{Spotlight Project} Becca Uses Leftovers

I don't know about you, but whenever I'm working on a messy project, I always seem to add too much ink to my craft mat for what I'm actually going to use. It's the crafter's equivalent of your eyes being too big for your stomach. Which always leaves me with a lot of leftovers. 

I decided to actually use my ever-accumulating stack of leavings because they were calling my name. I was inspired by the challenge going on over at The Card Concept which has some funky patterns and leaves.

To make my own funky patterns, I started stenciling on the swatches, I sponged Distress Oxides over the leftover pieces. I happen to love Oxides because they are so highly pigmented and sit on top of background colors instead of blending into a color.

First I stenciled (this one is using the Dots All Over stencil). 

Then I doodled around the edges of the stenciled pattern using either a gel pen or a Stabilo pen. I stamped over the pattern using the funky flowers from the Sweet and Sassy Mom set. 

Even though the sentiments in this set are focused on moms, I adore the quirky flowers from the set, which can be used year-round.

This one used the Tribal Weave stencil.

Can you tell my stencils are very well loved? ;) 

And this one was made with the Brackets stencil (now retired).

It was very zen making these with all the doodling involved. I watched a tv show and doodled away and felt like all the worries of my day just faded away.

When all the flowers were stamped across the papers, I cut out the individual petals and put them all together. I also doodled all over the edges of my card. 

To create the focal panel, I used the Curly Labels Nesting dies (again doodling around the edges). I added the sentiment using the Birthday Wishes phrase die.

So there you go! Now you have a way to use your very own stack of leftovers.

Pssssst - if you are looking to try a technique like this, might I suggest you visit the stencil section of the STAMPlorations shop quickly? Because all stencils are 15% off right now!