Stencil Spotlight | Creative Backgrounds with Becky Harrison

Stencils are some of the most versatile tools in any crafter's stash. With a little ink blending, texture, or layering, a single stencil can create endless backgrounds -- not just for cards, but also journals, mixed media, memory keeping, and even Bible journaling.

Today, our Stencil VIP Subscription Ambassador, Becky, is sharing three inspiring projects that showcase just how versatile STAMPlorations stencils can be.

For her first project, Becky combined our Floral Burst stencil with Floral Parade Cut-Outs and Floral Magic clear stickers to create two elegant Memorydex cards. The softly blended stenciled background adds just enough color and pattern without competing with the beautiful lavender floral bouquet. Layering the large die-cut florals over the stenciled panel creates depth, while the kraft cardstock base grounds the design with a warm, rustic feel. The white ric-rac trim provides a subtle finishing touch that ties everything together.

This striking card demonstrates how a stencil can become the focal point of an entire design. Using the Profile 1 stencil, Becky created a softly blended portrait in shades of teal and green before adding darker ink around the edges for dramatic contrast. She then framed the face with delicate hand-drawn doodling, adding movement and texture without overwhelming the clean design. A sentiment from our Floral Magic Clear Stickers finishes the card perfectly, allowing the artwork to remain the star.

Stencils aren't just for cards, and Becky beautifully demonstrates that with this Bible journaling page. Using the Bloomdalascopic #1 stencil, she added soft golden-yellow accents around the "Faith Moves Mountains" sentiment from our Faith Expressions stamp set. The repeated stencil pattern creates visual rhythm while remaining subtle enough to keep the Scripture passage readable. A touch of pale blue ink adds balance and softness without distracting from the focal sentiment. This project is a wonderful reminder that stencils can enhance journals, planners, Bible pages, mixed media projects, scrapbook layouts, and so much more.

Creative Takeaway

One of the greatest strengths of a stencil is its versatility. It doesn't have to cover an entire background every time. Use it behind die cuts, as a focal image, along the edges of a project, or even as subtle accents in journals and Bible pages. The same stencil can create completely different looks depending on the colors, placement, and techniques you choose.

If you enjoy creating with stencils, be sure to check out our Stencil VIP Subscription. Choose your 3 favorite stencil each month and enjoy free worldwide shipping, while building a collection you'll reach for again and again.

Meet Sanna’s 6 New Stencils (And Win Your Favorite Inside!)

Hello again, STAMPfriends! 'm so incredibly excited for today's post because we're introducing a stunning new collection of stencils from the brilliant Sanna Lippert! Her line, Sanna Lippert Designs, features six absolutely gorgeous, versatile stencils that are bound to bring so much texture and artistic flair to your projects.

You can check out and shop all six of these beauties right now in the shop at stamplorations.com/new-products.

Make sure to read all the way to the end of this post, because we have a fun giveaway waiting for you! But first, let's hear it from Sanna herself. Sheput together a short flip-through video to show you the stencils up close, followed by several gorgeous projects she created for each design:

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Hello everyone! It´s Sanna here today with a stencil project share. There are plenty of new products available at STAMPlorations, including 6 new STENCILS designed by me. I´m very excited about this release - hope you are too. 

Without further ado, here is a short flip-thru video of the new stencil designs: 

 The first card is done using the Profile #3 slimline stencil and black stamp ink. I stenciled the images onto a gelli printed collage paper (for which I had used other stencils from my line - this and this one.

  

For the next card I´ve used the Henna Pattern stencil with light green and blue Distress Oxide Ink tones and some paper flowers, brads and a stamped sentiment.

For my third card, I used the Modern Envelopes stencil.

One of my favorite stencils from the collection is Profile #1. I wanted to create a soft an eerie image, so I kept in a monochromatic color in pink. I stenciled the image onto a light pink card base, then added a stamped sentiment and some golden splatter for sparkle.

For yet another face image card I used Profile #2 with black Distress Ink. I then outlined the hair part with a black pen, stamped with misted stamp onto the hair areas to create a fun detail, then added some golden splatters and a stamped sentiment.

For the next card I used the Profile #3 slimline stencil (just one image of it) and patterned paper as a background and enamel hearts for decor.

The next card is done using the Abstract Notes stencil with 3 different tones of yellow Distress Oxide Inks.

And finally I used the Profile #2 stencil with the Noteworthy and the Mixed Media Grunge stamp sets for the last card. Inks are Distress Oxide Inks. I love the combination of yellow and pink and the boldness it adds to this card. 

I am very excited about this new stencil release. I hope you enjoy the new designs too!!

Happy crafting!
xxx, Sanna

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Wow, aren't Sanna's projects absolutely breathtaking? The texture, layers, and creativity she brought to each of these designs is pure inspiration! Thank you so much, Sanna, for sharing your incredible art with us today.

Now, how about a giveaway? 🎁

Sanna and I would love to know which of these new designs is calling your name. Leave a comment below letting us know your favorite stencil among the 6 by Sunday night, June 14.

We'll randomly draw one lucky winner from all commenters on this blog post to win the stencil of their choice, and announce the winner right here on the blog the very next day, Monday, June 15!

So...which one is your absolute favorite? Drop your comments below, and happy crafting!

Coffee & Creativity: A Caffeinated Showcase with Monika Skinner

If you're a fan of cozy cafes and the rich aroma of freshly roasted beans, you’re going to love our featured projects today. STAMPgirl Monika Skinner has been busy in her craft room, and she'll share with us how versatile The Coffee House collage papers can be. From home decor pieces to elegant cards, these papers offer the perfect blend of watercolor illustrations and high-texture patterns to ground any design. ☕✨

Coffee Bean Heart Coaster

ARTplorations Stencils Are Back! Shop Stencils + Buy 3 Get 1 Free + A Giveaway! 🎨✨

I'm excited to announce that ARTplorations stencils are officially back in the store. I know many of you have been waiting to get your hands on your favorite patterns, and they are all ready for you to browse right now. 🖌️

You can find the full collection here: stamplorations.com/stencils

To celebrate their return, I'm running a special offer: Buy 3, Get 1 Free! 🎁 Just put any 4 ARTplorations stencils in your cart, and the lowest-priced one will automatically become $0. It's the perfect time to grab those designs you've had your eye on. 🛒✨

Never Miss a Design with Our Stencil Subscriptions 📅📬

If you love stencils as much as I do, you definitely want to check out our two subscription services. It’s the best way to grow your collection automatically:

• Stencil Subscription: Get a curated selection (yours -- because you pick what you want!) of our classic ARTplorations stencils delivered straight to your door. 🏠💌
  
  
• Slimline Stencil Subscription: Perfect for those of you who love the popular slimline card format! 📏🌸

Free Worldwide Shipping on Subscriptions! 🌍✈️

I want everyone, everywhere to be able to create with ARTplorations stencils. That’s why we offer free worldwide shipping on all our stencil subscription services. No matter where you are in the world, you can join the fun without worrying about extra shipping costs. 📮💖

🎉 APRIL GIVEAWAY: Win Your Favorite Stencil! 🎉

To make their return even more fun, I’m hosting a giveaway all through the month of April! I’ll be picking one winner every week to win their favorite ARTplorations stencils.

How to Enter:

1. Head over to the Stencils section in the store.
2. Pick out your absolute favorite in-stock stencil design.
3. Come back here (and to this Instagram post) and leave a comment telling me which ONE you picked! (Don't specify more than one stencil.)

The Details: I will draw one winner each week from all the comments left on the blog and on Instagram. Winners will be announced on 🗓️ April 8, 15, 22, and 29 in this post, so check back on those dates to see if your name was picked.

April 8 winner: TEE (blog comment)

April 15 winner: momnchickies (IG comment)

April 22 winner: robyntrimble (IG comment)

April 29 winner: Indy's Designs (blog comment)

I can’t wait to see which designs are your favorites! Happy crafting! :o)

{NEW!} Monika Plays with New Slimline Stencils!

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! 22 brand new slimline stencils just dropped in the store! I have a few personal favorites like Flowers Prim, Distressed, Carvedly, and Primitive 1 but they're all pretty cool and will give your slimline cards that arty look. But our slimline stencils aren't just for using on slimline cards!

      

You'll find all 22 slimline stencils here.

STAMPgirl Monika played with 3 of the new slimline stencils. Be sure to visit her blog for all the details on how she created each project and to leave her some love. (And make sure to read all the way down to this post for a little giveaway.)

Here's Monika with her projects:

Introducing the ARTplorations Slimline Stencils

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! You may have noticed that slimline cards seem to be all the rage right now so I thought now's a good time to introduce our new stencil size: slimline stencils! I've been working on these stencils since early June but haven't had a chance to finish and add them to the store until early this week.

Our slimline stencils are sized 4x9 and currently we have 34 designs -- 4 are slimline versions of our standard size stencils and 30 are new designs.

Here are a few of our new designs:

    
Strung Lights | Confetti #1 | Wheels

    
Overlayers | Leaf Prints 4 | Stitchings

See all SLIMLINE STENCILS here


Check back on August 5 because the STAMPgirls will be sharing projects they made using our slimline stencils -- it's going to be a mini hop and you could win your choice of slimline stencils when you hop!

Can't wait to get your hands on these slimline stencils? Until July 31, they're 30% off with code SLIMLINE30. Limit 1 use per customer/shipping address.


Special Offer
Buy 4 slimline stencils (don't forget to use the 30% off code!) and get 1 slimline stencil - free. During checkout, you'll be able to specify the free slimline stencil you want.

{New ARTplorations Stencil Line} Introducing Helen G. Designs!

Happy Monday, STAMPlorations friends! April is nearly over but we have one more special event this month: the addition of a new stencil designer. I'm excited to welcome the super-creative Helen Gullett and her line of fun stencils designed exclusively for STAMPlorations/ARTplorations!

If you've been following our blog for a while now, you'll know that Helen is on our mixed media design team and CUTplorations design team. She makes some of the most gorgeous mixed media projects and tutorials, especially the coffee-themed ones. I'm thrilled she has decided to design stencils exclusively for STAMPlorations. In fact, her first 6 stencil designs are already in the store under her stencil line, Helen G. Designs.

I asked Helen to share a little bit about herself and her new stencil line.

"Hello everyone! My name is Helen Gullett. Today, I'm so thankful, honored and thrilled to be share this amazing news! I am joining the STAMPlorations family with my stencil line, Helen G. Designs, as part of the ARTplorations collection. I would like to thank Shery for giving me this great opportunity and a place to share my designs and taking me on board. 

Designing has been something I've been dreaming of doing since I was at middle school when I started with dress sketches. I never thought that this designing dream would come true now. This idea of designing stencils was started with my love for mixed media projects when I joined the STAMPlorations team. I love using stencils to create some backgrounds for my projects so I started to make my own. I sketched some shapes on my tablet using one of the sketch apps, and then I turned them into some stencils that I cut with my electronic cutting machine. I am still at learning stage of designing but I love doing it! I hope that through this opportunity, I can keep learning, growing, and continue designing more. 

All of my designs are inspired by drawings that you can do with a pencil or marker on projects. The sky is the limit to use my first 6 stencils and with them creating backgrounds will be easier!!! Hope you like them and enjoy creating with them. Thank you so much for your support and love. I cannot wait to see your projects!"

On Wednesday, Helen will lead the STAMPlorations girls in a fun stencil hop where her stencils take the spotlight. So make sure to stop by here again on Wednesday, April 24, at 7 a.m. Pacific because there will be 3 prizes up for grabs :o)

So see you again in a couple of days for some stencil inspiration, okay? Until then, happy crafting!

{PART 2} ARTplorations Stencil Blog Hop with the STAMPlorations Girls feat. Sanna Lippert Designs! + Comment to Win!

Hey, STAMPlorations friends! We're back with the second part of our fun two-part ARTplorations stencil blog hop. (You'll find PART 1 here.). We're putting the spotlight on the 14 new stencils designed exclusively for STAMPlorations by Sanna through her Sanna Lippert Designs line! Ready for a whole lot of stencil goodness from the STAMPlorations girls?

For this 2-part hop, you'll see the STAMPlorations girls unleash their creative stencil mojo. And what's a blog hop without prizes for those of you who hop along? Here are the deets:

• ONE (1) winner of a $20 gift certificate to the STAMPlorations store
• ONE (1) winner of a $10 gift certificate to the STAMPlorations store
• TWO (2) winners of their choice of 3 Sanna Lippert Designs stencils

Winners will be randomly drawn from comments left here on the STAMPlorations blog and participating designers' blogs.

Ready to hop? Simply leave a comment on this post and on the designers' blog hop posts between now and Sunday, October 21, 11:55 p.m. Pacific for a chance to win. Only one comment per blog, please. We'll announce the winners on November 10 in the October Winners post. Become a follower of our blog or follow us by email to receive updates when we post something here. How easy is that? Have fun!

SANNA

JANE

NANCY

KATHY

CHRIS

TERRI

HARRIET

TENIA

BECCA

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SANNA LIPPERT DESIGNS STENCILS FEATURED IN TODAY'S PROJECTS

An InLinkz Link-up

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Thanks for hopping along. We hope you enjoyed our two-part stencil hop! Don't forget to comment on this post for a chance to win a $10 or $20 gift certificate to the store or your choice of 3 Sanna Lippert Designs stencils!

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SHOP FOR STENCILS HERE

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FREE STENCIL on all orders!

For our stencil blog hop participants, place an order in the store between today and October 31 and get a free ARTplorations stencil! Go to the STAMPlorations store and fill your cart with products. Then go through the checkout process and after payment, leave a note (or reply to the order confirmation you'll receive by email) specifying which 5x7 stencil you'd like to receive for free. Limit 1 free stencil per customer.

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