stencils and pastes

Hi lovely crafty friends, stencils are pretty awesome aren’t they. And if you combine them with pastes, you can create some amazing effects. I’m going to show you how you can get the perfect result every time, with some easy tips and tricks.

(All supplies are linked to different stores at the end of this post in the thumbnails. The different stores are also linked behind the product name. Among them are affiliate links that may be used at no cost to you.)

When it comes to crafting getting the best results is often in the little hacks. With some simple tricks it’s super easy to get a perfect result each time using pastes with your stencils. You can learn all about it in the video tutorial.

Can’t get enough of stencils? Here are some more ideas for you to check out 5 ways to use stencils

The first thing you need is a smooth or flat and sturdy surface. This is the base to set you up for success. It always starts with a good base, I am using the Ranger Ink – Make Art – Stay-tion ( SBC | JGG ) which is a nice flat surface with big magnets that can help to keep the stencil stay in place.

There is also a mini version of the Make Art – Stay-tion ( SBC | ELH ) if you are a fan of small or like to take it with you on travels or when crafting with friends.

Another option is the Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat ( SBC | ELH ) that is also a great surface when you are working with alcohol inks, they come right off and it’s also super easy to clean.

If you have a flat surface, desk or workspace that’s great, you can use that, make sure the surface is one that can be cleaned, depending on the paste, on will stick more than another and you don’t want to ruin your desk, just assuming that, maybe you do:-)

Next the tools you need for applying the pastes. There are different options that work best for different pastes or and diverse techniques.

One of my personal favorites is the American Crafts – Silicon Palette Knife ( SBC ). This flexible long palette knife is great for applying different pastes and comes in very handy especially when you want to cover a bigger surface.

Another tool or actually they come in a pack of two, the absolutely adorable Nuvo – Media Spatulas ( SBC | TNC | TNCUK | ELH ). These flexible spatulas look like mini baking tools and are super handy for covering smaller areas or just parts of a stencil or paper surface.

And of course old gift cards are a great tools to use for applying pastes, yes we crafters can use everything, well almost then:-)

For these two backgrounds the Hero Arts – Stencils – Large Flower ( SBC | HA ) was used with Nuvo – Glacier Paste – Golden Era ( SBC | TNCUK | TNC ).

The backgrounds were coloured with Nuvo – Aqua Flow – Summer Holiday ( SBC | TNCUK | TNC ) and Spring Meadow( SBC | TNCUK | TNC )

In the picture are also the Nuvo – Media Spatulas ( SBC | TNC | TNCUK | ELH ) a great tool to use with soft pastes like the glacier paste. And they are totally adorable, which is always a plus:-)

For all cards the base was Craft Perfect – Ultra Smooth Card ( TNCUK | TNC ) which I like for pastes and techniques that use some water, as this card can handle some fluid.

One these cards I did some layering with vintage music paper from a thrift store, white thread and vellum. Some Tim Holtz – Thinlits – Cut Out Leaves ( SBC | SZZ ) for extra texture and interest.

The heart was coloured with the gorgeous Lindy’s Stamp Gang – Embossing Powder – Of Quartz It Is ( SBC ) with smaller bits and bigger chunks you get some lovely texture in just one layer.

With this card Distress Texture Paste – Crackle ( SBC | ELH | RNG ) was used in combination with the Carabelle Studio Art Mask – Floral Stained Glass ( JGG )

This paste comes in a smaller pot which is great for cardmakers as it price wise and less chance of your paste drying out.

The background was coloured with Distress Oxides Ink Pads – Peacock Feathers ( SBC | JGG ) and Tumbled Glass ( SBC )

To finish this card I used the Sizzix – Tim Holtz – Alterations Collection – Thinlits Die – Labels( SBC | SZZ ) to cut the circle and vellum tag. The letter XO were cut using the Tim Holtz – Thinlits Die – Alphanumeric Tiny Type Upper ( SBC | SZZ )

On these cards I used Ranger Ink – Texture Paste ( SBC | JGG | RNG ) a bit of a thicker paste that I recommend if you have some experience with pastes. The Studio Light Art By Marlene Mask ( JGG ) was used for the pattern.

For the background Distress Oxides Ink Pads were used with some colour dipping, a combination of Peacock Feathers ( SBC | JGG ) and Tumbled Glass ( SBC ) on the right and Ripe Persimmon( SBC ) with Worn Lipstick( SBC ) on the left.

This paste will give you some nice dimension when applied through the stencil as you can see here with some subtle texture. 

The postmark is from the Sizzix – Tim Holtz – Alterations Collection – Thinlits Die – Labels( SBC | SZZ ), I also used a vellum tag here. The letter XO were cut using the Tim Holtz – Thinlits Die – Alphanumeric Tiny Type Upper ( SBC | SZZ )

I kept the cards real simple with some easy layering and all with a love, hugs and kisses theme as I thought we could use that all right now.

For these backgrounds Ranger Ink – Texture Paste – Transparent Gloss ( SBC | RNG | ELH )
and Transparent Matte ( SBC | RNG ) were used with the Studio Light Art By Marlene Mask 03 ( JGG )

To make the paste stand out more I added some ink with and ink blending tool, this way the pattern pops a bit more. The matte paste is super cool, it gives a super pretty effect.

To decorate the card on the left from Sizzix – Thinlits Die – Christmas Circle Words ( SBC ), I picked the word love that went with my theme.

The big letters on the card on the right were cut with Sizzix – Bigz XL – Alphabet Die – Handmade ( SBC | SZZ ) out of black foam. And some Nuvo – Stone Drops – Chalk White ( SBC | TNCUK | TNC ) for some added dimension.

For this background the new Ranger Ink – Stickles Glitter Gel – Asteroid ( SBC | JGG | ELH ) was added with the Creative Expressions – Stencil – Scattered Circles ( SBC ). A stencil with bigger shapes works best with pastes that have chunky bit like the Stickles gel.

I added the gel a bit thicker and thinner in different parts, to get partly an opaque and partly a translucent result. You can apply it thicker for an even result.

The Stickles Glitter Gels are a new release this year and they come in 6 colours, here is the colour chart for you to check out the colours and chunky bit shapes. Besides the gel and the glitter there are bigger bits in the shape of circles or stars.

The colour chart is also available for you to download, so you can fill it yourself. You can find it here: Stickles Glitter Gel Colour Chart.

The letters were cut out of black foam with the Sizzix Chunky Alphabet Bigz XL Die ( SBC | SZZ ) this gives immediate dimension and the matte look of the foam is a nice contrast with the sparkle from the stickles.

The background was coloured with Sliced Kiwi Nuvo – Aqua Flow – Woodland Walk ( SBC | TNCUK | TNC ). 

Make sure to try out the tips and hacks next time when you grab your stencils and pastes to make pretty things.

Has the Corona virus make you lose your crafty mojo then check out 5 Papercrafting Techniques To Do When You Are Bored with some easy but fun techniques to get you started again. 

Thanks for stopping by and make sure to keep on crafting!

signature