Stamping and Stenciling with Christmas Ornaments

Another printmaking experiment for you!  I bought some felt ornaments and sparkly snowflake decorations from Target on clearance.  

 Here is how I created the background shown below.

Snowflake:  Place the snowflake decoration on the page.  Use spray inks to spray over the snowflake (I like the Dylusions Ink Spray, but you can also make your own by pouring liquid watercolor into a small makeup spray bottle.)

Star: Use an brayer to roll acrylic ink on top of the star.  Since the material is felt and absorbent, I had to use a lot of paint.  Press on to your paper like a stamp!

This was a fun experiment and I am thinking about what I should add to this page. 

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Printing with Paperclips

I checked out the book Print & Stamp Lab from the library and there was a cool idea in there with printing with paper clips (among many other found objects.)  When I was at Target, I found these cool purple paperclips and decided to try it out.

First, find a scrap wooden block to use as a base.  Place layers of double stick tape on top of the block.  Firmly press your paper clips on to the base.  You can use other objects such as buttons, pennies or basically anything lightweight and flat.

Use a brayer to roll acrylic paint on to the surface. I used a firm brayer, but I think a soft foam brayer might actually work better. 

Place your paper upside on top of the block.  Rub your fingers over the surface to transfer the paint to your paper.  Pull your paper off and voila!

Print on top of painted papers or colored papers of your choice.  Use these as a base or layering for a collage, art journal page or greeting card. 

The printing block won't be able to be reused over and over again, but you could just re-tape the pieces if they fall off.

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You Shine Brighter than the Brightest Star Art Journal Page

 

I really like how this page turned out.  Very busy and colorful, imperfect and expressive.  I am really enjoying this new pen, the Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pen.   (Picture and affiliate link on left.) 

I also bought another art journaling book.. I really don't need more, do I? Art Journal Freedom: How to Journal Creatively With Color & Composition 

What happened was that I was trying to find those plastic potty training pants that you put over underwear (for my 3 year old daughter) because we are not having the best luck with potty training.  Spring Break is next week for me, so we are going to just put her in underwear all day and see what happens.  You would think that these would still be available in stores, but the stores (even Target and Babies R Us) only carry the pull-up diapers (which are basically the same as diapers).  She didn't feel "wet" in them and doesn't really care if she goes to the bathroom in them.  So, anyways.... I looked online and they had them on Amazon.  But, the ones we wanted were "add-on" items which means you *had* to spend a certain amount.  So, I was basically forced into buying something for myself, right?  Lol.  Wish me luck on the potty training thing. 

I haven't read too much of the book yet, but I like the information on composition and focal points and so forth.  Those ideas are all good for any type of art in general.  I like books where the concepts can cross over into other areas. 

I am so proud of my 5th and 6th grade students who each carved one or two beautiful rubber stamps.  We printed them all on one very large poster board, which is going to be framed and donated to our school auction fundraiser. 

I am linking this to Paint Party Friday, Art Journal Every Day and Show and Tell Saturday.

Thanks for reading!  Best wishes, Marcia
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