Put your hand up if you love stencils?? They have come a long way, but did you know that you can stretch them even further…

I am back with another Same But Different set of cards and today I am sharing 3 Ways to Step Up Your Stencils. I have a video walking you through the techniques with a lot of tips, tricks, as well as many extra ideas.

Would you like to see today’s cards?

You can watch the video here or in HD on YouTube right HERE.

This post contains affiliate links (which means that I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you). I truly appreciate your support of these card adventures!

#WHYSTENCILS

Stencils have come a LONG way from the simple images and backgrounds that were available. Now we have many options which include, layering stencils, with scenes, flowers, images, also stencils with coordinating dies, and embossing folders, and even 3D embossing folders… as you can see the possibilities to stretch our creativity with stencils has grown exponentially. Stencils are also very affordable and easy to use, what’s not to love!
I have 3 techniques to Step Up Your Stencils starting with,

Technique #1 – Basic Background

Backgrounds kind of feel like where ‘stencils started’ for me. And background stencils come in many many different patterns and are the most affordable as there is often only one stencil included in the packet. But that doesn’t mean that you only have to use it once in a design. Take another look at your stash and see if you have a stencil that could look very different simply by repeating or twisting the stencil, to give you a new and fun look.

I decided to stretch this Shiny Diamonds stencil, it looks amazing in just one layer, adding a second layer created a circle pattern, but I then came and added a third layer in a very dark colour. I love the final retro style look that this gave.

BONUS IDEA: I also considered adding a fourth layer of the same or similar dark red, what do you think that would have looked like? I am going to have to try it!

Technique #2 – Design Paper

Did you know that you can ink blend through a stencil onto Design Paper? I love this technique as it gives the design paper, and the stencil, a ‘new’ look. Be sure to choose a patterned paper that is not too busy, otherwise the stencil image may become lost within the pattern.

PRO TIP: Not sure what the colours will look like? You can always do a little blending on a scrap piece of the design paper before committing to your project.

I love the way that you can see the pattern of the paper through these balloons. You may also have noticed that I added a little dimension to the balloons by adding a little darker shading around the edges.

Technique #3 – Alter the Stencil Design

Another fabulous way to Step Up Your Stencils is to change the design of the stencil. For example, a layering set of stencils creates a large and a small floral bouquet.

But, instead of ink blending the intended design I separated the flowers and fussy cut them out. This allowed me to add some easy dimension to the project. I also changed the leaves, I created a cluster to have behind the fussy cut flowers and used a combination of leaves from the large and the small bouquet.

So, it is worth taking a second peek at your image stencils and see if you can alter or add images to get a new look.

PRO TIP: Don’t limit yourself to just one set of stencils, use images, flowers and leaves from multiple sets to create your ‘new’ bouquet.

Have you been inspired to Step Up Your Stencils? Let me know in the comments below if you are going to try any of these techniques and if so, I’d love to see what you have created!

Thank you for spending your time with me today, sending crafty hugs your way!

AFFILIATE LINKS may be used. This means, that if you click on a product I have linked which is an affiliate link then I may receive a small commission at NO EXTRA COST to you. This is a great way to support me and the online businesses that we love🥰 .

Shop with me: (affiliate links used – Supplies are linked below)
Altenew – https://altenew.com/6397491
Simon Says Stamp – https://shrsl.com/3nnrq
Alex Syberia Designs – https://tinyurl.com/mpztt9rt
Spellbinders – https://tinyurl.com/yck6p76s
Kat Scrappiness – https://shrsl.com/4l9h6
Amazon au – https://amzn.to/3QrFt6k

*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Other Supplies:
Cardstock: Concord & 9th – Watermelon
Ink: Concord & 9th – Creamsicle | Watermelon | Wildberry

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• Ink Drops 12 X 12 – Dusk -SSS https://shrsl.com/4g4yn
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