Ronda Palazzari Designs

2015 Stencil: Signals, Spiral Staircase, & Stepping Stones

While i haven't been present on the blog, i have been creating the whole time. These layouts i am sharing are from my early 2015 stencil release. They are already in the stores so i hope you will share any creations you've made with these stencils. i will share my samples in the coming weeks along with other pieces i have created over these last few months. 

i love this stencil called signals! It has so many fun designs repeated in different ways.  Choose one to repeat over and over again or use the whole stencil for a very cool look. 

On my layout i used some watercolor to paint through the stencil onto watercolor paper. i pulled out colors from the patterned paper. i wanted both full signals and partial signals on the page.  

i love how this layout turned out. Alexi is my mini me. I am so proud of who she has become. She graduated college and has begun her "adult" life. The choices she is making and the volunteer time she has committed to makes me tear up.  

Spiral Staircase is a cool funky stencil. Have you ever been in a stairwell and look down? Me too. i love architectural features and it always inspires me.  Enter Spiral Staircase stencil. 

On my Everyday layout i used the 6x6 stencil on my photo as a template. i marked it with a black pen and then cut it up.  i placed the stencil on the page and glued the photos down.  

i used the same smaller photo on the side of the photo.  i like the repeat. i stacked a bunch of embellishments at the top. The layout is a reminder to myself to be brave everyday.  

Stepping Stones is a fabulous stencil to have in your stash. It is great as the star of a layout or as a backdrop.  

 

On my little Lucca layout i used both the 6x6 stencil and 12x12 stencil. First i used paste through the 12x12 stencil. Once it dried I sprayed a little Maya Mist through the same stencil. i added another layer by using the 6x6 stencil and some archival black ink.  

The 12x12 and 6x6 stencils look great on the page along with the layers of embellishments. This is one of my favorite photos of Little Lucca. I can't believe how little he looks in the photo and how grown up he is now. Time does go by so quickly.  

2015 Stencils: Parasol, This is the Story, & Flow Chart

While i haven't been present on the blog, i have been creating the whole time. These layouts i am sharing are from my early 2015 stencil release. They are already in the stores so i hope you will share any creations you've made with these stencils. i will share my samples over the next few weeks along with other pieces i have created over these last few months. 

Parasol is a great mask. i carved a similar stamp a while ago and fell completely in love with it. i started thinking about how it would look stacked together.  

It's hard to believe little Lucca is already a year old. i truly treasure him. i started by using watercolors to paint the background. i used a variety of colors and kept the photo black & white. 

i painted some extras on another watercolor sheet in the same colors and popped up the pieces on the layout. i stamped some of the middles and added embellishments.  

i love how all the art marks come together in This is the Story stencil. The stencil can be used just as is and will make a great page. Or you could use all the bits and pieces in different ways.  

On this layout i just used it mostly as is. First i started by creating the background with gesso and the Neocolor II. Then i built up the background with texture, paints, and doodles. 

i love all the details on this stencil. So many good designs and artistic splashes with all the colors make me happy.

i admit i have a love of all things office related. Pencils, paper, labels, and who doesn't love a good flow chart? 

i used the shapes to cut out my photos. So much fun to use it as a template. 

i used distress ink to color in all the arrows and the title. i added glossy accents to the title to make it pop a little more.

Start Here: 123 Love

Today up on the My Mind's Eye blog is my monthly sketch challenge. This month i did a bright fun layout that played off some of the colors found in their Jubilee line. As you know, i love layers, so today i thought i would take you through some of the process of building this layout.

First for me is always selecting the story and accompanying photo. i have been wanting to scrap these pictures since i took them. i finally printed them out and set them on my table so they were ready to go!

Next i start selecting materials i want to use. This time the mixed bags from the Jubliee collection were calling my name. They are these little collections of paper cut into various shapes & designs that coordinate with each line. The beauty of these bags is that they really could go with any line and are a great item to have in your stash. 

Now that i have some idea about what i want to use, next is laying down a foundation. i use both patterned paper and cardstock for my backgrounds. On this particular page, since i was layering so many items, i wanted a neutral white background. Here i am using watercolor paper. i selected a few of my stencils i wanted to use: And So On and Positive. i love the pie shape on And So On and thought it really mirrored the flair i picked for my page. i used the colors of the flair as my inspiration and used both archival and distress inks with a blender tool. 

Once i had the big pie chart on the page, i layered the positive 6x6 stencil over the top. i used archival ink in black because it is waterproof, knowing i was going to add some acrylic paint on top. i dropped a few drops of fluid yellow paint on top and sprayed it, letting it drip down my page.  When it hit the distress inks, it blended beautifully and ran down the page. 

Once the background is dry i begin adding that slow build up of layers. i decided along the way to trim off some of the watercolor in order to have that woodgrain border and large strip at the top. Love how that simple touch accented my page. 

i really love how this layout came together. It's bright, cheerful, and full of little details without them being overwhelming.  The big black numbers and title really draw your eye around the page. 

If you want to see the sketch and play along with the challenge this month, head over to the My Mind's Eye blog to read all the details. 

 

 

Art Journal Lately: Fearless

i really do want to be fearless. i want to live life with reckless abandoment and full of passion. i want to take chances even if i am afraid. i want to be genuine, caring, grateful, and love with my heart wide open. These are things poured into my journals and written on my heart. 

A couple months ago i created a big stash of Gelli Print papers. i love using them in my art journal and that "heartstrings" print was begging to be used on this page. i love using things that really enforce my story. 

i almost always start my pages with gesso and this page is no exception. i grabbed my bag of leftover goodies. 

• deli gelli prints
• punched leftovers
• music paper leftovers
• map pages
• black & white photos
• painted line leftovers

i collaged some of the pieces around the page using gel medium. i painted some around the page and added more collage layers.  i love this slow build up of layers and really enjoy the process. Paint. Collage Layers. Paint. Collage Layers.  And finally, titles, journaling, and doodles.  There is something magical about it coming all together. 

What's your favorite part of art journaling?

 

 

 

Harvest & Blessings, Ceiling Tile, & Homemade Gesso: Jessi

Oh My!

Hello! I am so stoked to be here offering up this week's design post! Today I am going to share with you something that came on the heels of need creating necessity. It has been so long since i have played in the mixed media side of things that when I went to add some texture to my page, my Gesso had dried up :( It's not super convenient for me to run into town, to an art supply store, and grab a jar...and let me be honest, I am not super patient. Especially when it comes to my creative endeavors. Enter google, determination and the sense that I hate being stymied...when I am unable to buy something, I should be able to make it...right? Right! Usually this theory works and I am happy to report that homemade gesso is a possibility! Need creates necessity and necessity is the mother of invention. So let's get to it!

There are advantages and disadvantages to this, as there is with everything in life...but in a pinch or being new to mixed media or you just don't want to buy commercial gesso, this stuff works really well!

You will need:

• 1 part white glue
• 3 parts water
• 6 parts cornstarch (baby powder works as well)
• white paint (1-2 TBSP)

- mix everything together in a jar and voila! The ability to create some texture on your projects. Something to note: this stuff takes a bit longer to dry then commercial gesso. It also has a different texture and consistency.

But just so you can see how it looks when used...here is a project I created using an RPD stencil and the Harvest & Blessings Life Fragments.

First, I laid Ronda's Ceiling Tile stencil (6" x 6") on my background paper and using a palette knife I smeared the homemade gesso over portions of the stencil. Because the consistency of the homemade gesso is a bit different, I let the stencil sit for a few minutes before pulling it off.

Then I applied some more homemade gesso with my palette knife before laying the stencil back down and applying more homemade gesso.

Then it's a waiting game! Once the textured background had dried, I started layering on my photo, embellsihments, and journaling. 

Ronda's Harvest & Blessing Life Fragments were perfect embellishments to add to this page to help create whimsy and magic!

 

 

 

 

Art Journal Super Close Up Details

i am always talking to you about layers and texture. You know how i love them and that they ALWAYS appear in my work. i love that slow build up of layers, colors, and texture.  The one draw back i find is sharing them on my blog. i find it really hard to capture the details of my work. The nooks & crannies, the details in all their glory and i am a pretty good photographer. But i found a solution...

 

Let me introduce you to my 20th anniversary present, a Canon 100 MM 2.8L Macro Lens. When my package arrived along with the biggest bouquet of roses, i may or may not have cried. Andrew knows me, he really knows me well. Not only will this lens come in handy for portraits (Hello GRANDBABY), fun art shots (Hello GARDEN VEGGIES & FRUITS), but for all the details of my works (Hello LOVELIES). i had to test it out so why not use my art journal pages to capture the details? i am sharing the original photographed pages with the new details photos below. 

Look at those details. Can you see the layers & texture? Those raised drips are on top of my journaling which is on top of all that color & texture. i love the rich details in this shot. 

 

i love that you can see the details in the scratches and layers of paint. The spot in the first detail photo (on the bottom right) is leftover paint i pulled off my palette and used in my journal. In the big photo you miss the texture details that quietly sits in the background but now you can see my ripples stencil peaking through.  

i admit i am very partial to blue. She may be my favorite art journal page ever. i love that this lens captures the brush strokes and texture in the background.  Even the details in her hair are so beautiful.  

The colors on Finding Balance really pop in this photo. You can see the details in each slice of the pie chart. All the mountains & valleys in the paint make me giddy!

Dream is such a colorful page that i feared you miss some of the details...until now. i always start my page building up texture. i love that you get to see some of the "clear" texture now in both detail shots.  

You can see all the underlayers (yes i am showing your my art journal knickers ;) in my calm page. i started this page off with paper collage layers and then added color and journaling. You really get to see the stencil shape & texture in this shot.  

You get those same details in my grace page that uses my And So On stencil. i collaged layers of papers and then added the clear medium through the stencil.  Next i painted the pie pieces and doodled on top. It looks so pretty!

Can you see my journaling under the And So On stencil? You can even see the first black gesso layer, peeking through as well as the tissue paper, & color.  

i love that you get the crackle details of the retrobursts stencil plus all the scratches in the paint.  You can also see the details of the tea bag tag i layered into this piece. Let's not forget too all the layers of colors.

So yes, i am in love with my new macro lens. i love that i get to share with you the layers and texture in my work.

Create Daily: Letting Go

Unfortunately i am still sick but on the mend. i appreciate all your kind words about Anthony & becoming a grandma.  So while i am recovering on the couch, i thought you would enjoy seeing the process of this layout using my new stencil called Persian Gate. Letting go is an important part of creating art. You have to be able to let go of control sometimes and trust your skill to know it could lead you to something great. Of course there is the flip side and you end up hating what you created but i guarantee you learned something in the process. i also look for opportunities to take something i hate and turn it into something i love by pushing myself to keep going. i know that even if i don't like the whole piece i can cut it up and turn it into something different.  

i started this layout with that premise of letting go, playing around, having fun, and just keep creating.  i used Dina Wakley's Media paint on the watercolor paper. i then added some journaling and stenciled images using my 12 x 12 Geometric Art Layers stencil.  

Persian Gate (TCW 472)

i then broke out my new stencil called Persian Gate. i love this simplistic form of a quatrefoil with the nice sized openings. Lots of possibilities with this one and i am going to show you just one technique you can use with it. 

i placed the stencil over the painted page and added a layer of clear medium over top using a plastic palette knife, scraping through the stencil.

It's slightly opaque when wet and translucent when dry.  Depending on your climate, it may take a while to dry.  i usually let it set for an hour or two, sometimes more if i put it on really thick.  

After it is dry, i painted over it and wiped down the stencil bits to have that color pop through. i love this technique a lot. In fact you can see a variation of it on my Rose Window Video HERE. 

 

 

 

2014 Summer Stencil: Geometric Art Layers, Fireworks, & Maple Leaf

 

Geometric Art Layers 6x6 Fireworks 6x6

Summer time is in full swing here which means it's time for my summer TCW stencil release!  i have 9 new stencils and 9 new stencil fragments this release.  Today i am sharing one new stencil & two new stencil fragments: Geometric Art Layers, Fireworks, & Maple Leaf Fragment.

Geometric Art Layers (TCW 470)

Geometric Art Layers is a fun blocked stencil filled with all kinds of cool shapes & patterns. This stencil has so many uses both as a whole stencil or just using individual pieces. Those white spaces are perfect for photos if you want to use this stencil as a template for a layout or art journal page. It comes both in 12 x 12 and 6 x 6 sizes. 

My Path Layout uses both the 12 x 12 stencil and 6x6. Those shapes are so much fun to stack around my page. i love that big bold number pattern in black to the left of my photo.

i used the triangles on the 12 x 12 stencil with my NeocolorII crayons to give the background some color and layered the small 6 x 6 stencil circles on top.  i could create with this stencil all day long!

Fireworks (TCW 473)

Fireworks is one of those fun background stencils that's perfect for every occassion. i love all the different shapes you can see within this stencil. Do you see the small gear like shape? The dashed lines? Mask this stencil for so many possibilities. It comes both in 12 x 12 and 6 x 6 sizes.

You can be bold with this stencil like the above tag or softer like this layout. Love is a layout capturing those Colorado Sunsets. Since i wanted my photo to be the main focus point, i chose to layer the stencil softly in the background with a tone on tone approach. Did you notice the doodles with the stencil? i love those tiny black triangles sprinkled on the page!

Maple Leaf Fragment (TCW 2048)

i love this Maple Leaf stencil fragment. i left the leaves open to be filled with color or doodles. It fits nicely in a project life page, looks great on scrapbook pages, cards, tags, or art journal pages. It would look great with gelli printing too!  While it's great for autumn pages, it really can be used any time!  And for my neighbors to the North, this fragment is perfect for Canada Day.

Look at how lovely it looks with all those colors! i doodled the leaf onto my 4x4 watercolor page and then painted all around it with black paint. i filled in the leaves with a rainbow of colors for this stunning effect.

So what stencil(s) caught your eye today? Don't forget you can purchase these at BlueMoon Scrapbooking. i will let you know as other stores have them in stock!

 

Create Daily: Gelli Prints + Fragments

i love playing around some days just to get my hands inky so i broke out my gelli printing plate, my friend Dina Wakley's Media Line from Ranger Ink, and my "Ronda's Stencil Fragments" to create prints. My fragments are perfect for these prints and i totally love Dina's bright colors for these creations. i just love the way they blend together!

Once i got started, i just couldn't quit, print after print! i like the build up of colors so i didn't clean up the plate between prints. i love all the prints i got on both watercolor paper and deli paper.

Here's a look at a few i created on Deli paper:

And here are some prints on watercolor paper:

i know these are beginning layers and i cannot wait to add more layers. i'm not sure how i will use all of them but i am excited about the possibilities. i know some of them will be used in various creations like my art journal, collage pieces, or on my abstract art.

Have you used fragments or stencils in your gelli prints? 

 

 

 

2014 Summer Stencil: Hand Drawn Frames, Curly Tree, & Curly Holly

  
Hand Drawn Frames 6x6  Contact Sheet 6x6

Summer time is in full swing here which means it's time for my summer TCW stencil release!  i have 9 new stencils and 9 new stencil fragments this release.  Today i am sharing one new stencil & two new stencil fragment: Hand Drawn Frames, Curly Christmas Tree, & Curly Holly Fragments.

Hand Drawn Frames (TCW 474) 

Hand Drawn Frames is such a versatile stencil.  You have so many different options with 9 different frames all drawn by little ole me.  Use them all or just use a few across your page, art journal, card, or any other crafty endevour.  These frames would also look great in your Project Life Pockets.  Don't forget about those stitches too!  Leave off the frames and use them as a great grid layout.

i started my layout with layers of paint & spray ink dripping down the page.  I then used the 6 x 6 stencil to add frames down the colorful area and filled in with the stitches. i added in bits & pieces of patterned paper into the frames.  My little instagram photo looks great layered over the background.  

Curly Christmas Tree (TCW 2045)

This fun tree is the perfect stencil for the holidays.  Unique in design, it will really add to your creations. It fits nicely in a project life page, looks great on scrapbook pages, cards, tags, or art journal pages. Don't be afraid to get fill in all those different spaces with lots of color!

Here's my little 4x4 Curly Christmas tree on watercolor paper. i love the bright colors surrounding the tree as if it is radiating light.  i wanted to highlight those starts so i filled them in with pops of yellow!

Curly Holly (TCW 2046)

This sweet stencil fragment is another great one for the holidays.  i left the leaves open to be filled with color or doodles. It fits nicely in a project life page, looks great on scrapbook pages, cards, tags, or art journal pages. It would look great with gelli printing too!  

i had fun coloring in this stencil with some fine line markers.  i love the bits of crosshatched coloring in the leaves. i outlined the whole stencil in black and then filled in all around the design with the lyrics to Deck the Halls. i really love the look of this 4 x 4 watercolor piece and it just may inspire my Christmas cards this year!

My new stencils are in stock at BlueMoon Scrapbooking!