I have recently discovered the joy of stenciling on cards and, when my new Elegant Trio Stencils arrived this week, I knew I had to try my own version of Shelli Gardner's card (shown above right). Isn't it fantastic that CASEing (Copy And Share Everything) is heavily encouraged in the stamping world?! Find a project, borrow it, and add you own personal touch!
In this case, I loved the Sage Shadow color she used, but didn't have the Nouveux Chic paper to go with it. So I used To The Nines Designer Series Paper, along with Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip.
Elegant Trio has three pretty designs, but I'm currently infatuated with the fleur de lis—plenty of time to play with the others later—so I'm going Elegant Solo today!
It was much easier to use these stencils than the Folk Flowers I was using last week. These three stencils are much smaller, just the size to provide elegant detailing on cards! The cuts are less intricate, too, so it was easier to sponge on the color.
First I daubed on some Sage Shadow ink, then I shaded my curls with Always Artichoke. Like Shelli's project, I stamped a definition for "Kindness" from the Define Your Life set across the stencil in Chocolate.
Although my Naturals Ivory card stock had specks of color already, I used the Color Spritzer to add some additional flecks of Artichoke. Have you ever used this tool? It's like a mini airbrush! Use it with any Stampin' Write Marker for specks and flecks of any color! The harder you squeeze the bulb, and the closer you hold it to the paper, the heavier the coverage. (I always recommend practicing on some scrap paper before you accidentally spray a big blob of ink on your project!)
Come to think of it, the Spritzer would be perfect to use with
stencils instead of sponging! Oooh! I'll have to try that out! Add that to my list of stencil techniques to try—never knew they were so versatile!
Other card details: The ribbon is the new Chocolate Chip 5/8" Satin Ribbon from the Mini Catalog. The green brad is from Circle Ice Rhinestones. Background is wheeled with Friendly Words Jumbo Wheel in Chocolate Chip (click to enlarge to see it)—the words complemented the definition well.
You knew I had to make two, right? Wasn't sure how I would do it, but I challenged myself to make a horizontal version. Not my preference, but I did it! There was so much white space, adding the "gratitude" definition made me much happier!
I also tried wheeling the Friendly Words over my stencil. TIP: Wheels don't work well for that! I had to roll over it several times to get the words on the image. Wheels are not "cushy" enough to be pushed down into the stencil to stamp correctly. Stamps work much better for this! Good to know!
Two Cool Cards Contest
There weren't many difference in today's two cards compared to the ones posted yesterday. Have you found at least 6 differences in my Trendy Trees cards and emailed them to me yet? You'll be entered to win the Welcome Neighbor Paper Pack. Deadline April 15. See my previous post for details!
Stamp with coolness!
~Angie
Very cool Angie! May have to do this at club 🙂