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Monday, November 21, 2011

Susan’s So Thankful Giveaway #6: Artistcellar stencils


A few weeks ago, Lisa Cousineau of artistcellar sent me some new stencils to try out. Artistcellar sells several brands of stencils, but this is their own, newly designed and produced line, marketed under their name. 
I’ve used stencils a good amount in the past few years, both in my own projects and when teaching my Surface Design Madness class. Here’s what I look for when choosing stencils: First, they have to be cool, or funky, or just downright beautiful. They have to provide striking designs, or patterns that act as subtle background texture. But almost as important is that they are sturdy, because they have to be able to take what ever I throw at them – acrylic paint, oil paint sticks, dyes, inks, markers – and then withstand a good cleaning. Artistcellar stencils deliver on both counts, and are very affordable, too.
All of artistcellar’s stencils are 6" square, and are laser cut from tough 10mil polyester material. They are very sturdy! All are made in the USA, and retail for $4.40, or sell in sets of four (all of the series) for $15.99. 
I’m planning to use these stencils on fabric (wouldn’t it be beautiful to make a notepad cover or some other useable or wearable item out of hand-stenciled fabrics?) and on paper (they’d make great background textures in a sketchbook). 
Here are the four series:

Cathedral Series– This series was inspired by windows in French gothic cathedrals. Here is “Amiens,” stenciled four times to form a circular design. I used blue metallic acrylic textile paint on a strongly patterned pink batik.


Traditional Japanese Series– Inspired by classic Japanese motifs, all stencils in this series can be used alone or as a repeating pattern. I love the dragonfly; I think I’ll be ordering that one!

Japanese Geometric Series. These repeatable patterns are inspired by traditional Japanese textiles. I tested the “Seven Jewels” stencil here using watered-down metallic textile paint, to get a bit of a bleed:


For a crisper design, I used the paint straight, without watering it down, and stenciled several times for a layered look:


And here it is on paper, using watercolors:



Steampunk Series– This line is inspired by gears and mechanical assemblies, and has an urban grunge feel. I love how “Industria” looks stenciled in silver textile paint on fabric:


This one was stenciled first, then brushed with watercolor. While it was still wet, I “stitched” using black paint, and let it bleed and drip.


I also love artistcellar’s “Art is NOT optional” tote bag (left). If you order $50 in products from them (excluding taxes and shipping), you can get one for free!

I have to say that I really love all the stencils she sent me, and I want to keep them all for myself! But I’m trying very hard not to be greedy, and my give-away is about sharing the love – and the goodies! I think I can part with a few, so…


Here’s your chance to win! Leave a comment after this post and tell me how you use stencils in your work (or if you never have, tell me what you’d like to try). I’ll pull two names at random at 9 p.m. on Monday Nov. 28, and send you each a stencil to try. WINNERS: Ruth and Tesuque both won a stencil. 

80 comments:

  1. Recently, I've been getting back into 'silk' screening and have been hand cutting stencils out of paper. I can't pull too many prints from a paper stencil until it falls apart and can see these stencils as being a very useful item in the ole toolbox.

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  2. I've never used stencils but I'd like to try some! perhaps on bags or mini quilts!

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  3. Oh, those looks so cool! I'd love to try these with paintstiks as backgrounds for art quilts. The mechanical gears one would be very cool for a clock piece. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  4. Susan, those look like AWESOME stencils. THANKS for this opportunity to win some.
    I not only use stencils for surface design on my hand-dyed & painted fabrics but also in my art journaling/mixed media projects.

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  5. I love to paint on fabric, that includes stenciling. These are really nice stencils! thanks for sharing the info.

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  6. Brilliant designs. I love the industrial one. There is a lovely rusty industrial site near me that I would love to portray in a quilt. Wouldn't this look terrific screened onto hand dyes?

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  7. Stencils ... oh my -- with paints, thickened dye, resists, discharge on fabric. And under a screen if they're likely to catch on whatever I'm using as an applicator. I've even used stencils to create a print that I can scan, make into a negative image and print out to make into a Thermofax screen.

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  8. Hi Susan,
    I use stencils mostly in collage. I love the tip you gave me at Jane LaF's class re sequin stencil...spray gesso, then turn it over and stamp the negative on the same piece. Cool beans. Love the Industria stencil. Thanks for this opportunity. Mama Crow

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  9. I haven't yet used stencils on fabric and would love to try these out with my fun mixed media friends at one of our 'play dates'. Thank you for offering this opportunity!

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  10. I've never used a stencil in my quilting before, but I have been thinking about making some small art quilts where I paint the fabric and some design, then quilt the rest of the design into it. A stencil seems like it could work very well for helping to create the design.

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  11. Oh my gosh, how awesome - I especially love the steampunk and the Japanese ones!! I'm thinking that these are a "must have" for me!!

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  12. I love making notebooks and covers for friends for presents - instead of collaging I would love to try some stencils with paint etc.

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  13. I really like the look of the ones that can be used as gears/ watch insides...I've been thinking how to deconstruct a watch and use it on a small piece...

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  14. I just purchased some of these at the festival along with some shiva paintsticks! Love these and love making little projects with them. I would love to win these!! You are having so many contests! Fun, Fun, Fun!

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  15. I love to use different surface design techniques on hand mad felt. It's hard to use really detailed stencils because of the texture and surface of the felt, but these look like they would work great with thickened acid dyes.

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  16. I like to use my stencils with molding psste to create texture when making vessels inspired by Carn pottery (Carn pottery comes from Cornwall, England)

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  17. I love stencils.
    I use them in my fabric dyeing all the time.
    My friend who is a Raku potter and I share are stencils so they do get double duty.
    I too like them to be durable.
    I will have to check these out.

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  18. I love these interesting stencils. Hard to find good ones sometimes. Need to do this!

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  19. I use stencils in the traditional way but also found I can use the shapes in part to create new designs.

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  20. I used some of their stencils for screen printing and they were fantastic! Now I want to try them out with monoprinting. Thanks for the opportunity Susan and Artistcellar!

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  21. These are really great! I used stencil for all kinds of fabric surface design then I cut up the fabric and mix it with both commercial prints and other hand dyed fabrics. Stencils definitely give you the option of "more is more!"

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  22. I love working with stencils. THey are useful in quilting, painting, and pottery work.
    Would love to have soem of these.

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  23. I've been carving lino stamps and it's just not working for me. I think I would rather try stencilling on my silk fabrics and then adding some beads.

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  24. I am ashamed to admit it..but I've never used stencils in my work. :)

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  25. I've never used stencils, but would like to try. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  26. Oh yummy stencils!! I use stencils on my mixed media canvas art to create backgrounds. I love to use them with sprays, acrylic paints, texture paste, pens, water colours..... Hmmmm what medium don't I use with them! Totally love stencils ... Your stencils are super yummy! On my way to your store.

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  27. I have used stencils in my art journal and also on fabric. Thank you for the nice give-away! ~ Karen

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  28. I've never tried stenciling and I know I have a couple of them around someplace. Not sure where. I think it would be interesting to stencil on top of a commercial print to enhance it.

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  29. I have never used any stencils but these look like a good way to start. Really like the examples posted. Would use in my art quilts if I was luckey enough to win. Just used some stamping...well it was the alphabet but stampimg was new to me so I am open to some stencils now. Thanks!

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  30. Years ago I had a turtle stencil and painted on a large flat stepping stone with it....that's it!

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  31. I have used stencils in scrapbooking & card making.
    Also as patterns for quilting.

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  32. I absolutely love stencils. (Thanks for introducing me to this new company! I need that tote bag!!) I use stencils in combination with my Gelli Arts gel printing plate for surface design techniques on fabric and paper.

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  33. I like using stencils to make backgrounds for my collage work. These stencils look awesome and would love to use them. Thanks for all of the great giveaways...

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  34. I have just taken a silk screening class myself, where we did not only the screening, but bleach out, stenciling, and a few other techniques and I love it. These stencils would make screening and just straight stenciling of my fabric a whole lot easier!

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  35. I recently used my own hand cut stencils to paint metallic leaves and geometric shapes on small wall quilts I made for an exhibit at the NC Arboretum.

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  36. I have a few stencils, I use paintstiks with them. I would have a hard time choosing a set, but what a great price. Might have to go check out that website.

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  37. I do love stencils, but recently have been looking for new & unique stencils for various projects to showcase. These look great. Whomever wins them will certain have fun. I know I would.

    Great price point too. Thanks for sharing insights on this Susan.

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

    PS - I hope it is ok, as I've also added this giveaway to my page where I share insights on contests & giveaways (http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html)

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  38. I have used stencils with paint, puff paint, paintsticks, discharge paste. There are so many possibilities.
    These stencils are beautiful, especially the industrial one! Great!
    gr. Marjolijn

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  39. I like using stencils layered with stamps and other surface design techniques to design my own unique fabrics.

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  40. I use stencils for my grids. Not just straight lines but curved as well. The CC stencil can be used for circles filled with your choice and turn out very evenly spaced but still interesting as each circle's content is different. The straight line stencils are incredibly versatile. Thank you for your generosity with your knowledge and work. I follow your blog faithfully.
    Maggie in AZ

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  41. Ruth said

    I recently used freezer paper stencils to add lettering to a Christmas wallhanging I am making. These stencils would be alot quicker. Love to try it.

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  42. I've always wanted to try overprinting on fabric for my quilts. These stencils have reawakened that urge!

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  43. These look GREAT! Recently I've been using stencils with my Gelli Arts plate and having a blast. :-)

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  44. I use stencils on fabric with paint sticks, textile paints and dye. I also use them for "texturing" screens of thickened dye for breakdown printing. The steam punk ones look really cool!

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  45. I like to use stencils in paper crafting. But, the big project I'm working on now is a rather large painted floor cloth. I've been procrastinating, which is bad because it's getting cold, and I need to do this outdoors. I can't decide what pattern to paint on it. A stencil would be a great idea for a floor cloth.

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  46. I'd like to try more with the Shiva paintsticks. This looks to be just the thing to start my imagination going. Thanks for your inspirational posts, I really like your work!

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  47. I have never tried stencils--seeing your work makes me really want to try it...beautiful---I think I would start with a table mat---or notebook cover-----

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  48. Mostly I use stencils in my journals. But I have used them with modeling paste to create texture and dimension, which is lots of fun. I have also used them with mono-printing on fabric too. Lots of fun ways to use stencils.

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  49. Ooh! I love stencils! I've used them a fair amount on fabric (with paintstiks) but recently learned a mixed media technique that involves spraying with spray gesso against a page before you paint the page. Create a gorgeous texture/pattern. So I'd love to win a new one!

    By the way Susan, I'm making your spiced pecans to bring to Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house!

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  50. I have used stencils with Shiva oil sticks with good results, I have not tried with paint yet but if I win a set I would!

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  51. My friends and I have been experimenting with Shiva Paintstiks. I think these stencils would work very nicely with this application. I also use stencils for applique motifs and with free-motion quilting.

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  52. I've never try any stencils but I'd like to have the chance. The mechanical gears looks great!! Thx :)

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  53. These look awesome.I use stencil to quilt.I`m hanquilter.Thank you for the giveaway.

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  54. These look so cool. I've used plastic stencils for painting designs on clay pots, and fabric paint on tees. These would be great for overpainting fabric for fun projects. Thanks for the giveaway - room for play!

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  55. Hi Susan! How cool! I love the fabric paint thing with the stencils. I usually just use them for the quilting stitches. I reeally like those ideas though!

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  56. I love stencils in all forms and shapes. As a decorative painter I've used them lots to make backgrouds, raised details, etc. As a quilter, I use them to decorate backgrounds and add detail to some of my pieces. I just purchased two very interesting ones the other day: one with lettering and the other one with old-fashioned keys and lettering which I am hoping to use on a new quilt that I'm planning.
    Thanks Susan for sharing yours with us. I'll check these new ones online too.
    Best regards,
    Ana

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  57. I would be using paintsticks on fabric for clothing for my daughter who loves steampunk. Might even work for the wall since we are planning to paint her room over Christmas break.

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  58. These stencils are beautiful! I love using stencils for fabric painting to get some good pattern going! I like to sponge some diluted fabric paint through them for very subtle pattern.

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  59. Would love hte stencils - have not done much printing for a while so would like to kick start my surface decorating and these would be an idea starting place.

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  60. I would love a chance to play with these stencils. Have never done it -- don't know what kind of paint to use, etc. but I love to learn new techniques! Sure appreciate your generosity! Thanks!

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  61. I probably wouldn't use them but I have a bestest friend who'd love them. I'd give it to her. :-)

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  62. I am uncomfortable drawing. Stencils allow me to add layers, depth, texture and sometimes even the main image without drawing! I would love to have some new stencils. Thanks.

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  63. I have used stencils years ago for school projects for my sons but I would like to try using them now in my quilting projects. Thanks.

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  64. What a neat idea! I never thought of using stencils on fabric. I have not dyed my own fabric before either so that's probably why. I've used stencils before for scrapbook pages but I'd love the chance to play with them, some paint and some fabric.

    Thanks for your giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  65. Stencils count me in, I did wall stenciling many years ago and glad I saved some of them for use on my fabric. Love the new look, would like to give them a try on some zipper bags.

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  66. I would LOVE the chance to use the artistcellar stencils with my Gelli plate... my 11 year old son would really enjoy it as well...We'll keep our fingers crossed!

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  67. I have used stencils in many of my mono prints. I really like using them as they permit me to layer and to develop the print in different ways. I also use them as the background and then use water soluable crayons to develop the images. I would love to try some new ones.

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  68. I love using stencils on fabric. Depending on how I use the stencil, what marking substance I use, I can turn a plain piece of fabric into my own design. I like to create backgrounds for projects, and sometimes a simple, striking design to adorn a journal cover or pillow. I need simplicity and flexibility. Sounds like these stencils deliver on both counts.

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  69. I have not used stencils, but recently have become very interested in them. I would like to create my own fabric by dying some fabric then over lay with a stencil. Also would like to try sun printing using a stencil. I like the one with the gears...very
    cool!!

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  70. I use stencils in my mix media art. I love to build layers and layers with them.Would love to win one of those.....

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  71. These stencils are gorgeous. I just got into the Gelli Arts plate and have seen videos using these stencils. These will be fantastic to use doing that technique.
    Thinkbox1@aol.com

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  72. I recently used snowflake stencils on an art quilt I made for my "secret sister" in my quilt guild. I like the stencils you've displayed and would love to win one and do more experiments!

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  73. Oh goodness...tbose are wonderful, especially the cathedral ones...reminds me of seeing notre dame for the first time and totally dissolving into tears!! I need those stencils! I've stenciled on a armoire and also some cloth but nothing really lovely like this. Thanks for the opportunity and have a great day

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  74. I used stencils in a quilt for my son when he was 4 years old, he is now 20 and that quilt is still in use here.
    Thanks so much for the opportunity to try the stencils.
    happy days.
    Bev.xoxo

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  75. I used some stencils to dye muslin with my friend. We haven't sewn the fabric into anything yet.

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  76. Thanks for the word about stencils. I have used them to decorate pottery but truly hadn't thought to do it with fabric:) Of course, Yes I will try them in the future, thanks Susan!

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  77. Susan, these new stencils are awesome! I'm interested in seeing the Traditional Japanese set. You didn't mention it, but was a stencil used for the blue "basketweave" background that stenciled over using the "Seven Jewels" stencil? I teach surface design techniques and would love to win some of these to try out.

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  78. Joanna,
    The basket weave design was already on the purple fabric before I stenciled the "Seven Jewels" design on top.

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  79. I have just started using stencils and make very unique quilt labels with them. I find until I perfect my techniques small projects are easier to finish.

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