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?

20 comments:

Amy said...

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!

humel said...

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.

Sue West said...

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

cookcreateread said...

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

Denise said...

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

laurie said...

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.

Sherry said...

Beautiful pieces, both of them.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

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...

Sian said...

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.

Terry said...

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!!!

scrappyjacky said...

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.

Yelowflower said...

very nice...takes me back

debs14 said...

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!

nancy y said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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!

Shelann said...

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

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Beautiful pages! Love the masking

Linda Ledbetter said...

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! ♥

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for playing the Gingersnap Creations Inchies Challenge!

trisha too said...

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!)