Yesterday, you got to read Jenny’s take on the Crafter’s Workshop Stencils – and she gave them the “Craft Test Dummies Seal of Approval.” Â I will tell you right up front that I COMPLETELY agree!!
Like Jenny, I have never been a huge fan of stencils. Â I have a drawer full of random stencils I’ve collected over the past decade, and I honestly cannot remember the last time I used one. Â But when I was preparing to go to CHA, I noticed several sites talking about the newest template releases from Crafter’s Workshop, and I was intrigued…so I added them to the list of booths I wanted to be sure to stop by and check out. Â The awesome people there were super generous and totally excited about Craft Test Dummies giving their templates a try…and I’m SO glad!
The first template I played with was the 6″x6″ numbers one. Â I used a piece of pearlized Core’dinations cardstock, and Bundled Sage distress ink, with a foam ink applicator. Â I don’t have any basting spray/repositional adhesive, so I had to just hold the template in place. Â Even so, I was thrilled with the results – check it out for yourself.
I love how crisp the negative space is, even without using adhesive on the stencil, and I think this will be a fabulous technique for cards, scrapbook layouts, and tags.
The second template I tried was the 6″x6″ brick one. Â This time, I used watercolor paper, and I used a palette knife to apply molding paste over the template. Â I pulled the template off and immediately washed it. Â I let the molding paste dry for several hours.
I then put the template BACK ON the paper, fitting it over the molding paste, and painted the molding paste using acrylic paints – the template helped keep the paint on the “bricks” quite well. Â I think this would make a great background for a scrapbook page or altered photo frame!
Next, I was eager to try the templates with a spray mist, since I love all kinds of mists – color washes, glimmer-y mists, etc. Â I used the 6″x6″ damask stencil on a piece of regular smooth cardstock, and sprayed it with Glimmer Mist.
As you can see, the repositionable adhesive (or basting spray) is a MUST when using sprays – since I had none, and was only able to tape the edges of the stencil down, the mist seeped under parts of the stencil.
Finally, I wanted to try one last technique. Â This time, I used the 12″x12″ template with the branches and bird houses on it.
I created a resist using heat embossing….
Then, I applied various colors of distress ink over the paper, and the embossed areas provided a resist. Â I absolutely LOVED the result!
Isn’t that just gorgeous?! Â To find out exactly how I created this one, and what I did with the final page, you MUST check out the tutorial on my blog, My Crafty Friend Jen.
So…like Jenny, I absolutely give these templates “two thumbs up!” Â I love their versatility, the contemporary designs, and their ease of use. Â And as Jenny pointed out yesterday, the price can’t be beat either. Â I definitely foresee these templates becoming a staple in my everyday crafting!
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Rachel says
Oh wow, I especially think that brick stencil is great! I can think of uses for that one immediately!
Cindy d says
I love what you did with the stencils! The brick is especially awesome. I’m a big fan of The Crafter’s Workshop.
shelly says
I could use the 6×6 number ones, and the brick one turned out really neat!