Friday, November 8, 2013

What we are Grateful For...a blog hop with Jane LaFazio & StencilGirl

Welcome!

Today I am using Jane LaFazio's Red Oak stencil from StencilGirl to make a project for my home.  Come join me!

I decided to something completely different for this project than my "normal" thing. I wanted to create something we could use this year at the Thanksgiving table and I thought about creating a menu that sat up on an easel....wouldn't that be cute? But, seeing as I have no idea what the menu will actually be yet, I went with something that stood the test of time.

I had each member of my family quickly write down 5 things they were grateful for.  I wrote five too.  With these five things (20 all together) I created a wall hanging or tabletop piece for the holiday, that will be great to have out for the entire month.

Supplies I used:

11x14 canvas panel
gesso
acrylic paint
Ranger's Adirondack spray mist
Krylon Matte fixative
Faber Castell markers
burlap
adhesive
chip board letters

First thing I did was gesso the panel and let it dry.


I then took two acrylic paints (warm grey and flesh) and dotted the panel randomly.  I spread with a palette knife.  I decided it looked too neutral and added in a dark brown, using the same method.



I then took Jane LaFazio's Texas Red Oak stencil and laid it over the panel, spraying in random areas for a subtle patterned look.



I sealed the panel at this point, because I knew I would be using matte medium and other paints that might make the spray mist run and smear.


I cut up the five things each family member wrote down...keeping it their own handwriting was important to me. It made it personal and special to us.


I glued the words and phrases down with a gel matte medium and let it dry.


I then took Jane's stencil (which I had cleaned) and went around the words with wood icing (also available through StencilGirl Products).  I really liked using the wood icing in this project because it gave the piece the woody, earthy look I was trying to achieve. I let the wood icing dry and immediately cleaned the stencil.


So this is what it looks like so far.  I decided it needed some contrast and used my Faber Castell marker in brown and very subtly shaded some acorns and leaves through the wood icing.


I cut two strips of burlap and folded along the top with the chip board letters spelling out Grateful.  I cut a couple hearts and adhered them to the bottom of the piece.




 I added a ribbon and hung it up in my dining room for the season! I personally LOVE the fact that is full of imperfection, like us.  Each little bit of handwriting shows the different voices that live in our home and makes it special to me.




I hope you enjoyed this project! Leave me a comment telling me one thing you are grateful for right now in your life.


StencilGirl Products is giving away a prize on their blog StencilGirl Talk. ALL comments left on ALL blogs in this hop are eligible to win. The more comments on, the more chances you have to be the lucky winner! The giveaway will close on Monday, November 11, 2013 @ 11:59 PM Central Time. Good luck and enjoy!!!

Here is the list of Hop Participants:

Kirsten Reed YOU ARE HERE

69 comments:

  1. I loved your project, and I am grateful for my family, for their faith in what I do.

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    1. Thank you Ruth! I hope this season blesses you!

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  2. What a wonderful project that you will enjoy for years to come. I am grateful for this creative community and people like you who brighten each and every day! xox

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    1. Thank you Corrine! I am grateful you always have such positive comments for me ~ you're the best!

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  3. A wonderful project and I LOVE that stencil. I'm grateful for each day that I wake up... time is just flying and we are only here for a while.

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    1. So true ~ and it seems to fly faster the older I get! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  4. it's awesome, i don't have words for describe it! thanks for this fantastic tutorial!

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    1. Thank you and thanks for hopping along with us today!

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  5. Kirsten, I love your idea of posting a menu, but this piece is so amazing and can be enjoyed for so much longer. Fabulous idea and beautifully presented!

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    1. Well, I still might do the menu thing, but change it up a bit. I will keep you posted!

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  6. Love this idea! I'm grateful for my family and for enough to eat. Thanks for sharing your piece and what you're grateful for!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Jennifer and sharing!

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  7. Very cool! I'm grateful for my family and friends.

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    1. They say the best things in life can not be bought and that is true of family and friends! Thanks for sharing and stopping by!

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  8. Thank you for an amazing blog. I'm a new follower!

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  9. I love your ideas! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. thanks so much for participating in the blog hop, Kirsten! I love how you incorporated your family's writings into the project.

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  11. I came by via the log hop and I'm amaze by all e inspiration by the artists. Thank you for this fabulous idea. I'm grateful for the great health I have.. And I hope it will stay this way.. :)

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  12. What a great idea - I love all the different handwriting!
    I'm grateful for my husband's continuing good health.

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  13. Love your wall hanging or tabletop piece for the holiday!
    What an amazing combination of color, text, wood icing, and burlap! Rich!

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  14. This turned out really beautiful! I love the burlap introduction! I am greateful that there are soldiers in this country (USA) allowing us to enjoy so much freedom! Most of the men in my family and currently two of my nephews serve in the armed forces and I am so thankful for that! Freedom isn't free! Thank you so much for sharing with us curious hoppers!

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    1. I agree. Freedom isn't free. Both my dad and husband were career military. I'm thankful we have men and women willing to step up and protect our freedoms. Thank you for stopping by!

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  15. Very fun! Thank you for the detailed instructions. I like the use of wood icing on the sides. Clever!

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    1. Thank you ~ I am glad you enjoyed. You should try the wood icing! It is fun to work with!

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  16. WOW! So many different layers to this! I love the rustic look and the burlap really finishes it off nicely! This is definitely going to be something that is cherished for generations to come!
    I am grateful that my health has been good for the last week and I have been able to spend quality time with my family! TFS!

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    1. Thank you Barbara! I hope they will cherish it one day! :)

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  17. What a lovely memory piece you have created.

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  18. Grateful for this new(to me) use of Jane's fab stencils! What a gorgeous piece!thank you for sharing the process!

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  19. such a great idea! Love your fall colors

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  20. Thanks for the tutorial, great ideas in my head now.

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  21. Grateful for 70 years of creative living!!

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  22. I'm grateful for the ability to make things and to share creativity with others!

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  23. Would love to add one of Jane's stencils to my stash. Thanks for the chance.

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  24. I am grateful that so many creative people share their ideas and art and that we have the internet to spread all of these images, ideas and friendships across the world.

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  25. It is a great family decoration for the entire month! Lovely colors! I am grateful for the idea and the tutorial on how you did it!

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  26. I am grateful to have the opportunity to win such a wonderful prize. And I love the idea for a family gratitude hanging, too.

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  27. Love the earth tones... so much of the season.

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  28. So grateful to be able to view all these wonderful ideas.

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  29. What a smarty pants! Getting quotes/words from everyone for an art piece and displaying at the holiday is a wonderful idea. Love it. textilerecycler@yahoo.com

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  30. that ... is a terrific project... what a wonderful idea. i love how you made it, and the colorway is perfectly done. beautiful beautiful!!! thank you for showing it!

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  31. Grateful to "see" all of these ideas and techniques! I truly mean "see" since I had cataract surgery this week!

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  32. Love this project and such a great idea.. so personal with the "gratefuls". I'm grateful for having you as a new friend. Too mushy?

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    1. xxoo not too mushy ...I'm a softie at heart Judy and grateful to have you too! :)

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  33. Beautiful project! I love learning all the different techniques shared by all of these wonderful artists. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  34. Such a very personal project. Today, I am incredibly grateful for my two sons who bring such joy to my life!

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  35. Great idea for documenting what we are thankful for today.

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  36. I love that you included your family in this Grateful project! We have 7 kids and 6 Grands that I am grateful for their wonderfully unique personalities! I am so grateful for a kind husband who says my snoring helps him fall asleep.<3 ....

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    1. I wish I had the ability to sleep through snoring!!,haha! Thank you for stopping by :)

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  37. I also am grateful for a kind, loving family who accept me as I am. Thanks for sharing your wonderful project.

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  38. I am grateful to have the time to visit blogs and create myself whenever I want.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  39. I am grateful for my family and that we will be together for the holidays this year. Love your project too !

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  40. This is awesome!! Great colors and idea.

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  41. I'm grateful for this blog hop. Now I have more blogs to follow. Thanks for sharing an interesting project.

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  42. The texture makes this really unique - grateful that we are all unique, as well.

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    1. Thank you Linda and thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Very interesting project! Loved that you kept your family's handwriting so that their voice shines thru!

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  43. Outstanding! I am learning so much!

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  44. You should do this every year and watch your children's
    handwriting change! Turn it over and date it, you'll be glad
    you did later on! Sweet idea!





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  45. I am grateful for you and this absolutely beautiful project :)

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  46. I am grateful for all the inspiration I am finding lately. Thank you!

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  47. this is a wonderful idea- beautiful for Thanksgiving!

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  48. Kristen you made a very unique piece of art that your family will enjoy for many years to come!

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  49. I am grateful for artists who share their ideas because they act as springboards in my productive life. Thanks you, Kristen.

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  50. I am grateful for learning so many techniques using these stencils. This is so much fun.

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  51. Kirsten- thank you for sharing your techniques and hopping along!

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  52. Very interesting to see all the different takes and uses of these stencils. Nice work!

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  53. What a great canvas! I love how you got your family involved!

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