These are truly one of the easiest, coolest tools I’ve come across in a long time and I want to share it with you. Click below to get the entire spiel, but don’t forget to ENTER OUR TRIP TO SPAIN GIVEAWAY, TOO! You have until the 30th of July to enter.
Before we get to our lesson, do you have ideas for blog posts? Are there things you’d like to learn, or like me to talk about? Please send me any ideas you may have floating around inside your noggin. And now…
IF YOU HAVEN’T GUESSED ALREADY these cool little things are stencils made with a hot glue gun! I’m telling you, these are so much fun to make and use. I’m hooked.
Here you go, step by step:
1. GET OUT YOUR GLUE GUN (try different sizes) AND A TEFLON SHEET OR OTHER NON-STICK SURFACE so that you’ll be able to peel the stencil off after it’s cool. What in the heck is a Teflon Sheet? A lot of stampers use them. It does work a lot better than wax paper. You can get them from Amazon for around $6.00. Here’s a direct link:Â Heat Press Teflon Sheet 15×15 Sublimation Heat Transfer
By the way, on my wish list is Arlene’s Ultimate Glue Gun. It comes with a supply of interchangeable nozzles that each make a different mark. Lord knows, if I ever get one of those I’ll probably never get out of the studio.
2. MAKE YOUR STENCIL. Heat up the glue gun and place the tip lightly on the non-stick surface, drawing your design with the hot wax. Make sure that the stencils are all done in one piece. If the glue doesn’t connect everywhere, that unconnected piece will fall off. If that should happen, or the stencil seems too flimsy, just lay it back down and apply more glue to beef it up a bit.
3.  FLATTEN IT. Quickly, before it cools totally, put a piece of waxed paper on top of your freshly squeezed stencil and burnish over it with a roller or just press down on it with a book. There! now you have a flat surface on each side with which to work. Forgot to burnish? That’s okay, you still have one flat surface you can use. No worries.
4. NOW PAINT – LOTS OF WAYS! First off, here are two ways you would normally think to use the stencils – direct painting, or putting paint onto the stencil, laying it down and rolling or pressing it.
Direct Painting
You can also spritz watercolor, acrylic or ink over it.
Spritz It
And now, here’s one more cool way to use your stencils that you might like to add to your repertoire:
Begin by painting a paper towel with acrylic paint. Just get out a big brush or a sponge brush and stroke on the paint until it’s totally saturated, like this:
Then lay the paper towel gently onto your printing surface. Here I’m using watercolor paper. Lay the stencil (flat surface down) onto the wet paper towel, then use a roller on top of the stencil. Be careful to hold the stencil firm in one place and not let it slide.
Carefully lift off stencil, then lift off the paper towel and viola! Feast your eyes on that really cool print! Several soft colors, each print different. Cool, yes?
    
There you have it! These are great for journal pages (yes) or making your own collage papers (Yes!), or using in the backgrounds of your paintings or to enhance a section of a boring painting (YES!).
In any case, have fun making and using them. I’d love to see some of the ways you end up using them, if you have the inclination to share.
AND NOW, IT’S YOUR CHANCE TO ENTER OUR ‘TRIP TO SPAIN’ GIVEAWAY! Click here to get all of the info and the entry form. http://www.kathiegeorge.com/do-you-want-to-go-to-spain/
The winner will be announced the first blog post of August – August 4th.
UPDATE:
I’m trying hard to get back into the swing of things. After 6 months, I’m teaching my first scheduled workshop this weekend in Blairsville, Ga. I’m a bit concerned about ‘head etiquette’. What does a girl wear in the summer heat of Georgia yet keep a bald head tastefully covered so as not to shock students? Oh my. I really don’t know, but I’d better decide soon.
In the meantime, thank you so much for reading!
Kathie
Don’t worry about “head etiquette”. It is more important to be comfortable but you can never go wrong with a cute hat!!!
awesomeness, thanks Kathie
So glad to hear you are getting back into “the swing of things”! Getting active with other artist will benefit you so much. Laugh and have FUN doing what you love. Hair, just glue a bow on and go, who cares?
Natural is best, unless you love hats.
Wear one of your beautiful hand painted scarves! You will look beautiful no matter what.
I vote for one of your hand painted scarves. Sometimes I tie one on and top it off with a ball cap. My go to, however, is the ball cap. They are cool and not itchy! We girls have to do what we have to do!
So glad you’re getting back to teaching – looking forward to seeing you in November. I believe that the “head etiquette” rules involve being comfortable – you will look good to us whatever you decide to do.
Bald is beautiful and makes the statement that you are a HERO!
Great news about your workshop. Very, very, very glad to see you getting back to your passion. Think about all our trips together often. They, and especially you, always make me smile.
Happy to hear you are back to teaching!
You always come up with such cool projects, Kathie! You look adorable no matter what! I love your painted scarves though. I can imagine Billie in her ball cap, looking as cute as ever! Thinking of you both.
I’d love a blog on painting trees and foliage. I mess them up terribly!
Have fun at your workshop and don’t forget to rest! xox
Haven’t you heard……..you are beautiful!! Please don’t worry about your new shiny top hat.
99% of us have either had this or are close to someone who has. No worries….be happy. We
Love you
Kathy glad you are getting back to teaching! Question can you show what items you take when plien air painting? Do you take a tripod? What gadgets do you use such as view finder, rulers, ink or other items.
I love this idea, Kathy. As usual you are brilliant. So good to hear you are back to teaching. If I try this technique I will definitely post a photo.
Wishing you all the best in your workshop. I think we are all so pleased to have you back in the classroom that no one would be concerned with head etiquette! I did read one author, (sorry I can’t confirm at the moment but think it was Barbara Delinsky), who wrote the funniest book on surviving cancer. Whoever it was, the author recommended going absolutely wild with wigs and head coverings. She described wig shopping and how wild she got and how popular she became with her girlfriends. A group night on the town would include everyone wearing one of the wigs.
I have a blog topic if enough people are interested. I want to know how water color painters may have created “paint chips” of their tube colors. I’d like to be able to put colors against each other and can’t do that with the manufacturer’s chart or a color sample journal. I also want to completely identify the paint and its properties on the chip.
Thanks for your humor and your resilience! Jane
Kathi, Will be thinking of you teaching those wonderful poppies with CTDP gals! Wish I could be there. Don’t worry about covering your head up there in the mountains. Just enjoy the cool breezes and fabulous scenery. If you must, wear one of your scarves. Everyone will want one!
But you’ll be a big hit with or without.
A hand-painted head band with an attached silk flower would work well. But truly people will only see the warm smile on your lips and the wonderful sparkle in your eyes. Hair is not important. We continue to pray for your improving health.
OMG so cool. You have the best ideas! Got to try this.
Oh Kathie, so glad you’re being able to begin your love again! Don’t worry about anything. Just have fun and immerse yourself in your art! Sending lots of love and hugs!
Thanks Kathie! You sure know how to stimulate and inspire us! Hope our messages do the same for you! I agree with everyone else – good ideas above – remember what you’ve told us???? Get out of our comfort zone when we try something new and then the creativity begins! That’s what you’ve always done too! Choose whatever or nothing – your vivacious personality and creativity is all you need. EVERYONE loves taking classes from you and I’m sure those taking this class are THRILLED that you’re coming! change it up – baseball cap, scarf, nothing, whatever you do is good enough! I wouldn’t be surprised to see everyone in class with caps on too! 🙂
So glad that you’re on the other side of this now!
Hi Kathy:
So happy to hear you’re back teaching! Not to worry about not having hair. Those southern ladies will love you even more. In a month, I’ll be in Blairsville to visit my aunt and cousins….wish our schedules would have been the clicked so I could have painted with you! Kind regards, Joan
Kathie, I’m so happy to hear that you are getting back to what you do so well, sharing your talents. As far as head etiquette, I don’t think anyone cares what you wear, they will just be so happy to see you and be able to take you class you could probably turn up in your Birthday suit, but then that might be just a little to much. As someone said, if you need a cover up a cute little light weight hat, maybe one you paint yourself should work just fine. Thanks for all you do. I haven’t signed up for the trip because I don’t fly well, but it would be an amazing experience. I will pray that you have a wonderful time teaching and a good trip.
Sorry about the Birthday suit remark, hope i didn’t offend you, I sometimes open mouth, in this case text without thinking.
Thanks for another wonderful post.
See you in September.
May God continue to heal you and make you strong. Love you
Great idea with the glue gun. Thank you. Love working with stencils.
I know you have painted a few scarves, but if you happen to have batiked a cotton square it works great. Found about the right size flour sack in the kitchen department at Fred Meyer, but should be able to find at Target or similar. A friend said the silks slide off too easily, but cotton works well.
Have fun at your painting class. Love and hugs! 🙂
Kathy, so happy to hear you’re teaching again. Don’t even give a thought to what students might think- think of it as just part of the lesson they came for ( on top of all your wonderful painting techniques!) Good luck-is there any chance you might consider coming West in the coming year or two to do a workshop?
Absolutely!
I look forward to being in your class at HOOT wearing natural, “peach” fuzz.
Hi Kathie, Thanks for another great idea! The other Gals have come up with great suggestions for your teaching trip anyone of them would work well for you, let us know how it all turned out. Soooo glad you can be back doing what you love, hope you you have a great trip, I know the Gals will love having you no matter how you come to them. A blog idea, all the ways you can use a plastic card cut into different widths, to make trees and I don’t know what else but I’m sure you know. All I know is I haven’t had very good luck doing this, and I am sure you know a trick or two to help. Still keeping you in prayers, that you will have the strength to do all your teaching jobs and that in showing there love for you people won’t wear you out. See you in a few weeks at MISA! Drive safe, Christie
GO BOLD!! GO BALD!! GO, YOU BEATUIFUL LADY!! Be proud that you are a HERO to us all.
SOOOO glad to hear you are doing a class…….but sad to hear it’s in GEORGIA since I have moved to OHIO!!
Have fun!!
Dearest Kathie! I say just wear BIG earrings you LOVE and don’t worry about it! Your courage, big smile and your big heart will be the only things anyone sees! The ART from the HEART will be all anyone thinks about too after the first 5 minutes. Whatever you decide– for heaven sakes be comfortable! It is likely to be very warm in Georgia…. Keep on keepin’ on but do take care of yourself also and don’t overdo…. HUGS!!!
You should wear one of your beautiful scarfs ! Tres Chic ! Have a great time teaching in Ga. They are in for a treat !
Hi Kathie!!
Been following your blog forever and sending you prayers throughout this ordeal. Boy I miss you and your workshops in Painesville! Jeeeeeeeeeeeez. big time. You have influenced me more than any other art teacher.
Thank you Sweetie Face.
Don’t worry about the bald head- they are just damn lucky to have you! Love to you!!
Kathy= so happy you are painting and teaching again! And I agree with everyone who said “where whatever you want or go Bald” BUT you might want to take a scarf along-sometimes air conditioned rooms are too cold!n Sending hugs and prayers!
FUN project with the hot glue stencils Kathie. Many thanks! As for proper head gear in the southern heat and SUN, you definitely want to cover up a bit and I personally loved the suggestion for you to sport one of your silk scarves. When indoors a bow, perhaps decorated with a piece of sea glass would be most appropriate. I know you will have a spectacular class this weekend. All the very best!! Hugs too.
WOW! WHAT A LOT OF COMMENTS! i DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO READ THEM ALL BEFORE ADDING MY LITTLE NOTE. KATHIE, I THINK YOU SHOULD DRESS IN JEANS AND A T–SHIRT AND WEAR A BASEBALL HAT….BACKWARDS! i THINK YOU WOULD LOOK SO CUTE. DON’T FORGET TO ROLL UP YOUR PANT LEGS AND WEAR TENNIS SHOES! JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT!
SOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO TUSCANY IN OCTOBER! BTWY, ON FOODTV OR COOKING CHANNEL IS STARTING A NEW SHOW…THE CHEF IS “GIADA” [CAN’T RECALL HER LAST NAME. SHE IS GOING TO ITALY TO FILE IT AND SHE WILL BE COOKING THE RECIPES SHE GREW UP WITH IN ITALY. WHAT FOR IT TO START SOME TIME SOON. I THINK IT IS SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY NIGHTS.
HAVE FUN IN GA!
BETH
Hi Kathy!
It’s always so good to read your blogs & to get an update on how you’re doing.
I agree with all of the above statements about just doing what feels most comfortable.
And, I might add, my very stylish friend Libby wears her hair very short (about an inch long all over) and she just loves what she calls, her “do rags”. She wears them all the time!
I was with her yesterday & she wore an animal print one & looked so cute. I wish I had taken her photo so
that I could share 🙂
Yes, your beautiful scarves would work perfectly & I bet there is a “youtube tutorial’ for all kinds of different ways to wear them!
Love,
Tappy
PS…The glue gun stamps are such a clever idea! I was thinking that you could also trace designs & images that you like & these could work as stencils too!
Katie, Bald is beautiful, it’s the ugly ones God covered with hair. I am glad you are back in action.
Shaved heads are “in”!
Good luck to us!
So happy to hear you are back to teaching, but don’t over-do! So looking forward to you coming to Colorado in April!
Very happy to know that you are doing much better. I think one of your scarfs is a good choice, in case you feel like putting something on. If not bold is beautiful and I would not care what anybody said. You just came out of one of your hardest challenge of your life, who cares what anybody says, right? Your courage is admirable. God Bless, Pat.
You all are the BEST! You make me feel brave enough to go “au naturale”. We’ll see. I’m not so good at tying scarves…..Billie, I need you to come do one for me!
Thanks so much for all of your comments. I’ve read every one and they always make me feel sooooo good and so lucky! I am truly blessed to know all of you.
Bet that will feel good to get back to teaching. You are a natural teacher! Also bet you will start out with the scarf then go “au natural” when it gets warmer. Also bet the class won’t mind because they will be happy to see you. The older I get, my motto is “be comfortable”
Do you do anything with watercolor pencils? Or how about ideas on giving tired, blah watercolors some pizazz,
Thanks for all your tips.
Kathie, One of the cutest things I saw was a cancer patient who had exposed her head in the hot summertime, She was all “dolled up” with her makeup expertly applied, along with the brow stencil used well and great false eyelashes. The best thing were her wonderful huge and colorful earrings and a great lightweight scarf tied in a beautiful way. Just do it! Go bald and don’t apologize! I imagine everyone taking the workshop will already know about your cancer battle and will have prayed for you! They will welcome your baldness. I hope you will still be able to do the workshop in April here in Nashville. I have already inquired, and I hope I am on the list of the organizer! It will be great to meet you at last!
Kathy, you would look cute in anything. Your choices are limitless. I do suggest that you avoid a toupe! Just enjoy life, love a lot and laugh often. So good to know that you are back at the board with your imagination running full speed, your brushes loaded, and your creativity flowing. You go girl! Love, Ya.
Just take your head. That is all that is required. Lol! Just what ever is cool and comfortable. If you are more comfortable with a scarf, then a scarf it is.
Fun project, thanks, I even own the right glue gun. Looking forward to trying it out and see what I can create.
When Star Wars or Star Trek was popular, my husband commented that he thought bald women were sexy.
do whatever feels good for you, the baseball hat, a scarf, a bald head, a fancy hat. — I am certain that all will just be delighted that you are feeling well enough and strong enough to be teaching again.
No matter what you decide to wear, we support you 100%!!!!
I am so very thankful that you were able to detect the cancer early and are on the road to beating the ugly monster! Thank you for being brave enough to share your experience with us.
When you get back into teaching, please remember to take it easy. You will probably have to build back up to all the stamina that travel teaching requires (packing, flight or driving, long days on your feet, etc.). No one inviting you for a seminar or taking your class will think less of you if you need to rest, take an extended break, or stop a little early for the day. Remember: TAKE IT EASY! With love, Sandy
Love the hot glue stencils!!! We’re looking forward to your trip to New Orleans in September to teach a seminar here!!!
Blog ideas. Inktense Pencil ideas. Patel pencil ideas. Water color collage.
Hi Kathie,
I look forward to every Tuesday to read your blog for the wonderful art ideas and for reading your writings that are filled with wit and humor and love! Your writing is just as creative as your artwork! I am so happy that you are doing good now and returning to teaching. So many are looking forward to working with you again!
My idea for a blog is a mixed media project using items such as tissue paper, scrap paper, lace, shopping receipts, junk mail cards, rice paper scraps , etc along with painting .
“Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You!”…..Dr. Seuss
Just keep on being Kathie!!!
Love and hugs sent your way , Rosita
I’m confused. I suspect my brain is just not working properly but in the directions, #2 – Make your stencil, it says to heat up your glue gun and draw your design with hot wax. Did I miss a step?
My daughter went thru chemo and radiation last year,(just celebrated one year) and she looked beautiful with her bald head. You just need to protect from the sun, otherwise, I’m sure you look great. God bless.