Stencil Monoprint

Hi everyone.  This month we are revisiting a favourite older technique - Stencil Monoprint.  It's a great way to stretch the use of your stencils, as well as being very easy to do.

We are including a video on how to do this technique.  We hope you'll give it a try or let us know if you have a different way to Stencil Monoprint.

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

You can create beautiful backgrounds or focal points for your cards, depending on the design of the stencil.  Basically you are using the background of the stencil to create your panel.  You can leave it as is on your card, or you can place the stencil back over top to add different ink colours or embossing paste to fill in the design.

**Bonus:  if you take your first monoprint and there's still lots of ink on your stencil, flip it over onto a clean card panel and blot with paper towel.  You will get a muted version of your first panel - makes beautiful, soft backgrounds.

* * * * *

One of the best ways to do this technique using powdered inks or sprays, is to create two card panels at the same time.  If you place your stencil over your card panel and add powdered inks & water / or watercolour sprays, you will have created a positive of the stencil.  Take the inky stencil, flip it over onto a second card panel, press down with paper towel (stencil monoprint).  You now have two card panels (positive and negative), along with an inky paper towel which could be adhered to a third card panel and used as a background. :)

Videos:

Stencil Monoprint by Lee-Ann Cross (6:50) - a great example of how to make Stencil Monoprints.  There are a few different ways, but this video is easy to follow.

Supplies:

• Ink or water-soluable mediums (ink, watercolour paints, powdered inks, sprays, acrylic paints, etc.) - 3-4 colours works best
• Water-friendly substrates (watercolour, mixed media, bristol, etc.)
• Water mister
• Paper Towel

Technique Instructions:

• Add ink to stencil; mist with water
• Flip stencil over and place onto water-friendly card
• Press down with paper towel to absorb any excess ink
• Remove stencil and blot with paper towel to create a soft look, or leave to air dry for more vibrant colours.  

Alternative:

• Stencil monoprint creates a negative print (background of stencil).  Once dry, place the cleaned stencil back over top, lining up the design.  Add different ink or embossing paste over the stencil.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Stencil Monoprint Card Samples

Julia

Loll

Susan

Bonnie

 

Darnell

Christine

 

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Bonnie                                         Christine                                           Pat

Michele                                                   Loll                                                   Izzy

Bokeh

Hi everyone.  Today we are showcasing an older technique which is a photographic technique adapted for card making.  This involves a background (either sponged, watercoloured or patterned paper) and layering of sponging through a circle stencil to create a very beautiful and unique background.

You can use a stencil with different-sized circles or create your own stencil using a piece of acetate or thin card stock and cutting different-sized circles with either punches or dies.

If you do make Bokeh cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Videos: 

Bokeh made Easy by Dawn for WPlus9 (7:47)

Supplies:

• Colour:  1-3 colours of either watercolour paints, water-soluable inks, etc.
• Watercolour paper, mixed media, bristol (if watercolouring background)
• Regular card stock, mixed media, bristol (if sponging background)
• Different-sized circles stencil   OR   small circle punches or dies with acetate, vellum or thin card stock to create your own stencil
• Small finger dauber
• White Pigment ink

Alternate:

• Alcohol inks
• Yupo
• Alcohol Ink Lift pad   ... OR ... small amount of rubbing alcohol or blending solution applied lightly with sponge dauber

Technique Instructions:

Following the video above ...

• Create a background with sponging or watercolouring 1-3 colours of ink.
• Edited to add:  Use some of the sponged colours to add a few circles randomly over your panel.  This adds more depth to the overall finished look.
• Using a circle stencil, sponge white pigment ink using a small finger dauber.  Sponge circles randomly over your card front, moving stencil as needed.  Vary the sizes of circles and intensity of white ink (smallest circles are usually the brightest white; largest circles and softest white). 
• Make sure to overlap some of the circles as that helps to create depth.
• Finish the Bokeh card front as desired.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.

Bokeh Card Samples

Bonnie

Julia

Christine

Darnell

Loll

 

Brenda

 

Susan

 

 

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Sharing ...

Michele                                           Robyn                                        Christine

Christine                                           Pat                                        Marcia

Marcia                                           Aimslee                                                     

We'll be back on the 28th of June

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!

Masked Stenciling

Hi everyone.  Before we start with today's technique, there is a new tab at the top of this blog "Colour Theory".  For those that would like to know more about how colours work together, please check it out. :)

Today the Group of Seven is excited to welcome Pat (Colourful Card Creations) as our Guest Designer.  Pat made a beautiful card (see below) using a combination of techniques that she had seen on-line.  We are calling this Masked Stenciling as you start by creating a mask of a shape over part of your card front before placing a stencil overtop and adding sponging.  LOTS of possibilities for unique designs using different masked shapes with different stencils.

The masking of a shape becomes part of your unique design.  This is not simply masking parts of a stencil (ie. leaves or flowers).

Pat's Inspirational Card

 

Supplies:

• Smooth White Card Stock (regular card stock, mixed media, bristol, etc.)
• Scrap paper or masking paper
• Inks:  Distress or Dye 
• Sponges or sponge brushes
• Stencil

Technique Instructions:

• Cut mask (free-hand or use a die).  Secure mask over part of your card front
• Before adding your stencil ... if your stencil has a lot of open space, make sure you are adding colour next to the masked section so it shows up.  You can do that by sponging a light colour in the background after adding your mask, but before adding the stencil and sponging more colour over top.
• Secure stencil over top. 
• Use sponges or sponge brushes to add ink over your stencil
• Remove stencil and mask

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy access.

It's a great reference for all of us! :)

Masked Stenciling Card Samples

Pat (Colourful Card Creations)

Guest Designer

Loll

 

Nancy

Julia

Darnell

Susan

Bonnie

 

Christine

* * * * *

Sharing ...

Bobby                                                Bobby                                     Robyn

Loll                                                      Megan                                       Megan

Aimslee                                                            Robyn

We'll be back on the 28th of March

with another technique and sample cards.

See you then!