I will admit that I have an addiction to stencils. Sadly, my budget doesn’t allow me to buy as many as I would like. Making stencils is an option that works better for me. It’s quick and easy to do with just a few basic supplies. It even involves a little recycling.

Supplies

You will need to gather some plastic lids. Pliable ones work best. Think along the lines of flexible plastic like the lids used on peanut containers.

• Craft Knife
• Permanent Marker
• Die Cutting Machine ( optional)
• Dies( Optional)

Here are the steps mapped out with a few photos to help give you a closeup view of the stencil making process.

 

Step One This is optional and can actually be done at the end if you prefer. On my sample lid in the photo, I did this step last. Completing the step first does make it easier to draw and cut on your lid.  Cut two slits into the edge of the lid. This makes a notch that you can cut free.

 

Step Two Now, it’s easier to get your scissors in there to cut the edge of the lid off. You will now how a plastic disc. The disc is easier to clean and use on your pages.

Step Three Now it’s time to add your design. If the lid is opaque, then I suggest drawing a design freehand. If the lid is translucent, you can lay it over a sheet of patterned paper, as I have done here, and trace the design. Simple designs work best.  I like to use permanent markers with a thick nib. The thick lines give me an idea of where to leave uncut spots in the design.

Step Four This is another optional step. Depending upon your design, you may want to colour in  the parts of the design you wish to cut out.

Step Five  Using a craft knife, carefully cut out your design from the plastic. It helps to cut small sections at a time. Rotate the lid as needed, making short slits, rather than making one continuous cut. If you make a mistake, it’s ok. It’s just a lid, for goodness sake!

Step Six Use your new stencil on a scrapbook page like the one I am sharing with you here.

 

Your new stencils are easy to clean with a little soap and water.

The stencils can be used with mists. Used as is, they produce unusual circular shaped designs.Here is an older layout I created a few years back using the stencils with mist.

Aliens by Christy Strickler | Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper: Mist: Tattered Angels; Other Ribbon

The stencils can also be used with modeling cream, gesso, paint or ink. For this layout, I used a handmade stars stencil and modeling cream to create diagonal flow on my layout. The word “love” in the title is the cutout from another platic stencil I had created( see the video).

Love is Beautiful by Christy Strickler |Supplies Patterned Paper: Studio Calico; Die Cut: Amy Tangerine; Font: SW Perfect Susan; Glitter Glue: Ranger; Modeling Cream: Viva Decor; Other: Doily, Tab, appears in an article for Get It Scrapped