September CAS Mix Up Reminder

It is the 15th of September so time for a new challenge at CAS Mix Up. I do hope you will be able to join us. This month we are using stencils and I am honoured to be your host. I want to see you use gesso with your stencils. 

I chose to use gesso really because I wanted to learn to use it more myself and so I have learnt that you can get some really stunning effects. I have also learnt that if you want to use it with stencils it is best to buy the thick or heavy gesso, as it is easier to manage and doesn't leak under the stencil so easily.  If you pop over to the challenge blog you will find a number of links to different videos to help inspire you.

This time I have used gesso as a resist to create a different look. Technically my stencil is a mask so the gessoed areas are in between the numbers. I used glossy paper and dabbed gesso through the mask with a sponge. Once it was dry I sponged distress oxide ink over the piece. It is darker where the gesso is. I quite like this effect.

I cut the panel with Spellbinders hemstitched circles and mounted it on a piece of metallic purple card. I die cut the little flower spray and coloured the pieces with alcohol markers.  A simple sentiment finishes it off.

The panel is mounted onto a cream cardbase although it looks more green than cream in the photo above. I used enamel accents for the flower centre.

I have a second card for you today that came about from my playing with stencils and gesso:

This time I took some black cardstock and used gesso through the stencil. This is a turnabout stencil so I left it to dry before repositioning the stencil to create the other half of the heart.

Once it was dry I put my stencil back and sponged ink through the stencil over the gesso. This way the colours are not affected by the black cardstock, the gesso acts as a brilliant primer.

you can see on the close up that I didn't manage to line up the stencil perfectly, which annoyed me of course! I have decided to share it anyway as it is a good example of how using gesso on a dark background will help your colours pop.

I am sure most of you have got a pot of gesso somewhere in your stash so why not get it out, find your favourite stencil and have a play with us this month. I guarantee you will be pleased that you did.

You have until 24th to join us and don't forget to visit the blog to get more inspiration and some links to technique videos to help. As I am hosting this one I shall be visiting every entry and am looking forward to getting some new ideas for using my gesso.

Things still feel rather strange here following the death of our precious Queen. Everything is very subdued as we all get used to it. There is so much change these days that it feels quite hard to keep up. I hope that moving into a new era with a new King might mean that things settle down a bit. Time will tell I suppose.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the gallery.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog today, I really appreciate it.