Hi and welcome back! I recently took the course, Celebratrion Stencil Techniques as a requirement for the fist level of the Altenew Educators Certification Program. It was taught by Laurel Beard and consisted of 4 modules focusing on stencils. I happen to love stencils, and was happy to brush up on my skills for this class.
The second module focused on using texture pastes, mousses, or molding paste through a stencil. Now this is probably my favorite technique because I love, love, love texture and dimension on my cards. You can apply the paste just as it is, spreading it over the stencil like icing on a cake, or you can add your favorite colors to it. I typically use a dye ink or distress oxides to blend my panels before applying the texture/molding paste, because most of the time the paste will pick up a tint of the colors. I have added Brusho, mica, and pigments to tint the paste as well.
One technique that I used early in my card making journey was using my dies or die cuts as stencils. I love this technique because it stretches your supplies. I have used my metal dies as astencil by blending inks through them, but if that bothers you or if your using a steel rule die, then cut out a sturdy piece of card stock with the die first.
The third module focuses on stamping with stencils. Honestly before watching the module, I thought they meant using a stencil as a mask and stamping in the “open” section of the stencil, but I was wrong. It’s exactly what they said, you stamp with the stencil. I’m not going to give away the details because I think you would enjoy taking this course, as it is available through Altenew Academy.
The fourth and final module talks about a stencil overlay technique. For this you can use Altenew’s Crisp Dye inks, water colors, or re-inkers. With this technique you lay down color and then apply the stenciled detail. It’s sort of like the technique I have done on my card, but I used ink pads straight to the paper, instead of water coloring.
You will see I incorporated techniques from the second and fourth module that Laurel taught on my card today.
Let’s talk about my project.
First I applied Crisp dye inks straight to the paper and then spritzed it with water. Next, I applied additonal ink with blending brushes to soften the blend.
Once happy with my blend, I applied molding paste through the Foliage stencil using a kitchen spatula. I made sure to add ample paste with a smooth finish, before removing the stencil from my panel. To keep my stencil in place I used pixie spray to tack it down and to avoid the paste from seeping underneath. Since the Foliage stencil is typically 2 layers, I also taped off the portions that I didn’t want to use.
I am a little impatient, so I used my heat gun to speed up the drying paste. I just want to add it is very important to clean your stencils and tools right away so that your mediums aren’t stuck to them forever! I decided as a design element I only wanted a small strip of the stenciled panel and cut it down to 2.75 x 5.5 inches and then added a layer of silver metallic cardstock to it. I then dry embossed the front panel of the card, and added the strip to it. My final touches were adding a clear heat embossed die cut sentiment, and iridescent gems. I mentioned I love dimension on my cards, so I die cut the sentiment four times and stacked them before heat embossing.
I hope you will give this card a try or some of the techniques! This wraps it up for me!!!
Just a small disclaimer! All items used in all of my projects are (or have been) purchased with my own funds, but this does not include design team items that I have received or otherwise stated.
Until next time… keep crafting!!!
Comments
2 responses
I love the vibrant color of your stenciled panel! It is so beautiful! Well done!
This looks fantastic!! Love the embossing on the panel too!
Thank you for submitting your work to the AECP assignment gallery.