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Monday 19 May 2014

Destination Inspiration - Layering with stencils

Hi everyone and welcome to another edition of Destination Inspiration, a chance for the Creative Guides to provide you articles to inspire, motivate, provoke your thinking and enrich your creative experiences.

Having read so many comments from crafters out there in 'blogland' who feel a little intimidated by Distress Inks, stencils and such like I thought this was an ideal opportunity to take you through some of my ideas for creating a layered stencilled card background. I've used Tim Holtz Layering Stencils throughout this tutorial but you could grab the ones you have already and experiment before shopping for even more! So let's get started...


To create a visual 'guide' to the areas you are going to need to stencil start by sticking some ripped up book pages to a blank square of card. This 'trashy novel' was picked up from a charity shop in case you are worrying about me destroying a classic, and it gives you the opportunity to play with different shapes until you are happy with the design.


Brush the whole card base with white gesso; don't worry if you leave some streaks of card without gesso on as these will add to the look when you apply the ink.


When the gesso is dry you can start stencilling. I chose to stick with shades of green but you can mix your colours as you get more confident. By using gesso you are also going to 'tone down' the strength of the colours as they dry so don't panic when you first apply them! Use the lightest colour of Distress Ink and an 'open' design for the initial layer. You just want to leave a little of the white exposed.


Move up to a more detailed stencil and a darker shade/colour. Use those wripped pages as your stencilling guide, covering just those areas with your Distress Ink.


Choose a stencil with more defined and dramatic shapes for the next layer; I find ones where shapes (or in this case lettering) are in distinct lines are perfect as they help to give you 'structure' to your finished design. Use a deeper shade/colour and add more stencilling over your book pages, missing out some areas for a more patchy look.


For the final layer choose a stencil with a larger shape or pattern and a brighter shade/colour of ink. I love this Tim Holtz 'Splatters' one is perfect for adding some very 'controlled' ink splats. Finish the base by using the remaining ink on your blending tool to add some colour to the edges of the card.


And there you have it (well in this case them as I couldn't resist showing you a variation using different colours and stencil designs!) Yes, they have deliberately been left at this stage for two reasons; you need to see how they look, and then you can start to imagine for yourselves what you could add to them to complete your cards. A bit of stamping maybe? I'd recommend using darker coloured Archival Inks to give you defined images which can stand out against the background. You could reach for some of your die cuts or even a coloured image. Play around with a few and don't be afraid to layer them up over your stencilling - it is a background after all.


I hope this has encouraged you to dip your toes into the world of stencilling with Distress Inks and look forward to seeing what you produce as a result.

Take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx


Links to products used;
Distress Inks
Tim Holtz Layering Stencils
Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool

42 comments:


  1. Fabulous tutorial Jenny and an awesome idea!! You've given me some inspiration for the tags I need to make for my Positivity Journal!! Love this technique!! ox

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  2. Thank you! It is nice to see a few basic principles. Lovely colors and designs.

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  3. I LOVE the layered look! thanks for sharing ALL this info!!!!

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  4. Thank you for the tutorial, Jenny! I think it's still above my talent grade, but you did a brilliant job of making me feel like I could do this some day!! Have a great week! Hugs, Darnell

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  5. Good morning Jenny,
    THANK YOU very much for this detailed Tutorial.
    Now this is something I feel could achieve (I think) need to get a few of the "ingredients" then I will have a go.
    You are a Gem for sharing your wonderful talent.
    Have a fantastic day

    Patricia xx

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  6. Fabulous tutorial Jenny. It really is a fun thing to do as well. Now all I need is the time to play. Have a Good Day. Hugs Rita xxx

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  7. Thank you for this tutorial, Jenny

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  8. Jenny, thanks so much for the show and tell. I truly believe a picture worth a thousand words. Will give this a go.
    Hugs, Katie

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  9. Great tutorial Jenny! Thank you
    Dot x

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  10. Thank you Jenny for this wonderful tutorial, I am sure it will encourage lots of crafters to have a go! Anne xx

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  11. Great step by step Jenny! I always forget that there are so many people out there for whom all of this is new, and this shows the process so clearly, well done!!

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  12. What a fab' tutorial Jenny, how could anyone not be tempted to try this technique, you've made it so easy in your step x step. Great inspiration and a superb result (or two, lol) to demonstrate. Chris xxx

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  13. Wow Fantastic work, I am off to get my masks and Tim inks out!
    Debbiex

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  14. You truly are one of my most favourite card makers xo Love this tut xo

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  15. Great tutorial Jenny. These look wonderful. Nicola x

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  16. Beautifully done, Jenny. Thanks so much for this tutorial on the use of stencils. Great job! <3 Candy

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  17. Fabulous tutorial, Jenny! You are definitely a pro and we should definitely listen to you :) Now, what are you going to do with those backgrounds ;) XOXO-S

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  18. what a wonderful tutorial on how to get going with stenciling - great pictures of your steps and beautiful results Jenny!

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  19. Oh Jenny, you make it look so simple! Thanks for sharing this Nikki xx

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  20. Superb tutorial Jenny.
    Thanks Julie x

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  21. This is fab Jenny, you can sometimes overlook the basics and how good they look x

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  22. This was a real inspiration thanks for sharing x

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  23. Fantastic tutorial Jenny! I've always struggled with layering stencils properly and your tutorial has fixed me right up!

    Amy*

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  24. It's so easy to to when it's so fine explained! Thanks! Lys.

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  25. Thank you Jenny. Lead me by the nose and I'll 'get it' This is perfect ;-)

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  26. Great tutorial, useful to see someone else do it even when you think you know what you're doing Lol!
    Happy crafting, Angela x

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  27. What a great tutorial... The step by step makes it look quite simple, and it is. Distress inks are the easiest inks to work with. I make my own stencils so I'll try this out soon, but of course in pinks lol (worn lipstick, spun sugar, old paper perhaps). I am indeed inspired. Thanks for sharing.

    gracielliedesign . blogspot . com

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  28. Jenny this is a perfect tutorial! Wonderful and detailed! Thanks for sharing with us! BArbarayaya

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  29. Lovely guide to layering the stencils, and great step-by-step photos!
    Alison xx

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  30. Fabulous step by step Jenny and a stunning use of the green DIs and the stencils. Jennie x

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  31. Brilliant Tutorial as ever Jenny. Mo x

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  32. Great tutorial Jenny - love the bluey version!

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  33. Jenny, I love all the steps to such gorgeousness! Great tutorial sharing all the layers and stenciling! I must get that splat! Hugs!

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  34. Great technique, thanks for the superb tutorial !

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  35. Great tut for beginners! TFS! Please, pretty please do a tut on creating distress paint backgrounds like TH shows. I saw him doing it in person but mine are not that well blended. I think the order/method of applying (so called randomly placed) paints on the craft sheet does matter for good results....

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  36. This is a very helpful tutorial!! Thanks and keep 'em coming!

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  37. Fabulous DI piece Jenny, love the way you have guided us through to create fantastic backgrounds using the inks and stencils. xx

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  38. Jenny - such a great tut. I love the stencils and use them lots but you have been successful in showing me even more uses and techniques. Thank you. Us crafters always want to learn something new and exciting and your tut has certainly done that for me.

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  39. Wonderful teaching tool for card makers especially. I love to make cards, so it's nice to see new ways of using all those wonderful products. Thank you.

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  40. Thank you for this lovely tutorial! Love the combination of masks and inks you chose, your backgrounds are gorgeous. Coco x

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