Product Spotlight: Simple Coloring Stencils - Megan's Papercraft Treasures

 Hi friends!  

The Design Team has been asked to spotlight a favorite product each month. For the month of August, I chose simple coloring stencils, as they seem to be my new obsession!  I absolutely love the versatility of them, and how simple they make it to create something incredible!  

All three of these cards were made using the same stencil(s) and color scheme (with the exception of changing the tulip color) and I love how they look completely different.  

I decided that rather than just telling you why I love this project, I would show you in a photo tutorial.  I created two mini slimline cards from one stenciled image, and the entire process to make the two cards took me less than 20 minutes.  

For these cards, I used the Altenew Craft Your Life Project Kit:  Seasonal Blooms.  This AMAZING kit comes with a 6 x 8 stamp set, coordinating dies, coordinating 3D embossing folder, and the simple coloring stencils. 

To start, I wanted to share a few products that I find extremely helpful when working with stencils.  

The first supply that I make sure I have on hand when using stencils, or doing any ink blending, for that matter, is a hack I found somewhere and it was a total game changer.  I bought a light adhesive Cricut mat on Amazon and I cut it into 6 x 6 pieces.  This is perfect for placing my card stock down as the light adhesive holds it in place, but doesn't tear it when I lift it.  

I also keep a supply of Post-It Notes handy, as they are perfect for covering areas that you don't want to accidentally blend ink over.  

I tend to use a combination of finger daubers and makeup blending brushes (also purchased on Amazon). 

Ok, let's get started!  Cut two card bases from heavyweight card stock.  I cut my bases to 6 1/4" x 6 1/2", scoring the 6 1/2" side at 3 1/4".  The card base will be 3 1/4" x 6 1/4".

1.  Adhere a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" panel of smooth white card stock to a cricut mat (if you don't have a spare Cricut mat, put some painter's tape under your card stock panel to hold it in place) and line the 1st layering stencils up on the bottom and left edges.  Use painter's tape to hold the stencil in place so that it doesn't shift while applying ink. 

2.  Using the lightest color of the sunflower (Sunray), apply to the sunflower petals, starting at the base of the petals with the heaviest color, and lighter at the tips. 

3.  Using the lightest color for the small flowers (Dew Drops), apply using a fairly light hand to the appropriate areas. 

4.  Using the lightest of the pink shades (Baby Pink), apply color to the Tulips, again, darker at the base, lighter at the tips. 

5.  Remove the first stencil gently, clean it,  and set it aside.   

6.  If your card stock shifted, line it back up.  Line up the second stencil along the bottom and left side and tape it down, as in the first step. 

7.  Using the darker of the sunflower colors (Snapdragon), again apply color darkest at the base of the petals, lightest at the tips. 

8.  Using the darker of the blues (Aqualicious), apply to the small flowers. 

9.  Using the darkest pink (Fuschia), apply to the tulips, again darkest at the base of the petals, lightest at the tips.

10.  Carefully remove the stencil, clean and set aside. 

11.  As in the first step, line up the third stencil on the bottom and left edges of the card stock.  

12 - 14.  Using a brown (Hazelnut), apply a light layer to the centers of the sunflowers and add an additional layer to the edges to add some depth.  Using the lightest green (Lime), apply to the leaves and stems, darker at the base and lightest at the tips.  With the darker green (Fresh Leaf), add a layer at the base of the leaves.   Using a different (or the same) shade of yellow (Chamomile), apply to the centers of the small flowers.

15.  Gently remove the stencil, clean and set aside.  

16.  Using the coordinating die, die-cut the image and remove the cut away areas.

17.  Trim the edges of the stenciled image and cut it in half.  (This part was painful, but I promise it is worth it!) 

18.  Cut two panels of smooth white card stock to 3" x 6".  Pick your favorite shade of Distress Oxide Ink (Kitsch Flamingo) for a background.  

19.  Ink blend your background on the white panels to create some soft dimension behind your stenciled images.

20.  Adhere the stenciled images to the ink-blended panels.   (This will make it easier to determine where to place your sentiment.)

21.  Stamp your sentiment on the panel in black ink.  

 22.  Adhere the card panels to your card bases. 

I know this looks like a long process, but it truly is very quick and easy! 

This is another card that I made, using the same stencil and the same colors (except the tulips).  The main difference in this card is that I used the coordinating 3D embossing folder prior to using the stencils.  I LOVE how this card has an entirely different look.

Products Used:

• Recollections 110# Card Stock:  White
• Neenah Crest Card Stock:  Solar White
• Altenew Craft Your Life Kit:  Seasonal Blooms 
• Altenew Crisp Dye Ink:  Chamomile, Sunray, Snapdragon, Hazelnut, Dew Drops, Aqualicious, Baby Pink, Fuschia, Lime, Fresh Leaf
• Memento Ink:  Tuxedo Black
• Distress Oxide Ink:  Kitsch Flamingo
• Finger Daubers
• Blending Brush

As always, thank you for dropping in!  If you are not familiar with simple coloring stencils, I hope you have learned something new.  If you are familiar with them, I hope that you may have picked up some new tricks!  Please make sure to leave a comment letting me know what you think!  

Xoxo, 

Kim