"One Stamp, Five Ways" - Simon Says Stamp Marilyn Stencil

I wanted to use my usual title - "one stamp, five ways" just to be consistent. But today's post is really a "one stencil, six ways". I had no idea how fun a $13 stencil could be until I played with this one! Here is an image of the Simon Says Stamp Marilyn Stencil that was designed by Kristina Werner and was part of their Encouraging Words product release. 

I haven't played with stencils much, so this was really an experiment for me. And this one was so gorgeous, I thought it was about time to give it a try. I also used a stamp set that was recently released by Simon for my salutations on each card called Thoughtful Messages. Here is an image:

And last, I used a Thanks die on almost every card which is currently on reserve at Simon Says Stamp. It coordinates so perfectly with the stamp set above and is very useful since Thank You cards are probably the ones I use the most often!

And NOW it's time to get started! I tried different techniques for each of the cards I made with this stencil, so hopefully this LONG blog post will be worth your time and you will learn something (or at least be inspired to make something!). 

Card 1:

For this one, I attached the stencil to Neenah White Cardstock (using some washi tape on two sides) and then I rubbed Distress Oxide Inks over the stencil. I used several colors of greens and blues which are in the supply list below with the Ranger Blending Tool. I just recently purchased these inks and wasn't sure about making the investment. But they are SO awesome! They are so smooth and blend so well and are like chalk in their finish. I just love the way they look - very vibrant!

I die-cut this piece with a stitched rectangle full card size and attached it to a white card base. I used the same technique to apply ink to the center of the stencil and the leaves on the sides of the stencil. I cut these out and layered them over the base (the flower has three layers). In real life you can tell it is dimensional, but not so much in the photo!

I added some Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Sequins to the center of the flower and the leaves. I have been searching for a good wet glue that has a tiny applicator for precise placement fro a long time. I finally found one I love. It's not surprisingly by Tonic - called Deluxe Adhesive. I used it to apply the word Thanks to the outline die below it. It lets out just a tiny bit of glue and it doesn't dry TOO quick so you have time to move the word around if needed. And then it dries perfectly clear - perfection in a glue! I attached that to the bottom of the card.

Card 2:

I attached the stencil to a piece of Ranger Watercolor Paper and I drew between all of the openings with a pencil. I then removed the stencil and I painted the piece with my Daniel Smith watercolors (by the way, Simon now carries quite a few colors as you can see at this link!). I painted the borders (the actual plastic of the stencil) with a darker green color and then inside each of the openings with lighter colors. I wanted it to look like a stained glass window. It's NOT perfect, but it was fun to do.

I cut around the rounded edges of this piece and attached it to the front of a white card base. Then I stamped the sentiment on a white banner using the stamp set I showed above and Lawn Fawn Ink in Fish Tank and Jalapeño. I added three Pretty Pink Posh sequins around the banner (colors are linked below). 

Now the fun began! I used all of my Tonic Nuvo Drops to decorate it and add glimmer! I covered some of the pieces completely with a color and then I used just spots on other areas. It was just really fun to add some shine and glitter and dimension to it. I am so in love with these that I try to use them on everything! The colors I used are all listed in the supply list below. 

Card 3:

On this one, I used Texture Paste. I love using it with Distress Oxide Inks to color it. I just press some on a craft mat and mix them in with a craft knife. Then I rubbed the texture paste over the stencil. I added more inks for certain areas so the colors are yellow, orange, and red in different areas. I love how dimensional the texture paste is!

I cut a rectangle from this one and then framed it with a Mama Elephant Madison Frame.  I attached it to an orange card base. next, I die cut the Thanks die out of white cardstock and an MFT stitched sentiment banner out of white cardstock. I rubbed the same color of Distress Inks on the word Thanks and glued it to the border. I stamped "for being there" with the same inks on the white banner and layered them on the bottom of the card. 

And then I thought to myself - how can I use my Tonic Nuvo Drops on THIS one?!?!?! I decided to use the Strawberry Coulis transparent one over the word Thanks for dimension and shine. I also attached the Sparkling Clear Sequins with it so the color shows underneath them. 

Card 4:

I attached the stencil to white cardstock again and this time I outlined the inside of each piece on it with my Kaiser Craft glitter pens (they are currently out of stock at SSS, but they do have some of the larger set in stock that includes the glitter pens and 12 pastel pens which I just ordered since I love these SO much!). I mixed the two blues with purple when outlining. I then painted in each of the borders with blues and purples as well using my watercolors. In real life, the glitter is really sparkly and pretty!

I die cut a stitched rectangle frame using the Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Notes die set. I attached this over a part of the stencil design and attached it to a blue card base. I die-cut a banner out of the same blue cardstock and stamped the sentiment from the stamp set above white Versamark Ink and embossed with Ranger White Embossing Powder. I attached the banner to the bottom of the card.

I added several Pretty Pink Posh Sequins in Sea Breeze and the Winter Sparkle Mix. I added Tonic Nuvo Drops in white on the banner. 

Card 5:

I gotta be honest here - I hated the way this one turned out! But I decided to give it a try on a card anyway since I had spent so much time on it. I made the mistake of using Mixed Media Paper instead of watercolor paper, so the paper warped too much (which I was able to flatten on the card by applying adhesive behind all of it). I held the stencil in place and then applied three colors of Tonic Nuvo Mousse to it. Mine were dried out, so I added some water to them to make them spread easier. That is where I ran into a problem. I made them TOO wet and they ran underneath the stencil. But let's pretend it looks perfect and move on! I had received all three of these colors in SSS Card Kits, so I wanted to use them again - in Platinum, Aquamarine, and Peony Pink. 

I die-cut this piece with a Stitched Rectangle so less of it was showing! I rubbed the Platinum Mousse over the green card base as well so it matched the oval and had a gorgeous sheen to it. I die-cut the word Delightful out of the same green cardstock and white cardstock for the base. I attached it to the bottom of the oval over a banner watercolored with bright pink paint (I do NOT like this part - wish I hadn't put it on as it is too bright). 

I think this picture fully demonstrates how messy this card is - haha. I used Tonic Nuvo Drops OVER Sparkling Clear Sequins in Sherbet Shimmer. I just added a bubble of them over the sequins and it looks really cool! I used some Lawn Fawn Aquamarine twine on the side of the card (as if it wasn't already busy enough!). 

Card 6:

I saved my favorite for last - this one will make up for the last one I hope! I attached the stencil to white cardstock and drew inside the lines with a black fine tip marker. I then colored all of the openings with Copic Markers. After they were all colored in, I used the same marker to add a second set of lines around each area so it looked messy and doodled (and covered up my mistakes!).

I die-cut a full card size stitched rectangle and attached it to a white card base. I had to add some more marker to the four outside edges since they were white (now they are pink). I die-cut the word Thanks in both white and blue and layered them. I also layered two banner and stamped "for everything" from the stamp set above using Lawn Fawn Plastic Flamingo ink. 

Next I added three Pretty Pink Posh 4mm Clear Droplets. I attached them with Aquatic Mist Glitter drops so the color shows under them. 

I'M DONE - AND YOU ARE DONE TOO! This was a long one! Tell me which technique you liked! I would love to hear! There were so many other things I could have done with it including emboss with it (I saw a video by Debbie Hughs where she used it to emboss that was brilliant). But seriously, there is so much you can do with a stencil, right?!?!?! Take care friends! Suzy

LinkDeli.com

Comments

[G Evert]

Wow! The colors are just amazing. Have never heard of the Nuvo drops, going to have to get some and try. Love the distress oxides too, got a few but love all the distress inks! Once again, your work inspires me to go play.😘

[Rachel]

I think all your cards are beautiful but I really enjoyed the honesty in the Nuvo mousse one not working how you wanted - I'm sure it would still brighten someone's day to receive!

[Heather P]

Beautiful cards, even the one you don't like. I think my favourite us the texture paste with the distress oxide inks, but I also really like the last one as well.

[Lisa H.]

Gorgeous cards. I really appreciate your creativity - I got a lot of new ideas!

[Teresa Selby]

Love the stained glass one! It looks amazing. What a great you have done and thanks for sharing this project with us!

[Jill H.]

Beautiful cards! The last one is my fav, too! Thanks for sharing!