Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Self Portrait Cubed...a StencilGirl / Sizzix Blog Hop

Have you heard of the new ATBs?  That stands for Artist Trading Blocks and I've been invited to play along in another fun blog hop, this time using StencilGirls stencils and the latest Sizzix die cuts (dies will be available soon).  You can also see more about ATBs on the Artist on the Block website here and Facebook page here.

Unlike tags and ATC’s, Artist Trading Blocks allow you to create in 3-D!  

Let's get started: Using the blank die cuts, I masked of sections so I could spray Dylusions ink onto one 'face' of the cube at a time.  I ended up starting with a make-shift stencil which is actually the bottom of a little strawberry basket from the supermarket (saved from the summer!)



As you can see, I used six different bright colours of Dylusions sprays.
The added bonus is some great over spray that I'll find some other use for, as well as the beginnings of a journal page in which I blotted off the excess stray left on the back of the stencil!
The next step was to use a variety of StencilGirl stencils (I used Eddy Rose 6, Swatton Grid, Mimosa 6, Gears, Greek Key and Bubbles) and over spraying with a different colour.

A while back I found some wonderful tissue paper that has script on it.  I cut pieces out to fit into the centre square on each 'face' and used mat medium to adhere it. I like how it lets the stencilled pattern show through!

Since my idea was to create a self portrait, I went through an old magazine to find text that would allow me to create messages that are meaningful to me.

Then I added some doodles using a black Micron, a white Signo, and various colours of paint pen.

I love texture, both visual and tactile, and one of my favourite ways to achieve it is with Glass Bead Gel.  It goes on somewhat white, but dries clear, leaving wonderful clear glass beads that allow the colours underneath to shine through.  It's best applied with a palette knife.


For obvious reasons, the top of "Self Portrait Cubed" includes my name, picture, Q code and blog address, which I cut out of one of my business cards.  The final addition was a line of Pearl Paint around the edge of each of the sides.














Here are close up images of each of the six sides:




StencilGirl and Sizzix will both be giving away prizes! All comments left on the hop are eligible for the giveaways so the more blogs you comment on, the more chances you will have to win. Have fun and GOOD LUCK!

The giveaway will close on Friday, December 13th at 11:59PM Central Time. 


Blog Hop Order:
Linda Kittmer-YOU ARE HERE!
Leslie Tucker Jenison-YOUR NEXT STOP

124 comments:

  1. Linda your block is beautiful! I love seeing how you made it- great tip on that Glass Bead Gel- the texture is so cool. I love how you used this as a self-portrait block and picked your favorite quotes. The block is so fun and colorful- it must reflect you! Thanks for hopping!

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  2. Great ATB, I loved your messages...

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  3. Wow that's beautiful! Looks like fun to create too.

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  4. ATBs? What a great idea! Love your designs, as always!

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    1. Thanks Lynda. I thought it was a fun idea too. I'm glad I was invited to play along with this new 3D idea.

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  5. What a fun way to express yourself. I have done boxes using Timtex and fabric but not stenciled to add the personal touch.

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    1. Thanks Candy. I've done fabric boxes too, but this is a fun new idea too!

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  6. Wow so cool, I need to make one of these for my art room to inspire me - this whole blog hop has made me want to forget cooking, cleaning and shopping and just create THANK YOU

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  7. I like that you continued the block stencil all around the ATB. another stencil I am liking is the bubbles or maybe it called circles whatever the name it's terrific.
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Sue. That stencil you're referring to is called Bubbles. I really like that one too.

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  8. LOVE how your used that strawberry basket and the BEAD Gel!!! Fantastic!!!!

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    1. Thanks Maria. That might be why artists also have to be part hoarder. :o)

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  9. What fun, bright, and playful blocks you've made! Love them!

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  10. Such fabulous colours and positivity radiating from your ATB - it's fabulous!
    Alison x

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  11. That Glass Bead Gel really brings it up a notch, I have never thought to use it this way, kind of like a framing device. Brilliant idea :)

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  12. Oh my my Linda! So many layers of fabulous color and creativity! I must say adding the QR code to your signature side was a stroke if creative genius indeed! Such a happy, colorful ATB chock full of I artful inspiration!

    Amy*

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  13. I love your positive affirmation box! Great colors, texture and patterns. Great box die from Sizzix. So many possibilities!

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    1. Thanks Jamie. It does have a lot of fun possibilities!

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  14. Love the combination of colors, stencils, doodles, and the glass beads are FABULOUS, too, Linda! Love it!!

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  15. WOWIE ZOWIE!!!! Linda, really.. this box and each side is gorgeous. I don't use my glass bead gel enough; thanks for making me realize that i need to again.

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    1. Thanks Judy. It's such a fun gel to use. Have fun with it!

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

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  17. Cute idea. You could make one with a child's picture on it and gill with a price of candy or maybe a shiny coin.

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    1. Thanks Susan. The possibilities are endless with this fun die.

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  18. I love your block. It has been great to go round the whole block hop and see how different everyone's response has been

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    1. Thanks Bernice. That's what I find so much fun about these hops. Everyone's interpretation is unique.

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  19. This just makes me happy! Love the colors.

    ~Linda

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  20. Very cool texture that you added! Love all the embellishments too!

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  21. I love your block! The glass bead gel looks amazing with the bright colors!

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    1. Thank you Sarah. I love playing with glass bead gel!

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  22. How colorful! Love what you did and the use of the glass beads. Lovely! I'm so ready for this die to come out.

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    1. Thanks Joyce. These blocks are a lot of fun to play with!

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  23. What a great idea for a stencil, a strawberry basket! Love your art block, very creative :)

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  24. Love the colors, quotes and inspiration!

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  25. Love all your sparkle with the Glass Bead Gel and your inspiring personalized messages and doodles!

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  26. The added texture of the beads is an awesome touch. Really looks fabulous. Can't wait to play !

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  27. Great self portrait. Glass bead gel - my favorite.

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  28. Gorgeous! I too love Glass Bead Gel. Theresa x

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    1. Thanks Theresa. It's such fun to play with and the sparkle is just added bonus!

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  29. This is awesome, I love the texture too! Great job!

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  30. All of the boxes have been amazing. Everybody takes a different approach. I love your "self portrait". It's a good way to express yourself in many ways. Love it. I think I could do this. Much more freeing.

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  31. This is beautiful! I love how your block came out and the use of the pearl makes it so sparkly!

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  32. Linda! I so love your block!! The textures and colors are gorgeous!!! and the sayings- perfect! Thank you for sharing ")

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  33. All kinds of cool! I love the way you kept adding layers! Awesome project!

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  34. These turned out beautiful, I like the little phrases too.

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  35. Wow! love your take on the blocks!! I so enjoy playing the text and yours works so well :) love your textile art too - you have a new follower!

    http://steamfairiecraft.blogspot.co.uk/

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  36. whew love it!!! you did a great job.

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  37. Linda, I love all your uplifting sayings! Perfect ~ and your signature side is too cute!

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  38. So gorgeous!! The glass bead gel gave it an awesome look! Love your bright and fun colors!

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    1. Thank you Caroline. I don't usually do a lot of sparkle, but I love the glass bead gel.

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  39. I love it - all the colours and sparkle make me think of jewels -so a jewel box of maybe a jewel of a box!

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  40. Really like this, would love that dye. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  41. I love your ATB! The bead gel is a fabulous addition.

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    1. Thanks Vic. The glass bead gel is great to work with.

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  42. Love your use of quotes and thanks for the close-up shots. It was so nice to get such a close-up look at your work.

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  43. Those colors plus the bead paste are awesome! Love!

    Edie

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  44. Your ATB is awesome! I love the bright colors. Mostly, I love the glass beads. They really make the colors underneath them POP!

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    1. Thanks Raine. I agree...that's what I love about the glass bead gel.

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  45. Your blocks are so fun to look at. I'm going to get some beads. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  46. Linda, I love everything about your ATB's! Your post gave me so many new ideas. Thanks!

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  47. What a great idea for a self portrait! I loved the way you expressed who you are and what you want to be. The bright colours on the block are great and the glass beads really make the colours pop.

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  48. Your Artist Trading Block is amazing! I have never tried Glass Bead Gel - must figure out of it is available here, in Ukraine - thank you for great tutorial and introducing glass bead gel for me ))! Helen

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    1. Thanks Helen. The glass bead gel is so much fun. Check the art stores. I have Golden, but I know other companies make it too. Good luck...I hope you find some.

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  49. I just love your block, as well as the idea of incorporating my artwork into a three dimensional piece. It is so much fun to see how everyone has personalized the cube! Thanks!

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  50. Okay, I adore the effect of that glass bead gel. I also love that you used the overspray and blotting of colours from the strawberry basket spraying for other pieces. Kind of gave me the chills, lol.

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  51. Linda, I love all the texture and color.. wonderful!

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  52. Wow! The glass bead gel really takes this to the next level. Fantastic.

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  53. Ewww that clear balls gel stuff is amazing. Im gonna have to check into that stuff sometime. Looks like alot of fun

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  54. Great inspiration block! The bead gel gives lots of cool texture.

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    1. Thanks EmmaJane. It really is a great product to work with. I love the texture and sparkle it gives.

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  55. just loved what you did. i love the glass beads so much, will have to find that product. thank you for the inspiration. xoxo

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    1. Thanks Lura. I'm glad to have been able to inspire you with something new to you. Have fun with it.

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  56. Never used the glass bead gel before -Merry Christmas from a fellow Canuk!

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  57. Linda, I love the idea of the Golden glass Bead Gel! Must go shopping!

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  58. Loving all the layers and that glass bead gel is really cool!

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I love to hear what you think . Thanks for your comment .

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Linda

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