Let's Make Stencils Live Again
Written by Lucy Chesna
News - Special Features/Collection of the Week
Let's Make Stencils Live Again
Every once in awhile, I like to purge my scrapbooking stuff and the other day I came across a black folder of stencils that I've collected since I started scrapbooking in 1999. I had them all neat and organized in the folder, just collecting dust. I took them out and looked at them with a blank look, but later that evening, I got them out again and realized I could use them on my layouts and cards.
We all have stencils and templates and it's time to breathe new life into them. So many of us have mists, paints, inks, chalks and embossing stuff that work well with stencils. The template can create a clean looking shape and you can trace the shape in pencil on the back of a photo, paper or cardstock. Then use a craft knife or scissors to cut out the shape. You can use the template as a mask or use it to paint your favorite design on paper.
Here are a few examples I did with the templates by using paints, mists and distress inks. On the first layout, I used distress inks to create my background of stars. I have a good amount of distress inks and I don't use them as much as I should, but the stencils have opened my eyes to endless possibilities.
Step 1: Choose the stencil you want to use as your background and with your blending tool, gently press onto the template and keep pressing until you get the color you want.
Step 2: Continue the process until you have enough designs on your layout. I traced around mine so they would stand out from the cardstock.
Step 3: The layering begins. Add patterned paper, title and embellishments.
I love the end results, and it literally took me no more than twenty minutes to do it.
My Pride and Joy by Lucy Chesna Supplies: Cardstock-Bazzill; Pattern Paper- Sassafrass; Letters- America Crafts; Ink- Tim Holtz; Chipboard- Rusty Pickle; Pen- Black Sharpie; Other-Stencil
On the second layout, I used mists to create a journaling background for patterned paper. I've started using a lot of my patterned paper as my base instead of cardstock, but sometimes it needs a little push to emphasize what I'm trying to say in the layout. I did that here with some Maya Mists and I love the finished project.
Step 1: When I first started, there were many journaling stencils to help scrappers, but now there's so much out there that these stencils have gotten put on the backburner. Well, no more.
Step 2: I took the area that I wanted to use and cut it up.
Step 3: I took the mist and sprayed it over the template and the patterned paper.
Step 4: Let it dry and then remove the stencil. It's easy to cut and can be used over and over again with one simple clean up of soap and water.
Step 5: I used a black pen to trace around the box area and did some doodling. I then wrote a little something on the lines. After that, I added my patterned paper, photo and title. It was easy and a great way to make a masculine page.
I love you by Lucy Chesna Supplies: Pattern Paper- GCD Studios; Letters: American Crafts: Mist: Maya Mist; Pen- Black Sharpie; Other-Stencil
For the last layout, I used paint with flower stencils that I used more than once. It was a lot of fun to make this page.
Step 1: Grab the stencil, paint and a paint brush.
Step 2: Put the template down on the area you'd like to paint and trace with a pencil. This will help to keep the pattern in that area or if you need to change it.
Step 3: Dip the brush in the paint and dab it slowly. You'll need to let it dry after each template or it will smudge.
Step 4: When you're done, let it dry completely and then trace to template to make it stand out.
Step 5: I took the same template and traced it onto patterned paper, cut it up, and inked it.
Step 6: I glued down some of the flowers that were painted and added some bling to bring the whole thing together.
Step 7: To finish the layout. I added my photos, patterned paper, title and embellishments.
Summer Memories by Lucy Chesna Supplies: Cardstock- Bazzill; Pattern Paper and Stickers- Bella Blvd; Inking- Colorbox; Pen: Black Sharpie; Paint- Heidi Swapp; Paint Brush- Making Memories; Other-stencil
It's truly amazing that it took so little time to create each layout. I made friends with my stencils and I'll never let them collect dust again. Now it's your turn to get out those templates and think of all the ways you can to create your next masterpiece.
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