Using Dies To Make Stencils
Making your own stencils using dies is simple and they can be made quickly with supplies you already have. You can make a stencil using a material called Mylar which is made specifically for cutting your own stencils, or you can simply cut them from cardstock.
If you use Mylar to create a stencil it may take a few passes through your die-cutting machine to get a complete cut, but you will then have a stencil that can be used over and over. I have used standard cardstock here to cut the stencils as this is quick, easy to cut and readily available! Cardstock stencils used for sponging ink can be used more than once and will give a nice crisp image.
Which kind of dies should you use?
Large background dies are the obvious choice to use to make a stencil, but you could use a smaller die and cut into a piece of cardstock a few times to create a unique pattern. You can also cut a smaller die and use the smaller stencil a few times to build a design such as the leaves in the ‘Just to say’ card.
When you have die-cut the stencil and trimmed a piece of cardstock to stencil onto, place the die-cut over the cardstock and hold it in place with low-tack tape. You could also spray the back of the stencil with a repositionable adhesive to prevent it from moving.
For these cards I have sponged ink through the stencils to give a lovely soft effect and you only need a few embellishments and a sentiment to complete the cards. You could use other mediums such a stencil paste with a cardstock stencil – you just won’t be able to re-use it! Have a look which dies in your stash would make a stencil and have a go.
How to make a stencil from a die
Die-cut a piece of cardstock larger than the die to use as the stencil. Tape it in place over the cardstock you wish to stencil
Start by sponging Spun Sugar Distress Ink through part of the stencil, then sponge Tumbled Glass Distress Ink through the stencil, working across the die-cut piece and blending with the first colour a little
Finish the stencilling with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink, again blending a little with the previous colour
Move the die-cut stencil to the opposite corner and repeat steps 2 to 4.
Use the stencil to add a smaller part of the design to the last two corners
Stamp a sentiment over the stencilling and matt the piece onto a card front and embellish
You will need
- White 21x10.5cm card blank
- White, green & dark grey cardstock
- Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Paper flowers
- Blending sponge
- Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Create-A-Card Art Deco die
- Memory Box Climbing Vine die
- Crafter’s Companion Flutterby Collection Simplistic Sentiments die set
You will need
- White 14.5cm-square card blank
- White cardstock
- Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint & Pumice Stone Ranger Tin Holtz Distress Ink
- Woodware Just to Say stamp set
- VersaMagic Pink Petunia inkpad
- Sequins
- Gems
- Blending sponge
- 3D foam pads
- Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2 die
You will need
- White 13x18cm card blank
- White & dark grey cardstock
- Memory Box Climbing Vine die
- Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint & Pumice Stone Ranger Tin Holtz Distress Ink
- Woodware Just to Say stamp set
- VersaMagic Pink Petunia inkpad
- Gems
- Blending sponge
- 3D foam pads
- Poppystamps Dandelion Stem die
You will need
- White 13cm-square card blank
- White cardstock
- Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Blending sponge
- 3D foam pads
- Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Shabby Chic Collection Rustic Lattice die
- Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Shabby Chic Collection Chic Butterflies die set
- Crafter’s Companion Sara Signature Flutterby Collection Simplistic Sentiments die set
You will need
- White 13x18cm card blank
- White and dark grey cardstock
- Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink
- Sentiment stamp
- Onyx Black VersaFine inkpad
- Sequins
- Gems
- Blending sponge
- 3D foam pads
- Sizzix Thinlits Tim Holtz Mixed Media #2 die
- Crafter’s Companion Shabby Chic Collection Chic Butterflies die set
There's also a great video we found on YouTube which shows you how to create stencils from die cuts