Clarity Stencil Brushes + Giveaway
Hi! Have you heard the buzz about ClarityStamp Stencil Brushes? They are becoming very popular. I saw my friend Lydia use them a few months ago at a retreat and was impressed at the soft coloring you could achieve effortlessly. I finally broke them out and had fun playing!
[All supplies are linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. To watch the video in HD on YouTube, click HERE.]
There are really a million things you can do with Clarity Brushes. In this video, I show several cards I created as I explored using them for the first time. I just LOVE doing this!
ClarityStamp Brushes have a pointed tip with super-fine, synthetic bristles. They are soft and easy to clean… and you can use them with ink and paint. I find they are very good for achieving soft ink blending with no harsh edges showing up!
Here are some techniques I tried:
EVEN INKING OVER STENCIL – For my first card, I used the Clarity Stencil Brushes to apply a soft, even layer of ink over a Hero Arts Bold Floral Stencil. I then die cut the sentiment using the fabulous Concord & 9th Friend Like You Die. Look how soft that pink color is…
OMBRE INKING – Who doesn’t love a gorgeous ombre background? I found it SUPER easy to create with the Clarity Brushes. Just apply more ink in the center and less around the edges. This Hero Arts Glorious Petals Stencil is a classic. And can you tell I am enjoying that sentiment die?
BLENDING BETWEEN MANY COLORS – Sometimes it is difficult to blend colors together… especially when space is limited on the paper. I created this soft rainbow background in minutes! And that Neat & Tangled Awesome Die will be making appearances on a lot of my upcoming cards…
INKING EDGES – I really like to soften the edges of my cards, but sometimes struggle getting it light and even. For this example, I applied a light ink over the stencil and then removed the stencil and added a bit of color to the edges. Easy! That Hero Arts Bold Daisy Stencil is pretty funky, but I gave it a new, soft look with these brushes. That Impression Obsession With Sympathy Die is also gorgeous…
CREATE COLORFUL PATTERNS – I like to create patterned with my stencils but inking over it, shifting it, and repeating. I find the patterns look best when done with light colors, so the Clarity Brushes were handy. That Hero Arts Floral Pattern Stencil is great for overlapping patterns…
INKING OVER EMBOSSING – Stencils can also be used to dry emboss cardstock. Simply use the Spellbinders Tan Embossing Mats and your die cut machine! I embossed my white cardstock with the Hero Arts Floral Pattern Stencil and then lightly brushed ink on top. The raised edges took more ink and revealed the pattern. I also die cut the sentiment and brushed ink over it some more. I like how the added brushed ink intensified the inside edges of the die cut letters…
INKING OVER DIE CUT MASKS – Don’t have many stencils? You can also create your own masks. Simply die cut from masking paper and put the piece temporarily on cardstock. Apply the ink on top and remove the mask. The results are stunning. This Impression Obsession Deepest Sympathy Die is so pretty that you don’t need to add much to the card…
CONCENTRATING BLENDING – Sometimes it is fun to add a “cloud of ink” behind a focal point on a card. This is easy to do with stencil brushes. Here, I created a soft inked background and added more concentrated color over the Impression Obsession Deepest Sympathy Die cut mask I made. I then added a simple Avery Elle Sentimental “Hello” die cut…
On almost all of these cards, I added several mists of Shimmer Spritz so they would sparkle in the light. I wish the photos could capture it! The one below does a bit. I recommend the large bottle and refill. This stuff is gorgeous and you can even watercolor with it.
So… obviously I like these brushes! Please know that I was not asked to use them. I bought lots of them and fell head over heels on my own. 🙂 I will be sure to share more techniques in the future.
GIVEAWAY
How would you like to win a set of Clarity Stencil Brushes? For your chance, leave a comment below by 11:59pmEST on 6/16/16 telling me if you like using stencils. (The winner’s name will be randomly selected, emailed and posted on my “Winners page” after the giveaway closes. International folks are eligible, too! Prize personally donated.)
SUPPLIES
Interested in the products I used? To make them easy for you to find, I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: Simon Says Stamp (SSS), etc.

