Stenciling - an array of products to create different effects.

7:30:00 PM

Remember back when you were a kid and stenciling on your walls and everything else was so fashionable, well did you ever imagine that it would be one of the hottest trends in scrapbooking? I am not sure I did… but I am glad to be around for it though I love stencils, and those with neutral designs that can be used for any theme are my favourites. Incorporating them subtly into my designs to add rather than to distract or overwhelm the overall design. So for this layout I used my stencils in pretty ordinary ways but with stunning results - what I wanted to showcase is that by using something new with the products you already may have on hand makes your stash go so much further and gives a different result each and every time.


Create your own patterned paper
I started off by creating a base of patterned paper for my middle section of my layout. I then created a stencilled and inked piece of cardstock as part of layering. I love how I can dictate the colour combinations of smaller pieces of art work that will in the end work with the whole design. I used a combination of stencils, misting and inking to create a fun piece of handmade cardstock. Start off by misting one of your stencils, then add a layer of inking by dipping your cardstock into ink misted with water, and lastly use a different stencil to ink a pattern over everything.

Stenciling directly on my background
I used my triangle shape stencil and first inked a layer of creamy chalk ink using a sponge dauber, and then once the ink was dry went back and stenciled a second layer of green but this time slightly off-setting my stencil.
Tips for working with stencils
When you are working with stencils, position them in place and then secure them with a piece of washi tape to hold them down until you are done so they don’t move
Once you have placed your stencil on your background, cover the edges especially when working with smaller stencils to avoid inking over the edges and creating unwanted marks on your background

Things to do with your stencils

  • Use mists and sprays over stencils on a background
  • Sponge over stencils with acrylic paint
  • Trace your stencil shapes and sew them
  • Use Versamark ink and decorating chalks for a soft chalky look
  • Use Versamark and pigment powder to add subtle colour and patterns to backgrounds
  • Create a resist technique using a light coloured acrylic paint and darker dye inks over it
  • Stamp through your stencils after adding colour using text or texture stamps
  • Overlap and double up your stencils combining contrasting colours or shades
  • Ink with white through your stencils followed by colour for a funky off-set look. White on coloured cardstock looks stunning too
  • Use texture paste with stencils. Add colour and even glitter to the texture paste before applying it through your stencil. An old credit card works really well to apply texture paste through delicate and detailed stencils and achieving a thin layer
  • Mist the back of your stencils (words) with inks like Mr Huey and then press your cardstock into the ink lightly applying pressure. This will give you the reverse of the stencil while the word will be correctly displayed in a layer of ink
The possibilities really are endless when it comes to these versatile stencils from Heidi Swapp.


Stenciling a word with different mediums
For my “fab-O” word I used 2 colours of Mr Huey inks gold and brown to stencil with. I misted the 2 colours of inks on top of each other and then used a sponge to lightly mix them before stenciling onto my background cardstock. The 2 colours enable you to get lighter and darker spots adding more interest to your word than just a flat single colour. Adding gold, silver or shimmer to a solid colour like I did gives a stunning shimmery look. I like working on white smooth cardstock for a background because it enables me to stamp, stencil and ink without any hindrance from textures.

How i created my background piece
step 1 - I started off by misting over one of my stencils using a Walnut Ink Crystal mixture
Step 2 - Leave the ink to dry totally. On your crafts sheet add some Versamagic ink and mist with water. Then dip your cardstock into the ink and let it dry. You can see how the original misted stencil image is still visible.
Step 3 - Use your Chevron stencil and ink some patterned onto your cardstock. I used a sponge dauber and my same Versamagic ink pad. I then used this piece as part of my layering on my layout
Stenciling using Mr Huey inks
step 1 - Mist two colours of ink onto your craft sheet
Step 2 - use a make-up sponge to gently mix the two colours together and then lightly ink through your stencil directly onto your layout.
Practice makes perfect - so if you are hesitant try on scrap paper first before stenciling directly onto your layout.
Be mindful not to overload your sponge with liquid ink or else you will find it bleeds under your stencil and causes a mess. I love how the two colours combined creates lighter and darker shades.
Use a single stencil and two different colous of ink to create an off-set stenciled image. I first stenciled the green and then repositioned the stencil slightly off set and inked using the brown - love the look!
Ask for your favourite Heidi Swapp stencils at your local craft store!
Products used
AC 01191 Heidi Swapp Stencils – Patterns
AC 01192 Heidi Swapp Stencils – Shapes
AC 01193 Heidi Swapp Stencils – Words
AC 01194 Heidi Swapp Stencils – Frame
KCP1572 Bow & Arrow Double Sided Paper – Fire
MS 101074 Never Grow Up Double Sided Paper - Never Never
TWI-001 Walnut Ink Crystals
TGD-58 VersaMagic Dew Drop Ink Pad - Hint of Pesto
TGD-82 VersaMagic Dew Drop Ink Pad – Wheat
ADCO 723623 Couture Creations Sponge Daubers (6 Pack)

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