Trena's Creative Space

Winner of Stencils!

Hello Beautiful People!

The winner is: Sharon

 Congratulations Sharon!! You will receive one of each! Your stencils will be shipped this week. I'm excited to see what you create with them.  Thank you for commenting! 

I apologize for the delay in posting. Our cable was accidentally cut a few days ago. The Cable guy came today - we were so happy to see him!! :)

#trenabrannonart #stencilgirl  #blogcandy

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

I Know! New Brush Letter Stencils Designed by Me!

Hello Beautiful People!

I am thrilled to be sharing that I am a contributing artist at StencilGirl ®! 

To celebrate, I'm giving away stencils with my new designs! 

For a chance to win:

• Leave a comment on this post and tell me how you would use the stencils in your artwork.
• Leave the comment before June 21st noon USA Eastern time. 
• I'll pick 3 comments at random (2 USA, 1 outside USA) to receive one large and one small stencil.
• Please be sure to include your email address. 
• I'll post the winners on my blog on June 22nd and also send email.
• Enjoy reading through the comments to see all the creativity from around the world!

 
   

Now to tell you about the stencils and my artwork today!

I was inspired to create a brush alphabet and fun/positive words stencils because of how versatile letters are. Brush letters add flavor and style to any piece of art work.  Letters can be used soft and subtle in the background, they can be used as elements in a focal point - they can be THE focal point! You can use the same letter over and over, or a group of letters that do not even spell a word, yet add interest to your art work.  Plus, letters are just plain fun and part of our every day life!

 Below is a two-page spread I created - can you feel her confidence!?

Before I get into the step-out tutorial, a video is available for you to see ideas and projects using the stencils. 

 

Now for the step-out tutorial! In my Strathmore 400 Series mixed media journal I started with scribble writing using a Sakura clear gel pen. After it dried, I colored the two page layout with Distress Oxide Inks - direct to paper and also using a round blending tool.  Since it was my first layer, I was not too concerned about how smooth or blended it was - just getting down some color. 

 

Next I spritzed water to get that very cool effect that the Oxide inks make. I also used a baby wipe over my Brush Alphabet stencil (L645) to remove color and allow the letters to show through - this technique works best on darker colors.

 For the next layer, I used Kristie's Diamond Dot stencil (L539) and a stencil brush to start adding depth and interest with the same three Oxide ink colors. 

 

Added splatters with watered down Silks shimmer acrylic paint - staying with the same color choice.

At this point, I wanted to add some contrast. Using a darker shade in same color family that I already have on the background, I laid down some color. I chose Golden Turquois... so pretty! Before I added color, I added texture.  I spritzed Distress Resist Spray in a couple areas through the Diamond Dot stencil (L539).  I knew where I wanted my focal point, so I sprayed away from that area. NOTE: Be sure to spray inside a box or contained area and wash your stencil and any tools the spray touches with soap and water right away. The spray is a glue and will stick to everything it touches.

After the spray dried, I lightly stippled and swirled Turquois with a stencil brush over the resist spray. I also added color in other areas through the stencil. I brought in Golden Titan Buff and add a little more color with Oxide inks. I'm still following along in my color scheme.

 

Now to rough in my focal point - a face,  Karen's Cool Attitude Large L613.  I think she is fabulous - so confident! I used Golden Burnt Sienna - a darker color so I could easily see the image over my light backgroud.  Since I had a lot of area to cover, I broke out my Smudgee to to apply the paint. I drew in a little face detail  with a color pencil to envisioning her features and thinking about how I wanted to paint them in. 

I started with her hair. To give it some texture, I combined Dylusions (thicker paint) black marble and Tourquois and used a paintbrush, picking up lots of paint and applied over the stenciled area. I filled in the gaps with Turquois. I added highlighted curls of black, Tourquois and Titan Buff with a little wooden stick. 

 

Next I blocked in color in her face - not adding much detail yet, just getting mid tones and shadows in. I used Golden Yellow Ochre and Burnt Sienna for her skin tone.  

I know what you're thinking...I covered up all the beautiful features of her face! No worries - one of the wonderful benefits of stencils is that you can lay the stencil back down in place and add back in her features. Please stay with me through the ugly stage! I'm trusting the process of building layers and imaging what could be...

After that layer dried, I smoothed out the color in her face with a mixture of the Yellow Orchre and Burnt Sienna , and also added some highlights and shadows. At this point, I thought she should have a scarf and I also decided to color her whole head of hair with texture. I'm just going with the flow of my mojo. 

Next I dove into the details with a variety of supplies - filling all the details of her lovely face, adding a little reflection to her glasses, adding color to her blouse, expanding her scarf. I added texture to her scarf with Maria McGuire's February 2017 Mandalas, Circles, and Spheres StencilClub stencil set.

 

I also added words to melt into the background. Placement is so easy with stencils because you can see thorough the stencil to align!

 

For the impact words, I added a phrase from my These Jeans stencil (L647), coloring in with a Sharpie. I believe this is how we all should feel!

 

TIPS/Suggestions on using Alphabet/word stencils: 

1. when applying paint, use a dry brush or dry sponge and dab off most of the paint to get crisp lines. If you want a different, more painterly look, use a slightly damp brush or sponge - totally up to you, go for the look you want.
2. press the stencil firmly to the surface and follow along the letters just as you would if you were writing the words with your handwriting - as with all stencils, be mindful of the tiny bridges that make the connections for the stencil. 
3. use a thin paint brush or same color marker to connect the letters to each other to make them look seamless
4. if needed, smooth the letters with a thin paint brush or the same color marker
5. for words/phrases "in the center of an area," count the letters and start in the middle. I actually write them down so I don't get lost along the way. hehehe
6. for words ending at a specific place, start at the end of the word
7. I encourage you to take your time, just like with hand brush lettering
8. have fun!

Here's a photo of the supplies I used during my detail stage, in addition to the supplies I listed above:

 

  Shout Outs: Sending a big THANK YOU and hug to Carol at StencilGirl® Products who is awesome! The background techniques were inspired by one of  Vickki's wonderful videos.  

#trenabrannonart #stencilgirl #stencils #brushletters #distressinks #distressoxideinks #goldendpaints #goldenmediums #ranger #mixedmedia #drawing  #acrylicpaints #artjournaling #art #tombowdualbrushpens #matisse #paintingfaces #onmydesk #art #art🎨 #dylusions #sakura #sharpie #fabercastell #polychromos #higgins #strathmore journal  #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Blog Candy in Celebration of New Crafter's Companion DT Members

We are celebrating our new DT Sisters! Click on the image below for more information on how we are celebrating!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Published and Blog Candy!

I'm celebrating being published with some blog candy at my Stampin' Headquarters. Please click here to enter to win.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Crafter's Companion Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop

The Crafter's Companion Design Team is having a Blog Hop this weekend for some really cool prizes. Lots of chances to win!!  A winner on each DT's blog and a grandprize winner!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

 

Chance to Win!!

I've been having fun with my new adventure over at Crafter's Companion! :o) You can see what I've been doing at Trena's Stampin' Headquarters.

I wanted let you know some exciting news....At the Crafter's Companion Challenge blog this week, we are giving away one of our brand spanking new stamp sets! The stamp we are giving away is the new Art-Kure - Tewksbury Mill stamp.

These stamps give the feeling of a timeless Britain. The giveaway is open to all US residents. To enter to win, you will just need to leave a comment on this post at the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. The giveaway is open until 8pm PST Thursday, January 19th. We will post the winner on Friday the 20th. So please stop back by the CCC Blog to see if you have won. So what are you waiting for??? GO sign up now!!!!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Michael Strong Blog Hop Winner

Hope over to Hetty's Blog to see the winner.

http://craftchaos.blogspot.com/2011/12/winners-of-michael-strong-holiday-blog.html

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Michael Strong Scavenger Blog Hop

We are tag hopping today!!  We are also having a scavenger hunt!! Here's how it works: visit each blog and look for a letter. When you have all letters,  make a sentiment out of them and send your answer to Hetty privately at: [email protected].  She will pick a winner  on Wednesday the 7th of December.  The prize is Michael Strong stamps!

If you get lost along the way, go to Hetty's Blog to see the complete list.

Here at my blog, you will pick up the letter "P"

 Visit Jennifer's blog post next to get continue on the hop and get your next letter!

1. Inked up mini tree image with watermark ink pad and stamped onto white glossy card stock. 
   Repeated five  times.  Sprinkled embossing power and heat set.
2. Mask a moon with a circle. Used torn paper to mask hills for snow.  I used B23 to air-brush the snow, and B24 to air-brush the sky.
3. Used die cuts to cut out trees
4. Used craft knife to cut small slits in the snow hills.
5. Adhered trees.
6. Used glitter pen to add snow.
7. Used stamp positioner to line up sentiment image and stamp.
8. Tied ribbons.

Stamps : Michael Strong, Stampin' Up!
Inks: VersaMark watermark ink pad, VersaFine onyx black ink pad, Copic Markers B23, B24
Paper:  Zig-Zag Triple Tags, Stampin' Up! glossy
Accessories:  crystal white embossing powder,  heat tool, Stampin' Up!  ribbon, Copic air-brush system, Stampin' Up! 1"circle punch, Eclipse tape, Stamp-a-ma-jig,  Michael Strong die cut, Sakura glitter pen, craft knife and mat

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

July Blog Candy Winner

Congratulations to Judi I from St. Louis!! You are the winner of the Blog Hop blog candy!  Judi, Please email your address to me at [email protected] so that I can send you your new  Mike's punch & spell alphabet set.

Judi said:

Great project Trena. Thanks for the great details.

Posted by: Judy I, St. Louis MO | July 20, 2011 at 13:35

Thank you to everyone for hopping with us!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Michael Strong Coffee Blog Hop

 

Today we are hopping!! Coffee is our theme.  Please be sure to leave me a comment and then leave a comment at each blog.  It's a circular hop, so you should end up back here. :o)  On July 24th, I'll pick a winner at random to win Mike's punch & spell alphabet set.  Go here next:

Kathie McGuire     www.kathiemcguire.blogspot.com

Please note: If Kathie has not posted yet, please come back soon and visit. Our team is all over the world and morning comes at different times. :o)

Directions for this project:

1. Rub anti-static bag over card stock. Ink up coffee large cup image and stamp onto card stock. Repeat for small coffee cup. Sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set.
2. Use die cut to cut a circle around  each coffee cup. Cut a slightly larger size layer for each.
3. For both the card and the box, cut  layers of design card stock to desired sizes.
4. Use craft knife to cut around swirls and slit in each coffee cup.
5. Adhere layers, position coffee cups and adhere. Note, adhere layers to box before folding.
6. Fold box and adhere sides and bottom.
7. Use copper pen to add small lines between holes on buttons.
8. Use glue dots to adhere buttons.
9. On the inside of the card, add a piece of light card stock for the note. Stamp the small coffee cup. Use copper pen to add swirls and steam.

 

Stamps: Michael Strong's Hetty's Coffee Cup Set MS352EZ
Paper: Club Scrap design, Stampin' Up! basic black, black Handled Basket
Ink: Encore Ultimate Metallic copper ink pad
Accessories: BasicGrey buttons,  heat tool,  craft knife and cutting mat , Stampin' Up! emboss buddy & classy copper embossing powder, Spellbinders Nestabilities classic circle die cuts, Sakura copper fine point pen, tissue paper, glue dots mini

Take care and STAY POSITIVE! 

Trena

Blog Candy Winner

Congratulations to Hetty!! You have won a  copy of the July Issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts.

Please send me your snail mail address: [email protected].

Thank you everyone for your nice comments, ideas and for supporting  my blog!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena 

Published!

I am so excited about the opportunity to be featured in the July issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts - the Creative Spaces section!  During My Journey from Mounted to Un-mounted, I shared with you all that I was on a schedule. :o)   I was driven to get finished to meet the deadline for the article.  I want to share in my excitement by offering to send an issue to one of you.  That magazine always has creative and inspirational projects, and interesting articles.  My Sunday International Design Team sister Paula has a lovely card published in this month's issue (page 42)!

Please leave me a comment, by Saturday May 28th, about one of your favorite ways that you organize.  Others can read the comments and we can all get more ideas!  I'll select a winner on May 29th.

Thank you!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena  

Michael Strong Valentine/Wedding Blog Hop

We are having another Michael Strong Blog Hop!  This lovely bouquet of hearts features Mike's mini vase, mini heart, and words & phrases images. This is a 5.25" x 5.25" card. Here's how I made it:

1. Run anti static bag across  piece of red card stock. Ink up mini heart with watermark ink and stamp.  Repeat two more times. Sprinkle images with clear embossing powder and heat set.  Cut out images.
2. For your background layer, repeat above steps onto a 5" x 5" piece of red card stock. Do not cut out images. :o)
3. Run anti static bag across polka dot design paper. Ink up mini vase with watermark ink pad and stamp.  Sprinkle image with white embossing powder and heat set.  Cut out image, including handles.
4. Ink up sentiment image with black ink and stamp onto small white top layer of card.
5. Adhere layers and images.  NOTE: (1) Add the brad to the black and white top layers before adding to the embossed red layer. (2) the vase is used upside down.  TIP: Use liquid glue when adhering layers that may need adjusting for a straight fit.
6. For the inside of the card, mask off a small portion of one side. Add soft color with blending tool and distress ink. Stamp heart images randomly. Allow to dry. Adhere to inside.

 Update: If you want a chance to win Michael Strong's All Seasons Cameo stamps, you MUST leave comments along the way in all the blogs, until February 1st 2011. It is a circular blog hop, so wherever you start you will see them all.

Want to see more?  Hop over to Diana's  Blog.

For even more ideas, visit these lovely blogs!

Dorly

Hedi

Hetty

Inge

Joanna

Michael

Thea

Trena[me :o)]

Stamps: Michael Strong Cloisonné Shapes MS337EZ, Mini Cloisonné Containers MS334EZ, Words and Phrases MS333EZ
Inks: VersaMark watermark ink pad, Versafine onyx black,  Tim Holtz Distress Ink fired brick ink pad
Paper:  Stampin' Up! whisper white, basic black & real red, Paper Pizazz designer
Accessories: Stampin' Up!  clear embossing powder, Tombow Mono multi-glue, Judi-kins opaque white embossing powder, heat gun, BasicGrey brad, Tim Holtz blender tool

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

 

Winner Michael Strong Blog Hop

Thank you everyone who left so many lovely comments during the month of September for all the projects we did for the first ever Michael Strong Blog Hop.  The winner is:

Paula A: Just got introduced to Michael's stamp recently. Love them!! But didn't get the trees in my first purchase, have my Christmas cards for this year done. Trena, you did a beautiful card.

Paula, please email your snail mail address to [email protected] so we can send you your new stamps!! Congratulations!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Michael Strong Blog Hop

This is the first

Michael Strong stamp

Blog Hop

 ever organized!

It is to inspire you for your Christmas cards. We are featuring  Michael Strong's Cloisonne Christmas Tree set!! There are six blogs you can visit with artwork, including Michael Strong's Blog.

There will be goodies to win along the way, but you have to leave a comment on all blogs.

 After you check out ideas here, please click on the links below to hop over and see some fabulous ideas for this set. Now to be able to win some candy you MUST leave a comment on all the blogs.  You will have all of November to leave comments. There are 6 blogs participating in this blog hop and it is a circular hop, so where ever you begin, you will see them all.

Note that due to time differences not all blogs will be in the air at the same time, so if you do not find the blog post belonging to this one, please go back there at a later time.

Mike: http://www.blog.strongstamps.com/

Herma: http://hermaf.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/michael-strong-blog-hop/

Heidi: http://heidi-thereluctantblogger.blogspot.com/2010/11/michael-strong-blog-hop_11.html

Dorly: http://modernadesignsart.blogspot.com/2010/11/michael-strong-blog-hop.html

Dani: http://stampingwitch.wordpress.com/2010/11/11/michael-strong-blog-hop/

Trena (me): http://trenabrannon.typepad.com/stamping_painting_and_col/2010/11/michael-strong-blog-hop.html

Hetty: http://craftchaos.blogspot.com/2010/11/michael-strong-christmas-blog-hop.html

For those of you that are looking for an elegant, yet simple Christmas card (because you have so many to send out!), here's an idea using embossing.

1. On A2 size card stock, use Cuttlebug folder to create a border for your tree. Trim edges.
2. Rub anti static bag over center area.
3. Ink up medium size tree image with watermark ink and stamp inside border.
4. With watermark pen, draw a few curvy lines for the ground/snow.
5. Sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.
6. Adhere onto base card.
7. Stamp the small tree image on inside of card. You can stamp the sentiment of your choice.

That's it!! Now make another one!!

For variety, you can use different colors of card stock, color in parts of the tree or use different embossing powders. Enjoy!!

      
Stamps: Michael Strong Cloisonné Christmas Tree Set EZMS313
Paper: Stampin' Up! variety, Neenah Classic Solar White (for base card)
Ink: Versamark watermark ink pad
Accessories: Cuttle bug scroll work folder, heat tool, Judi-Kins opaque white embossing powder, Stampin' Up! emboss buddy, gold, sterling silver & detail black embossing powders, Desert rain embossing powder, Sakura metallic pens, Versamark marker, Krylon gold and silver leafing pens

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Winner of Blog Candy - Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine

Thank you to everyone who left me comments!!! I apologize for the delay announcing the winner. I put all the comments in a purple bucket  and my daughter picked:

Stamping Sue!!

Please email me at [email protected] with your mailing address and I will send your magazine this week. Congratulations Stamping Sue! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving me a comment!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Q&A in Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine

I'm just so darn excited!! A couple of months ago I was interviewed by Warren Gruenig, CEO of Posh Impressions and administrator of Club Posh,  for an article in  Scrap & Stamp Arts Magazine. It was such an honor!! The interview is published in the July issue. I also submitted a scrapbook page and a greeting card. The scrapbook page features my daughter - who graduated from high school last week. I have many things to be excited about it! :o)

To celebrate, I'll be giving away a copy of the issue. Please leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Sunday, May 31st and I'll pick a winner at random. 

I included in sneak peak of the greeting card and scrapbook page. Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Winner of Blog Candy - RubberStampMadness Magazine!

I put all the comments in a hat (ok, it was really a brown paper bag that kinda looks like a hat) and my daughter picked:

Englishrose!!

Please email me at [email protected] with your mailing address and I will send your magazine this week. Congratulations! Thank you so much for visiting and leaving me a comment!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

We're in RubberStampMadness!!

I am just beside myself with excitement!! My friend Marge (the one that got me hooked on stampin') and I have our ATC cards and pictures in the Spring 2009 issue of the RubberStampMadness magazine!! I knew we would be mentioned as part of the Dee Gruenig Alaskan cruise adventure, but I did not know there would be big pictures of our cards and of us. There is a nice article in the magazine about the cruise that happened in September 2008, as well as lots of interesting articles, pictures, and crafting techniques. On this blog, I have several post entries highlighting all the fun we had. To see them, click on Travel in the Categories section on the right side of this blog. The magazine also highlighted my blog! I'm just bubblin'!!

I received two copies of the magazine and I will be sharing one with one of you. Please leave a comment on this post by Midnight on Thursday, January 22nd and I'll pick a winner at random to receive a copy.   I'm sure people will be busy over the next few days with Dr. King Day and the Inauguration on Tuesday, so I'm giving lots of time. :o)

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!