BlogHop with StencilGirl & Michelle Ward

Welcome to the StencilGirl Bloghop with Michelle Ward's NEW stencils! I am going to be showing you two things I made with her Spheres Small stencil.  Oooh ~ I love me a circle and I had so much fun playing with this stencil!

In my first project, I took hot press watercolor paper and outlined the stencil in the corner, filling in with my watercolors.  I then cut the paper and turned it into a card I will be happy to give someone! I might even add a quote later or words to the front.

For my second piece, I took a piece of hot pressed watercolor paper and created a page that will be in my 2014 bound journal of art pages.  Kind of like an art journal, I guess, but separate sheets of creations I love, so I don't have those pages in there I don't love.  Make sense?

First thing I did was a wash of aqua green.  I have to admit, my husband is in Miami this week and I was dreaming a bit about the beach, feeling a little envious I was freezing next to my space heater while he was taking in the sun at the beach!  So I did colors of the sea….

After I had my background dry, I began stenciling through random parts making layers in white, blue and deep turquoise until I was happy with the results.

I then cut out book paper in the shape of a vase and a flower. I wanted my flower to be very wonky.  After I was happy with the composition, I glued it down.

I began shading and highlighting with blue turquoise and white around the vase.

I began adding in reds, oranges and white to create dimension in my flower.

I then decided to write my thoughts over the book paper in my own handwriting, more for me than anyone else.  This also gave the vase more depth and the piece more meaning.

I cut book paper out to spell the word INSPIRE, because one of my goals in 2014 is to inspire others and be inspired.

I used my Faber Castell pens to outline and emphasize the word.

I inked the edges of the paper with Bamboo Leaves ink.

I drew in a stem and leaves, and outlined the piece with my black pen and signed it.  Ready for my book!  A quick, easy journal page or canvas for your art room!

May YOU be INSPIREd in 2014!

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to check my other free tutorials on my website at

  Kirsten Reed Designs or just follow me on Bloglovin' and get them delivered to your inbox!

Make sure you leave a comment because EVERY comment on EVERY blog is like an entry to win FREE stencils! Woot woot!  

Giveaway will close Friday, January 31, 2014 at 11:59 pm CST.  Remember to keep hopping along with those artists listed below and the more comments you make the more entries! 

Good Luck!

Blog Hop Order

StencilGirl Talk

Michelle Ward

Mary Beth Shaw

Linda Kittmer

Julie Snidle

Judy Shea

Leslie Tucker Jenison

Carolyn Dube

Mary C. Nasser

Janet Joehlin

Kirsten Reed You are HERE

Maria McGuire

On my work table...

I thought I would share with you something on my work table this week.  I have noticed I have been painting a lot of feet and girls without heads….sounds kind of creepy, huh??? hahaha!

I have always been fascinated with how posture, shoes and feet can tell you so much about a person.  I have done several family and children's portraits this way too.

I did lots of collage and texture and palette knife and brush painting over it.  Thanks for stopping by!

Scrapbook Weekend Girls

Every year for the past 8 years in January, I pack up two bags.  One bag brimming with pajamas, sweats and other suitable lounging clothes and one with scrapbook supplies, photos, tools and several projects to complete.  I set out on a plane and head the east coast to meet up with some of the nicest ladies I know at a rented condo and we create! 

We started out scrapbooking die-hards but have branched into other things over the years.  There has been felting, digital scrapbooking, sewing, and jewelry making too.  This year we can add clay and quilling to the list as well some painting and stencil (thanks to yours truly!)

My friend from high school, Michelle, plays coordinator/planner/hostess with the mostest, and it is because of her I was introduced to all these wonderful women!  Michelle and I were both military brats moved to new high schools from Europe to Florida our senior year and immediately bonded as we survived our senior year together!  Twenty-eight years later, we remain close friends.

THE GIRLS

Meet Michelle.  And I know she is not happy about this picture, but look at how the light reflects on to the TV and makes her look like she has a halo!!  Michelle, our Angel. LOL!!

Meet Beth.

Beth and I are like sisters from another lifetime.  We instantly clicked and formed an immediate friendship.  She makes me laugh, this one.  She also lets me fly for free each year on a buddy pass! Yay Southwest!!

Meet Natalie.  Natalie is our expert on all things medical because she is a doctor.  A doggie doctor, anyway.  We always ask her the craziest questions and she is so patient and polite to us!  Natalie has a heart of gold and she is ready to google on a moment's notice!

Meet Amy.  Amy is that person you know who never says a mean word about anyone….not even celebs.  She is so thoughtful, witty and kind.  She is a great listener and makes a mean dirty martini!  Amy has brought us the most variation with crafts to our weekend and never ceases to surprise us with her talents!

Here are a couple pictures of what Amy worked on ~ clay and quilling.

Meet Kelly.  Kelly is Michelle's neighbor and the young mom of us all.  Although she probably isn't THAT much younger, she does keep busy as a CPA raising 4 young boys and she does still have a toddler, so she makes the rest of us feel a little old.  She is the quiet player ~ listening intently and ready to put us in stitches at her one-liners!

Meet Sheri.  Sheri is resident fitness instructor, mom of three and my OCD twin.  We both like neat and tidy so it us you will see organizing all the crap through out the weekend.  Sheri has an amazing sense of humor and continuously keeps us rolling with laughter from her stories!

And Me.  Crazy jokester. Keeping my EYE on everyone!  

Thanks for the great time ladies!  SEE you next year! ;)

A good read, leftover paint and bookmarks

This time of year I find myself reading books more than any other.  There is something comforting about  putting on warm flannel jammies and curling up next to a fire while it is cold and ugly outside and losing myself in a book.  Oh and a cup of coffee.

Two books I have read in the past couple weeks are While We Were Watching Downton Abbey ~ a fiction novel by Wendy Wax, and Summer at Tiffany ~ a memoir by Marjorie Hart.  Both were enjoyable reads and I would recommend for a "light" read.

Not sure what is next up on the docket as I have a huge pile to choose from but I welcome any suggestions! (my typical favorite genres are historical fiction and or mystery/suspense … in case you want to offer me any suggestions..hint hint!)

So while I was cleaning up my art studio today, I had blobs of leftover paint and I really hate to waste paint, but it wasn't a ton of paint.  What to do?

I grabbed some tags and threw paint and stamps on them to make these nifty little bookmarks.

I used this stamp from Hero Arts to add texture.

Then I stamped on a quote:

I then used a butterfly stamp in the top left corner for some balance.

My other two bookmarks I made with Maria McGuire's Stitch a Greek Border stencil from StencilGirl.

I took my blank tag and magenta dabbing through only part of the stencil.

 I stamped deli paper with turquoise and cut out pieces to add on to the bookmark.

I added in some yellow ochre with my finger around the blue and magenta.  I stamped butterflies  and a quote on to deli paper and adhered it to the bookmark and trimmed.

What are you reading and enjoying?…I always love new book suggestions!

If you are local, be sure to join me January 23rd at the Spring Hill Library at 5:30 p.m. where I will be doing a free demonstration and you will make a bookmark with me!  

Vintage 615 Art Studio Class

Attention All Locals!!

Come join me at the Vintage 615 Art Studio to create a meaningful piece for your home or a gift! I will teach you how to artistically combine collage, paint & texture to make a beautiful heart on a 8x10 wood canvas ~ perfect for a friend or Valentine! Class is $40 (includes all supplies, light refreshments) Class is Monday, January 27th from 6:30-9:00 p.m. To reserve your seat, call Vintage 615 at (615) 241-1128. (Located next to Jack of Hearts BBQ)

Discover how I turned a 21 cent bowl into a gem!

Join me on the StencilGirl blog today and see how I made this bowl!

My First Art Exhibit…ever.

Last July I was approached by Marsha Gallardo who works at the Spring Hill Library and she asked me if I would be a featured artist one month at the library.  I was so thrilled and honored, I said "yes" of course!  

Because my fall was so packed with shows, travel, and holidays I asked if we could look at the beginning of 2014 and she said "perfect". 

So this past week, I hauled some pieces down to the library, thinking I would put a few up ~ not realizing how many walls I had to use. I ended up hanging 30 pieces.  

Here is the magazine reading area..

 close up…

in the middle of the library near some desks…

 looking into main part of the library…

another nook…

and up at the front by the circulation desk..

If you are local, please plan on attending my FREE class January 23 from 5:30-7 where I will be speaking about my art and techniques and helping everyone do a "make and take" bookmark!


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