Stamplorations: Thinking of You

I don't do a lot with stencils and I have absolutely no idea why.  Particularly with my clean and layered style - they are perfect to add a hint of a background.  Sadly, I often think of it after a card is done and everything is glued down - then it occurs to me that a bit of pattern in the background would have added interest.

In a recent order from Stamplorations, I threw in some stencils.  I got one especially for cards that I need quickly but still have to be special.  I knew I was challenging my stenciling and blending skills with this one - but the stencil and a die cut sentiment is exactly what I needed!!  And you know what?  It turns out it's easy to use!


I am not a pro at blending.  There are definitely some edges on this guy that I could have/should have blended out.  But what I am a pro at is getting exceedingly messy when I'm doing inky things and then getting fingerprints and smudges on my card. I had ink all over my hands and then the stencil slipped - so I decided discretion was the wise choice and I stopped.


I feel like this stencil could go a number of directions.  It could be soft and feminine.  It could be "misty" (there's a reverse stencil so you could ink the bird then use the reverse to add some softness around it.)  I went with dark navy for my masculine bird because of the current challenge at Stamplorations.  I think he's gorgeous!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Cutplorations Thinking of You (by Stamplorations)

Cardstock: Bristol Smooth, Taylored Expressions Blue Corn

Ink: Distress Oxides in Vintage Photo, Spiced Marmalade, Tumbled Glass, and Faded Jeans, then I brushed on a bit of Taylored Expressions Blue Corn

Other: Artplorations Perched Bird Stencil, Pretty Pink Posh Starry Sky Mix (for the eye)