It was SO difficult for me, but I actually made a card that was all one layer! OK—technically it's got layers because I had to create a frame around the artwork! But, it's almost one layer! Hey, what can I say, it's hard for me to do simple.
I wanted to try a whole new technique for my make & take with my demonstrator team last week, so I created this card using the Folk Flowers Stencils (pictured above). Although they're designed to be used with stencil paints to decorate your interior walls, they are also create a fun look on cards and scrapbook pages!
Tips For Stenciling On Card Stock
I simply arranged my stencil on the card stock, and holding it still with one hand, used a sponge dauber to apply ink (I used Bordering Blue, Perfect Plum and Mellow Moss). This was my first time using stencils on my cards, and a did learn a few things:
- You must keep your stencil from moving or your image will not be crisp. It would have been better to have a repositionable adhesive holding it in place, like Dotto.
- Because of the intricately cut design, and because I didn't have it
tacked down, I had to be extra careful to dab, rather than rub, over the
stencil. If I wasn't careful, the stencil would move and I'd run the
risk of it bending back. - Some of the stencil openings are very close to each other, so if you're daubing different colors in adjacent areas you have to be careful not to accidentally get color in the wrong space. I used the very edge of my dauber for these spots, but a small makeup applicator would probably work better.
- Make sure you clean the stencil with a baby wipe before you flip it over to add one little flower on the top of your card to give it some balance, otherwise ink smears all over your original piece. Not that I did this, I was just considering every potential problem, so I could warn you. *wink* And, no, I didn't leave that extra little flower off of this sample because I was too lazy to clean up my stencil. Nope.
More Stencils, Please!
I think I may have to buy a couple more of these stencils. I really like the Elegant Trio Stencils—they are the perfect size for cards! And, I've seen some awesome vintage-style cards layered with stencils.
This one was created by Rebecca Santos. The En Francais background stamp looks so pretty behind the stenciled design. Notice how she used the Word Window Punch twice to create a shorter punched piece that fits perfectly!
Here's another example, this time done by Shelli Gardner, who makes no secret about her love for stencils! The words inside the stencil design are from the Define Your Life stamp set, and the paper is Nouveux Chic. You can see the other stencils cards she's been doing at her So Shelli Blog.
I can't wait to try some of these techniques myself!
Blog Contest & I've Got Mail
Don't forget to leave a comment on my blog by April 8, and you'll be qualified to win your
choice of a wood or clear mount Whimsical Words set of your very own! I will
announce the winner on my blog on April 9 and deliver or ship it out
immediately.
Finally, I received this very cute Easter pop-up card from Linda Cox that I just had to share.
Happy Easter, everyone!
~Angie