{Stencil Sunday} Maria Wows with 4 Ways to Use Stencils

Happy Sunday, STAMPlorations friends! We're back with another helping of Stencil Sunday goodness! On the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sunday of the month, the STAMPgirls are sharing their projects that show off how to creatively use ARTplorations stencils. And each month, we'll pick one winner of a $15 gift code -- the winner will be drawn from all comments left on the Stencil Sunday posts for the month, as well as from the designers' blogs.

Today, super-cool STAMPgirl Maria has 4 equally super-cool cards showcasing 4 different ways to use stencils!

  

  

Here's Maria with her projects:

Welcome to another Stencil Sunday post. I'm happy to be sharing four projects today showcasing four different ways to put your stencils to good use.

First up is a great technique for stencils with a lot of open space, like Circular Two. Choosing a light color cardstock for my base, as well as adding a drop of ink to the pearlescent embossing paste gives the overall design of this feminine card an elegant feel.

To add a playful touch, I die cut a circle from graphic PP and topped it with a vellum circle with a New Day Clear Sticker and some DIY enamel donuts ;)

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For my second project I've added clear embossing paste through Oh My Stars! over a PP with a star pattern. Subtle but packs a punch even though only partially covering the card front. You faintly see the stars in this photo...

... but against the light they are very visible. See? Once again I used a Shine Bright Clear Sticker on a PP snippet for my sentiment.

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My third projects takes it back to basics - with a slight twist. We all tend to lay the stencil down over a card front and start sponging ink through it, right? How about only using a portion of the stencil? And extending the images off the edge of the card?

I used Senecio 1 for this and added a Shine Bright Clear Sticker directly to my one-layer card as my sentiment.

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And my fourth project showcases a great way to use up those backgrounds you have in your stash. The Faces stencils are great for this. I've used Faces: Pensive.

Notice how I inked with colors similar to those on my ink-smooshed background rather than black? Then I even added more stenciling with those colors around the edges using Bold Florals. A sentiment from Hey Sunshine Clear Stickers finished it off.

I hope I may have inspired you to pull out your stencils and have some fun with them!
I've a few more tips and tricks for you over on my blog.

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I don't know about you but each of Maria's cards blew me away -- they are gorgeous! For a chance to win a $15 gift code to the STAMPlorations store, leave a comment here and on Maria's blog by June 5. We'll announce the winner in the June winners post on July 10.

Did you enjoy today's featured post? Stencil Sunday will be back next week with a couple more projects from STAMPgirl Tenia!