Stenciling Tutorial For AECP

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!!!