Design Inspiration. Planet Stencil Library.

60 Minute Makeover

The Dogs Stencil adapted from our book Stencil It had a starring role ITV 1's 60 Minute Makeover this week. There are 28 days left to view the episode.

Linda Barker and her dedicated team transformed three rooms of a Surrey home whilst the unsuspecting occupants where elsewhere. I've not seen the full episode yet so I hope that our stencilled offering was well received. What do you think.. do they look pleased or shocked?

I was unable to join Linda's team that morning because I had been invited to a garden party at Alnwick Castle attended by The Queen and Prince Philip...and that does not happen to me everyday. So, I stencilled the dog design onto several rolls of wallpaper, shipped them south to Linda and went to the party.  I will find the photographs that I took of the dog wallpaper project and post a 'how to' for you.. Meanwhile here's a couple of pictures from the garden party. 

Helen.

'Stencil It' bags an appearance at Country Living

I have just spent three days teaching workshops for Country Living Magazine at the Country Living Spring Fair.

My students made these in our half hour stencil class. The dog stencil is one of the tear out ready to use designs from the Stencil It book and some students added an overlay of stencilled dots.  After the class I signed copies of the book. One of the stencilling students remarked that she felt 'a new obsession' coming on. Yes....it can be addictive. There were three classes so much cleaning of stencil brushes occured...hurrah for hotel shampoo.

I thought they looked pretty whilst drying in the bathroom.

There are fifteen ready to use stencils in Stencil It and loads more to order from the Stencil It section of our website.  Linda Barker is using a larger version of the dogs stencil on wallpaper for one of her television programmes next month. Will give more details when I have them.  I'm sure that she'll make them look wonderful.

Helen.

For Queen and Corgi new collection on line

At last the new stencil venture 'For Queen and Corgi' has an online shop.

I am in partnership with my friend, ex colleague and 'super stenciller' Sabina Rose.  Our stencilled Jubilee inspired bags are the first items to be uploaded because they are limited edition, have been much admired...and the Jubilee festivities will be upon us in June.

Actually, I think everything we create will be a limited addition because we can only paint one at a time, I have a full time job, Sabina has a full time garden and there are only 24 hours in a day.

Until today we have sold our Jubilee souvenir bags exclusively at The Stencil Library shop in Stocksfield or from people seeing Sabina or I carrying one.  Recently, we have  started a For Queen and Corgi Facebook page and now we have an online store at Folksy.com

I was a busy uploading product images last night. We invent and stencil new designs as the mood takes us, so there will be more uploading to come... but that will have to wait until next week when I return from demonstrating stencil techniques for Country Living Magazine at their annual fair in Islington, London. I should be there tomorrow until Sunday.

The organisers are hosting workshops on several different subjects my students are learning how to stencil fabric bags. Soon they may be in competition with me! The participants will be using the 'Dogs Stencil' featured in the Stencil It book

I will be signing copies of 'Stencil It' by Helen Morris which is for sale on The Country Living stand. If you have a few moments please visit me at the fair, the 'For Queen and Corgi' Facebook page or Folksy shop. It is early days for our new sideline and we would welcome comments...we would welcome orders too! 

Helen

 

Students are spot on.

We hosted a school visit to The Stencil Library.  It was a small, select group of students involved in an arts apprentice scheme. They got a tour of the stencilled house then had a go at stencilling paper and fabric.

 
I picked NC21 polka dots for them because there is so much one can do with a polka dot stencil.  I note that their colour choice appeared to match their nail polish and uniform.

I wonder whether that was intentional?

Why did they not have things like this when I was at school?  I remember trips to a Football Club dressing room and an abbatoir...not really the same is it?

Helen

Out with the old (part two).

My other 'change' this week is a major one .  On the first of March I said good bye to my old school and studio.

The walls in this room all have several stories and photo shoots built around them. There have been hundreds of visitors that have learned to stencil under this roof. The new tennants have not moved in yet so I snuck back this morning and took a few pictures...before I met my students for today's stencil class in it's new location.

This morning's visitors would like to create stencilled mirrors, decorate china plates and customise clay plant pots.  It should be fun.

We will be running more private stencil classes for small groups. Contact me if you'd like details. 

 

The seed of a new stencil class

I have been experimenting with our agapanthus stencil,

and I think I have created a project for a new stencil class.

Working on ideas for workshops at The Stencil Library school and ones to travel with.

Helen 

Restoration Nightmare and the rise of Rise Hall

Stencils from The Stencil Library.

I'm on both the stage and the tv tonight. Now, I don't say that very often. I have been rehearsing Annie the musical recently so I have missed every episode of Sarah Beeny's Restoration Nightmare on Channel 4.  I've had them recorded, to be enjoyed in quieter times. We are performing Annie all this week so I shall miss the episode on Nov 24th where I try to help Sarah Beeny and her husband to decorate part of Rise Hall in the style of The Brighton Pavilion.  Will I succeed?

Actually, I have no idea.  I gave as much information and useful tips as I could think of and I left them with some gorgeous stencils.  I did none of the actual work. They were upbeat and enthusiastic on the day.  Did their optimism last?  Again, I have no idea, we will have to watch and see.

Sarah and Graham are a resourceful, intelligent, hardworking couple and the bones of the room had huge potential.  But, they have several businesses to run, they have four children and work in London...which is at least four hours from Rise Hall.  

For those unfamiliar with the restoration nightmare series. Sarah Beeny and husband Graham Swift bought the derelict and decaying Rise Hall ten years ago.  The restoration of their 97 room mansion has been fraught with problems.  They need to restore it and earn an income from it so that it can become their full time home.  It is too isolated to develop into flats or an hotel.  The series follows the highs and lows of trying to realise their dream. Sarah says "Yes, I've definitely taken on too much. But I don't know what to give up".

I enjoyed my time with them, their team and their family, I really, really want them to succeed. 

I won't see the finished result of my contribution to their efforts until days after the programme airs.  I am usually fairly confident about my television appearances but this time I have this gnawing feeling that I looked and sounded like an idiot. Tune in... and tell me if I was right!

 

I'll use the watch again facility.  Find out more about the Rise Hall series and project here.

photo Andy Marshall via Rise Hall website. Empire stencil from The Stencil Library.

Helen

How to stencil.

I am now on YouTube chatting about the Stencil It book and showing how to use a stencil.

They are easy techniques to follow, one segment demonstrates free form stenciling and the other shows stencilling onto fabric.

I think I look like I need a good scrub... and a good nights sleep. However, the stencil demonstrations come across well,  there is lots of variety and parts of the stencilled house are shown.  The film was commissioned by Jacqui Small, the publishers of Stencil It.  

Please visit and if you found the clip helpful or interesting maybe leave them a comment.

Even better, please pass the link to anyone who may be interested.

Thanks, Helen.

Visit The Stencilled Home. New festive tour added

We have added an extra date for our festive event at The Stencilled Home at Stocksfield Hall this December.

The two dates are now Wed 7th Dec at 7pm and Sat 10th at 10.am.  This may be the last time that we host the tours around our Home so if you have wanted to visit, book now!  We can accomodate up to 30 visitors on the Wednesday but only fifteen on Saturday.

Tickets are £9.00 The event is expected to last around two and a half hours. It includes a tour of 12 rooms in The Stencilled Home with one of the resident artists.

This is followed by refreshments then I will give a demonstration of various stencil techniques.

Last year extra festive ornamentation was added to the rooms by design students from Newcastle College and  we hope to welcome another team this year.

Call us 01661 844844, email or leave a comment to book tickets.

The pictures were from the festive house tour last December.

Helen Morris.

 

First stencil project success

I was totally thrilled to receive photographs of the first stencil projects from two students that attended our recent introduction to stencilling day.  The first pictures to arrive were sent from Muriel Cavaille.

She has used the designer blossom stencil from the larger than life collection. The blossom stencil is made up of lines and dots. The stenciller fits them together to make their own pattern, no two will ever be the same.

This was the work in progress

and now the bed is back in place.

I noticed that Muriel's stencilled colours echo those in the fabric.  She thanked Rachel for helping her choose paint to stencil with and wrote 'In the end I went for pewter, the nice dusty pink, and mixed some crimson with a bit of metallic rust to take a bit of the brightness off. I also used some cream emulsion and some pale gold that I had already.

Muriel added "I'm very pleased with the result, I'm not sure I set off to do something so bold but I'm happy with the way it turned out, it's a definite statement and I'm very proud of it"

I reckon she should be. 

 

A day or two later Gail Rusieski emailed pictures of her first stencil project since taking the class. Gail has used stencils based on designs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

She wrote "I've been putting my new skills to the test at home, I thought you might like a quick look at my results so far.  There's a border in a bedroom, plus very quick but effective jobs of 'upgraded' cushions and a lampshade in the living room."

I am impressed that she stencilled a curved, plastic lampshade, that's a tricky surface especially for a new starter. Gail continues  "I'm very happy with how they have turned out and I'm planning another couple of larger projects too, now I've gained a bit of confidence and experience.  ... It's so satisfying to make something original and personal without having to be Michaelangelo!"

I don't have any more classes scheduled for this year but we arrange private ones for small groups and there is a demonstration of stencilling techniques on our tours of the Stencilled House.  See side bar for dates of the next ones.   Rachel and I appreciate seeing the work of our customers and thank you Muriel and Gail for letting us show them.  I rather like Gail's quote about Michaelangelo too!

Helen.