Handmade Stencil

[lovinpaper]

I recently received a cover plate die. I am thinking it would make a great stencil. What kind of product would you use to create a stencil that will last quite a while? I know I could use lightweight paper and that would last a short time. I think I have used transparency material that can be heated, from Hot Off the Press, but that was a long time ago. I am looking at Hobby Lobby Website and they have a Cricut Stencil Sheet product. Would that work in a Big Shot? Please share how you make your own stencil without an electronic machine. Thanks!

[gregzgurl]

You can buy blank stencil sheets, usually found in the same area as the pre-made ones in craft stores - by the craft paint, not the papercrafting aisles. Quilting template material would also work, as would a plastic folder (school type). Pretty much anything thin (but not flimsy) and waterproof could be used, I would imagine.

[lovinpaper]

Thank you, Sue. In a matter of minutes, I have found at least four different kinds of "blank" stencils on the Hobby Lobby website. Now I know where to look.

[gregzgurl]

You're so welcome! I have to thank you, too, because now I'm looking at all of my dies differently. I have Tim's swirling stars die and it would make a great stencil! Same with a bunch of others...

[dini]

Yes to stencil blanks.

Yupo paper also cuts nicely for stencils.

[lovinpaper]

Thank You, Dini. I will have to try Yupo. I did purchase stencil blanks, but my intricate snowflake card front die, that I was wanting to stencil would not cut. I did get out my precision base plate, but all that piece did was curl. Then I placed a less intricate die in and it did cut. I will keep after it.

[Kristy Tyra]

I have cut many stencils from my various Cricut programs out of cardstock. They will last longer than you might think, and the more layers of paint, the sturdier they become. Having said that, I also have hand cut many stencils from plastic folders. I've used clear transparencies, too, but they are more fragile.

[uncbballfan]

Sue, I just got the Swirling Stars die, and was thinking the same thing!

[bjeans]

Some dies can be used as stencils as is when using texture paste. Putting the die into a container of water or washing it right afterwards is a good idea. The texture paste can be colored with dye ink using a palette knife. This was taught in a S&SB Expo class I think?

Using colored pencils works well with some dies directly through the metal. I accidentally stumbled upon that when fooling around with a set of Birchmere Press layering stencils. Really neat.

I’ve used glossy cardstock to cut stencils from dies, and once from the new plastic paper that’s less expensive than Yupo. (I still prefer Yupo for alcohol inks.)

[InwoodRoz]

I also use Yupo but another idea is to cut the (potential) stencil out of cover weight paper. Then stray it thoroughly with Scotch fabric protector. Let it dry and do it again. Did all my paper stencils that way and it worked perfectly.