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Stencil 101 Review and Giveaway

April 27, 2009 by jessica neaves 17 Comments

9780811864725_norm1Stencil 101: Make Your Mark with 25 Reusable Stencils and Step-by-Step Instructions
Author: Ed Roth
Publisher: Chronicle Books

Chronicle Books has published another wonderful craft title with Stencil 101.  The author, Ed Roth, is a graphic designer based in Brooklyn, where he founded the graffiti art-inspired Stencil1 design company.  Stencil 101 is a collection of Roth’s favorite designs, from urban to delicate and feminine.

The book contains a brief history of stenciling, tips on how to stencil, and suggestions for materials based on the project you would like to make.  Projects inside include a wall, t-shirts, a dresser, a lamp shade, sneakers, a pillowcase, and a window.  The wall project is one of the best for beginners, as it is a large, flat surface, but all of the projects are easy enough even for those new to the craft.  My favorite project is a cake, using cocoa powder or sugar to “paint” with!  I also like the greeting card project, easily created using store bought blank cards.  Both are great ways to personalize a birthday, holiday, or any other celebration!  The pillowcase project is also a fun one, which can be a fun weekend DIY project to liven up your bedroom décor.

The twenty-five reusable stencils come in a wide range of designs, from swallows to an owl with a moon to a poodle and even a sumo wrestler!  After using the stencils, simply clean them off and store them in the handy pocket at the end of the book, ready for your next project.  The stencils are mostly large and would be best for bigger canvas projects, but there are a handful of smaller stencils.

The best tip in this book is to remember there are no rules to stenciling.  “If you have something to say, say it with stencils.”

And to help you say what you have on your mind, I’ll be giving a copy away to one lucky reader!  To enter, just leave a comment on this post by May 3rd and let me know which of the projects mentioned in the review you will be doing first.  The winner will be notified by email.

[Note:  Don’t worry if your comment doesn’t appear at first.  Some have to be approved due to a tricky spam filter and I am going through and approving them.]

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Comments

  1. Cre8Tiva/Rebecca E. Parsons says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    i teach stenciling…so i do mostly furniture projects and some mixed media artworks with stencils…rebecca

  2. Corvus says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:25 pm

    Stenciling cake sounds quite interesting. I’d like to give that one a try.

  3. whimsywren says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:10 pm

    I love this book! I looked thru it at Blick Art-it is definitely on my wishlist. I think I would first try the notecard project-before tackling the bigger projects.

  4. Cindy Ericsson says

    April 28, 2009 at 3:49 am

    We have several birthdays coming up during the next few months, so I’m thinking the cake-stenciling project would be the first to master.

  5. Shelley says

    April 28, 2009 at 5:53 am

    I bought this book for my BFF for Christmas and wanted a copy for myself after looking through it! My first project, probably stenciled tees for the kiddos. 🙂

  6. Jenny Brandon says

    April 28, 2009 at 6:31 am

    Sounds like a great book. I’ve got some old windows that I’m dying to experiment with etching on. I’ve been having problems finding stencils that are both reusable and large enough to look good on the glass panes. I promise that if I win this book, I’ll use the stencils on the window and send you a picture! Thanks!

  7. dorothy l says

    April 28, 2009 at 6:50 am

    greeting card project would be the first one I would try

  8. Nova says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:09 am

    I’m really interested in doing a t-shirt.

  9. Megan Hicks says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:10 am

    I would try the pillow case project first. I am moving to a new apartment and I want nice new shiny stuff but can’t afford it so I’m trying to make my old stuff new again.

  10. Carmen says

    April 28, 2009 at 7:52 am

    I think I would do the card project first but on a scrapbook page instead. The birds sound brilliant – my partner keeps birds so do lots of pages relating to them. Second would be between the cake and the wall. I could do the cake first so I could scoff it while I was stencilling the wall maybe 😉 Lots of decorating projects being planned in our house at the mo – it’s in dire need of rejuvenation.

  11. Kriss says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:11 am

    I really like birds. I would probably stencil the swallows on my bedroom walls.

  12. Jan says

    April 28, 2009 at 10:19 am

    My first instinct is to try cards, but I’d love to try stenciling on some sneakers! How cool!

  13. Denny says

    April 28, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    I like the pillowcase idea, but I was immediately thinking art quilt, especially with the deer and the bird.

  14. Wanda says

    April 28, 2009 at 4:35 pm

    I would definitely do a wall project. What a great prize! Please enter my name in your draw.

  15. Erin says

    April 29, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I’ve been wanting to make a pair of bold, graphic pillow cases, and it looks like this book could be the perfect resource to get me moving on that project.

  16. glamamo says

    April 30, 2009 at 1:12 pm

    This book sounds awesome. I love to be creative but I can not draw to save my life. I would love to use the stencils to decorate some of my sneakers.

  17. Shai says

    April 30, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    I think that I would start out with a cake

Have you read?

The New Menopause: Your Ultimate Guide to Navigating Hormonal Change with Confidence and Power

As someone who’s been navigating the tumultuous waters of perimenopause, I can honestly say that finding a resource like The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver has been nothing short of a lifeline. It’s often said that knowledge is power, and this book does exactly that—empowering women to take charge of their health during a time when our bodies are changing in ways that can feel overwhelming and frustrating.

In my own experience with perimenopause, I’ve struggled with symptoms like irregular sleep patterns, mood swings, and weight gain that seemed to come out of nowhere. The feeling of loss of control over my body was not only physical but emotional. Dr. Haver’s approach to menopause is refreshingly holistic—she not only presents scientific facts but also provides real-life, relatable advice to help women thrive through this stage of life, not just survive.

The book covers everything from physical symptoms, like changes in skin and sleep patterns, to neurological, psychological, and even sexual health concerns. Dr. Haver also does a fantastic job of addressing the long-term health risks that come with the drop in estrogen levels, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and heart disease. For women like myself who want to be proactive, her science-backed toolkit on what steps to take is both comprehensive and actionable.

One of the most helpful sections for me was about advocating for myself during doctor visits. I’ve often felt like my concerns were brushed aside or minimized, and Dr. Haver empowers readers with practical questions to ask their doctors and the tools to secure comprehensive care—something I desperately needed.

In addition to all the invaluable health insights, the book also touches on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), explaining the latest research and balancing both the benefits and potential side effects, which gave me the confidence to make informed decisions about my own treatment options.

Essential Oils for Menopause Relief:

For those of us trying to manage symptoms naturally, essential oils can be an incredible tool. In addition to Dr. Haver’s advice, I’ve found that certain essential oils have helped me feel more balanced during perimenopause:

  1. Clary Sage – Known for its calming effects, it helps with mood swings and hot flashes.

  2. Peppermint – Excellent for headaches and nausea, common issues during hormonal fluctuations.

  3. Lavender – Great for sleep support, especially if your sleep is disrupted due to night sweats or anxiety.

  4. Geranium – Supports hormonal balance and can alleviate feelings of irritability.

  5. Frankincense – Can help with anxiety and stress, grounding your mind and body.

  6. Ylang Ylang – A sweet floral oil that can boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

  7. Rose – Known for supporting emotional well-being and can help with feelings of sadness or low self-esteem.

I use a few drops of these oils in a diffuser before bed, or dilute them with a carrier oil for a soothing massage, especially on areas like my neck and shoulders when I feel tension or discomfort.

The New Menopause is not just a guide—it’s a celebration of empowerment, helping women reclaim their vitality during a period of change. Dr. Haver provides a comprehensive blueprint for not only surviving menopause but thriving through it, arming us with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to take control of our health at this pivotal stage in our lives. This book is an essential read for any woman going through this transition, and it’s sure to become a trusted companion in your menopause journey.

If you’re feeling lost or unsure, I highly recommend picking up The New Menopause. It’s time to embrace this phase of life with purpose, power, and—most importantly—self-care.

 

Updated to add, I have just purchased this Menopause blend   of hormone balance drops and will update with my review shortly.

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