Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Stencils, Masks and Inchies (and another first kiss)

The Studio L3 Compendium of Curiosities Challenge this week is "masks."  I love masks and their reverse partner, the stencil. I used Tim Holtz' music mask to create an art journal page on the Creative Therapy prompt, "My First Kiss."  Although I already did this page about my actual first kiss in kindergarten/first page, I wanted to do another page about the first time I kissed my husband. I remember it very clearly - it was on a cold, starry night in Berkeley, and my heart definitely felt like a kickdrum! The lyric is from the Avett Brothers.
And here's another art journal page that uses both a mask (Heidi Swapp butterflies) and a stencil (a swirl from Club Scrap).
The clipart is from Stampington's Somerset Studios. It's of an old cabinet card, which bore the notation, "refused to smile."  It just really made me laugh! I used an inchie from my collection that said "remember" because it was such a perfect fit! And, the current Gingersnap Creations Random Redhead Challenge is all about using inchies.  How perfect is that!
I think I tend to use stencils more than masks.  They seem a little more user friendly to me.  What about you? Do you have a preference?
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20 comments:

  1. AmySeptember 14, 2010 at 11:08 PM

    Now, this is a ripper! I love the bold and vibrant feel to this journal page - it has strength but it is a lot of fun .. fantastic!

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  2. humelSeptember 15, 2010 at 1:50 AM

    lol - love it, Rinda :-) I vividly remember my first kiss with my husband, too - what music was playing, where we were, what he said, what I said.... Must record that memory!

    I have a Tim Holtz mask but I've never used it!! I feel a bit daunted by it. I think I agree that stencils seem easier and more user friendly.

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  3. Sue WestSeptember 15, 2010 at 3:48 AM

    Your journal page is fantastic, and I love the sentiment expressed in it,it's beautiful.

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  4. cookcreatereadSeptember 15, 2010 at 3:51 AM

    LOVE IT!!! I think you've made great use of the masks xx

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  5. DeniseSeptember 15, 2010 at 4:32 AM

    It's beautiful Rinda. I love the way the butterflies are so subtle and the little vintage image in the corner is gorgeous.I have a Tim Holtz mask,but like Mel I'm not sure how to use it to it's best effect.x

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  6. laurieSeptember 15, 2010 at 4:46 AM

    i just love the page inspired by your first *real* kiss. it is striking and sweet, a fun combination. i bought my first mask recently but have not used it yet. and i don't use stencils much, only because i don't think about it. i'm definitely inspired now, though - thanks.

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  7. SherrySeptember 15, 2010 at 5:33 AM

    Beautiful pieces, both of them.

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  8. Deb @ PaperTurtleSeptember 15, 2010 at 6:15 AM

    I love this page, Rinda, and it did conjure up memories of my first kiss. :o) ♥

    As for stencils and masks, I tend to forget about them and not use them. For one, I always make such a mess...but they do look great on your work, and I do have quite a collection that never gets used...must do something about that...

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  9. SianSeptember 15, 2010 at 7:28 AM

    Fantastic! And you've taken me right back in time, too.

    I found a butterfly mask unused and unloved the other day - you've made me determined to give it a go.

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  10. TerrySeptember 15, 2010 at 7:52 AM

    This is fabulous!! Love how you used the masks and the story about the first kiss! Stunning work!! I can't believe this is the first time I used a mask - how fun!!!

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  11. scrappyjackySeptember 15, 2010 at 8:27 AM

    2 beautiful pieces,Rinda....a lovely way to record that memory.
    I rarely use stencils or masks....ought to try them out more.....have seen some great 'masking' done with Glimmer Mists.

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  12. YelowflowerSeptember 15, 2010 at 8:43 AM

    very nice...takes me back

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  13. debs14September 15, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    OK, I feel really silly now but I have to ask, what's the difference between a mask and a stencil? Is this yet another essential bit of kit I need to purchase?!
    Love the first kiss story by the way!

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  14. nancy ySeptember 15, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    great pages - they really give one thoughts to ponder!

    I've used masks and stencils - I do like them both but the stencils seem a bit quicker and easier... and less messy!

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2010 at 6:16 PM

    I love how you give your memories a voice in your art journals. I hardly ever use either stencils or a mask, mostly because I don't feel particularly confident in using them. I have some masks that came in kits several times. I've never used them, but when I purged I kept them for some reason. Perhaps I should get them out and play!

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  16. ShelannSeptember 15, 2010 at 7:59 PM

    Very cool, the masking is a neat subtle touch behind the images.

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  17. ComfyMom~StaceySeptember 16, 2010 at 9:09 AM

    Beautiful pages! Love the masking

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  18. Linda LedbetterSeptember 16, 2010 at 9:54 AM

    Rinda, these are wonderful! I think it's amazing and so sweet that you made this page to commemorate your first kiss with your husband! It's gorgeous, too, and the lyric is awesome!

    "Refused to Smile" is darling, too! I love the stencil/mask combo (I use masks a lot more often than I do stencils, but I don't really know why).

    Great job on both these works of art! ♥

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  19. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2010 at 3:47 AM

    Gorgeous! Thanks for playing the Gingersnap Creations Inchies Challenge!

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  20. trisha tooOctober 6, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    That's my favorite song right now!!!

    Yay!!!!! I love your pieces!!!

    (I have a thing for inchies, too--was stopping by from the GC71 link!)

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