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8 Ways To Use Stencils

Holy smokes, Altenew keeps blowing me away with their innovative stencils. If you’re a Builder Stencil fan, then you’re in luck, there are several new ones in this 9 stencil release!

Today, I’m sharing 8 ways to use Altenew Stencils!

If you made your way here from the lovely Kymona Tracey’s blog, then you’re right on track. Head back to the Altenew Card Blog if you’d like to start at the beginning.

Let’s start with a closer look at these awesome stencils. Click here or on the image for more info.

Affiliate links are used at no cost to you. Thank you so so much for your support, it helps me run my blog and YouTube channel and bring you more inspiration!

Stencil Techniques

I’ll briefly discuss the techniques here, but please watch the video for details on the process.

1 & 2 | Ink Blending & Dry Embossing

There’s nothing like a bit of simple ink blending over a stencil for a quick, easy and impactful background.

I’ve ink blended Volcano Lake Crisp Dye Ink over the On the Plus Side Stencil and die cut it with a circle die.

Dry Embossing

The background panel was dry embossed with Beach Towel Stripes Stencil. The correct sandwich for dry embossing with stencils will differ for each die cutting machine. I have the Gemini Jr. and use the following sandwich.

Bottom to Top

  • Cutting plate
  • Metal shim
  • Plastic shim
  • Embossing pad
  • Cardstock
  • Stencil
  • Cutting plate

Run the sandwich through your die cutting machine. If you meet resistance, stop, and reverse, and remove a shim. Forcing it could damage your machine. If you run it through and there’s no resistance, you may need an addition shim.

Other Elements

  • Pen Sketched Flowers Stamp & Die Bundle
  • Altenew Artist Markers | Mango Smoothie | Bamboo, Olive | Mountain Mist | Volcano Lake
  • Mountain Mist Metallic Shimmer Ink Spray | splatter

3 | Masking the Stencil

Depending upon your desired look, it may be better to mask the stencil vs. the cardstock. In this case, I wanted the card to look like a beach towel with bold stripes.

The stencil was masked with washi tape in order to ink blend with Coral Berry, Galactic Stream, and Olive Crisp Dye Inks.

Other Elements

  • A Study In Watercolor | inlaid die cut
  • Gradient Sunset Stamp Set | sentiments

4 & 5 | Builder Stencils & Fussy Cutting

I’ve paired Diamond Builder & Color Block Hearts Stencils for this card. Their designs are so clever and impactful!

I started by ink blending Diamond Builder with Mountain Mist, Volcano Lake, Iceberg, and Eastern Sky. See the full pattern below in the layering guide?

What stuck out to me were x’s and o’s, so I decided to fussy cut them and use them as the main sentiment.

If you follow me, you know I love dry embossing with stencils. This time I dry embossed with the Color Block Hearts Stencil before ink blending.

Even though the stencil was run through twice, you could still see the full pattern. I then masked the stencil and ink blended with Frosty Pink and Coral Berry Crisp Dye Inks.

Other Elements

  • Label Love Stamp Set | sentiment

6 | Watercolor Wash

You’ll definitely want to spray the Bubble Wrap Stencil with a temporary spray adhesive like Pixie Spray or Krylon Easy-Tack to prevent pigment and water from seeping under the stencil for this technique.

  • Temporarily adhere the stencil to watercolor paper
  • Coat paper with water
  • Wash diluted Iceberg Crisp Dye Ink over the paper
  • Heat set
  • Wash diluted Mountain Mist ink over paper
  • Heat set before removing the stencil

Other Elements

  • Feeling Dotty Stencil | dry embossing
  • Fantasy Floral 3D Die Set | flower
  • Fancy Greetings | sentiment
  • Mountain Mist Metallic Shimmer Ink Spray | splatter

7 & 8 | Embossing Paste & Watercolor Drips

We could do an entire post on Altenew Embossing Paste techniques. For this post, I’ve paired it with watercolor drips.

Altenew’s embossing paste has the consistency of whipped buttercream and spreads like a dream. It’s easier to see this technique than to read about it so check out the video above.

Other Elements

  • Pen Sketch Flowers | vellum die cuts & sentiment

Whew, that was a whirl-wind of techniques and I do hope you enjoyed them. I had a blast with these stencils! I’d love to hear from you so please let me know what you think in the comments below.

As always supplies, giveaway info, Pinterest pics, and the next stop on the hop are below. Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Breathe · Ink · Inspire!

Pin It

If you’d like to save this post for later or share it, here’s a perfectly pinnable pic for your board. Swing by and visit me on Pinterest.

Supplies

Prizes

To celebrate this release, Altenew is giving away a $30 gift certificate to 6 lucky winners! Please leave a comment on the Altenew Card Blog and/or Altenew Scrapbook Blog by 7/28/2019 for a chance to win.

They’ll also draw a winner to receive a $15 gift certificate from the comments left on each designer’s blog on the blog hop list below. All winners will be announced on the Altenew blogs on 7/30/2019.

Winner Update

Congratulations to Lynn Young, winner of the Altenew $15 gift certificate! Please follow the link below for details on claiming your prize!

https://altenewblog.com/2019/07/30/july-2019-stencil-release-giveaway-winners/

Thanks so much to all of you for visiting and supporting my blog!

Next Stop

Altenew Card Blog
Altenew Scrapbook Blog 
Virginia Lu
Nathalie DeSousa
Jaycee Gaspar
Kymona Tracey
Amber Rain Davis <<< You Are Here
Laurie Willison
Maryam Perez
Emily Midgett
Agnieszka Malyszek
Zinia Redo
Norine Borys
Caly Person
Lilith Eeckels
Therese Calvird
Ashlea Cornell
Erum Tasneem
Marie Nicole
Svitlana Shayevich
Terri Koszler 
Isha Gupta
Jeanne Jachna
Kelly Janes
Mindy Eggen

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107 Comments

  1. Daphni Ames says:

    Thank you for the inspiration. I enjoy your style and presentation. I gotta try the watercolor techniques now. I too love the release from last month as well as this months. My poor pocketbook.

  2. Lauryne Cunningham says:

    Gorgeous cards and such a nice variety of techniques! I love the Watercolor Wash card- so CAS but absolutely beautiful! I really enjoyed watching your video!

  3. Jaycee C. says:

    Wow – thanks for the technique video. I especially like the Beach Towel stripes with the inlaid flower. The Diamond and Heart Builder card is especially cool – 3 different things happening on the same card yet it has a very clean appearance.

  4. Sharon Foulk says:

    Thanks for all the great techniques, they really are inspiring! My favorites both use the Bubble Wrap stencil, “Just Because” and “Be Happy”. I love them!

  5. Aimee Phillips says:

    I absolutely love what you created. My favorite is what you created using the embossing paste, watercolor drips, and the Vellum flowers. Those flowers are simply amazing. Something so simple can look so beautiful.

    1. Thank you, Aimee. Pen Sketched flowers is so beautiful. It seems each of the sprigs are perfectly arranged making them so easy to use! Thanks for visiting!!

  6. Beverly Jordan says:

    Oh my goodness, your cards are gorgeous!!! Loved watching your video of the process and hearing of using the Kryon glue to help hold the stencil in place. Am your newest follower there btw. Have several Altenew stamps, dies and inks and am going to want all of these new stencils!

    1. Hi, Beverly. Welcome to my channel and thanks so much for subscribing and visiting! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my video. I absolutely love Altenew, so you’ll be sure to see lots of Altenew inspiration on my channels. I hope to see you again real soon! Thanks again, Amber

  7. Always love your work, Amber! These cards are just awesome, the way you used the stencils, the colors, and all the special techniques that you are so famous for just work for me! I am always inspired by your work. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

    1. This is the sweetest comment, Kathy. You totally made my day! To know that my projects and videos have inspired you is extraordinary! Thank you!!

  8. susan babcock says:

    I love how you used the stencils as accents, really adds something special to the cards!

  9. Holly Reifke says:

    Lovely work! I really loved the embossing paste and watercolor drip card. It’s a technique that I haven’t tried before. Thank you for the inspiration,

  10. These are all gorgeous cards. I especially like Cards 4 & 5. My wishlist at Altenew has grown even longer thanks to you! TFS

    1. Thank you, Korey! Oh, that ever-growing wishlist. Always fun to prioritize the list and get the happy mail!!

  11. Wow! These cards are amazing! I especially love the one with the watercolor drips! Fabulous way to use these stencils!

  12. Thanks for sharing these wonderful ways to use stencils. I pinned your post.

  13. Beautiful cards and great techniques’. Enjoyed your process video as always I have Pinned your cards.

  14. Carol Koniecki says:

    Wow! Such great ideas! I love how you used the stencils to ink and emboss on the same card! I’m going to try that!

  15. Beautiful ways to use these stencils!!

  16. Zlatka Kabaivanova says:

    Thank you for all the great ideas! Your cards are beautiful! Making the xoxo with the diamond stencil is so clever!

  17. Marisela Delgado says:

    Awesome cards. So beautiful.

  18. Wonderful cards – thanks for the inspiration. I especially love the embossing paste and watercolor drips card – gorgeous!

  19. Lydia E Hallum says:

    Love the effect you get get with the spray ink. I’ve never used it but it’s on my to list. Love your work.

  20. Denise H Bilquin says:

    Your cards are absolutely stunning! Love the different techniques you used to show versatility of stencils. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity!

  21. Patty Eifert says:

    Beautiful cards Amber! Thanks for all the inspiration!

  22. I learned so many new techniques from your projects! The soft watercolor circles and die cut flower make me so happy!

    1. Thanks, Jaycee! I’m always learning new things from your projects as well! Though I don’t know how you whip that swivel knife around as you do. I’m so clumsy with it. I think I’m pressing too hard??

  23. thanks for sharing all the these fantastic ways to use stencils, Amber – your watercolor wash card is gorgeous!

  24. Denaha J Doss says:

    Wow! So many ways to use a stencil. Beautiful results. I especially love the way you made “XOXO” from the diamond builder. So clever!

  25. Thank you so much for great ideas and the video. Lovely projects. I will follow you on FB and Instagram

  26. I loved your very pretty cards. Thank you for the beautiful inspiration.

  27. Your cards are amazing. Thank you for all the inspiration.

  28. Melissa Friedrich says:

    So many beautiful cards and awesome video tutorial! LOVE LOVE LOVE all your cards, I think my favorite is the vellum one. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talents.

  29. Oh Amber – be still my heart! Your stop on the hop is just a breath of fresh air! I am absolutely smitten with your vellum work- how incredible and unique! This is like a stop at a English garden in the countryside – I can almost smell the colorful flowers ♥ TFS!

  30. Teri Spracklin says:

    These are such beautiful projects! I especially love your colour combos where you’ve paired warm and cool colours. I think I need to do more of that. Thanks for the inspiration!

  31. Tarina Holloway says:

    Oh Goodness, your creative ideas are amazing. Thank you for all of the inspiration and instructions. I thought I only needed two of the new stencils, I think you’ve convinced me otherwise!

    1. LOL! Thank you Tarina! There’s nothing like a little inspiration to give your wishlist an upgrade. ;o)

  32. pat strothmann says:

    I love the bubble wrap. I’m new to your site but sure looking forward to see your other work. Beautiful cards.

    1. Hello, Pat! Welcome to my site. I’m so happy you’ve found me today and I’ll be back soon with more inspiration! Thanks for stopping by!

  33. Jenrescuemama says:

    Amazing! Love the beach towel colors. Truly looks like I’m on the beach! The watercolor drips are divine too!

  34. These new stencils are so amazing. I just love all of your cards, the water drips one is inspired! I also love the soft colors of the bubble wrap stencil card, but honestly they are all great. Thanks for helping us see all the ways to use these new stencils. Thanks.

  35. Kristine Boydstun says:

    Beautiful cards! I loved them all, but the beach towel strip and the watercolor drips were my favorite! Thank you so much for sharing so many ideas!

  36. Vicki Sopcak says:

    I love the new release and all the creative possibilities these new stencils bring. Great Cards!!!

  37. Susan Phillips says:

    Beautiful cards

  38. Kathy Dippner says:

    Beautiful cards! Thanks for sharing your fantastic techniques.

  39. Sonja Woodward says:

    You have such fantastic ideas! I love the “beach towel” effect and am going to do something very similar with one of my cards. You are someone I would really like to follow. Thanks for the video.

    1. Thanks so much, Sonja! Yes, please do follow me for more inspiration! I’d love to see you visit regularly!

  40. VICKI SMITH says:

    Amber, I am so impressed with your creativity! I watch you on your videos and these stenciled cards are outstanding with many techniques.

  41. Meghan Kennihan says:

    These are all sooooo gorgeous! I love the color block heart one! So creative!

  42. Jeanne Ragan says:

    So many GREAT techniques. And such awesome stencils. Had to pin this for the technique info to use again! Thanks!

  43. Once again Amber, your designs are absolutely fantastic! Love the mix of the Color Block Heart and Diamond Builder, these are two of my faves, thanks for the inspiration!

  44. Cyndi Morris says:

    I’ve just recently started using stencils and I’m loving it. Thanks so much for all the tips and uses (I seem to be “stuck” on backgrounds). This new release is wonderful — my favorite is the Diamond Builder. Your cards are gorgeous.

  45. Tamala Priebe says:

    Beautiful cards, thanks for sharing.

  46. Delia Wilkes says:

    Amazing cards and great inspiration for the use of the new stencils. Thank you.

  47. Brenda L. Kuder says:

    Great cards. Really fun stencils!

  48. Gail Larsen says:

    gorgeous and ingenious ideas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  49. Your cards make me want to get my hot little hands on these stencils. All are excellent.

    1. Thanks, Sandy! I love stencils because they’re such a great value for so many techniques!

  50. DONNA M Garafalo says:

    Lovely cards, great use of the stencils. Thank you for sharing.

  51. Yvette Williams says:

    Great use of the stencils. Like to get more out of my tools.

  52. Lisa Byers says:

    Fabulous cards!! Thank you for all of the techniques for these new Altenew stencils. I’m always open to new things!!

  53. Wow, Amber, a plethora of beauties! I love them all, especially the Watercolor Drips card!

  54. Sharon Youngblood says:

    Wow, what great ideas and techniques. Thanks so much for sharing.

  55. Dorothy Ayotte says:

    You are so inspiring and creative. I just love the soft look of many of your cards. Just fabulous. Thank you for the tutorial on using stencils. This is new to me and so helpful.

  56. Thank you for sharing all the different ways you used the new Altenew stencils. So many great design and product options. Love that you cut out one of the designs to add to another stenciled design. The heart builder and diamond builder was my favorite card.

  57. Nana Griffin says:

    Absolutely love them all.

  58. Amazing Cards and Fantastic Inspiration! I’ve recently started using mixed media on cards, so will definitely try some of these ideas.

  59. TERRI KOSZLER says:

    Amazing cards as always Amber, love your style

  60. Fantastic use of stencils! Thank you for this informative and inspirational post! I love how you made the XOXO using diamond builder! Creative thinking! 🙂

  61. You are so creative, Amber, and a terrific educator! I love watching your videos!

  62. Lynn Young says:

    Oh my goodness, you are so creative! Love all of your cards, and thanks so much for the video!

  63. Oh so beautiful! Each one better that the last. So many techniques to try!

  64. Gorgeous cards! I love the watercolor techniques.

  65. Inspiring projects, Amber! I can’t wait to get some of these stencils in my stash!

  66. Nina Houghton says:

    Thank you so much for demonstrating the diamond builder stencil. I am so excited about these stencils. Your cards are beautiful.

  67. going to go try dry embossing right now – who knew

  68. barbara lassiter says:

    Gorgeous use of these stencils! Love them all but my faves are the “just because” and “be happy” cards!

  69. Dee Earnshaw says:

    wow love the creative way you used these stencis – love the color wash technique

  70. Geneviève says:

    Thank you for this wonderful video

  71. Its hard to pick a favorite from 4 Awesome cards with 8 different techniques !! Thanks a lot for showing us the ways to use stencil on cards.Cutting “xo” from diamond builder stencil is so cool !

  72. Debbie Rumpza says:

    Beautiful cards, Amber! My favorite is the Be Happy card. I just love the way you dripped a background in those beautiful colors and added the translucent embossing paste! What a beautiful card!