Stamping Over Stenciling

By now you know I am a huge fan of stencils and stenciling on my projects. I love finding new techniques to use with stencils, but sometimes it’s good to get back to basics. Today I’m doing just that! I’m sharing some tips and tricks to get the best results when you stamp over your stenciling. This technique makes great one layer cards that are easy to mail and still beautiful! Be sure to watch the video tutorial below for all the details!

Some supplies used in the video above were sent to me for FREE for design purposes. I only design for companies I stand behind 100%!! To see what design teams I am currently on or have previously been a part of, head HERE.

The first project I made is by far the fastest and easiest card! It is a one layer card that takes -maybe- 10 minutes. I started by stenciling with a dye ink (CP’s Twilight ink) onto a cardstock panel using a jumbo ink dauber and the Plaid Fringe stencil. I wanted to focus the color in just two of the corners and have it fade into nothing towards the center.

Saved by Grace stamp set used over the Plaid Fringe Stencil.

When I was happy with the stenciling it was time to move onto the stamping. To stamp I went with a pigment ink. Dye inks will absorb into the fibers of the paper and mix together. I didn’t want that here, I wanted my ink to sit on top of the stenciling so I went with a pigment ink. I used Versafine Clair inks which are a bit different from traditional pigment inks in that they are still transparent, but if you use a traditional pigment ink, you will get better coverage. Using the new Saved by Grace stamp set from Joy Clair I stamped a quick bouquet of flowers in each corner! After adding the sentiment, this one layer card was done!

The Hello Sentiments stamp set is perfect for stamping over stenciling. It's nice and bold and truly stands out on this one layer card!

For more inspiration using the Saved by Grace Stamp Set head HERE.

My second card took a bit more time, but it’s still a one layer card that is going to be super easy to mail. I started with stenciling the background. Again, I used a dye ink (CP’s Bellini) and a jumbo ink dauber, but this time I put it through a brick stencil focusing on the edges and blending lighter towards the center.

Bold & Graphic! The Bricks stencil was perfect to add behind the palm branch stamp from the Hosanna stamp set. I did color in the branch with a black marker for a bolder look.

The stamp I used is from the Hosanna stamp set from Joy Clair Stamps and it’s not a solid stamp, but it’s super easy to fix that! I started by stamping the leaf on the top of the panel with black pigment ink (Versafine Clair Nocturne). Then, with a black marker I colored in the leaves so they look completely solid. And while I used black, you can use any color as long as you match the ink to the marker! Then, any stamp can be turned into a solid image!

You can color in any lined stamp with a marker that matches your ink for a bold solid stamp! I used black to make it easy on myself, but as long as you color match you can use any color!

For more inspiration using the Hosana stamp set from Joy Clair Stamps head HERE.

The third card I made is not my favorite and to be quite honest, it was almost trashed. Be sure to watch the video above for all the details on how I created the scene! I used a stamp set that I LOVE from Joy Clair, Springtime Flowers to complete the scene, but it just wasn’t what I had pictured. But I wasn’t giving up or throwing it away just yet!

I created a quick scene using the Sunburst stencil, Spring Time Flowers stamp set, and simple masking.

To fix it, I added vellum over the scene. This toned it down a bit and made the entire scene look a lot more blended than it truly was! So if you ever have a scene that just isn’t quite what you envisioned or working out for you, try adding vellum over the top of it! It really helped make this card okay!

I wasn't happy with this scene, so I added vellum over the top to tone it down and make it look more blended than it truly was!

For more ideas and inspiration using the Springtime Flowers stamp set from Joy Clair head HERE, HERE, and HERE.

If you took a look at each of my cards you may have noticed that all of my sentiments were from one of my most loved Joy Clair stamp sets, Hello Sentiments! This sentiment set was the perfect choice for stamping over stenciling. It had nice bold sentiments that could hold their own against the stenciled backgrounds.

Stamping over stenciling is a super easy technique that allows you to make beautiful one layer cards.

This set of cards was a lot of fun to make and I hope I gave you some tips and tricks to make some simple cards that feature stamping over stenciling! If you are interested in any of the stamps or supplies I used today, you can find them all linked and listed down below. Until next time, happy crafting!!