Stencils are a fun way to add interest to your handmade cards! Used with a variety of techniques and mediums, owning just a couple can bring you plenty of diversity.
Today, I will walk you through a few techniques utilizing stencils. Later in the week, I will post full tutorials using the stenciled panels created today.
Tools
For stenciling, a few tools can help improve your outcomes dramatically.
Wendy Vecchi Make Art Stay-tion by Ranger Ink – this metal board comes with four round magnets and a flat, ruler magnet to aid in holding your stencil in place. I pull this board out for all my stenciling as the surface cleans easily, and the magnets are strong enough to hold my stencils through vigorous movements as I apply ink or other mediums.
Pixie Spray by iCraft – this spray is a light tack, repositional adhesive that is fantastic when applied to delicate and/or intricate stencils. Once sprayed onto the back of a stencil, the adhesive holds the stencil in place, yet releases easily when pulled away from the surface.
Baby Wipes – my favorite brand, Kirkland (from Costco) are great at cleaning up minor messes on stencils. They are also good for quick clean up throughout the craft room.Â
Soap and Water – the best way to thoroughly clean stencils. Depending on your medium, you want to clean your stencils before any residue dries.
Stenciling with Ink
Ink blending takes on a whole new look when applied over a stencil. Whether you use a single or multiple colors, the result can be great.
The first panel was created using the Sun Spots stencil from Gina K Designs. I used mini sponge daubers and the following Distress Oxide Inks: Seedless Preserves, Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, Squeezed Lemonade and Picked Raspberry. I focused on inking individual circles, but did not worry when ink carried over into other circles – I decided it added to the whimsy.
For The next panel, I used Altenew’s Broken Chevrons stencil and Distress Oxide Black Soot ink. Focusing on more color at the bottom, I started all blending there, then moved up the panel as the sponge held less ink. This gave some nice variations in the ink coverage, especially toward the top.Â
Concord & 9th has great turnabout stencils that bring great variation to stenciling projects. They are used to stencil multiple times, turning the stencil 90 degrees after each inking. Different results are achieved depending on colors used, how many times the stencil is inked and turned, and even depending on mediums used. Today’s panel was created using Faceted Turnabout Stencils.
To ink the Faceted stencil, I used Sheer Shimmer Craft Spray and Distress Oxide sprays in Picked Raspberry, Twisted Citron and Squeezed Lemonade. After each application of ink, I gently lifted the stencil, washed with water, dried completely then turned the stencil 90 degrees and inked with the next color.
Stenciling with Nuvo Embellishment Mousse
Just as stenciling with ink, Nuvo Embellishment Mousse can be applied with a sponge tool. After adhering the Altenew Stone Wall stencil to my panel, I loaded a Ranger Mini Ink Blending tool with the mousse (Gunmetal Grey).
I then applied to the card panel with circular movements. This mousse is great as it adds color in addition to dimension, as some mousse will build up along the stencil edges.
Stenciling with Ranger Texture Paste
Texture Paste brings a three-dimensional surface to your cards. To apply, scoop a bit onto a palette knife and smooth over the stencil. Any excess product can be scraped back into the jar. Lift stencil carefully from project and clean with warm, soapy water immediately. The texture paste can dry permanently to your stencil, thus effecting is usability.
Color and other mediums (glitter, for example) can be mixed into the paste before applied to your project, experiment and see what you come up with.
For today’s panel, I used a clear drying texture paste, and applied it over Simon Says Stamp Confetti stencil. The paste applies white but dries clear, yet holds a glossy finish.
I’ve covered just a few basic ways to utilize stencils, the next step is up to you. Try them out, experiment, see what ideas come your way as you start to try out some of these techniques. And keep an eye out for some projects coming later this week showcasing the panels created today.
