Testing the Waters with Cecilia Swatton's Seaweed Stencil

Welcome to my part of the Cecilia Swatton stencil blog hop with StencilGirl! 

One stencil + four tags = Endless possibilities 

So I decided to create four completely different tags with ONE stencil.  Although the name of the stencil is Seaweed, it really is versatile and I wanted to show you how.  I think sometimes we get into a habit of thinking there is only one way or use for things, but here you will see "seaweed" used for a variety of tags.

Getting ready for my time in the studio, I put some mellow tunes on (because I was feeling mellow and love me some 70's music) and grabbed my cup of joe.

Now that I am ready, I just grabbed four basic, blank tags.

I began painting, using the stencil as the background on some and painting others a solid color for a base.

In the tag below, I used several complimentary colors and different pieces of the stencil for a layered look and background.  I then added ephemera from my stash to finish out the tag.  I see this one on a journal page or scrapbook page...maybe a congratulations card for engagement?

I began this tag by stenciling a basic red paint to create a background.

I added a small strip of Cosmo Cricket scrapbook paper, a circle of corrugated cardboard I punched out, an old bus ticket with the date Dec 25th, some tinsel and the sticker Believe to complete the tag. Voila~ it immediately gives a festive vibe. Perfect addition to card, add and envelope to back and give a gift card, or use on a scrapbook page.

For the Halloween tag, I grabbed some scrap book paper and sprayed with Adirondacks Butterscotch, using the stencil.  I stamped on the paper and used it in the tag.

I used the black tag, stenciled over part of it with orange paint.  Cute two circles out of a piece of Pink Paislee scrapbook paper, cutting one in half.  I taped some ribbon, popped up the BOO! and the skull for a Halloween tag that would be cute on a goodie bag or a card.

 For the "Miss u" tag, I stenciled through with white paint, sprinkled embossing powdered and set it with a heat tool for a shiny glossy look.

I added ribbon, ephemera from my stash and made a cute "miss u" tag that could be used on an art journal page, scrapbook page or on a card.

Four tags, one stencil and four completely different looks! Hope you enjoyed! Make sure to leave a comment so you are entered in the giveaway.  Both StencilGirl Products and Cecilia are giving away stencils away and every comment in each blog counts as an entry! You will have until Sunday, October 27th at 11:59 p.m. to enter.

Good luck!

Here is the blog hop order:

StencilGirl Talk

Cecilia Swatton

Linda Kittmer

Linda Cain

Carolyn Dube

Corrine Gilman

Judy Shea

Kirsten Reed YOU ARE HERE :))

Jessica Sporn

My website is HERE!! Woot Woot!!!

I told you I had a big surprise coming....and today is the big unveil!

Lots of blood, sweat and tears and help from professionals have gone into building a little website for Kirsten Reed Designs and today is the day I get to share it with you!!!

I am so stinkin' excited!

So please, please, please take some time to browse my new site, visit the gallery, leave a comment if you wish too!

In celebration of this special day I am inviting you to be part of the party ~ it's my website launch & birthday celebration! Why birthday? Because my daughter's birthday is today and mine is later this week ~ September is truly a birthday month around here ~ so why not celebrate life too?!!

Instead of bringing me presents, I am going to give fun party gifts to YOU....things like art prints and supplies.

Here are the prints I am going to give you a chance to win ~ each one is a small representation of me and how I have felt on this journey so far. 

Morning Y'all.  The coffee one -- well, because I live in the South and I LOVE my coffee. Oh, who am I kidding? I don't love it, I NEED it.  It is the reason for me to get myself moving most mornings. LOL!

I will be giving away an 8x10 giclee canvas print of my original mixed media piece, Morning Y'all!
A $28 value.

She Found Her Courage.  I am her.  She found the courage to put herself out there in the art world, take a chance on herself and follow her dreams.

I will be giving away an 11x14" canvas giclee print of my mixed media original, She Found Her Courage.  A $38 value.

My Dreamer Girl.  Full of dreams, obligations, and trying to figure out how to balance it all.  Yes, I love her. She is me.

I will be giving away an 8x8" canvas print of my mixed media original, Dreamer Girl.  A $28 value.

Dream!  This was one of the first pieces I made when I subconsciously made the decision to pursue art full time.

I will be giving away an 8x10 giclee print on sunset textured paper mounted with a one inch border of Dream!  A $25 value.

In addition to those I will also have stamps from Christy Tomlinson, Donna Downey, Strathmore Mixed Media art cards & envelopes to have fun designing, 8x10 canvas panels to play with, Portfolio oil pastels (love these things!!), a chipboard album from Pink Paislee, and more! (see photo on the giveaway entry form below)

It's easy to win ~ you MUST visit my NEW website and sign up for my newsletter via email. I will email out a newsletter with fun tips and exclusive specials for subscribers approximately quarterly. (don't worry I will NOT clog up your email!)

Then if you really want to share the love ~ you MAY increase your chances of winning something by liking me on Facebook, following me on Instagram, Pinterest and/or Twitter.  Whatever you feel comfortable with doing and however many entries you'd like to have. It's totally up to you!

Thank you for all the great encouragement and support! I truly appreciate it! And I wish you the best of luck!!!