Hi Friends, I’ve got a Sweet art journal page created for Gwen Lafleur’s Artist Tribe to share that I’m really excited about. If you haven’t heard, StencilGirl’s StencilClub release for February 2021, the Feathered Tribe was designed by Gwen Lafleur. And as members of her team, my creative co-conspirators and I got the opportunity to play with the set before its release. This page is all about layering papers, specifically layering stenciled papers using Gwen’s designs from her Feathered Tribe set with my own December 2020 StencilClub design called Block Prints to recreate a framed garden motif in my art... Read more →

I’m just so excited that I was asked to design the December 2020 StencilClub set for StencilGirl®️.  The set is called Block Prints, an homage to their inspiration, my collection of vintage Japanese Block Print books published in the mid 1800’s. We’ll be creating origami gift card holders for our project. Read more →

Want to learn how to get more out of your stencils? I created a short video to show you how I transform a stencil with a repeating linear pattern like this: To create a square motif like this: I’m using the 9x12 stencil for the December 2020 Block Print Collection in the video. It’s part of a set that I designed exclusively for StencilGirl’s StencilClub. If you’re not a member follow this link to find out how to join. Happy Stenciling! Jill Read more →

Hi Everyone, Just a quick note to let you know that the video for My Top 10 Studio Solutions is up on the StencilGirl® Talk blog. Click the link to see some of my favorite ways to put thrift store treasures to use. It includes my solution for storing Stencil Club sets in an art journal that's made from a thrift store staple. See you there. Hugs, Jill Read more →

Hi Everyone, Glad you could join me for another Gwen Lafleur Studios Artist Tribe project featuring Fall, my favorite time of year, and StencilGirl® Products stencils designed by Gwen and Seth Apter. I'm sharing a panoply of nature and found treasures from my stash in a FallScape inspired by Roxanne Evans Stout. I'm using a bulletin board mounted in a vintage frame to display my temporary collage. And I have to say, it's really freeing to work this way; knowing that you can switch items in and out it of a composition on a whim takes away all the pressure... Read more →

Hi Everyone, Just a quick post to show you how easy it is to mix, match and layer the three new stencils in Gwen Lafleur's new Ceramic Tiles Collection being released as the July 2018 StencilClub set. StencilGirl® will be mailing them out to members on 7/15/18 so if you haven't yet joined, now is the opportune time for Gwen Lafleur fans to sign up. (Click on the same link to also see a list of all the perks.) It's the only way that you'll be able to complete your Stencil Collection of Gwen's designs. I've been a member myself... Read more →

Hi Everyone, Spring Blossoms - Mixed media art journal page using a tea bag by Jill McDowell I'm here today for Gwen Lafleur's Artist Tribe to share with you a touch of spring straight from the pages of my art journal. This one was inspired by the practice of forcing flowering branches to bloom early indoors. It combines my love of tea bags and my long time obsession with Blue Willow ginger jars and Flow Blue plates with two of my favorites stencils from Gwen's newly released Spring 2018 collection by StencilGirl. In springtime, stems of dogwood, quince, and spicebush... Read more →

Hi Everybody, For me, January has been a month of pure inspiration. So many new tutorials to watch and exciting new product releases to drool over. A few of them are sprinkled throughout this post for Gwen Lafleur's Artist Tribe. The seed for this 4X6 7/8" cradled panel germinated from a fun little swap organized by my good friend Lisa Dobry for StencilClub. She came up with the theme “My Wish for You in 2018 is…” So far I've only seen a few projects but they have all been incredible. You can just tell that everyone is putting their heart... Read more →

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everybody! I love this time of year. The energy in the air, both real and virtual is infectious as my family, friends, and communities prepare their holiday celebrations. It is a season for the senses: The weather turns brisk and cold, Starbuck drinkers switch to Peppermint Mochas and Eggnog Chai Tea Lattes, Salvation Army volunteers chime their bells over big red kettles outside of bustling department stores, swags of luscious smelling pinecones entwined with greenery are hung over doorways, and flames burn bright in Hanukkah menorahs, Kwanzaa kinaras, and Christmas candles. Even the music changes... Read more →

“Hank truly wanted to believe that his brain was mightier than his sword. But when he tried to use calculus to rule his subjects, the damn Buttons just kept on multiplying. And that my friends, really set him off on a tangent...." Mixed Media Panel by Jill McDowell This month, Gwen challenged the Tribe to use beaded and embellished trims in a project. I have to tell you that I really had a difficult time picking out which trims I wanted to work with. The Ribbon, Trims, & Textile Section of Gwen's online shop is a feast for your eyes.... Read more →