It seems like just yesterday that I was typing up the post announcing my last stamp release in February and at the same time, it feels like it's been forever that I've been waiting to share; this round of stamp designs was done and submitted for production in early December of last year. But it's finally time to let this particular cat out of the bag!

This month I'm thrilled to be sharing a few super versatile new sets in my new release with PaperArtsy - an alphabet and vintage transportation tickets and accents along with, at long last, peacocks!

You can see the entire reveal post with more photos of the samples, lots more background information, and a project tutorial over on the PaperArtsy blog. But in the meantime, here are a few of the things I've been working on to prepare for the big reveal.

First up, a few projects using EGL16, my new hand-drawn Art Deco inspired alphabet and number set (with a great frame that works to create a monogram with any of the letters or numbers or that you can use as a design element.) I really wanted to show how you can create with just​ this set and still have some great versatility for making different backgrounds as well as titles.

Next up is a group of stamps that I'm extremely excited about... EGL17 features 12 designs; seven of which are based on vintage or antique tickets from around the world. I pulled some of my favorite vintage and antique tickets from my collection of ephemera, specifically from countries where I've visited and ridden a train, bus, or subway, and drew my own versions. Yes, you read that right - all of the designs, down to the tiniest letters and numbers, are hand-drawn.

I wanted to draw my own versions to customize them and put my own hand in each element of the set. To complement the tickets I included five accent stamps - two are registration type marks that you can layer on your tickets in a different color of ink. I added some floral elements as well which I thought would be fun embellishments on or overlapping the tickets or great elements used on their own.

​Think travel scrapbooking or travel journals, bullet journaling, mixed media, bon voyage cards, and more.

Here you can see just how realistic the tickets look when they're stamped! I also used them to make my own set of jumbo reinforcement-style stickers to create accents for some of the sample projects in this release. Those might be one of my favorite things that I've made so far.

Next up, EGL18 - peacocks! I know those who know me are probably wondering what took me so long... 17 other stamp sets before the peacocks made their appearance! But I wanted to do the idea justice; I'm glad I waited.

This set is based on Indian woodblock designs with my own patterns and twists added in. As you can see here, I've used them for mixed media artwork, an embroidered embellishment (which will likely end up on a journal cover,) and also a heavily embroidered and beaded piece that I turned into a brooch. 

To wrap up the samples for this release I combined all three sets on these two mixed media Art Cards and put together a step-by-step tutorial (which is over on the PaperArtsy blog) to walk you through how you can create this type of project yourselves.

​You can translate the steps and techniques to handmade greeting cards, tags, art journal pages, or even scrapbook layouts.

I'm thrilled with this release and the versatility of the designs as well as how well they mix in with my previous stamp sets and also with my stencil designs. I can't wait to incorporate these into upcoming workshop projects and to continue to create and share. Of course I'm doubly excited to see what you all create with these new stamps! So make sure to tag me with your creations so I can see.

​In the meantime, be sure to hop over to the PaperArtsy blog for my full release post as well as the tutorial for the Art Cards using all three of the new sets.

It's that time again... my quarterly Paint & Texture column is up over on the StencilGirl blog. This month I'm using my Boho Faces stencil with paint and stitching to show how thread (and a few beads, of course,) is a great way to add texture to your artwork. Head on over and check it out! I've got a free photo tutorial showing how the painted and embroidered face focal point came together.

And if you like this project, you may also be interested in my next Live online class, Make a Statement - it's this Saturday, April 24th, at 1pm Eastern time (but you can watch the archived version at any time as long as you register in advance.) The samples are mixed media statement jewelry, but you can just create the components and use them for other projects if jewelry isn't your thing. Hope to see you there!

As a lifelong bird lover, (inherited from my mother and her parents,) I love to incorporate birds in my artwork. For this set of stencils I paired them with global and tribal influences from my travels - both real and imaginary. 

You can check out my introductory video to learn more about the inspiration behind each stencil and see some of the samples I created with them (also shown in photos below.)

This collection is only available to members of StencilClub, but if you join before February 15th then you'll start your membership with this set (and also have the ability to purchase any previous set - more than 10 years' worth!) And while I think it's one of the greatest deals around with fantastic stencils from different designers every month, membership is always month to month - you can cancel for months you know you won't use and join again for the ones you want, or just stick around indefinitely! There's also a fantastic private Facebook group with lots of ideas, swaps and collaborative projects, and fun tips and support.

As a member of StencilClub you'll get all three stencils plus an accompanying project with a video lesson, a downloadable PDF and printable, and 20% off regular stencils from StencilGirl. All of that for just $25 a month!

For this month's collection, my video shows you an easy way to make painted collages using stencils. Here you can see the samples for the project and accompanying lesson:

I've also been having a blast working on other projects with my new stencil designs. First and most simple of the bunch, I made a background that shows how the 4" x 4" stencil can be rotated and repeated for a cool patterned design.

Next I used bits and pieces of each of the three stencils to make size 3" x 3" mini collages. I really like how you can get so many looks by using only a part of the stencils.

Lastly, and probably my favorite so far, I used the small songbird design from the top of the 9" x 12" stencil as an embroidery pattern. I embroidered it and added some seed beads, then stitched it into a nature-themed artist book that I'm working on.

I'm looking forward to continuing to use these in my work as well as seeing and learning from what club members do with these.

​If you're not already a member of StencilClub but want to get your hands on this set (along with the video class, PDF, and printable that come with it,) head on over to StencilGirl - make sure to sign up before February 15th to start your membership with this set. (And if you can't join now but want to later, once you're a member you always have the ability to purchase past sets.)

I'm delighted to announce my third live online class, POCKETbook. I'm offering this class in partnership with my local store, Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, VA.

In the POCKETbook workshop we'll be making a 5" x 7" handmade book with embellished paper and / or fabric pockets as the pages. The class includes tutorials, patterns, exclusive downloads, and, of course, the live online class. It's all hosted in a private Facebook group, and registration is open now.

Signups have begun and we'll start adding students into the private Facebook group on April 16th. The live class is on Saturday, May 9th, from 1-3:30pm eastern time. I hope to see some of you there!

Hi all! It's been a while, but I was finally able to finish up a tutorial I've had in the works for about the last two months. I've used kraft-tex from C&T Publishing as the basis for a fun new mini accordion art journal. There's plenty of collage, some stamping and heat embossing, and even some stitching.

Here you can see a peek at the finished outside of the journal, but be sure to head over to view the full tutorial for details and step-by-step instructions and photos.

Hi all, I just wanted to pop in and let you know that I have a new post up today on StencilGirl Talk - it's my quarterly column on Paint and Texture with your stencils. This month I'm sharing a tutorial for this collaged and highly textured "Art Card."

Make sure to head over to the StencilGirl blog to see the whole post with a step-by-step tutorial. As always, an index of all of my mixed media tutorials is also available here on my website as a reference.