Technique Thursday #16-2016

Today's Technique Thursday Challenge

is to stencil using embossing paste or powders.

This was one challenge I resisted at first because I didn’t have stencils or embossing paste.  Some time ago I had purchased some Grafix Matte stencil sheets (medium weight) at Hobby Lobby.  With the 40% off coupon they were only $4.20 for four 9 x 12 sheets, so  I cut a stencil on my Explore using the stencil material setting with a design from the CTMH Artbooking cartridge.  It cut like butter and when I lifted it up, all the little squares stayed on the mat, so no weeding needed.  I purchased some Texture Sand Paste by Deco Art Media at Joann’s with a coupon so it was only a couple of dollars.  I mushed some Tim Holtz distress ink (Fired Brick) on a Dollar Tree cutting mat and then put the paste on that and mixed it in.  I did this a couple of times to get it dark enough. I used some grayish paper that has a mottled appearance cut to 4 x 5.25 and put it on an old Cricut cutting mat to keep the paper from slipping and with the stencil taped all around on top of the paper, I spread the paste in a fairly thin layer over all of it with one of my Cricut spatulas (the ones I use to take the paper off my mats).  Almost anything with a flat edge would do.  I peeled off the stencil and let the paste dry.  I didn’t like how light the bricks were, so I put the stencil back over it to protect the lines and sort of pounced the distress ink over it again.  I then took a small black ink pad and hit that lightly in random places.  I am so excited on how it came out.  It looks and feels just like real brick.  Because I wanted that to really show that texture, I just put a small sentiment by Hampton Art for Hot Fudge Studio called LOL – Officially Old stamped with CTMH Daisy White on the same black cardstock I used for the card base. I think I should be able to get 3-4 stencils out of each sheet of material which makes it really inexpensive, so now I will go cut some different designs. Thank you Theresa for starting a new addiction. LOL.  ~Denise Sayers  

I used Ranger Clear Embossing Paste and colored it with some Heidi Swapp Color Mists

and a honeycomb stencil to create this card.  I took some additional colors of HSCMs

and using just the wand from the bottle flicked on more color. I stamped and embossed the bees and sentiment in the spots I'd left blank of the stencil or directly over the embossing paste. My MISTI came in very handy for this. ~Theresa

Well, Denise you're very welcome. Why should I be the only one addicted to stencils.

Are you new to stencils and all the fun and magic you can create with them?

Join the CADC DT and a whole bunch of guest designers,

 the entire month of July, as we explore stencils and mediums and all the different ways to use them. 

Here's a sneak peek:

Using the same stencil as the card above, I only used Heidi Swapp Color Mists on the this one.

A bee and a sentiment and the card was finished.

Hope you'll join us in July for more stenciling fun.

Happy Crafting

Theresa & the CADC DT