6 Quick Stencil Techniques

Hello! After doing some coloring on-the-go, I needed to add them to cards. Therefore, I grabbed a stencil and came up with six quick stencil techniques.

[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 many wonderful ways to use stencils on cards. (Be sure to check out these videos HERE, HERE, and HERE.) However, today I wanted *quick* and easy – nothing fancy. Here are six I came up with…

IDEA 1: LAYERED INKING

Layering inking with two stencils gives the look of dimension. Here I first inked over the My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil with Salty Ocean Distress Ink and an Mini Ink Blending Tool. This creates the most beautiful clouds! I then inked over the My Favorite Things Radiating Rays Stencil with Fossilized Amber Distress Ink. The layer nicely and it takes no time at all.

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Those cutie critters and sentiment are from the My Favorite Things Giraffing Me Crazy Stamp Set. The eyes are Simon Says Stamp All Eyes On You Sprinkles. Total cuteness overload!

(I colored all of today’s images with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and Wink of Stella Clear Shimmer Pen. This is fast to do and gives lots of shine. Head HERE for a video on this coloring method.)

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

IDEA 2: OFFSET INK LAYERING

One technique that works really well with any stencil is offset inking. Just ink it once in one color and slightly offset and ink in another color. It gives a dimensional look! Here, I offset inked over the My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil with Peacock Feathers Distress Ink and Salty Ocean Distress Ink. I then added the sweet images from the My Favorite Things Mermazing Stamp Set and bubbles with Tonic Morning Dew Clear Grande Nuvo Crystal Drops.

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

Lila insists this little mermaid is her…

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

IDEA 3: WHITE INK STENCILING

Another very quick way to create a beautiful background with a stencil is with white ink on a colored cardstock. Here, I applied Hero Arts Unicorn White Pigment Ink over my My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil on bright blue cardstock. It makes it look like the clouds are glowing! The tree is from the My Favorite Things Beach Scene Builder Die Set and the sentiment is from the My Favorite Thigns More Essential Sentiments Stamp Set.

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

IDEA 4: TRACE PATTERNS

Simple, simple, simple! Try tracing your stencil with pens to create detailed backgrounds. For this subtle ocean background, I traced the My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil with a Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen. The shine is pretty! I then added the beautiful fish from the My Favorite Things Exquisite Ocean Stamp Set. The eyes? I used Tonic Ebony Black Nuvo Drops.

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

IDEA 5: SHIMMER MISTS

Mists are great to use with stencils, but I tend to make a mess with them. Therefore, I like to stick to clear shimmer! Here, I misted below the My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil with Tsukineko Shimmer Spritz. This creates the perfect sparkly ocean in no time. I added more images from the My Favorite Things Mermazing Stamp Set. I tell ya – I can’t get enough of this fun set! And the bubbles are again Tonic Morning Dew Clear Grande Nuvo Crystal Drops.

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

IDEA 6: HEAT EMBOSSING

Heat embossing works great with stencils. Here, I inked over the My Favorite Things Radiating Rays Stencil with Fossilized Amber Distress Ink and added Sparkle Embossing Powder. After heat setting, I have lots of texture and shine!

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

I die cut a window with the My Favorite Thing Square Peek-a-Boo Window Die and added images from the My Favorite Things Cuddly Koalas Stamp Set. Cuteness again!

6 Quick Stencil Techniques Video by Jennifer McGuire Ink

SUPPLIES

Want to find 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. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those from My Favorite Things and with an asterisk. As always, this post was NOT asked for, paid, or sponsored.) Click on the letters below each picture to go to a favorite store: My Favorite Things (MFT), Simon Says Stamp (SSS), etc.



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52 thoughts on “6 Quick Stencil Techniques”

  1. Thanks, Jennifer! Love the many ways to use the stencils! You must dream about all these ideas! I really love your videos! MFT ‘s cute animals and mermaids are so much fun!

  2. Thank you…what a great tutorial. How simple these techniques are. For me it is always helpful to see how it is done. The cards are adorable!

  3. Fun ideas! Thank you, Jennifer. I think it would be fun to use a versamark pen to trace a stencil and then heat emboss!!

  4. These are all really cool cards Jennifer!! I especially love the shimmer spray on the ocean/mermaid card and those clear Nuvo droplets!!! They are definitely going into my shopping cart 🙂

  5. Thank you so much Jennifer. I LOVE stencils, they are so versatile, and all your cards have great unique techniques. Another gorgeous set of cute cards, Lisa x

  6. Hi Jennifer …love your cards & your honest opinion on products….I was very happy seeing one of our native animals in your video…. The koala is actually not a bear but a marsupial. ..it carries its young in their pouch…unfortunately a lot of their habitat is being taken away by progress but fortunately we have an organization that is working with developers to try to minimize the risks that face these beautiful creatures….Australian Koala Foundation has a website if you are interested in their story….I have posted it on my tablet Facebook that I use for artwork groups etc…Thankyou again for all you do & for giving us so much inspiration….can’t wait to get my gear & start making some of your lovely cards…..Kind Regards Pattie ?

  7. Thanks for the video, I always learn something new. I have almost all of these new MFT release on my wish list, now I know I need them!! Awesome cards as always.

  8. Your video was NOT all over the place! Lol! Thank you for those great ideas. The cards are all so lovely. And Lila is right that little mermaid does look like her!

  9. This is a really helpful tutorial, Jennifer! I tend to forget about that pile of stencils that I have accumulated thru the years, and then don’t really know what to do with them. I don’t care for the “mixed media” type of cards, but usually go for the clean and simple look – these ideas will be perfect for quick and simple backgrounds! Thank You!

  10. Dear Jennifer–just when I think I’m getting better at card making, you show me how little I really know! This is a lovely video with some really great techniques! Thank you so much for sharing so many wonderful ideas and techniques. I really appreciate all of your wonderful videos and blog postings. I always learn something new and worthwhile. Thank you again!

  11. Thank you VERY MUCH for this video, and all your videos, actually!!! They are SSSSOOOOO helpful and educational!!!!!

  12. WOW!! You never disappoint! What great stencil techniques, I love them all. You make it look so easy and fast. I love the versatility of that cloud stencil. I also like the white ink idea. I have some white ink that I barely use, but now I have a neat way to put it into action. That goes for my glimmer mist also. Thank you so much for your informative videos, I learn so many new techniques from you and I get inspired all over again!!!!!
    ~Gin K.~

  13. Thanks for sharing these great techniques, Jennifer! When I saw the second card, I instantly thought, “When did Lila get a mermaid stamp?” That is one smart little girl you have!

  14. Thank you for a really useful tutorial. I have just ordered from MFT’s new release and will be able to try out these ideas when my goodies arrive!

  15. Love your cards. Those mermaids are so cute. I love using stencils for so I love your ideas. Thanks for sharing.

  16. Wow, thanks for showing us more ideas and enabling us to these lovely stamps & stencils from MFT.

  17. Love this video. I will now look at my stencils differently. You are the best at what you do!

  18. That adorable mermaid is so your Lila! Love all the stencil ideas! I have been carrying things with me to colour and now I need to make cards with them. Great timing! Thanks for all the new mojo you give us!

  19. These cards are adorable!I love their “happy” look!I also like the mermaids..they are so cute!Thank you for sharing your ideas!I love stencils and I’m glad I watched your video because I had never thought about using shimmer mists with them!! 🙂

  20. Jennifer,
    Loved all the techniques. The links to your other stencil videos did not work.

  21. OMGeeeeee! I always look at stencils & go “meh” Not anymore. Thanks for a fabulous video showing me just how cool stencils really are. have a most wonderful day. Cheers Donna Z 🙂

  22. I’ve fallen in love with the cloud stencil. Specially now I’ve seen lots more you can do with it. Great techniques.

  23. Thanks for the awesome video Jennifer!! I love all your amazing ideas. And I’m inspired to create when I watch you, so thank you so much ?

  24. I’d love to be a little bird in your mind to see how you come up with all these ways to stretch our products. Each card is such a sweet and realistic scene because of how you used your stencils. TFS, Jennifer!

  25. Have you noticed how everything is so Punny lately? All the stamps now are like that. Your cards are so cute! I love them all. They made me smile and I needed to smile today. We had a little bit of sun today but mostly it was gray, cloudy and rainy. It’s been gray and cloudy for days. Thanks for making a little sun in my life.

  26. Hi Jennifer ~ Your video was definitely “together” and not all over the place. Love all the stenciling techniques you’ve shared, which is a perfect reminder to go ahead and color on the go and create cards later on. The MFT cloud stencil is fabulous and the best one I’ve ever seen. The cards are absolutely wonderful and the added stenciled backgrounds are perfect. Thanks so much for sharing…I always look forward to your videos with great joy. ~HUGS~
    #kindnessmatters

  27. I have been watching this particular video and practicing for DAYS!! You made the clouds and ocean waves look sooooo easy! My teen daughter seems to have the knack however lol. I am new to your blog, and have found myself watching many of your videos – they are just brilliant! This particular video caught my eye, because I happened to have just purchased both the giraffe and mermaid sets from Simon Says Stamp, and they were shipped all the way down to me in New Zealand 🙂 Also, thanks to your inspiration, I have now had my cardstock cut and scored to be top folding cards, just like yours – such a classy look! 🙂

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