GPP Street Team: Crusade 19
This is a warning to all readers. Please take this post very seriously. I want to show you first hand what will happen if you embark on this crusade: Cut it out II: Stencils.
This is how it will start...a few innocent bottles of spray paint picked up here and there...
Then you acquire a stencil burning tool with your craft store coupon and you're off and running....and running.....and running.
The next thing you know, you will have been burning stencils for a month and you take out a small loan to buy really fancy spray paint in oh so delicious colors....and then you ignore everything around you and burn something like this:
The area in your garage, under your car, looks like this and your husband can't figure out why you're spending so much time in there:
The truth is, my friends, burning stencils is much more addictive than cutting rubber block; and I have it BAD.
I feel so good now that I have that off my chest! I no longer have to hide my two black fingers in shame...I can quietly peel stray paint off my fingernails in peace. If there is an organization for stencil cutting addiction, please nominate me for president.
I spray a little somethin somethin on just about every journal page now..I love the look of overspray and handwriting! You should give it a try...but don't say I didn't warn you.....
I'll wrap this up by saying...you should really try this. Michelle made a beautiful tutorial to get you started! Check it out here!
thanks for the warning. I think you've found your new calling: professional stencil burner.
Posted by: Heather Grow | April 02, 2008 at 09:40 PM
WOW, that is alot of burning you did there, amazing looking too! More addicting than carving rubba,huh, oh oh!!!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | April 02, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I knew my addiction was bad when the young kid at the dry cleaners noticed my spray paint stained fingers and asked where I tag at.
I only wish your warning had come sooner (do you have the little crispy whisps of paint coated hair around your face?)
Posted by: patty van dorin | April 03, 2008 at 03:12 AM
Very funny! I think you've been sniffing too much spray paint. These stencils are very cool.
Posted by: Andrea | April 03, 2008 at 05:27 AM
Julie - great post! I'm cracking up at the two black fingers and constant peeling of paint off hands. Fingernails are the worst. LOVE THAT LARGE DETAILED STENCIL. *faints* Never saw those colored top paints before.....DON'T TELL ME...I couldn't take it. Beautiful pages. *swoons* Thanks for sharing your talent and enthusiasm with the team. We'll have more coming to the dark side in no time.
Posted by: michelle ward | April 03, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Holey guacamole, those stencils are awesome! I love you page with them too! You ROCK my friend! I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Kim H | April 03, 2008 at 06:11 AM
hello Julie,
great international teacher we have, right ? !
You must be one of the firsts of the class...
Love your intricate design, never tried such one before, but you tempt me !
See you later !
Inge ( from Belgium)
Posted by: inge Bekaert | April 03, 2008 at 08:05 AM
its fabulous!! Love the stencils.
Posted by: Hermine | April 03, 2008 at 08:29 AM
AWESOME! Just don't get too high off the fumes. I love the stencils and the giggles I got reading the post.
Posted by: Laura | April 03, 2008 at 08:44 AM
with my tool burning tool in hand I am ready to start, Just going out to get some spray paing
Posted by: lee | April 03, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Haha, yeah, art is addictive. I'm going to start cuttin my stencils today or tomorrow. Yours look just magic, very beautiful pages!
Posted by: iHanna | April 03, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Oh dear...! This looks SO promising! And that big stencil is to die for! I don't have a stencil burner tool yet... and I was going to save the money for something else, and cut stencils in the traditional way... but Michele and you have got me REAL tempted to invest in tools and paint! Who wants new clothes anyway?
Posted by: Maj Carita | April 03, 2008 at 11:08 AM
you are too much!!!LOL. I can see that you have been bitten. Isn't stenciling awesome. Like you, i tend to stencil something on a lot of my journal pages. I had to invest in a real gas mask. I did not think of Michelle's idea of a gas booth and have spray paint all over my table!LOL
That big intricate stencil is just amazing. You clever girl. Sign me up for the stencil cutting addicts society!!!
Posted by: tina | April 03, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Just don't forget to unplug your stencil burner (guess how i know that!) I do hope you are out in the garage with a mask. I did a bunch of big envelopes at Christmas without mask or eye protection and regretted it. Now I go out in my space mask looking like a demented grasshopper., but havin' big fun.
I like the combination journaling and stenciling you've done.
Posted by: susan w | April 03, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I'm so hooked on reading about all that you do that there wouldn't be enough time in the day to do any of it! This is really wonderful to see what you are creating and how you do it. I think the creative gene skipped me though. You are wonderful and I hope that when my family sends me to Blogger Rehab that you will come and teach Creative Arts Journaling Classes!! I'm thankful for you!! Hugs!
Posted by: Traceytreasure | April 03, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Fabulous Julie, they look great and I love your journal pages too. I definately will try this but need to source one or two things first (its always difficult in the UK). Love your journal pages and your blog. Thanks for sharing
:)
Posted by: Julie | April 03, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Wow girl. You are on an inspirational roll! The bird is delightful, and how long did it take you to carve that stencil of the damask print? I have been using an exacto knife...I must get a hot stencil tool!!!
Posted by: forcryeye | April 03, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Wow Julie, everyday you have something posted more amazing than the previous. I'm in total awe with the damask srencil. You make it very very tempting to try some stencil cutting...
I did resend my e-mail :)
Posted by: Dymphie | April 03, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Your post is so funny ! Your stencils are so lovely ! Love the bird with little dots around it. Great job ! Wear your black fingers with pride !
Posted by: Kimbo | April 03, 2008 at 04:18 PM
You are so funny with the way you introduced this post.
Wow - I can see it is addictive! I am loving your work!
Susan
xo
Posted by: Susan Tuttle | April 03, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Great post Julie. Looks like we may need to start a 12-step program for stamp carvers and stencillers because of Michelle.
Posted by: Seth | April 03, 2008 at 06:30 PM
....tell me about it.....(skulks off, hunched over, looking over her shoulder & coughing from the fumes...)
I, myself, am a member of S.P.A.
"Spray Painters Anonymous"....
Lisa Hoffman
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | April 03, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Once again an amazing project from you! I swear your always creating the coolest art!
Posted by: Lisa Renea | April 03, 2008 at 07:22 PM
Did you say MORE addictive than stamp carving? Oh, no! My only comfort is that with my allergies and asthma, I have an excuse to stay away from spray paint. But I have no reason to stay away from stencils, especially ones as amazing as the ones you burned. Thanks for the warning!
Posted by: JeriAnn | April 03, 2008 at 09:18 PM
I loved reading your post Julie, awesome stencils that you cut - I can't wait to try! - but I will bear in mind your warning!
Posted by: Megan Warren | April 03, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Julie - that is wicked!! I've only just got into carving stamps and now I think my DH is gonna be trembling at what I might do to the house if I start collecting spray paints! Your stencils are fab... I made a little one the other day, but you're tempting me completely over the edge to the dark side!! WTG!
Posted by: Rosie Rowe | April 04, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Look at you!!! I'm to lazy to cut them out..I just buy some already made ones..lol.. your doing great!!!
Posted by: Tina Wright | April 04, 2008 at 11:25 AM
OMG your stencils are stunning. But yep, you sure look like you've been bitten with the bug. Cool huh??
Posted by: Cath | April 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Wonderful stencils, lookin' good! That detailed stencil is lovely! :)
Posted by: ArtKat | April 04, 2008 at 02:56 PM
eekkkk im afraid to go look at GPP heheheeee I KNOW i will instantly want to play LOL
Thanks for the amazing photo candy!!!!
Posted by: Jo Wholohan | April 04, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Very cool stencil work and funny funny post.
Posted by: theresa | April 04, 2008 at 05:54 PM
Step away from the spray paint...haven't you heard that huffing kills brain cells? hehehe.
Posted by: Tami Bayer | April 05, 2008 at 07:05 AM
I've been waiting for the weather to warm up for this - I knew it would happen - wonderful post and work... sign me up...
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | April 05, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I love your humor! Beautiful stencils, too! but...in the garage...under the car...?Yikes!! You are sniffing some paint here! Better get out in the fresh air!! LOL!
Posted by: Barbara Hagerty | April 05, 2008 at 11:57 AM
You didn't let any grass grow under your feet, girl!! These stencils are awesome!! i guess that I am being forced kicking and screaming to gather my coupons and go out and get a cutting tool!!
What a wonderful inspiration you are!!
Hugs!
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 05, 2008 at 07:37 PM
Well I am off today to buy my burning tool and so will begin another creative addiction. Your stencils are beautiful, I love the patterns you have chosen. I am off to clear my spot in the garage.
Posted by: susan greene | April 08, 2008 at 04:58 AM
If stencil cutting were a sport, you'd win a gold. LOL
Posted by: Thanh | April 08, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Julie! Great work here! Once the weather warms...and I watch my newspaper for coupons I will have a burning tool in my hot little hand...and look out!
Posted by: stephanie | April 10, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Oh no, I can't afford another addiction!
Your stencils, however, look fabulous, and you should totally never kick the habit.
Posted by: Carrie | April 14, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Thank you for leaving a comment at my blog. I can see, how you could use all the cut outs from your huge stencil in a collaage! WOW! It really is amazing!
Posted by: Maj Carita | April 14, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Your stencils are awesome, and I LOVE how you write about them. I'm always up for another addiction.
I went to Hobby Lobby on Monday with my coupon and got one of those 5 in 1 tools. Yeeeehaw.
Posted by: Kim Tedrow | April 17, 2008 at 10:23 AM
oh no - I should have read this post first!!!! I've just cut my very first stencil, is there any hope for me???? :)
your stencils are beautiful, and I love the look of how you incorporate them into your journal pages
Posted by: Flo | April 19, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I love this post, very funny....and your stencils are AMAZING! I love the detailed pattern, very intricate - you have such a steady hand. Your journal pages look great too, and the best thing is the amount of enjoyment you are getting. Happy creating, Ux
Posted by: Ursula C | April 19, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Julie, I love your art and I love how you presented your Crusade! Have you sent in your blog to the Artful Blogger magazine? Maybe I did see yours in there already...if not it should be!
Have a great hair day! Becci
Posted by: Becci | April 25, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I had to come back and tell you what a nerd you are, being the first GPP crusader. I love that about you.
Posted by: forcryeye | April 29, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Julie,
I love the art and humor of this post. That is a killer stencil. The burn tool and the spray paint are definitely art tools in your hands. Don't stop. Go further. Leave it to the land of lost luggage to bring a few giggles to the surface on a much too busy day.
jodi
Posted by: jodi barone | May 15, 2008 at 09:26 PM