Book Review: Stamp Stencil Paint

If you’re looking to take your stamping to a new level and expand your creativity by taking your ideas off  paper and onto other items like home decor and fashion accessories with your own customized designs then you should check out the new book from textile artist Anna Joyce called “Stamp Stencil Paint“. Anna’s designs are trendy, stylish and modern with nature and geometric inspirations.

This lovely new book is separated into 3 sections, in the first Anna will teach you how to use rubber and mold-able foam blocks to cut and carve your own stamps. Then she’ll take you step by step through beautiful stamped projects like pillows, market bags and terra cotta pots for home decor and beach towels, make-up and tote bags to enhance your personal style.

The next section for stenciling including tips on cutting out and securing your stencils, mixing custom paint colors, the best brushes to use and what paints work well. You’ll find ideas for adding stencils to many different items like baskets, walls, totes bags , table linens, lamp shades and even plates.

The last section covers hand painted techniques using brushes, brayer, paint markers and foam daubers to make your own hand painted wall art, painting and stitching together a clutch purse, adding accents to ceramic items and even large scale projects like a painted quilt and bedding set.

Each project has supplies needed, helpful tips and step by step instructions and photos. In the back of the book  you’ll find several pages of patterns that you can copy to make your own stamps and stencils like those used in the book.

Using one of those pattern found in the book and following Anna’s directions I decorated a fun zipper pouch with a stenciled flower design (project shown above). And also stamped up a fun tote bag (shown below) using another of the patterns cut from a compressed sponge. I added darker green paint as I stamped my design across the bag for slight ombre’ effect. The patterns were easy to cut out and use and the tips and instructions in the book helped me create some really fun projects.

Stamp Stencil Paint by Anna Joyce published by Abrams Books is available now,