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

Jane LaFazio's Red Oak Stencil

Ranger's Adirondack spray mist

Krylon Matte fixative

wood icing

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:

StencilGirl Talk

Jane LaFazio

Mary Beth Shaw

Linda Kittmer

Jenny Lee Cochran

Kirsten Reed YOU ARE HERE

Janet Joehlin

Corrine Gilman

Helen Shafer Garcia

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Ruth de Vos

Deborah Boschert

Julie Snidle

Mary C. Nasser