Technique Thursday #3 - Using Stencils

One of the things I love about being with Close To My Heart is the opportunities to learn new techniques that I can use in my scrapbooking and card making. I recently attended a virtual album retreat where I learned a bunch of new techniques and am excited to share them here with you.

The first technique I am sharing is Using Stencils. Stencils are great in that they can expand your crafting in adding designs and patterns to your papers in cards and scrapbook layouts. During the retreat we used a stencil to create a tone-on-tone diagonal stripe design on the piece of Scarlet cardstock in this layout.

The stencil was placed over the cardstock and, using a piece of sponge and Scarlet Exclusive Ink, we swept the color across the stencil to create this diagonal pattern.

The stencil we used was cut from stencil film as part of the album retreat I attended but Close To My Heart also carries 3 sets of stencils with 3 12" x 12" stencils in each collection.

Z3882 - Stencil Pack 1

Z3883 - Stencil Pack 2

Z3884 - Stencil Pack 3

You can also make your own stencils. You can create them using punches and die cuts as well as a cutting machine like a Cricut. They can be made from heavyweight cardstock or stencil film. Close To My Heart has a great stencil film that is perfect for cutting your own. I love using background and border designs from the Close To My Heart Cricut collections to create my own.

I cut my own starburst stencil using an image from the Artbooking Collection - probably my go-to collection for these types of images.

For coloring with your stencils you can use any of our Exclusive Inks as well as Distress Oxide inks. To color you have the option of using a dauber or a sponge as well an ink blending tool that works great with the Distress Oxide inks. 

Z726 - Sponge Daubers

Z697 - Round Sponge

Z3886 - Mini Ink Blending Tool

I did a Facebook Live video where I demonstrated using the different types of stencils along with different tools and inks to create the look you want in your crafting. You can see the video here or on my Facebook Page.

I hope you enjoyed this Technique Thursday post. Thanks for stopping by!