Our tests on a Spellbinders layered stencil

Lets get to it:

In preparation for a card workshop in early February, we wanted to share some information and tips about layered stenciling.  Please note you results might vary, and we would love to hear what your experience has been with layered stencils.

First attempt:

Ink: Distress Ink
Paper: Recollections 110lb cardstock (smooth finish)

Stencils: in order

For some reason the inks were not "smoothing" out on the cardstock, and the final product looked splotchy.  I tried to smooth it out by blending a light layer of yellow ink, I mean why not? 

Hot Mess

Second attempt:

Ink: Distress Ink
Paper: Ranger Watercolor 

Stencils: out of order

I was not able to line the sentiment up correctly.  This would have been a good card front if I had centered the dark pink sentiment better.  I really like the color combination on this one, and wish I had written it down, but thinking,  Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, and Kitsch Flamingo

Distress Ink and watercolor paper

Third attempt:

Ink: Distress Ink

Paper: Distress watercolor 

Stencils: not all of them and the mask

I used the mask for the center and brushed pink around it.  I then went in with the sentiment, and it would have been nice, but the paper ripped in the center.  At this point, I was really wishing I had the Pixie spray at home. 

Distress Ink and watercolor paper

Fourth attempt:

Ink: Distress Ink

Paper: Distress watercolor 

Stencils: Not in order

Love the colors on this one, but I didn't line up the sentiment right again, probably because I went out of order, and there is a smudge on the right.  The stencil moved during ink application. (bummer)

Distress Ink and watercolor paper

Fifth attempt:

Ink: Distress Oxide

Paper: Recollections 110 pound white cardstock

Stencils: in order

My favorite.  The Oxide inks were easier to blend on the cardstock, and they did not bleed as much.  The Oxide ink tends to stay where you lay it.  I also added Oxide ink to the card base with a little extra something. (take the class to find out)

My Favorite

Tips:

1. Pixie Spray would have been useful for two of the stencils because of the "a" and the "e" have pieces that moved around while I was blending.

2. Do not oversaturate you paper.  Initially, I was oversaturating my paper with the inks, and I think that is part of the reason it bled.  The other reason, was I didn't have the Pixie Spray to keep the stencil in place.

3. The stencils are hard to line up on a piece of paper cut at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" (A2 Card).  This particular stencil set is slightly larger than A2 making alignment challenging.  A sheet of grid paper would have been helpful.

4. The Oxide inks worked well, but if you want the colors more vibrant use the Distress Inks, and I recommend using a watercolor paper.  Most papers have a smooth and textured side.

5. Use the stencils in order.  

6. The mask is helpful and great for trying different looks.

If you try this or tried it, let me know your thoughts. 

Happy crafting!