Master Card Design: Using Stencils for Unique Creations

Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencils I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded at 4.25

Card Face: 5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

Card Face:

I laid the card face onto my grip mat and positioned the postage stamp mask, centering it carefully. I inked around the outside edges with a heavy hand and dark blue ink.
I placed the corresponding stencil around the mask, then removed the mask (exposing the center of the cardstock while protecting the sectionalready inked).
I put the Angular Trees stencil over the Postage Stamp stencil and added the three trees in shades of green, using a smaller brush and masking as necessary to prevent colours from mixing.
After removing the Angular Trees stencil, I placed the Tree Edger #5 mask at the top of the opening and added purple ink with a light hand. Then I added blue ink, pulling it down from the top and in from the sides. When I removed the mask, I had created a white mountain range and a night sky.
Leaving the Postage Stamp stencil in place, I positioned the Tree Line Edger #3 stencil so the bottom of the trees was slightly below the halfway mark. Masking off the Angular trees as necessary, I added blue ink, making the trees very intense at the top but allowing the colour to fade as it moved down the tree.
I used a piece of torn paper and a soft hand with the same blue ink to create the look of snow and shadows on the ground.
My final stencil was the Christmas Postmark: I positioned it at an angle over the scene and added it with dark gray ink.
I inked up a tiny bird stamp with red ink and positioned it on the snow.
I used a light hand and the residual ink on my light blue brush over the white mountain range at the top of the card face – this softened the area, removing the stark contrast.
I used a white gel pen to add snow to the scene.

Assembly

I glued the card face in the center of the card base.

Final Thoughts:

I am so happy with this card: each step was an experiment and could have gone wrong, but in this instance everything worked together to create the result I was hoping for.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It’s a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

Stencils:

Angular Trees, A Colorful Life Designs

Tree Line Edger #5, A Colorful Life Designs

Tree Line Edger #3, A Colorful Life Designs

Marvellous Masks Postage Stamps: A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Postmark: A Colorful Life Designs

Waffle Flower Grip Mat, 8.5 x 6.5, Scrapbook.com

White Gel Pen: Arteza, Amazon

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Waffle Flower Sampler Pack, Scrap & Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels