Fun with Stencils – Part 1

Once again I’m behind schedule with posting details of my blog tour projects … I think I should have an official motto … “better late than never”! 

I have really enjoyed playing with the stencils, love the different appearance they give to cards and paper projects.  These monogrammed note cards were very easy and so much fun to create, took only a few minutes from start to finish.  I began by using some painters tape to mask off the middle section of the Mostly Vintage decor stencils – post it notes will work just as well, tear them into little pieces and cover the areas you do not want in your design.  I used the 1 1/4” circle punch and punched from a sticky note to cover the middle image, it was the perfect size!  Now the fun begins … place your stencil over your cardstock, take a sponge and dab, dab, dab your ink until you reach the depth and color intensity you desire.  Carefully remove your stencil and admire your work!  (if you would like to see any of these photos larger, just click on the image)

Now it’s time to add your monogram – since I drive myself nuts about placement, I used my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig for stamping the monogram letter.  I popped out the gems from a few brads and glued them on the cards using Tombow multi purpose adhesive and set them aside to dry.  After completing the number of cards I wanted, I gently removed all the tape from the stencil.  Now I masked off the outer sections and left the center circle exposed, placed my stencil over a corner of an envelope, grabbed my sponge again and dabbed some ink … voila, coordinating envelopes!

The tin container was purchased from Stampin’ Up! several months ago (or was it a year ago???), just waiting for me to finally do something with it.  It is the perfect size for 3 1/2'” x 5” note cards and envelopes.  The entire stencil image was used for this tin.  This time I used craft ink to sponge with, as the color was a deeper intensity.  I sprinkled the stenciled image with clear embossing powder, melted it and once again popped out a gem from a Rhinestone brad and glued it on.  Tucked the cards inside the tin and tied a pretty piece of ribbon around it.  A few tidbits of advice …
  1:  do not use rubbing alcohol to clean your tin of fingerprints (or whatever mess is left behind) – I found out the hard way that this will remove your embossing!   
  2:  Be very careful when sponging and cleaning the middle section of this stencil!  The design is very intricate and will rip.  I found the best way to clean it was to just run the stencil under hot water – the ink came off very easily.  Craft ink does stain the stencil, but I think it gives it that “loved” appearance.

Project Recipe:
Images:  Mostly Vintage Decor Stencil, Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set
Paper:  Whisper White
Ink:  Old Olive Classic, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive Craft
Accessories:  Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads, Old Olive 1 1/4” striped ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive, clear embossing powder

Stampin’ Addicts SU Summer Mini Blog Tour

Welcome to Stampin’ Addicts Summer Mini Blog Tour.  This tour is a preview of many wonderful creations made using items included in the new Stampin’ Up! Summer Mini Catalog.  Items from this mini catalog will be available for sale beginning on May 1st. 

If you started this tour from the beginning you came upon my blog after visiting Holly.  Didn't you just love her marvelous creations made with the Elements of Style stamp set?  If you're starting the tour at my website, follow the link at the bottom of this post to continue on your journey.  If you get lost along the way, you can always jump back on the tour bus by visiting Stampin' Addicts for the complete list of participants.  This tour will run through Sunday evening ... so sit back, relax, enjoy and come back often!!!

I am showcasing the “Mostly Vintage” Decor Stencils.  I adore all the stencils in the Definitely Decorative line, this is quickly becoming my current favorite.  I love the versatility, and that the set comes with an additional mask stencil.  Fun, fun, fun!  I don’t want to hold up the tour bus, so am going to keep things brief.  Please check back later in the week for card recipes and more details.

My first project I decided to use both the main stencil AND the mask – wanted to play around a bit and see how these two items worked together.  I wish I had taken a few pictures along the way as the original colors in this came out uber-bright … they actually kind of hurt my eyes looking at it.  Figuring I was going to probably toss it and start over, I decided to soak it down with my water spritz bottle ……let it sit awhile to dry, added a few details and finishing touches.  I decided I loved the muted colors and the final outcome!

My next project was so much fun to make, I used several different items from the Summer mini-catalog.  The circle focal piece is actually the very center of the Mostly Vintage mask stencil.  I sponged a bit of the mask, punched it out and decided to sponge the edges a bit to give it some depth.  I felt this project needed much more of a vintage look, used the new embossing folder and sponged the heck out of it – then sponged some more.  The Bashful Blue satin ribbon gives it a little touch of elegance.

For my final creation I chose to use the main stencil from the set, once again using only a portion of it.  I masked off the unwanted areas – then sponged until I had the color depth I wanted.  
I thought this area of the stencil was perfect for a cute little set of monogrammed note cards and coordinating envelopes.  I was amazed how quick and easy these came together, might just sit down and make another batch for myself!

Of course, these wonderful note cards would not be complete without a matching tin to present them in!

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting, I hope you enjoyed my preview of the Mostly Vintage Decor Stencils.  Please continue on the tour by visiting Michelle who will be showcasing some great ideas using the Rough Type alphabet set.