Friday, July 26, 2013

StencilGirl Blog Hop and Giveaway

I'm so glad you've stopped by today for our StencilGirl Blog Hop and Giveaway!


Today I'm going to create my August art journal calendar page using a couple of my StencilGirl stencils, including this feature stencil called Crossed Rounds & Squares by Andrew Borloz .  I love this stencil because it's really six stencils in one!

I'm also using Rafters by Mary Beth Shaw.



I started out by using a pencil and ruler to create a grid on the page spread and then used random shapes from the Rafter's stencil to trace shapes with a permanent black pen which will be used as my journalling spaces.






You're probably noticing something very wrong right about now...sadly I didn't clue in until much later in the process.



I threw some colour on the spread using  turquoise and yellow acrylic paint.  When I do this I tend to just paint random patches of colour, overlapping and mixing the colours where they meet.
Using Andrew's stencil and a make-up sponge, I added some solid red circles here and there, followed by some of the crossed circles in a softer pink. I painted circles in varying sizes to bring out more of the turquoise and yellow. And then I added a few darker blue solid circles.






While the paint on the journal page was drying I grabbed a page of the newspaper and used a different part of Andrew's stencil to get some colour and texture over top of the newspaper text.



See what I mean...I've already used five of the six patterns available on this one stencil!

I liked the crossed square pattern on the newsprint so I added some of that to the journal page too.

Using a small paint brush I added yellow or red dots inside the crossed circles to create the centre of a flower.

I love re-purposing things, and this little spray bottle (originally a body spray) makes a great paint sprayer.  I diluted some liquid acrylic (in the darker blue I used earlier) to a milking consistency so that I could spray it through the nozzle (start with approx. equal parts paint/water and add water as needed until it sprays easily).  This was then generously sprayed onto the stenciled newspaper and left to dry.


While the newspaper dried, I picked up my black waterproof pen and started doodling on the page, creating flowers out of those crossed circles. Other lines and swirls were added to represent vines from which the flowers grew.


I added some Golden Acrylic Glazing Liquid to white paint to make it even more  transparent and started to paint in the shapes I had traced from the Rafters stencil.

Yes, this is when I finally clued in to the fact that I had way too many days in August.  Honestly, I don't know what I was thinking when I created the initial grid, but obviously I was far to focussed on playing with paint and stencils to pay attention!

Fortunately I was able to wipe off the extra white from that one shape that I shouldn't have painted!

Up until this month, I have always put the name of the month in that space in the top left of the page.  However, I decided I was going to have to make the letters bigger and put them in that huge extra space at the bottom (created by my silly mistake).

I first drew and cut out the letters from a plain piece of the newspaper to ensure they'd fit.  I then used those as my tracers when making the letters on the coloured newsprint text.

I painted matted gel medium onto the journal page, and the back of the newspaper letters to glue them to the page.







And here's the finished spread:






Have fun visiting all the other creative team members to see what they've done and for more chances to win in the giveaway!  Good Luck!

187 comments:

  1. AMAZING!!! I don't care how many days you had in August! What a unique way to use BOTH stencils. The flowers from Andrews--genius!

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    1. Thanks Maria! I wouldn't mind if August went on a little longer!

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  2. thank you for the chance to win that's gr8 smilz

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  3. Great stuff! I hope I win a stencil :).
    Stay inspired!

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  4. Linda, your august page is very bright and merry! I like it! Helen

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  5. Great idea to make a calendar Linda. I love the assymetrical feel of it and how you turned part of the stencils into flowers. xox

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    1. Thank you Corrine. I'm really loving the variety that our team is coming up with!

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  6. I love the way you used these crossed rounds as flowers! And the background you created for a calender is so cool. Thanks so much!

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  7. I'm so glad this hop brought me to your inspirational blog. Many thanks for sharing.

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  8. Linda, This is absolutely beautiful! Love those stencils.

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  9. I love your calendar page! I never thought to use newspaper the way you did. Pretty ingenious! I love the way you used the stencil. Great job!

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    1. Thanks Janet. I usually use old dictionary pages, etc. but all I had on hand was the newspaper and it worked great!

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  10. Wow, what a fabulous calender page! Thank you for the detailed tutorial!

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  11. Linda.. I love watching these steps and the layers build. LOVE.

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    1. Thanks Judy. building the layers is so much fun!

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    1. Thanks Karen. I love finding flowers in unexpected places!

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  13. Linda,
    What AMAZING calendar pages!
    Love your doodling combined with the stencil layering!
    Delightful!

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    1. Thanks so much Mary. It's so much fun to see all of our different ideas for the same stencil!

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  14. Thanks for taking us step by step through your journal page , so pretty and I love the way August is displayed ,

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  15. As always, your artwork is inspiring! Love Andrews stencil and would love to play in my journal with it!

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  16. I get in so much trouble at the Stencil Girl site. thanks for a great tutorial. candy

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    1. Thanks Candy. Just think, stencils are a much healthier addiction than so other things. :o)

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  17. Wonderful!!! I love all these examples of how to layer pages and use the stencil in that process!

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  18. This is lovely, what a great idea! Anna H

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  19. Oh I so love this...great use of stencils and the clours are great.

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  20. I love this"HOP". such unique ideas are being shown. I had never thought of a calendar page. I love how you used the stencil patterns & the stencil for the days also. You inspire us all. Thanks Jone

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    1. Thanks Jone. I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop!

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  21. Very cool! Love that you got carried away!

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    1. Thanks Becky. Maybe it's just wishful thinking that the summer will go on for a little longer!

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  22. What a great calendar- love how you used the stencils! So much vibrant color and layers!

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  23. What amazing calendar. I love the way you used the stencil in the background.

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  24. absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea for a calendar!!

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  25. That is just gorgeous! I can see that I am going to go broke getting some new stencils. You make it look so easy!

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    1. Thanks Debby. It's all about just loosing yourself in play!

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  26. Wow...my favourite part was the lettering for August...love it!!!!

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    1. Thanks Julie. I must say, I'm happy about how that turned out too.

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  27. Fabulous layers and colors. TFS

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  28. Absolutely love your calendar page - and the detailed description you gave of its creation!
    Great use of the stencil as well! What a wonderful giveaway!

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    1. Thanks so much Beverly. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  29. I love the idea of a calendar in your journal. I am going to do this too. I also am going to try your big cut out letters. Love them! This is so inspiring in many ways I also love your Bright and fun colours on you page.

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    1. Thanks Patti. If you like the art journal calendar idea, check out our group on Facebook. There's tons of fabulous inspiration! Just search for Art journaling Calendar challenge 2013

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  30. spectacular. very summery. :-)

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  31. love this. I must do something like this ...

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  32. Beautiful calendar I love your colors and how you turned the stencil into flowers! I've always wanted to make a calendar and now you've inspired me so :) thanks!

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    1. Thanks. You might also be interested in our Facebook group called Art journaling Calendar challenge 2013

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  33. Really cool!!
    Thanks,
    Tanya
    phenis2031 at yahoo dot com

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  34. unbelievable! i love what u did, this bloghop is like being at an art class, tx for sharing your beautiful art and inspiring, aloha, angi in hana

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    1. Wow! Thanks Angi. I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop!

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  35. OMG! I love it! Could you make me a whole calendar, please? lol

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! Doing the art journal calendar this year has been so much fun.

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    2. LOL. I'm here to inspire you to get the paints out and play!

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  36. Fantastic project. I really enjoyed seeing your process.

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  37. That's a yummy spread! Gorgeous colors and layers!!! TFS!!!

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    1. Thanks Lujean. I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit!

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  38. How cool to see flowers in this stencil! Great calendar page!

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    1. Thanks Gaye. I do tend to see flowers in a lot of unusual places.

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  39. Gorgeous!!!!! Super creative turning the stencil pattern into flowers! Beautiful calendar!

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    1. Thanks Angie. Flowers just seem to apear everywhere for me. LOL And I don't even have a green thumb!

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  40. Lovely calandar idea! Nice layers too....

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  41. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this process, and it just proves no mistakes are irredeemable. Just beautiful.

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  42. I love your calendar. Glad you shared your mistake, I makes it more real as we all do those kind of things. Have a great weekend!!

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    1. Thanks. It's good to be able to share how you can overcome a mistake since we all make them!

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  43. Magnificent. I love your calendar page. And the stencil is so lovely!!!!

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  44. Love what you are posting, winning would be a plus!

    Kathryn W.

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  45. Wonderful stencils and ideas! Winning would make my day!

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    1. Thanks. I hope we can contact you if you do win.

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  46. What a lovely idea. I've never painted a calendar but might have to do one now!

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    1. Thanks Gillian. Check out our Facebook group Art journaling Calendar challenge 2013 and you'll want to get involved for sure!

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  47. What cool journaling calendar idea. I love all the texture created with the stencil shapes and newsprint.

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  48. Loved seeing your process and even your little "oops"! We all make those of course. Great use of every design on the stencil. Would love to win one.

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    1. Thanks Susan. It's good to be able to share how you can overcome a mistake since we all make them!

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  49. This turned out great! So many great layers, I love the how you stenciled newspaper to make the letters, love all the flowers, so awesome!!

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  50. Love how you made flowers from the stencil! Great calendar ~ bright, layered and colorful!

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    1. Thanks Kirsten. I love finding flowers in unexpected places.

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  51. Oh, my! I love your calendar pages! So playful and happy! Thanks for sharing your process.

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  52. Fabulous! I love the colours!

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  53. What a fun way to use the stencil. I loved reading through your process for creating the August pages. Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us! I am glad to find your blog through this "hop!"

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    1. Thanks Barbara. I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop and that you've come to visit me here.

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  54. Love your calendar page. Love the bright colors and the way you layered the newspaper over the journal pages.
    I am just starting a stencil collection and would love to add this one

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    1. Thanks Teresa and good luck in the stencil draw!

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  55. Wow! That is so pretty! And all the blck is hand drawn? Even the petals on the left page, bottom right? This I have to try to do, and you got my head spinning with ideas. Thanks so much for sharing! I subscribed to your blog, look forward to see more !!
    Janelle R

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    1. Wonderful! Thanks for subscribing. Yes, all of the black is my doodling...so much fun!

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  56. Well now I want to see ALL your calendar pages...stunning! Loved your color expressions!

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    1. Thanks you. You should be able to find all my other pages by using the search feature on the right and searching for calendar.

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  57. You peeps are so talented at this stencilling thing I need more practice to become as good. So I need to win! I do so love the elements stenciling adds! Great job on the August spread! Sanna

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    1. Thank you so much! Good luck in the draw Sanna.

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  58. Wonderful use of the stencil.

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  59. Awesome spread and awesome stencil...it's all a feast for the eyes!

    dottididit(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Dotti. It is a great stencil...so many possibilities!

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  60. I love how you created the flowers using the stencil. It's the best part of this process. (By the way August is my favourite month.)

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    1. Thanks Erin! I love doodling flowers and I tend to see them in all sorts of shapes. Glad August is your favourite month...you won't mind me adding a bunch of extra days then! ;o)

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  61. I just love your calendar. The bright colors and flowers are so happy. Love the way you used that stencil on the newspaper.

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    1. Thanks Beverly. The newspaper idea just came to me because I wasn't at home and didn't have my old dictionary pages, etc. with me but I wanted the text. It worked great.

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  62. loved your pages and use of stencil-so many fun techniques

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  63. Oh my but I love all you did with the stencil and on your pages.

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    1. Thanks Melanie. It's so much fun to play with the stencils!

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  64. What a fun page! I love it when an artist walks thru all the steps. It helps me to remember to just keep going when I feel stuck.

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  65. Thanks Sandy. That's my thought too. Lots of fun art and just enough space to make a notation about the highlight of the day.

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  66. I love the calendar!! So inventive, oops and all!

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  67. I love this spread. It is very colorful and playful. I loved seeing the step by step process. Thanks for sharing. I am now a new follower. :D

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    1. Thank you and welcome Kimberly! I'm glad you enjoyed the post and my blog.

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  68. I didn't even notice your silly mistake!! See, your process swept me along, too - LOL I adore the flowers you made, they are so cute :)

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    1. Thanks Christi. In my opinion the summer should continue on for an extra few weeks anyway. ;o)

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  69. What an awesome post. I enjoyed the whole process, but really love how you made the flowers and the vines. Thanks for sharing with us and providing inspiration.

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    1. Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the process. Glad you stopped by for the visit!

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  70. Luv the way you made that stencil into flowers!

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    1. Thanks! I do love finding flowers in all shapes!

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  71. Very good, I do not know where to start, but will be around again. xxx

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    1. Thank you. It will be a peasure to have you visit again!

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  72. Hello Linda. How cool that you used those square shapes as days of the month! Your doodling is fun, fun, fun!

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  73. That is gorgeous!!! Love all the layers & colours - perfect for August!

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  74. Love seeing the process.. and the spread is beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Jane. I'm glad you enjoyed the process.

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  75. Hi Linda! Another fun technique. This is a great stencil and love what you have done with it.

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    1. Thanks Ruthanne. Always nice to 'see' you stop by for a visit.

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  76. love seeing your process ... great calendar. hopping is fun and I'm learning so much. thanks!

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    1. Thank you. I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop!

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  77. Nice idea to keep a calendar like that. The flowers are extra cute.

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  78. I have to say I really like your idea of adding extra days in August - wish I could do that for July too. I love how you used the stencils and am so glad to follow the blog hop to find your site.

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    1. Thanks! I think we should be able to add a few extra days on to anyof the months we choose, but those days can only be used for fun activities of our choosing. LOL

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  79. Using these two stencils together, Linda, was just pure genius! I so appreciate your talent and a glad you are now on the StencilGirl DT!

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    1. Thanks Kay. I'm thrilled to have been asked to join such a creative team!

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  80. Linda, I LOVE this! The colors are so vibrant, this stencil is a must have!
    So many great ideas in this blog hop. Thanks for being part of it!

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    1. Thanks Charlene! I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop.

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  81. beautiful work, love the popping colors. I used to do the calendar book, but just can't seem to get the hang of it (journaling and all) love what you did.

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  82. Wowza! The blog-hop is my first little adventure with StencilGirl - I'm loving all the ideas! I'm going to need to explore your site further, too. Looks like you do some fabulous things. :)

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    1. Thanks Jules. I'm so glad you're enjoying the hop! And I'd love you to explore my blog further. I hope you find it enjoyable.

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  83. So motivating to see your process. I'm definitely going to try this project--as soon as I finish BlogHopping!!

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    1. Thanks Sandy. I'm so glad you enjoyed my tutorial. Thanks for stopping by.

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  84. Doin' the blog hop, and I really like your take on how to use the stencil!I'll be coming back to explore your blog again, :) Terri

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  85. What an amazing journal you have created!! And to think it all started with squares! Thanks for the tip on re-purposing that bottle of Dove to spray the paint! The finished result was awesome!! Thanks for the inspiration!

    Carmen L

    I will subscribe to all the media you have available to learn more about your process!

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    1. Thanks Carmen! I'm so glad you found the tutorial informative. Looking forward to 'seeing you' again.

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  86. Came here for the hop, love the unique way you used the Rafters stencil for the calendar grid!

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    1. Thank you Julia. I;m glad you're getting some ideas from the hop.

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  87. Really like your calendar, love the combination of art techniques, great colors wonderful composition. Very inspiring.

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  88. I love the color in this. Fondly, Tami

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  89. This is an absolutely awesome idea. I have been looking through the house for a calendar and cannot seem to find one. I am going to make one now. Thank you do much for sharing this.

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Linda

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