Friday, February 28, 2014

Friday Focus - Stencils

Hi there everyone. Welcome to another edition of Friday Focus, our weekly spotlight on a product or range. This week it's the turn of stencils, one of the most versatile crafting tools we can own. And because they are the centre of attention you'll find a 15% discount on the wide range of competitively priced individual stencils at The Funkie Junkie Boutique this coming week (note - does not apply to pre-orders or stencil bundles).

A noticeable trend in the crafting world at the moment is the ongoing quest to find alternative ways of using existing products. As I'm sure many of you are familiar with using your inks and sprays through stencils it seemed appropriate to tackle a twist on texture paste. Maybe it's down to the legacy of all those Hugenot silk weaving ancestors in my family history that I have a passion for old fabrics, and damask in particular. So how can this be replicated with paper, ink and paste?

Start with Coredinations Kraft Core and part of a technique from the talented Tim Holtz. Spray the kraft side with Ink Refresher and rub it into the card until fully absorbed. The idea is the fibres in the card will absorb it and become more flexible, making it easier to scrunch up and giving it the appearance of suede. When dry turn it over to the non-kraft side and sand lightly to reveal those wrinkles.


Add a layer of white texture paste through a patterned stencil onto the non-kraft side of the card.


Using a small soft brush, sprinkle Perfect Pearls Pigment Powders onto random areas of the wet paste, working from light to dark colours.


Lightly mist the area with ink spray in a coordinating colour (I made mine with some Distress Ink Reinker). This adds a little colour to the paste and 'fixes' the Pigment Powders.


Carefully remove the stencil (don't clean it yet) and gently set the patterned card to one side so it can dry.


Flip the stencil over onto a blank tag, rolling a brayer over the stencil to transfer the remaining paste, powders and ink onto the tag. When you lift the stencil this is what you will be left with. Now you can clean that stencil!!


 Time to see what I did with that original piece of stencilled kraft card...


To fulfil a special card order and keep this elegant I decided to keep it simple when putting this together.


Linda stocks the most fabulous straight edged doily paper rolls which, if applied to card and covered in Picket Fence Distress Paint and Antique Linen Distress Stain, give the look of aged plasterwork. Use the same Distress Stain on some seam binding to cover the join between the two textured pieces.


You can see from this photo how the Pigment Powders add a subtle shimmer to the surface of the paste. Compliment this with your choice of matting and layering card. The sanded wrinkles in the kraft card also make a huge difference (it really doesn't look as vintage without them).


Simple vellum leaf stems, Distress Glitter blooms with pearl centres and a Simple Saying completed the card. As an alternative you could choose some of the fabulous Prima embellishments  or some rhinestone glamour, both available in The Funkie Junkie Boutique.


I promise to show you what became of that 'mop up' tag in the not too distant future. In the meantime don't forget that 15% discount on the wide range of competitively priced stencils at The Funkie Junkie Boutique this coming week (note - does not apply to pre-orders or stencil bundles). And if you do give this a go why not enter it for our current challenge, 'Stencils and texture'!

Have a fabulous weekend. Jenny x



22 comments:

  1. gorgeous as always Jenny and very you! Xx great use of the Kraft paper with the stencil too and bags of texture x hugs x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the technique you have shown us here Jenny and you use these gorgeous designs beautifully as backgrounds. This one looks amazing xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a wonderful textures look to this card-very special

    Love Chrissie x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh so beautiful Jenny. You never disappoint with all the fabulous techniques you apply to all your creations. Thank you for the inspiration. Hugs Rita xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous Jenny going to have a play with this later!

    MaggieH

    ReplyDelete
  6. absolutely gorgeous jenny - what a fabulous way to use your stencil - love it xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another of your "stunning" creations. I love this, I have written down a few things you have used which I intend to get at the Hobbycraft Show in Glasgow next week. I am determined to have a go.
    Actually I have gently dipped (only very gently) my toe into something different. It is on my Blog today.
    Have a fantastic weekend
    Hugs

    Patricia xxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous Jenny, love the embossed piece, very striking. Lovely design and I love the delicacy of the leaves . Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great technique! It's a fun new way to use Perfect Pearls powders. The card is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Jenny, You have done it again! made me go wow I love that. Thank you so much for the step by step for this truly beautiful card. Mo x

    ReplyDelete
  11. And there was me thinking you were creating faux leather - and then you take us down another (and very beautiful) path. That has to be my favourite stencil - ever! Your card is just simply gorgeous, thank you so much for the step by step too. Anne xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is a scrumptious stencil, and I love your Huguenot-driven experiments in creating texture - gorgeous!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is just beautiful. I love your cards and designs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jenny you are working wonders with that stencil! I love Perfect Pearls and applying it to the paste is a great way to add color and sheen! Love this and thank you for sharing the steps to fabulousness! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  15. this project is just gorgeous! I love every piece of it; that textured background is calling my name!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Fabulous step by step Jenny and a great project!!! You are always so creative with your backgrounds!

    ReplyDelete
  17. love this card and great tip to use the stencil again on a tag!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fabulous card Jenny, the embossing almost looks like it's rusted! Sue C x

    ReplyDelete
  19. I learned a lot! Thanks! Your card looks awesome too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jenny, this is absolutely inspired!! I love your technique and can't wait to try it out! I am amazed at the texture and color you have created here. The completed card is so very beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful art!!
    Hugs,
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gorgeous card jenny thanks for the step by step I shall definitely give this a go ! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is stunningly beautiful! I am going to "play" right now! LOL
    Great work - thanks so much for sharing the tutorial! :)

    ReplyDelete