Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Join the Artists on the Block….a fun StencilGirl & Sizzix Bloghop!

Today we are going to be hopping in to a whole new territory with Artist Trading Blocks! Come join me to learn more.

Unlike tags and artist trading cards, Artist trading blocks allow you to create in 3-D!  They allow you to expand your creative style with multidimensional style.  Way fun, right?   

I have to admit I was a little apprehensive when I received my blocks.  All I could think is if I make a mistake it will be so obvious on such a small little space.  But I put my big girl pants on and grabbed my paintbrushes.   I looked at the Artist on the Block Facebook page and was blown away by all the AMAZING blocks Amy Bowerman and Eileen Hull had created.  Seriously talented!  But sometimes, in art and in life, we need to be pushed out of our comfort zone in order to grow.  So I am glad I was pushed!

I originally had the idea to make my block and old time TV set - you know the kind with the rabbit ears and knobs?  We had an old Sony TV growing up and my brother would pull the knob off so I couldn't change the channel and I was forced to watch Hogan's Heroes instead of Brady Brunch.  Hahaha! He had four years on me so it really was never much of a contest and so I am now well versed in Hogan's Heroes trivia.

Anyway…although I think the TV would have worked great, I wanted the block to be more personal to me. So I based mine on the game of Monopoly ~ with a twist ~ making it ARTopoly….all things artsy!  It was quite fun!


Then I really wanted to create another one to show my 'art journey' and some feelings about me individually as a person.  So the second block was created to represent my dreams, my journey, my flight as an artist.  (This is the butterfly one)

Quick photo recap on each (since the process was very simple and self-explanatory)


ARTopoly Blocks


I painted all the squares a light gray to look more like the Monopoly game than the stark white.



What is the name of the game? ARTopoly
Instead of GO… I made my square CREATE.
  

I used Carolyn Dube's Cross Word stencil to create the border on this square. I then highlighted with blue Faber Castell marker.

 

I used the Pam Carriker's Journal Prompt Pointer stencil for this square. (In lieu of Go to Jail space).

 

Here is my jail ~ clean up time! UGH!! :(



I used Mary Beth Shaw's Hunab Ku stencil on this square to represent art retreat (in lieu of Monopoly's Railroad space).

 

I used two stencil on the "property" square.  I used Mary Beth Shaw's Rafters stencil to help me create the top part where I wrote Smithsonian and Metropolitan.  I used Andrew Borloz's Crossed Rounds and Squares stencil to create the dice.

 

 

The following squares, I didn't use stencils…I just free-handed to mimic spaces on the original board, some with my own 'artsy angle".

 

 

 

 
   

ART Journey Block


My second block was just for me, to journal in a way my thoughts about my art journey the past couple years.  I started with the medium size box and painted it a brown.  I then used the Chain Mail stencil by Mary Beth Shaw and dabbed white paint through to create a background. 
  




After that I just added meaningful symbols, phrases and words I had in my stamp collection and embossed them.  I used butterflies to represent me taking flight with my dreams, changing and the unique beauty art brings life.











I hope you have enjoyed hopping along and creating some three dimensional art! Be sure to visit the new Artist on the Block website here for more block ideas. If you like this tutorial, please visit my website Kirsten Reed Designs for more like it.  Also, be sure to "like" my Kirsten Reed Designs Facebook page.

Keep hopping along and make sure you leave a comment on every blog ~ each time you comment you are entered a chance to win free stencils! Each comment counts, so the more you comment, the more chances you get!  Giveaway will close December 13th at 11:59 pm. (central standard time).

Here is your blog hop order:

Kirsten Reed - YOU ARE HERE



   


53 comments:

  1. Kirsten I LOVED your all of your blocks! The Artolpoly one cracked me up, especially the cleaning/jail one :-) The way you used the stencils were so creative- I also feel my journey in art is like flying. Thanks so much for taking the plunge and working with the block :-) You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing ATB's, the "artopoly" idea is lovely, who needs monopoly anymore...

    ReplyDelete
  3. How fun! I too feel like I'm in jail when I need to clean up the studio, lol!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So cool and I did laugh at the clean up the studio block side but you know I loved the idea of Artopoly THANKS for sharing you did a great job

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW!!! what an inspired idea! ARTopoly!!! love it! can remember playing when I was a kid. Well Done!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  6. You smart smart girl!!! SO creative! You could start a new gaming revolution!!! Your second box....beautiful just like you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Game ATB is so cool - what a fun idea... and the butterfly one is just beautiful in serene neutrals. Love them!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Took my breath away- I am a huge huge huge fan of Monopoly- and this is not only clever and creative but also such fun to look at! And then how you used Crosswords! I just can't stop looking at this block!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my gosh, Kirsten, you are so clever, that Artopoly game is genius! Not to mention well done :) And yeah, I was a nervous wreck starting mine too, I kept telling myself, it's just paint.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the takeoff on Monopoly game. It looks so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh my word Kirsten this is creative with a Capital "C" followed by snouty capitals for all the other letters! The "Go clean art studio" made me laugh out loud (If I'm playing the game right I'm currently in a perpetual state of jail). So glad we "pushed" you to create this show stopping piece of art. My top hat and monocle are off to you my dear!

    Amy*

    PS the old TV set sound like another crazy amazing idea...go with it! If you need more cuts my Sizzix machine is fired up and ready to go ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. So creative, Kirsten. Reminds me of big dice that you could throw and see where it lands. Love what you did with the graphics too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. All of your ATBs are amazing, Kirsten! Love the clever ARTopoly and the very personal butterfly block, too. Outstanding!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow, Kirstin, these are fantastic! I love the places you chose for your ARTopoloy spaces. So much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  15. love your page,thank you for the chance to win! love your page..

    ReplyDelete
  16. These are just too fun! Love you brilliant ideas!

    ~Linda

    ReplyDelete
  17. What fun you created! So ..playful!! I love them both! I like your style! Thank you for sharing with us hoppers!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amazingly cute ideas! xox

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love what you've done with the blocks! The first thing I thought of was to make some kind of game with them. Love the Monopoly!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a creative idea! This die is one of the best to come out. I will be ready for the release.

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cute idea! love the Artopoly. Thanks for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Especially love your freehand approach on your Big Girl Artopoly Game block, Kirsten!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the journaling idea. Can't wait to get this die.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Kirsten, Love your ARTopoly Blocks. Such fun! Also love the old fashioned TV idea. The ATC Block Dies offer so much crafting potential. I have to have some. Roll on January. Theresa x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Both blocks are amazing but in different ways. ARTopoly is fun while expressing things that interest you (you sold the entire collection - get $500) while the second is more restrained and colorful. Love this idea of the blocks. I am definitely going to try it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The ARTopoly block was very clever - but I love the art journal block - gorgeous and so personal!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Kirsten! What fabulous blocks! Not sure which I like best- BOTH! Awesome creativity!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. These look like so much fun! So clever!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Kirsten I love your blocks! Artopoly is such a fun and creative block and the other is just elegantly gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The blocks you made are fantastic! Love the humor in the Artopoly!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I just lurve the idea of Artopoly and the squares you have created for it are sooo good :) thank you so much for sharing and I'm really pleased that the blog hop has brought me to your page!


    www.steamfairiecraft.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  32. so inspiring and creative and just love it all...wow...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Both ATBs are great! I love the play on Momopoly.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I was thinking how clever the Momopoly block was, then promptly fell in love with the art journey block. Very nice. You are an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Wow! I couldn't possibly even pick a favorite. They are all amazing!
    ....Raine

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks for sharing your ideas, I thought that the Artopoly was very 'creative'.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Such different concepts but both winning.

    ReplyDelete
  38. This was such a walk down Memory Lane! Growing up, my brother and I used to play Monopoly all the time. What a creative block. Just love it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Your butterfly pieces were really calling me, love the subtlety of them. Super fun take on monopoly blocks as well.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great idea the game block! I love the chain mail stencil and how you used it for your block- very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  41. the artopoly blocks are so much fun. and the butterfly block is elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love all the butterflies. Very pretty

    ReplyDelete
  43. Clever and lovely. Thanks for sharing both.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Monopoly, Artology, very clever! Love the game, will love the ATB's.....another idea in my crowded head, hooray!

    ReplyDelete
  45. That Artopoly game is genius! My favorite block on the hop so far!

    ReplyDelete