Patina Green Glaze by Golden and spread it over the textured page.

Now, let’s start collaging. I added some lace ribbon down the left side and then did a leaf stencil with the heavy gesso on the bottom right.
I had put some of the same stencil on other cardstock (as you’ll see in my next project), painted it blue and ripped it, and put gold leaf pen on ripped section then put down the right side. Now, I’m adding more papers and fabric and end with one of my polymer clay “bellishments”; I chose Mr. Moon. Here’s how it developed

I pounced some titan buff acrylic paint through some dry wall tape. Love the dots.

Added some rhinestones on the pink paper; fabric under Mr. Moon. Store bought embellishment on top of the gold embossed paper. Made the embellishment a flower with lace stem and magazine paper leaves. Added another “bellishment” at the bottom right. I like the orange contrast with the rest of the collage.

If you want to learn how to make my handmade polymer clay “Buttons n’bellishments”, come join us in my online class that starts in February on Joggles.com
PART 2 – Handmade Journal
I started out with other 1/2 of the Bristol Paper from my collage. I used my palette knife and spread extra heavy gesso all over it and let it dry. I love the texture this gesso leaves.

Then I took Ultramarine Blue acrylic paint by Golden and scraped it on the gessoed paper with a old credit card. Just look at that texture. It almost looks 3D. Just beautiful for any texture queen. Click on the pictures for a closer look. Hard to believe it’s just a piece of paper. My daughter thought it looked like denim.

Then I took the same yellow paste I made above with the heavy gesso and the yellow acrylic paint and used a palette knife to push the paste through the Starry Night stencil. Helloooo.. is this cute or what?

I took Liquid Laminate and brushed a layer over the entire page to give it a shine and strength. You’ll notice that I only covered 1/2 of the page. Once the laminate dried, I took some lace paper and put a few of my favorite spirals on the back then took a black sharpie pen and outlined the stars and swirls. See the shine?

I took Wausau paper (cardstock like) that I got at an office supply store and made one signature of 5 pages. I ripped around the edges for two reasons.. one to make them smaller than the cover pages and two, to give them a roughed up
look.
.

Now, it’s time to sew the pages and cover together. As I told you in my last post, I am not a journal maker. This is basic in one hole and out the other sewing. I used black wax thread. Then I sewed one of my polymer clay buttons to the cover. Sprayed some Dylusions Ink to the front and back covers pounced some titan buff paint through the stencil and
called it done. Badda Bing.. Badda Boom!
Front and back cover
Well, that was fun. I’ve never been sad doing art.
Check out Jessica’s post this week test driving her stencil. Then go check out my partners in stencil crime, Maggie Nemetz and Revlie Schuit and see what they did with the Starry Night Stencil. Here are the Stencil Test Drive players:
Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear from you.
Judy ♥













Wow! That texture is just amazing! I love both pieces but that book cover is just fantastic!
Thanks for explaining how you made this! Gesso through a stencil is something I’m going to try as well!
Judy – you collage is just stunning. I am swooning over the colors and textures. And your journal is so inviting! Love it all. Beautiful step outs too. Thank you so much for being part of the test drive!
Both pieces are wonderful, I love what you’ve done! I’m going to be attempting to make an art journal, so the journal-making instruction was so helpful!
~Maggie
Wow, Judy, I LOVE this! So much texture and the colors are fantastic.
Love what you did here, oh my gosh, that gesso and color works so well.. and your moon and tree, so fab. Not an art journal person, ah, well I don’t think so, you are you are you are….Lovely bit of a journal and your black button just sets it off brilliantly…xox Now off to visit everyone else.
Oh needed to share!!! xox
Thanks EVERYONE. Such a fun stencil. Thanks to Jessica for creating it and including me.
I love your color choices here! They are saying HAPPY to me.
Thanks for telling the “how to”, so I can bounce off of you something onto my page!
(Not a copycat- just ideas & motivation)!
Go for it Nancy..Inspiration is all around us… that’s how we learn.
All wonderful!!! I’ll have to get some of that heavy gesso to try!!
Very cool. I love the texture of that blue, it really looks like a crinkled satin to me. You’ve certainly been busy up in your loft.
Wow, wow, wow!!!!!! What gorgeous pieces, Judy! I love the texture and the colors, especially the blue with the yellow. Outlining the stars and spirals with the sharpie really made them stand out. I just love everything you create.
Vivid and gorgeous —- lovely!!!
These are magnificent Judy! Love the way you used the grid in the collage and your journal has sparked me in so many ways- look out studio- here I come!!! The button in the journal- now I really need to learn how to make a big wonderful button, oh wait, I will learn that in Feb. in your class!
Loved seeing your process with the stencil! The texture you got with the yellow was awesome. I have to say I LOVE LOVE the journal! Just beautiful! Especially love the added clay elements and I cannot wait to make some of my own in your class!
Thank you so much, Maria. Can’t wait for you all to get started making “buttons n’bellishments”.
Those are fun, Judy. Somebody’s having fun in the studio ;-0
Must admit that I prefer the journal to the collage. I think the journal is more in line with my color preferences. And it really reminds me of “Starry Night” by Van Gogh.
Keep playing!
OK. Thank you, Judy. I will go for it! And have FUN,FUN!
What great use of the stencil. Thanks so much for showing the step-by-step. I always find it fascinating to see how people create their art.
Beautiful job! What a cute journal. I’ll have to try that technique soon.
I won this journal and it is wonderful! I love the stars and the texture. The button is fabulous too! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!