Techniques with Traci: Using die shapes as stencils

Posted by Tara Smithberg

This week, our designer, Traci Armbrust, brings us another great way to make the most of dies. She showed me how to take a simple shape, like a snowflake, and use it as a stencil for all kinds of projects--from wedding invitations to bags and boxes.

We began by cutting a piece of cardstock with the small Snowflake #6 die to create a stencil out of the "negative" or leftover piece. Then we cut several mini snowflakes out of chipboard with the mini Fall & Winter die.

To create a subtle, watermark effect, we used Tsukineko® VersaMark with the "negative" snowflake shape. This ink pad allows you to perform lots of cool techniques, like watermarking and stamping subtle tone-on-tone images onto cardstock. We simply placed the stencil over the paper and dabbed the ink pad onto the paper to fill in the shape.

When applying this technique to printed pieces, it is best to print on the paper first and then apply the watermark--making it is less likely to run or smudge.

Also, Traci recommends using paper as a stencil when using VersaMark or other inks, but cut your stencil out of chipboard when using paint.

To spice up the card band on the invitation, we created the opposite effect by placing the small snowflake shapes onto a piece of paper. Then, we sprayed the paper with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist to add color and sparkle.

Here's the result! The moisture from the Glimmer Mist can make your paper start to curl on the ends, so it is best to let it dry and then place between books overnight to flatten it out again. Once it's flat, you can cut the patterned paper into the card band shapes.

Here is the finished product. Dies used to create this invitation include the A7 Cards, A7 Card Mats #2 and A7 Card Bands #1.

 

The great thing about this technique is that you can reuse the shapes you cut out for stenciling in other projects. Use small shapes, like these sparkly mini snowflakes, as confetti on your table.

This adorable favor box was made using the little jumbo Box #28 with crease and a repurposed snowflake sprayed with Glitter Mist tied on with ribbon.  

 

This was so easy and fun to do! Now you have the ability to create designer paper all your own.  

Comments

[Panti]

Very beautifully) thanks for the detailed description) I will necessarily try to create such beauty)