Stencils are something we all are familiar with, but they might not be something you've tried using in your card making. Stampin' Up! calls them Decorative Masks, but I call them fun! They are inexpensive and come in two different packs. In the card I demonstrate on my video, I am using the newest set called Plenty of Patterns, but I also made cards to show the versatility of stencils and use the Basic Patterns set as well.
Gather your supplies:
- Cardstock: Thick Basic White 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 3-1/4" x 3-1/4"; Basic Black 3-3/8" x 3-3/8"
- Stamp sets: Biggest Wish and Sunny Sentiments
- Ink: Fresh Freesia, Polished Pink, Jet Black Stazon
- Plenty of Patterns Decorative Masks
- Blending Brushes
- Matte Black Dots
- Stamparatus (optional)
- Adhesive and Tools
When working with stencils, one thing that is handy to have is low tack tape or post it notes. For the card I make, the decorative mask has four patterns on it and obviously, I only want one section of it. I used tape to mask it off and prevent me from getting unwanted segments of another patterns on my square.
Center the white square on the back side of the stencil pattern you want to use. I like to add some tape from the back so that the paper does not move once you've got it positioned. Place some scrap paper down so you can tap off your blending brushes. Start with the Fresh Freesia and blend it darkest in the center of the design and fading out as you approach two thirds of the pattern. Make sure you circle your brush in both directions to get the best coverage. Switch to Polished Pink and work the color from the outside inward, blending with the purple ink already on the square.
Remove the paper from the stencil and mount it to the black square. You can clean your stencil by running it under water at your sink - the ink easily rinses off. Position your square on your card front (but don't stick it down just yet). Use this to help guide you on the placement of Birthday, stamped in Fresh Freesia. Add happy in Stazon ink (which gives a nice intensely black image).
Now you can finish up the card by popping up the square with dimensionals (I used black, but you can use white ones if that's what you have). The final touch for the front is to add a black dot in the center of the design. The inside sentiment is stamped in Polished Pink. I used my Stamparatus because I was going to make several birthday cards and this saves time.
My first alternative example is very simple. I stenciled the clamshell pattern on a panel of white (it measures about 2-1/4" wide by 5-1/2" tall) with Real Red ink. I added this to the front of my card and edged it with a small strip of Real Red paper. The Night of Navy images and scalloped mat behind the sentiment make this nautical card just perfect. You could stamp directly onto the card front if you used tape or post it notes to block off the right side.
You don't always have to ink the entire image of the mask. In this sample, I layered Pale Papaya ink onto my layer of the same color. I used the polka dots mask from the Basic Patterns set and brushed on color over a circular area on the right side only, keeping the darkest color near the center and fading out toward the edges. This is a great technique to subtly highlight an area and add interest and texture without too much distraction. I used Expressions in Ink Specialty DSP and the Artistically Inked Bundle (an amazing suite of products that I highly recommend).
My last card is my favorite!! I placed the geometric mask over a panel of white and taped it down. Next, I started with Daffodil Delight in the center portion of the design. Then I blended Poppy Parade from one side toward the center, overlapping the yellow a little bit. From the other side, I blended Coastal Cabana in the same manner and this yielded a lovely rainbow of color with striking white lines throughout. I stamped some popsicles from the Sweet Ice Cream Bundle and fussy cut the birthday sentiment to complete this adorable card.
I hope you will give stencils a try - they are fun, economical, and can add so much interest to your cards. And here's a spoiler alert - there just might be a new set available in our mini catalog coming out next month!
Karen
ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com
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https://karensliwinski.stampinup.net
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