Stenciled with Some Challenges

The Online Card Classes are always excellent, and “Stenciled” is no exception. It’s been a long times since I used stencils on a card, but I’ve had them on hand for awhile, and recently purchased a few new ones. In addition to many techniques using stencils, I’ve picked up some other handy card-making tips as well. These classes are always well worth the fee!

My first card uses a Simon Says stencil that came with one of the monthly card kits. I used a mist to create the stenciled pattern. I’ll be linking this card up with Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: use twine or string, and the Addicted to CAS: Love. 

I cut a double tag because I had this darling vellum with tiny hearts on it that I wanted to use. The vellum alone just didn’t look right so I backed it with a pink cardstock tag. It’s still hard to see the hearts in the photograph, but they’re there.

 

The next two cards meet the new Addicted to CAS challenge: Love as well. The first one was made with a DIY stencil. I used a Papertrey Ink coaster and die cut it with the Tic Tac Toe die from Simon Says. I wanted to create rather thick hearts using embossing paste.

Here’s the card:

Although I let the embossing paste dry for well over an hour, it still must have been damp because I got some bubbles in the hearts when I embossed them. (Jennifer did warn us about this!) The hearts were covered with red Zing embossing powder. Here’s a close look at the dimension. 

The last card for the Addicted to CAS challenge: Love used Gesso and the Falling Hearts stencil by Simon Says. I stayed with white on white for this one and cut down a vellum envelope for the stamped heart that I cut out by hand. I finished it off with a strip of patterned paper and a Doodlebug heart pearl. 

 

Here’s a peek at the inside of this card.

 

I created the last card for this week’s challenge at CAS(e) This Sketch:

I masked off the diagonal stripe with post-it notes and used three different Distress Inks to ink up the Tim Holtz “Bubble Stencil.” Then I laid down two thin strips of cardstock along each edge. (Another trick I learned from Jennifer McGuire in an earlier Online Card Class.) The sentiment was embossed in gold and I added two flat sequins by Kelly Purky.

Although I meant to use a slightly different technique on this card, I like how it turned out. I’ll try out that technique next time.

It’s been fun to have a day to watch class videos and play at my desk. The great purge turns out to have added benefit—I found all kinds of supplies I’d forgotten about, and I knew just where to find them!

Card Recipes:

Card #1:
Cardstock: Neenah Select, and pink from the scrap folder, vellum from stash
Stencil: “Moroccan” (Simon Says)
Mist: Creme de Rouge (Tattered Angels)
Dies: Vine Border, Tremendous Tags, & Double-ended Border (trimmed down) (Papertrey Ink), “You” (Simon Says)
Stamp: “You” (Simon Says)
Twine: Valentine collection (Doodlebug)
Pink pearl: Michaels

Card#2:
Cardstock: Select White & Pure Poppy (PTI), silver (Paper Source)
Stamp: “Celebrate Everyday” (Hero Arts)
Embossing powders: Zing (American Craft), silver (B Muse)

Card #3:
Cardstock: Select White & Pure Poppy (PTI)
Patterned Paper: Simple Valentine (PTI)
Vellum envelope: Impress
Stencil: “Falling Hearts” (Simon Says)
Heart pearl: Doodlebug
Die (inside card): Nested Hearts (Spellbinders)

Cartd#4:
Cardstock:  Select White and Orange Zest (PTI)
Stencil: “Bubble” (Tim Holtz)
Stamp: “Fresh Florals” (WPlus9)
Sequins: Kelly Purkey