Earth Day Blog Hop!

4/21/2016

StencilGirl Stencils and Earth Safe Finishes are the perfect fit for an Earth Day Blog Hop!

For today's project, I began by painting Cobalt Teal acrylic onto the front
and back covers of my mixed media art journal.
With a cosmetic sponge and Teal Blue StazOn Ink, I added the pattern from StencilGirl's Map Stencil.

Once dry, I used Unbleached Titanium acrylic to paint two 4-inch circles on the front cover
and an 8-inch circle going off the back cover.

With a palette knife, I spread Earth Safe Finishes' Smooth Texture through It's a Small World Latitude stencil onto one circle and applied Rough Texture through It's a Small World Longitude onto the other circle.

When these textures dried, I used a cosmetic sponge through the stencils to add Iridescent Antique Bronze acrylic to the raised surfaces. Then I stamped the words journey and dream in black ink on vintage book paper.

I glued these onto the back cover next to 8-inch circle I'd stenciled with Around the World Latitude.

Lastly, I added some mark-making with pencil around the words.
I love having a unique art journal cover!

I love the surface and dimension created by Earth Safe Finishes' Smooth and Rough Textures, too!

And what would a Blog Hop be without a GIVEAWAY??!!!
WIN this one of a kind, 9" x 9" Cold Wax painting on Arches Oil Paper by Mary Beth Shaw!

What do you have to do to enter?
Just leave a comment below by Monday, April 25th at 11:59PM Central Time.
The more blogs you comment on in the blog hop, the more chances you have of winning!
Winner will be announced on StencilGirl's Facebook page on Wednesday, April 27th.

Blog Hop Order:
StencilGirl Talk
Mary Beth Shaw
Janet Joehlin
Mary C. Nasser – you are here!
Carol Baxter
Gwen Lafleur
Chana Malkah Harris
Irit Shalom
Steph Ackerman
Martha Lucia Gomez
Larissa Pittman
Vishu Reberholt
Jeanne Streiff

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
If you enjoyed today's post, I'd love for you to follow my blog on Feedblitz, bloglovin' or NetworkedBlogs!

Good luck winning!

23 Comments

Carol Baxter link

4/21/2016 11:41:29 pm

I can really see the depth of texture! What a wonderful travel journal!

Lisa Dobry

4/22/2016 04:47:10 am

Hi Mary! Love this journal and your very concise description of how you made it so Fabulous!

Susan

4/22/2016 05:33:49 am

I keep thinking I stencil my journal covers once they are complete - that NEVER happens1 TODAY mcsuetexasat yahoo dotcom

Frieda Oxenham link

4/22/2016 09:59:39 am

A journal to treasure and a map to the art inside.

jean marmo link

4/22/2016 10:47:08 am

THis is wonderful! Love the texture!

Maria Pilar link

4/22/2016 10:59:56 am

Beautiful texture in your journal cover!

sandy kortan

4/22/2016 12:58:26 pm

Love this travel journal and your description of how you made it so interesting. Fabulous! I'd love to win the travel book or stencils or products to try. thanks for sharing.

Carol link

4/27/2016 07:54:40 am

Sandy, You are the winner of our Earth Day Blog Hop! Please contact carol at stencilgirlproducts .com (remove spaces and add @ symbol) to collect your prize.

Denise Spillane link

4/22/2016 01:09:24 pm

Mary, I love your journal. The way you use maps and globes and stuff in your work always makes me smile.

Allison CB

4/22/2016 02:27:06 pm

Lovely - beautiful job!!!

Claudia Nelson

4/22/2016 04:08:39 pm

I love this idea. How inspiring. Thank you, c21claudia@aol.com

Ann Butler link

4/22/2016 08:58:41 pm

Love the texture on this project!

Anne Marie Fowler

4/22/2016 10:42:57 pm

What a great idea! I have some covers that were used for National Geographic magazines that I would like to cover. Never thought about using stencils. :-)

Glenda Hoagland

4/23/2016 08:44:55 am

Your devotion to Maps have once again been beautifully portrayed. Thank you for your wonderful art.ghoagland(at)msn(dot com)

Mans de Fada link

4/23/2016 11:30:31 am

Beatiful projects!!

Caro Lef link

4/23/2016 01:26:33 pm

super travel journal cover

Jill McDowell

4/24/2016 04:35:28 am

Mary I love the depth and texture you achieved on your art journal cover!

Kathy Fritz

4/24/2016 07:53:56 am

Would love to win one of MarY Beth's works. Love your journal covers!!

Lori

4/24/2016 06:51:25 pm

Amazing! Love the texture and color. Thank you for sharing.

Jane Christensen link

4/25/2016 01:06:43 am

Love what you did with the stencils. jec0988atshawdotca

Gwen L. link

4/25/2016 03:11:18 pm

Loving your journal cover - the contrast between the smooth and rough pastes is so cool!

Mary Beth Shaw link

4/25/2016 03:17:19 pm

I like seeing the contrast of both the textures.

Susan Burgess link

5/4/2016 12:52:03 pm

This is a fantastic idea and I agree about how orphans have few keepsakes of their childhood. I also think they get few gifts because there are so many forgotten children in the world. This is a great way to let them know they have made a mark in the world, I have bad facial recall and so whenever I draw someone I never forget them. Thinking this also lets the child know someone on earth will always remember who they are and what they look like. It's a keepsake not only of their childhood but of how important they actually are in this world where we are all often forgotten. I also think that giving from the children here is an excellent way to feel important and used for good. That this experience makes them aware how good they have it compared to so many others and nothing feels as good as giving to those in need. Money is important for eating but giving something like this from their hands and hearts is a way of meeting another needs we all have which is to be acknowledged! Yeah Mary! Yeah students too those pictures came out amazing! Love, Sanna.